12-HOLE GOLF COURSES?

No one is absolutely sure why there are 18 holes on a golf course. One theory involves the number of shots in a bottle of whiskey. It has been told that the founding fathers of golf, Scottish farmers, commonly drank an entire bottle of whiskey as they chased their golf balls from hole to hole across cow pastures. No doubt, some big numbers were posted by these early bottle-toting golfers on the latter holes.

Originally, there were not a standard number of holes on a golf course. In fact, St Andrews had 22 holes until 1764 when 4 holes were merged to make an 18-hole course. According to most golf historians, there is no specific answer for why and when 18 holes became the standard number of holes on a course. In 1858, the R&A issued a new rule that stated “one round of the Links or 18 holes is reckoned a match unless otherwise stipulated”.

The R&A was the primary governing body during the formative years of golf, so it can be assumed that this rule is the likely reason for the adoption of 18-hole courses throughout Scotland, England and Ireland. By the late-1800s, most golf courses had 18 holes and a “round” of golf was typically considered to be 18 holes.

We all know that the governing bodies, such as the R&A and USGA, are not exactly progressive agents of change but I have an interesting idea:

What if every 18-hole regulation golf course in America was reduced to 12 holes with the remaining 6 holes used for beginners and juniors? Each 12-hole “championship” course could feature a challenging front-6 and back-6 that are maintained with today’s standard yardages, fairway widths, green speeds and abundant hazards while the 6-hole beginner course would be maintained with shorter yardages, wider fairways, slower greens and scarce hazards.

In today’s era of 7,000+ yard golf courses that are much too long and difficult for the average golfer (who hits their driver a whopping 180 yards), these 12-hole and 6-hole courses would provide golfers with a choice based upon their ability and preference. Just as the green runs and “bunny hills” at ski resorts, these 6-hole courses would serve as a comfortable option for millions of golfers. Also, the reduction to 12 holes would decrease the time commitment for a “round” of golf from four and a half hours to three hours. Golf course owners would likely increase rounds and revenue at their facilities while helping attract and retain more new golfers.

As everyone in the golf industry struggles to find new ideas to “increase rounds,” perhaps it’s time to think out of the box. I’m sure this idea causes the golf historians, statisticians and the blazers at the governing bodies to cringe but it is an interesting idea nonetheless. www.USGA.org.