... is now posted under Best of Golf/Other (i.e. non-18 Hole) Ways to Enjoy the Game.
The game takes too long, it is too hard and too expensive, blah blah blah. These are the constant complaints we’ve heard since 2008.
Great, so what? Have you seen any tangible change? Not really and new construction has seized up. We need some 'points of light', some exciting new ways forward.
Bart Bradley's piece on the recently opened Orchard Course at The Olde Farm is that rare example. Designed by Bobby Weed and set on a mere 7.5 acres, this free form configuration offers a wide range of attractive full and recovery shots. There are no tees, just plunk your ball down and hit to the green here or perhaps the one over there. The putting surfaces equate to a bit more than 3/5 of an acre. Importantly, the land was near the entrance drive and was already being maintained to a degree so the uptick in maintenance isn’t backbreaking. Now it is an arena for people of all ages to swat a white ball about.
Most non-18 hole 'courses' suffer from being patently uninteresting. After all, they are for indifferent golfers, so milk-toast design features will do. Let's not make it too hard - let's shoo these hacks around in an expeditious manner! Nobody is going to fall in love with the game - or stay in touch with it - playing such bland fare. Indeed, the hundreds and hundreds of humdrum ‘small’ courses have given the lot a bad name.
Now reflect on what constitutes The Orchard Course - sleepered bunkers, elusive greens, lots of tight grass, a relaxing pastoral setting, and even a version of the Dell hole. Just look at the photo of the 7th hole - who doesn't want to find himself in that environment?! Good players can hone their skills while the less accomplished can have a different kind of fun. Nobody is likely to lose a ball and you can play for 10 or 60 minutes - whatever one desires.
My kids and I play with the Almost Golf balls in our pine straw covered front yard. One 'hole' plays over the hammock, another between two closely grown dogwoods, and a third between two pine trees from a distance of ~35 yards, etc. It's fun but not enduringly so: we now mostly play when visitors come over. What Bart has near his home is something of lasting value and his words and photographs succinctly capture the simple pleasures of playing there.
Let's hope that this conception is the inspiration for many more ingenious offerings. It’s about 1/3 the size of a full blown practice area and about 3 times more fun!
Best,