12 holes

[Fitzpatrick]

Nicklaus has said in a number of interviews that he would favor having 12 holes as a standard golf course today, so that the pace of play would be sped up for amateur golfers.

Would this be something that you might be in favor of?

In the book Tommy's Honor, which highlights the origins of the modern game and the lives of Old and Young Tom Morris, there is mention of a course that Old Tom designed in the 1850's at Prestwick that is 12 holes. Granted, the game in the middle of the 19th century was vastly different than it is today, but it illustrates that a 12 hole course isn't a new idea.

Personally, I think it would be neat to play a 12 hole course. I mostly play only 9 holes these days, because I don't always have the time (or money) to play 18. 12, I think, would be a very nice compromise.

Thoughts?

[King Par]

If they replaced all the 9 hole courses, with 12, I'd be in favour. But if they knocked down 18, to 12. I wouldn't be.

Golf is a sport of composure and endurance. I believe that plays a major part in what you shoot, because a score on any hole can increase your total outcome dramatically. If you can't compose yourself and perform for all 18, then you're not going to be a great player. If you can't handle the heat, the exhaustion, the work out, you're not going to be a great golfer.

What I love most about golf is the length. It's 4 hours of me time. I get to go out, have fun, develop relationships, play a game I love and get some exercise.

[ezra76]

There's a course I used to play that has a deal for 12 since there are 5 holes across the road then back for the last par 3. Across the road never took very well. Hard time growing grass and the holes are odd tight doglegs with massive elevation changes. It's tough to get a ball to stop and not fly off into the woods.

I'd rather play 18. If they had 12 though, 24 would be about perfect.

[SilverUberXeno]

How would 12 holes speed up play? That's just ignorant. Obviously playing 12 holes takes less time than playing 18, but you're playing less golf.

There's no reason to think the per-hole time would decrease...

Driving to a mall 10 miles away takes less time than driving to a mall 30 miles away, because it's CLOSER, not because you decide to drive 140 miles per hour.

Jack is getting senile.

[Wi-Golfer]

Last year I played a lot more 9 holes than 18. This year it's the opposite & the reason I choose 18 is it sometimes takes me 2-3 holes to get into the groove & with only 9 holes the game is over just as you are really getting into it.

I guess I side with Kingpar, leave the 18 hole courses alone & increase the 9 holers to 12. Although I still don't think it would actually speed up the pace of play. Have people quit wasting so much time looking for their crappy Topflite XL5000 balls & pretending they are trying to win the Masters as they line up their 4th putt would really speed up the game. I flew thru 18 today in 2 hrs 10 minutes.

[mddubya]

Originally Posted by Wi-Golfer

Last year I played a lot more 9 holes than 18. This year it's the opposite & the reason I choose 18 is it sometimes takes me 2-3 holes to get into the groove & with only 9 holes the game is over just as you are really getting into it.

I guess I side with Kingpar, leave the 18 hole courses alone & increase the 9 holers to 12. Although I still don't think it would actually speed up the pace of play. Have people quit wasting so much time looking for their crappy Topflite XL5000 balls & pretending they are trying to win the Masters as they line up their 4th putt would really speed up the game. I flew thru 18 today in 2 hrs 10 minutes.

Exactly, require a lesson in golf ettiquete before taking up the game, or that all courses have Marshals to enforce speed of play. Or just make it legal to shoot slow players on the spot,

[mddubya]

Originally Posted by Wi-Golfer

Last year I played a lot more 9 holes than 18. This year it's the opposite & the reason I choose 18 is it sometimes takes me 2-3 holes to get into the groove & with only 9 holes the game is over just as you are really getting into it.

I guess I side with Kingpar, leave the 18 hole courses alone & increase the 9 holers to 12. Although I still don't think it would actually speed up the pace of play. Have people quit wasting so much time looking for their crappy Topflite XL5000 balls & pretending they are trying to win the Masters as they line up their 4th putt would really speed up the game. I flew thru 18 today in 2 hrs 10 minutes.

Just make it legal to shoot slow players on the spot.

[slickpitt]

I prefer 18 for sure

[zaphod]

I would like to see courses on multiples of 6 holes. 6-12-18-24-30-36 etc.

Would fit my time slots. My local 9 hole course I can usually jump on without tee time (and generally golf alone if I want) for an evening play. It has an outer 5 hole setup and an inner 4 holes both starting at the club house. An ideal set up when I'm time challenged.

Never have actually made a tee time in the 10 years I've golfed here. If we have a tourney or league play when I want to golf I can usually "walk on" to another course (Lake Arrowhead) located 1/2 hour away. Great course at $24 walking twilight.