Best size of a golf course?

What do you think would be the optimum number of holes or distance for a golf course? In the summer, you might fancy fitting in a round after work, in the winter it gets dark early and so 18holes are not always possible. Do you get tired after 14?

What would be a good number, or does everyone relish the longer format all the time!?

18 holes has been the recognised number for a very long time now, if those who would like a change were to walk a bit faster, play a bit faster and concentrate on the game instead talking about last nights filly, then we would all get round in three hours, just like we used to do.

12 holes is a great number as I always tend to lose a bit of concentration on holes 13 to 15. Although if they reduced it to 12 I'd like the par to remain at about 72 so I would have a chance of going into the red!

Don't seem to come across much slow play on my local track. Sunday morning comps, which I don't currently play in, but get stuck behind, still only takes our 4 ball just over 4 hours. As for the size of the golf course, we quite often vary the number of holes in the evening to between 9, 11,12,14 or 15 holes, usually depending on the weather. It's the layout of our course which allows us to cut across and miss holes out. Any more than 15 and you might as well play the lot because your at the furthest point from the club house after 13. Trouble is, if youv'e had a good score over the 15 then you always wonder what if.......... Stick to 18 were possible.

4 hours is slow play, get a move on.

It's not us that takes 4 hours. Actually play better when the game is faster. Not as much time to think, just hit it, get better result most of the time.

I am with you on this one, Kevin as in our roll-up we have a few younger players one is 43, a millionaire with all the latest gadget and gizmo available, but does he take his time over a shot, it is like watching paint dry and if he is drawn in the first group ,then I know we are in for a slow round. On the putting green he is infinitely worse no matter how long the putt.

The rule to let people through is not a rule, Wayne, but comes under etiquette, which very few modern golfers understand. The criteria for calling through can be because there is a two ball behind a fourball (Should not be allowed and never is at a proper golf club)a clear hole is lost on the group in front and when one is seraching for a lost ball.

At sixty years of age I walked three rounds at Camberley Heath, Surrey carrying my bag and having food in between each round, perhaps you can tell me why it is the youngsters who are always in the buggies.

Martin, just because you were a two ball, does not give you any more rights than any other group playing in front of you, unlesss, they lose a complete hole on the match in front.

Having played for 55 years I can honestly say that I have never asked to go through any group of players and I am quite sure that if you asked me in that manner then you would get short shrift.

What is wrong with your scenario, is that if the group in front of you were not abiding by the etiquette of the game then you would be within your rights to point this out to them and then they would have no option but to invite you through. If on the other hand they were playing correctly then I am afraid you have no reason to ask or demand to be let through.

Martin, if you mean by 'courtesy' that on a short hole ,the local club rule is for them to mark their balls when on the green so that you may play your tee shots, then they should have adhered to the rule, not that it is one I like to see as it does not, IMO, speed up play.

Even pointing this out to them does not entitle you to precedence, it is also a well known fact that in every club throughout the world one will always bump into this kind of player, best to ignore them and treat them with the contempt they deserve.

These problems normally never occur at a proper run club because they separtae two balls and three/fourballs at different times of the day, so that a fourball is never holding up a two ball, which they are bound to do.

With all due respect, two balls cannot expect to keep ploughing through the field just because they are a two ball. Patience is a virtue, Martin, don't ever let anyone else spoil your enjoyment.

Standard of play does not enter the equation at all, Martin, but speed of play is the responsibilty of us all.

I am quite sure, Danny, that they would not have got through me, and if they had persisted in driving their balls through me, then I would probably hit them back to them. They would immediately get the message.

The problem isn't the buggies, its the idiots driving them. Buggies are for people who find it hard to walk, like myself, not for fit youngsters to tear around, annoying everyone else who is playing.

Danny, age should not even enter into the equation, we are all players and should show respect to others when playing.

The fact that some of us are unable to abide by the etiquette and the rules of this game is, in itself, unfortunate.

You have to remember that being an old man I have seen the game change completely, from a time when anyone who played golf had only two options, join a club or play the local municipal.

Those who joined a club tended to play their golf only at the club and of course ,societies, as we know them today, just did not exist, so the club member was wrapped in a cocoon and never ever experienced golf like it is today, with outsiders threatening his hallowed ground.

I am a member of a "Crown Golf" course and it is completely different to being a member of a private club, it is basically a money making machine and members are not treated any differently to those paying a green fee, I respect that, as I knew this before I joined.

Back on the original topic, 18 seems just right, less just isnt worth going out for, more on a long summers day is always enjoybale. Played 36 holes the day after boxing day without buggy so i would imagine 54 is easily possible during the summer.

Twighlight rounds just get in what you can, ive played probably 15 twighlight rounds and have always completed all 18 from memory.

I think any less than 18 and I don't feel like I've played a proper round.  The only exception I make is in spring and autumn I will play 9 holes once a week after work rather than hitting balls down the range as I feel I get more out of it. 

I, like most on this forum prefer to play 18 holes because I hate the thought of not playing all the holes that youre supposed to!! I have the same problem with rounds after work in the summer and rounds in the winter, in that I hate leaving the course early, which is why I would rather play a decent nine hole course than just nine holes of a full course!

Luke, I feel the same.  I tend to play Sherdons near Tewkesbury in the midweek.  I can get there in 15 minutes from any of our three Cheltenham offices and it's only a nine holer so I don't feel cheated or lazy just playing nine.