[Thomas Dai]

The phrase ‘sporting course’ was used decades/centuries ago to describe some courses.
Anyone like to suggest what was meant by a ‘sporting course’ and how it differentiated from other categories of course.
What would be some examples from both yesteryear and more recent times?
Atb

[Michael Felton]

I would think a "sporting" course was one that was not particularly difficult. It would give you a sporting chance of shooting a good score. I'd imagine it would be a course that was fairly wide open so you had plenty of room, with relatively large greens and not penal hazards.

[Tom_Doak]

I’ve heard “sporty” instead of sporting.


I took it as meaning not very long or difficult, but full of challenges, and not just flat and dull.

[Tim Martin]

I’ve heard “sporty” instead of sporting.

+1

[Ally Mcintosh]

I took it as meaning not very long or difficult, but full of challenges, and not just flat and dull.

This is exactly as I have taken it.

[Thomas Dai]

I took it as meaning not very long or difficult, but full of challenges, and not just flat and dull.

This is exactly as I have taken it.

In which case more please!:)
Atb

[Kalen Braley]

Thru posts over the years here, I've surmised it to mean the following:

1) Short
2) Diverse shot requirements, recoveries, and/or ways to play a hole
3) A fair amount of quirky features and/or unique holes
4) Not an easy pushover scoring-wise

Indian Canyon is the first course that comes to mind for me..

[Tim Martin]

Thru its years over the years here, I've surmised it to mean the following:

1) Short
2) Diverse shot requirements, recoveries, and/or ways to play a hole
3) A fair amount of quirky features and/or unique holes
4) Not an easy pushover scoring-wise

Indian Canyon is the first course that comes to mind for me..

Your descriptions matches my understanding of a sporting/sporty course. I think Cape Arundel, Aiken Golf Club, Merion West, Dedham Polo Club and Seaview Bay would all fit the bill.

[Tommy Williamsen]

I generally heard it as a veiled criticism of the course.

[Jeff Johnston]

Three that immediately spring to mind for me are - funnily enough - all second courses to grander Irish links.


Portrush Valley
RCD Annesley
Castlerock Bann

[Sean_A]

I’ve heard “sporty” instead of sporting.

I took it as meaning not very long or difficult, but full of challenges, and not just flat and dull.

Plus a healthy dose of blind shots.

Ciao

[Peter Pallotta]

One of Pat Mucci's favourite terms, 'sporty', and a complimentary one. Inwood is a course that comes to mind, from Pat's days here. The website says 6600 yards, Par 71 and 'subtle', and notes that Sam Snead and Ben Hogan shot a pair of 77s when they played it.
Pat was -- and I trust still is -- a very good golfer.

[Tim Martin]

I generally heard it as a veiled criticism of the course.

I always thought/heard the opposite. For the card and pencil guys I guess the idea might be that it doesn’t measure up from a competitive standpoint.

[Tom_Doak]

I generally heard it as a veiled criticism of the course.

I always thought/heard the opposite. For the card and pencil guys I guess the idea might be that it doesn’t measure up from a competitive standpoint.

No, I think Tommy has it right, the term was often derogatory when used by good golfers, as if it had a bit of character but it wasn’t a REAL golf course.


Amazingly, it was used for places like North Berwick and St Enodoc in the not-too-distant past.  Pennard, too, I suspect.


Kalen’s list is a 100% match.

[Garland Bayley]

I took it as meaning not very long or difficult, but full of challenges, and not just flat and dull.

This is exactly as I have taken it.

Yes, not boring, e.g., like sporty Strandhill, but not like boring Saunton East.

[Sean_A]

I generally heard it as a veiled criticism of the course.

I always thought/heard the opposite. For the card and pencil guys I guess the idea might be that it doesn’t measure up from a competitive standpoint.

No, I think Tommy has it right, the term was often derogatory when used by good golfers, as if it had a bit of character but it wasn’t a REAL golf course.


Amazingly, it was used for places like North Berwick and St Enodoc in the not-too-distant past.  Pennard, too, I suspect.


Kalen’s list is a 100% match.

In later years sporty and holiday courses were terms used by some to qualify courses as not to be taken seriously. Originally, I don't think this was the case at all.

Ciao

[Brett Meyer]

The phrase ‘sporting course’ was used decades/centuries ago to describe some courses.

When I played Painswick I encountered an older local hiker who said that it was a "rather sporting course." I didn't know if that meant that he thought it was good or bad (generally a problem if you don't speak Brit), but otherwise I knew what he meant and I agreed.

[Joel_Stewart]

Tobacco Road.

[mike_malone]

This brings back memories for me. My dad called Nemours that. It was the quirkier and more interesting course across the street from the championship course—-DuPont.


  I played Inwood this year and agree with that assessment by Pat.

[Jim Sherma]

Course that popped into my mind is Brookside CC - Macungie, PA. Frank Meehan. Shortish, funky and generally sporty in nature. Certainly not taken as seriously as Lehigh or Saucon. But a cool course that has a lot of fun and funk in getting around it.

[Mark Mammel]

George Rhame, a sports columnist for the Minneapolis Morning Tribune, described the original 9 holes at White Bear Yacht Club (of uncertain design) as sporty, and also as a "goat hills":



The term "sporty" seems to suggest a course that is sort of goofy, or "quirky"; not necessarily derogatory but also not a complimentary designation.

[Ally Mcintosh]

Thinking through the origin of the word a little further, it could mean fast… or it could mean brash…. Or channeling a bit of Jay Gatsby, it could just mean friend.

[Thomas Dai]

In later years sporty and holiday courses were terms used by some to qualify courses as not to be taken seriously. Originally, I don't think this was the case at all.
Ciao

Ah yes, 'holiday courses', not a description I'm fond of nor likely are the folks who live nearby, play most of their golf on the course and whose forefathers may well have founded the course/club.
atb

[Sean_A]

In later years sporty and holiday courses were terms used by some to qualify courses as not to be taken seriously. Originally, I don't think this was the case at all.
Ciao

Ah yes, 'holiday courses', not a description I'm fond of nor likely are the folks who live nearby, play most of their golf on the course and whose forefathers may well have founded the course/club.
atb

I like the term because it suggests the course will be links, not championship standard, pretty, some good and interesting holes and not overly expensive. In other words, a course to play while on holiday.

Ciao

[Tony_Muldoon]

Kilspindie.


First time I played it in a 4 ball I shot my handicap.  I came last, but couldn't have had more fun.






Might treat myself this Christmas...

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