Must it always be 18…
We are constantly discussing the time it takes to play a round of golf and how this can be difficult within the modern working family.
Twenty20 cricket has transformed the game and there have been several attempts at finding Golf’s version of this. None have been succesful.
Golfs format works, it’s just the time it takes to play 18 holes that is the problem. With this is mind, rather than looking for some quirky adaptation of the sport, why not just play less holes.
The Old Course at St Andrews became and 18 hole course in 1764, when it reduced down from 22 holes and this became the recognised standard number of holes. Why however, should something that happened over 250 years ago still be the only real format for competition strokeplay golf.
Take running for example. There is everything from a 100m sprint to a marathon at 26.2 miles and everything in between. Usain Bolt and Mo Farrah are both runners, but in completely different disciplines. When Usain Bolt competes in the 100m, it takes less than 10 seconds, for Mo Farah in the 10,000m its around 27 minutes. Mo Farah has just retired from his usual distances and will begin marathon running. Why not!
I believe golf needs more varied competition lengths. The European Tour have staged a couple of 6 hole events this year and plan to do more. With computerised scoring software, there is no reason that calculations can’t be made for shorter length events of any number of holes.
Scottish golf currently allow 9 hole competitions, but it’s for a set 9 holes of which cannot be altered. I like the idea of 6 hole competitions and in particular 6 holes in 60 minutes, as I think the 1 hour time scale is a very important marker.
I’m not advocating that short form golf will replace the 18 hole format, but we most certainly need some additional shorter formats to attract more play.
Let me know your thoughts on this by emailing info@noahsarkgolf.com
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