Every Club needs a St. Olaf's....

[Darren_Kilfara]

The Ladies course at Machrihanish serves this purpose as well. Several holes are pretty flat and altogether mundane, but the set of three par 3s (#1, #3 and #7) are collectively just as good as - or perhaps even better than - the par 3s on the main course, and a couple of the par 4s traverse rolling terrain are quite fun as well.

What I really like about the Ladies course is that juniors have to shoot a certain score on it before they're allowed out on the big course. They can learn the game in an utterly unhurried and unthreatening environment, and only when they're really ready do they graduate to the longer course - although that said, a lot of them like to stick to the relief course!

Cheers,
Darren

[Ross Cooper]

The second course at Moray (Lossiemouth) golf course. Short but very challenging - it is a very good sister to the main golf course.
 

[Tommy Williamsen]

I'm just happy that the Scott's celebrate their Norwegian Viking roots.

[ForkaB]

I'm just happy that the Scott's celebrate their Norwegian Viking roots.

Tommy

FYI, one of the theories of the word "Cruden" is that it derives from "Croju-Dane" meaning "the slaughter of the Danes."  This is a reference to the final battle between the Danes and the Scots in 1012, part of which took place over what are now the golf links.  The Crown Prince of Denmark was killed and buried somewhere on the course.  The "bluidy burn" running in front of the 6th green was so named as it ran red for 7 hours during the battle.

RC

Good call re: Lossie.  The New is a very good short course, well deserving of "hidden gem" status.

[Tommy Williamsen]

Evidently building St. Olaf's must have been Scottish pennance.

[ForkaB]

Maybe so, Tommy, but as an American with virtually no Scottish blood in my veins, I really wouldn't know....

[SPNC_Chris]

The best example or potential of this sort of "little" course is the "little 9" at Southern Pines.  I haven't been back there for a number of years.  But, I did examine it closely back when, and I think it screams out for the Elks club to do something to remodel and utilize it for exactly these fun, quick, clever little rounds.  I can't believe the powers that be and some ambitious up and comer archie hasn't struck a deal to make this a showpiece resto-remodel effort to showcase good design-construction work.

Actually, the "little" course is slightly longer than the "big" course at Southern Pines. Unfortunately, our tighfisted bunch is not likely to resurrect the "Cardinal" 9 any time soon. I love that course as I grew up playing it many times a week during the summer.

The good news is it appears Southern Pines will be closing from June-August to put new tif in the fairways to replace the common bermuda. There will also be rennovation to the bunkers. The greens have been OK as of late, so they don't need much work. Whoever is coming to the area in the fall should definitely check out the improved conditions coming to Southern Pines.