[Adam_F_Collins]

I'm wondering about how golfer reluctance to entertain golf courses which don't fit the 'magic numbers' of tradition hurt the growth and health of golf as a whole?

For instance, a nine hole course genereally doesn't seem to get nearly the attention that an 18 hole course does, and many golfers are reluctant to give it a shot.

Courses which aren't par 72 or are too short are given less attention.

What about the idea of playing golf courses with only 6 holes, or three holes? Blasphemy!!

Maybe 'tradition' isn't the right word, but you get my drift. I just wonder how much could be created if we were more open to variety. It seems to me, that in the present climate of big money for everything, a premium on real estate, time, environmental concerns, etc., that a little flexibility on the part of golfers would go a long way to protecting the game we love.

[Garland Bayley]

I think larger metropolitan areas think they are big so they should only do 18 hole golf courses. I think this does not serve the working people that live there. Many working people with families that might otherwise be interested in golf don't bother, because it takes to long to play 18, and the 18 hole courses do not accomodate those wanting to only play 9 holes. This certainly was my experience. I played a lot before starting a family, then basically gave it up for over 20 years partly because you had to lie and cheat to get on the local 18 hole muni to play only 9 holes.

[Patrick_Mucci]

I'm wondering about how golfer reluctance to entertain golf courses which don't fit the 'magic numbers' of tradition hurt the growth and health of golf as a whole?

How has it hurt the health and growth of the game ?[/color]

For instance, a nine hole course genereally doesn't seem to get nearly the attention that an 18 hole course does, and many golfers are reluctant to give it a shot.

Using that logic, why not just settle for one hole, or the range ?

Golf is viewed as a game conducted over 18 holes, understanding that other versions can be over more or less holes.[/color]

Courses which aren't par 72 or are too short are given less attention.

Do you mean that NGLA, Garden City, Wannamoisett, Pine Valley, Merion and others don't get the attention they deserve ? [/color]

What about the idea of playing golf courses with only 6 holes, or three holes? Blasphemy!!

Why not just one hole ?  Or the range ?

Do you want to play golf for 15 minutes or for 3-5 hours ?[/color]

Maybe 'tradition' isn't the right word, but you get my drift. I just wonder how much could be created if we were more open to variety. It seems to me, that in the present climate of big money for everything, a premium on real estate, time, environmental concerns, etc., that a little flexibility on the part of golfers would go a long way to protecting the game we love.

I think you're way off base.
Who wants to play golf for 15-30 minutes ?

But, let's say you did.

Okay, how many players can be accomodated on a 3 hole golf course, as you suggest above ?

How efficient would that be ?
Who would buy a limited amount of real estate, build a three hole golf course, and be able to pay off the acquisition and maintainance costs, and turn a profit ?

And, what would they have to charge to do so ?

Probably the same, if not more than an 18 hole golf course.
So, how is your three hole golf course going to compete with an 18 hole golf course ?

Erase this thread, take a 15-30 minute nap, the time it would take you to play your phantom three hole golf course, and come back with a fresh, sane idea.  [/color]

[Garland Bayley]

...
I think you're way off base.
Who wants to play golf for 15-30 minutes ?
...

The harried professional on his lunch, coffee, or sanity break.
What if you built a three hole course. During the summer (no school) you reserve a block of tee times for before work, lunch time, afterwork work for working stiffs. The rest of the time it is available for kids. During the school year, the whole school day is available for the working stiff. Outside the school day the working stiff has to compete with the kids for access.

[Andy Troeger]

Creekside GC and Training Center in Valparaiso, IN has a nine hole course, a three hole course, a driving range that includes a covered portion for winter use, and  there's a couple putting/chipping greens.

Its perfect for what Garland describes for juniors and lunch-break visits. I think most people do as Pat suggests and use the range instead, but the three-holer is there and is pretty nice and people do use that as well. I've not played it, but there's a par 3, 4, and 5. Its a nice facility, and is actually pretty good for the better player and the novice as they have some very short "training tees" as well.

[Mark Brown]

It hurts the growth of the game a lot as it creates the intimidation factor for beginners. The Club pros should be having classes for new golfers about rules, traditions etc.

Alot of golf courses do little or nothing to help new golfers feel welcome and try to help them take their game from the practice tee to the course. So they play slow and get yelled at. How long until they leave and play tennis.

The PGA has a long way to go to teach their club pros about customer service. But there's a new Director now -- Joe Steranka.

The PGA needs to take a look at what the Superintendents Assoc. has done in the last 10 years to educate their members and do effective PR in the world of golf. Hats off to them!

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