I've been on the sidelines for a few years due to the usual suspects; family, health (consecutive frozen shoulders), career (wife and I work for the same biotech startup
), among others. My 2nd frozen shoulder is starting to thaw and my son is taking an interest in the game, so we've had a weekly game at one of the local par 3 courses. Its a municipal facility that also has 27 holes of "regulation" golf.
Bottom line is that I've really enjoyed playing this little pitch and putt (aside for the great one-on-one time with my son). Its quick, relatively cheap ($10) provides some exercise, and (if I were still playing competitively) it would provide a better return on time in many instances compared to practice time on the range.
I used to play at a club in town a few years ago and I took my sone out to play there late in the afternoon on the weekends, and typically we would take a cart (he was quite young) and get in 5 or 7 holes if we were lucky. Now, out of habit, he has asked to take a cart when playing the par 3 course
, but its great to point out that golf is a walking game and that he can easily walk the par 3 course in contrast big boy course (he's 6 years old).
From a financial point of view, are 9 hole courses like these (such as Common Ground in Denver) effective at growing the game or simply providing another option for those like myself without being a financial burden on the main attraction? Any other examples of par three companion courses that are assets and not burdens on their facilities as a whole?
Cheers,
Brad