Par-3 golf league taking an innovative approach to team competition

Par-3 golf having a moment.

And it’s no wonder.

Short courses are fun, exciting and take less time to play than their full-sized brethren; they also take up a smaller footprint and are less expensive to build. Witness the growing par-3 offerings from A-list destinations like Bandon Dunes and Cabot connection for more local hangouts like 3 in North Carolina. Or ask the USGA. The governing body, in a sign of the growing popularity of par-3 courses announced earlier this year that short courses up to 750 yards are eligible for rating, meaning scores on those courses can be included in a player’s Handicap Index.

In Arizona, one course — and operator — is taking advantage of the short course movement in an enterprising way. In 2023, Grass Clippings, a company founded in 2018 by a group of Phoenix-based entrepreneurs, agreed to a 50-year partnership with the city of Tempe to operate Rolling Hills Golf Course, an executive course in Tempe.

Over the past year and a half, a $15 million investment has transformed the experience at what is now known as Grass Clippings at Rolling Hills. The course is equipped with lighting for night play, has a practice range lit with Toptracer technology, a new irrigation system and new tee boxes. The facility also has an activity lawn and video screen, hilltop bar, patio bar, a renovated clubhouse and an entertainment venue.

Perhaps the greatest element of its success, however, is its leading role as the home of an innovative new competitive format. In December, the course will host the Troon Access GL Championship Presented by GolfNow, a tournament that is part of The Grass League, the world’s premier high-stakes par-3 golf league. The Grass League was created by the founders of Grass Clippings and hosts competitive tournaments with amateur and professional players in team-based formats.

Grass League co-founders Jake and Jimmy Hoselton, Pete Wilson and Connor Riley say the Grass League offers everything a modern sports fan wants – in an attractive and compact par-3 format.

“Par-3 golf is an independent sport,” said Jake Hoselton, who is CEO of the Grass League. “It’s faster, it’s more action-packed, but it’s still golf.”

The Troon Access GL Championship kicks off on December 5 with 44 two-person teams competing at Rolling Hills in a 36-hole scramble over two evenings. Rounds will be played under lights and in front of a gallery of thousands of celebrants. For a $20 admission fee, attendees will have access to a beer garden, hospitality tents, food trucks, live music and a daily after party.

And then, of course, there’s golf; Fans will be allowed to stay within a club length of competitors and enjoy unobstructed views from start to finish.

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“There’s opportunity here,” Jake Hoselton said. “Par-3 golf, and especially the format we use — the two-person scramble — lends itself to the ability to have men and women ages 18 to 75 who are competitive. It levels the playing field. And all the moments the best golf shots happen from 150 yards and up.”

After a successful debut event at Grass Clippings in Rolling Hills in April, the Grass League is looking forward to expanding its tour schedule. Eleven teams from cities such as San Diego, Phoenix, Scottsdale and Dallas will add a sense of rivalry and intrigue, and there is plenty of room for expansion. The team’s owners and investors include US Open champion Wyndham Clark, Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts and Good Good Golf.

Owners can decide how to populate their listings. Some offer open qualifications to grab a seat; others choose their own teams. Anyone can submit a profile on the Grass League website to enter the portal in hopes of being picked up by a team. Players who make a roster can negotiate compensation with their respective owners, and amateurs can explore NIL opportunities. Each Grass League tournament has a purse, which is paid to the team owner as opposed to individuals. Owners can then compensate their players. In the December tournament, competitors will include LPGA players, YouTube influencers and past PGA Tour winners, as well as amateurs.

Part of the allure of Grass League is its ability to be seen in prime time. NBC Peacock will broadcast live coverage of the Troon Access GL Championship as well as three other Grass League events in 2025. The league has already grown rapidly since its debut event and, given the exposure it’s getting on the road, it looks ready for an even bigger launch event in the coming months.

“We believe that next year and the years to come, this will be a great platform,” Wilson said. “If you’re trying to get on Tour, there’s only so many places you can play. And this can be a great option to continue sharpening your game while earning money while gaining exposure through social media. If your dream is to play on Tour, maybe this will help you get there. Or maybe this is ultimately a better tournament to try to make a career out of.”

Wilson’s partner, Jake Hoselton, agrees.

“I don’t think it’s too far off for players to be able to make a living playing full-time in the Grass League,” Hoselton said. “That’s our goal.”

For more information on the Grass League and the upcoming Troon Access GL Championship, click here.

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