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The NYT reports that golf courses across the country are experimenting with 15 inch golf holes the size of pizzas to stop people from quitting the game amid reports that golf has lost five million players in the last decade with 20 percent of the existing 25 million golfers apt to quit in the next few years. "We've got to stop scaring people away from golf by telling them that there is only one way to play the game and it includes these specific guidelines," says Ted Bishop, president of the PGA of America. "We've got to offer more forms of golf for people to try. We have to do something to get them into the fold, and then maybe they'll have this idea it's supposed to be fun."
A 15-inch-hole event was held at the Reynolds Plantation resort last week featuring top professional golfers Sergio Garcia and Justin Rose, the defending United States Open champion. "A 15-inch hole could help junior golfers, beginning golfers and older golfers score better, play faster and like golf more," says Garcia, who shot a six-under-par 30 for nine holes in the exhibition. Another alternative is foot golf, in which players kick a soccer ball from the tee to an oversize hole, counting their kicks. Still it is no surprise that not everyone agrees with the burgeoning alternative movement to make golf more user-friendly. "I don't want to rig the game and cheapen it," says Curtis Strange, a two-time United States Open champion and an analyst for ESPN. "I don't like any of that stuff. And it's not going to happen either. It's all talk."
(Score: 1) by GeriatricGentleman on Tuesday April 22 2014, @11:55PM
...I play golf. I enjoy it. For a while I was even quite good, but only hack about a few times a year these days.
Guess I am luckier than many - golf here is ~$10 to play out in the countryside (sheep mow the course) but is typically an hours drive or so. Costs more like $35 to play in the city on a public course. Definitions are a bit different here too - private courses pretty much let anyone play except for Sat mornings (but can be pricey - from $20 -> $300). Goes without saying that members only courses (of which there are very few in this country) are packed full of wankers by and large (I have played a couple in interclub competitions).
Anyway, cos it is cheap it used to be really common for pretty much anyone who could walk to play now and then. Not so much these days. But no stigma if you rock up to the tee with a $30 set of clubs. Hell, I played with a $50 set of clubs until I was on a single figure handicap (and had some spare cash from my alcohol budget for better kit!). So it can be done for less than outrageous money.
For beginners, play with mates and cheat outrageously. Want more? play nine holes at a time with some members. Want an introduction to competition? play ambrose (with a high handicap you will be hugely popular!).
I like golf cos it is ok to suck - and with your handicap you can compete with people way better than you without making it boring for them. As long as you try not to damage the course and respect other peoples right to focus on their game it can be a pleasant way to spend some time.
But large holes? I don't think I like the idea. I am not sure I see the point of putting for beginners anyway - sure tap/whack a few around the green, but no need to actually put it in the hole (just ends up taking too much time and making people around you grouchy) - and the reward for actual players is kind of lost. I like thinking that I birdied a hole that pro's struggle on (even if I made a mess of the rest), but playing a different sort of golf course kind of takes that from me.
Anyway, I am most amused that there seems to be a common thread here that golf sucks and is an elitist sport. My wife will be thrilled that I actually have some sort of social status in some peoples eyes (she is Chinese - perception of social status matters!)...so thanks!