CAMILLUS - Be like Tiger Woods. Leave the driver in the bag.

But instead of hitting laser 3-irons down the browned, barren fairways of Royal Liverpool, we took our British Open-caliber play to the West Hill Golf Course, an 18-hole, par-3 course that's a few shades greener than the Chicago River on St. Patrick's Day.

West Hill completely sheds the “pitch and putt” stigma that accompanies most par-3 courses. The greens and fairways are in immaculate shape and the layout is surprisingly diverse. Rarely will you hit the same club off the tee on back-to-back holes.

“Eighteen par 3s in a row, that's a challenge,” said owner Jed Rotella. “There's more length on some of the holes and with all the trees, there's no room for mistake. If you get a five on a hole, you're done.”

The yardages vary - you have to adjust from the 246-yard fifth hole to the 138-yard sixth and then the 106-yard ninth - and the elevations are just as contrasting.

No. 10 takes you directly down a hill and before you can catch your breath, No. 11 takes you right back up.

While the driver collects cobwebs, your woods may get some use. There are five par 3s measuring longer than 200 yards and of course, enough trees and water to force you to test your long-club accuracy.

“It's a pretty golf course,” Rotella said. “It's a par-3 course but it's very challenging and maintained very well. It's known for its awesome shape ... it's taken a while but we've developed a pretty good niche here. We've got a lot of women golfers and a lot of senior citizens. There aren't many long-ball hitters that come through.”

Rotella's parents built the course in 1966. It was designed by Hal Purdy, who also had a hand in Foxfire Golf Club and Skaneateles Country Club.

When West Hill opened, Rotella's parents believed par-3 courses were the up-and-coming style but it may not be until now that they really catch on.

“People are predicting now that (par-3 courses) are going to become the trend,” Rotella said. “The Baby Boomers are getting older - this is the kind of course they're going to be looking for. It doesn't take long, maybe three hours to play a round. Three hours for a round of golf at a reasonable price, you can't beat that.”

Chances are, we'll be senior citizens before we can figure out the greens at West Hill. The putting surfaces are true, but hills and valleys make for an interesting ride and read. The greens are also deceptively slow, a trait Rotella strives for.

“The greens are rolly and very undulating,” he said. “A lot of people consider the greens slow. People see the pros playing on fast greens and (courses) try to compete with television. That's when you get in trouble. The greens burn out and are difficult to maintain when they are cut so low. It's a maintenance disaster.”

Holes are groomed to perfection. And for those duffed tee shots that leave you in the fairway - it happens more than you'd think - the grass is cut tight so putting spin on the ball is almost natural. For those who have never been able to pull the string on their wedge shots, it's a complete confidence-booster the first time you pull it off.

But more than anything, you forget you're playing a par-3 course. The holes are challenging and you'll probably use every club in your bag except the driver.

Hey, it worked for Tiger - and our scores matched his for one round this weekend.