54 or course par?

[araytx]

Like most have said, that's not really the issue. Just call out your score.

Not meaning to move over into course design, but in my opinion, if the basket is not accessible on a drive from the tee, then that's not really a par 3 hole. If you cannot birdie it with a 2 (to get "under" par), then it's either designed well to be a par 4/5 or it's poorly designed. Personally I like the newfangled designs where they take two good drives. I like the way John Houck describes these types of holes

[Brick Forcepush]

always 54

[mudslinger]

I play raw score. over/under is subjective in many cases and may be listed differently on cards (red/gold tees, etc)

only time you need a "par" score is calculating +4 strokes on the HOLE PAR for late comers in tourneys.