9 or 18 ?

[Rob Person]

31 minutes ago, russtopherb said:

I'd be curious to know the demographic breakdown of posters who don't like 9 vs those who do. As someone who started golf when my kids were a lot younger, I learned to embrace 9 holes and enjoy playing them due to time constraints. Even though the kids are older now and I don't have to be "dad taxi" I find that I still enjoy 9 and have no problem with that round if it's available to me.

I think for some, the age thing comes into play, but as was repeatedly mentioned, time constraints is probably the #1 reason.

[barney_bogey]

So 9, but with bonus holes!!!

Or 9 with 3 to warm up. I'm sure I'm not the only one that takes a bit to settle in.

B

[Rob Person]

12 minutes ago, barney_bogey said:

Or 9 with 3 to warm up. I'm sure I'm not the only one that takes a bit to settle in.

B

I think I've seen somewhere that there is a course that has a warm up hole.   Thay would be awesome 

[RetiredBoomer]

6 minutes ago, barney_bogey said:

Or 9 with 3 to warm up. I'm sure I'm not the only one that takes a bit to settle in.

B

I usually start strong, even with no warm-up, and then start to fade.

If I bogie the first hole, that's usually a sign that I ought to pick up my ball and walk or ride off the course right then and there!

When I used to play in more formal, organized events, starting point in the shotgun starts
made more of a difference  to me than most participants.  At one outing, I finished 18th gross out of 144 because of a favorable starting point and a nice hot day helping me stay loose while I was trying to hang on.

 

 

[IndyBonzo]

I enjoy any golf I can get, but 9 is not enough.  I usually feel like 18 is not enough.  That's b/c I am such a slow starter (which I need to fix) that I usually don't start playing remotely well until hole 6 or 7.  I need to start planning on a warm-up 9.  Ha.

Edited June 12 by IndyBonzo

[barney_bogey]

I think I've seen somewhere that there is a course that has a warm up hole.   Thay would be awesome 

Meadows Farms in VA has a warmup hole alongside a par 6. Haven't been out but can't wait to do so.

Cheers

[IndyBonzo]

I swear I remember Jack Nicklaus saying that golf should have been 14 holes.  But my memory could be faulty.

[Prodigal Duffer]

On 6/11/2024 at 2:16 PM, barney_bogey said:

I've always held that 12 holes would be perfect... But yeah I'll take 18 if I have the time.

Cheers
B
 

Interesting. A buddy of mine thinks courses should be comprised of three sets of six holes. From a time perspective, 12 might be close to perfect.

[Prodigal Duffer]

Like others, time is a significant factor. I have been playing a lot of nine-hole rounds lately, typically on a weekday afternoon after work. I really like it for a variety of reasons, including: far less crowded, can finish in about 1.5 hours walking, allows me to play more times, even if fewer holes, and I can get home in time for dinner and spend time with the kids. I sometimes play nine holes with my kids, which is about all they can handle. If I'm being honest, sometimes it's all I can handle, too.

My complaint with nine holes is that it feels incomplete, especially if I am playing well. Yesterday, I shot a 39 and it would have been great to see if I could post a personal best for 18.

[Indy_Oz]

On 6/11/2024 at 9:54 AM, Rob Person said:

Lately, and maybe it's due to the summer heat, but I've found myself gravitating towards only playing 9 holes. It allows me to get out and play, enjoy the game, but still leaves me energy and time to finish up other stuff too. Especially after a day working at the course. With 18 holes, I have to plan on 6 or 7 hours ou of the day to set aside. 30 minutes to load and prepare, 30 minutes to get there, 20 minutes warm up, 4 hours for the round, 15 minutes to cool down and recap, (if solo) 30 minutes home, 30 -45 minutes to unload and clean up.

I'm not sure how to track it as far as handicap goes either,  if I can at all.

Do you have a preference? 

 

My local 9-hole muni is within a mile of my house, so convenience plays a big part. That, along with family time and getting a quick round in while my wife is at work to minimize impact on home life. I play midweek evening league there and usually one or two weekend 9-hole rounds with different groups of friends. I'll only play 18 2-3x per month typically.

I like that I can get some golf in with friends (or solo) in a shorter overall time period. I try to get to the range a couple of times a week (or the sim when the weather is bad). I will always walk a 9-hole round, no matter how hot it is.

One big downside to our little muni is the lack of warm up facilities. No range or hitting nets. Just a putting green. Nets would be helpful as a minimum and a number of us have mentioned it to the new management company. Fingers crossed we get something sorted in future.

In terms of tracking scores and handicap, I use Arccos and that has (until the USGA decided to allow 9-hole rounds to count) combined consecutive 9-hole rounds to 18s for handicap submission. It's the least intrusive on the game of the apps I have used, but I acknowledge it's not a cheap option.

 

[CudaKota66]

5 hours ago, IndyBonzo said:

I enjoy any golf I can get, but 9 is not enough.  I usually feel like 18 is not enough.  That's b/c I am such a slow starter (which I need to fix) that I usually don't start playing remotely well until hole 6 or 7.  I need to start planning on a warm-up 9.  Ha.

I try to hit a small bucket before playing, but I've changed my approach doing so. Rather than hit 5 wedges, then 5 7-irons, etc., I'll hit a driver, then switch to an iron - kinda imitating playing the first hole. If the iron is off-target, simulate a pitch shot. Then, on to the 'second hole' mentally. Driver, different iron, etc.  Just to get into the physical/mental mode of hitting different clubs back-to-back. Just a thought.

[CudaKota66]

I was always all-about playing 18, but I found a 9-hole course in SW Indianapolis that is in better condition than most 18-hole courses I've played this year.

Buffer Park is actually ranked in the Top 10 of 9-hole courses in the US. I hidden gem!

[Indy_Oz]

8 minutes ago, CudaKota66 said:

I was always all-about playing 18, but I found a 9-hole course in SW Indianapolis that is in better condition than most 18-hole courses I've played this year.

Buffer Park is actually ranked in the Top 10 of 9-hole courses in the US. I hidden gem!

I played Buffer Park the first week they were open this year (mid March) and it was in phenomenal condition. The fairways were like carpets and the greens were pure. It had rained for most of the week prior too. The staff do an amazing job on a tight budget. It's a cheap course too, likely due to location. My work uses Buffer for the midweek league that friends play in. I played last year, but switched to Zionsville this year as it's so close to me (<1 mile from home)!

I didn't realize Buffer was ranked that high, but I can believe it.

[Indy_Oz]

4 hours ago, CudaKota66 said:

I try to hit a small bucket before playing, but I've changed my approach doing so. Rather than hit 5 wedges, then 5 7-irons, etc., I'll hit a driver, then switch to an iron - kinda imitating playing the first hole. If the iron is off-target, simulate a pitch shot. Then, on to the 'second hole' mentally. Driver, different iron, etc.  Just to get into the physical/mental mode of hitting different clubs back-to-back. Just a thought.

When I'm at the range, after a warm up, I do similar. I will mentally play the first few holes, or a 9-hole round, at a course I know well and do the same. Hit it right? There are trees there, so I'll have to punch out.

I use the rangefinder to check range flag distances for that day so I can hit approach shots for target distances too, and try to hit a shot shape on command now and then to vary from my stock shot shape.

The only block work I'll do at the range is if I'm working on a swing change with a specific club.

Like Buffer, Zionsville lacks a practice range or hitting nets, so it's a 'start cold' kind of course. For there, I'll do some warming up at home- Crossover Symmetry bands, then some swings in the back yard picking a few different clubs to get a feel and 'grease the groove'. Then it's just let rip on the 1st hole and hope it goes well.lol

Edited June 13 by Indy_Oz

[IndyBonzo]

It’s apparent that we ( @CudaKota66 and @Indy_Oz) need to meet at Buffer Park and play 45 holes after work.  Maybe on the solstice that could happen. 

[PrismFlopper]

17 hours ago, Prodigal Duffer said:

Interesting. A buddy of mine thinks courses should be comprised of three sets of six holes. From a time perspective, 12 might be close to perfect.

I think I’ve just gotten so used to 18 being the number at this point that going back to 12 would make me leave feeling unsatisfied. At this point it’s a genie number we just can’t put back in the bottle. 

[Dweed]

I generally play 9 holes. I'm retired but there is still a lot of other stuff pulling at my shoe strings. As I get older and slower, walking 18 gets tougher. Our local courses are really reasonable for 9 holes, walking senior rates. So that allows me more down the road rounds to enjoy. I'm not opposed to 18 just saying.

[Indy_Oz]

16 hours ago, IndyBonzo said:

It’s apparent that we ( @CudaKota66 and @Indy_Oz) need to meet at Buffer Park and play 45 holes after work.  Maybe on the solstice that could happen. 

45? So you’re a sadomassochist… in that case maybe we just play Purgatory off the tips - just the 7666yds!? Should take about the same amount of time

[Usmcgyrene]

I much prefer to play 18. For whatever reason, I always seem to find something on the back 9 and play a little better. I will occasionally only play 9, but that's pretty rare. When I was doing league play, it was 9 holes and that's when I figured out I wasn't really a fan. 

[Franc38]

for me it's typically based on how much time I have, in the summer I gravitate towards 18 holes, in the winter it's more 9... I often also play irregular number of holes. 5, 9, 14, 18 are typical (we have loops of 5, then 4 then... At the moment, I often play 14 after my workday,  that "enough" golf but not too long... particularly if there aren't too many people on the course!

[Alf. S]

I'm usually 18 but we have a 9 hole setup at the club you can play that is measured and has a WHS rating. 9 hole competitions are becoming more popular in Scotland and our club run 9 hole competitions every Wednesday  in Spring and Autumn, once sunset gets passed 9pm they switch it to 18 hole comps then switch back in August. 

At the course the 8th and 15th holes are right at the clubhouse. During the week I will go out for a round and try to get 18 in but if the pace of play is slow I can play the short course and go from the 8th to the 9th on the 9 hole course or cut in to 15 and play the last 4 holes to play 12 or continue on and come off at 15. If I'm really playing bad I can just chuck it at the 8th.

The R&A have recently started a 9 hole challenge where if you can get through regional qualifiers you get to play at The Open on the week prior to the Championship. i.e this year Royal Troon.

[JFS2]

In the summer, if I only have time to play 9 after work, I will do it.  My preference is always to play 18.  Playing 18 really allows me to get deeper into the game and it requires more attention and consistency.  It is a good muscle to flex.  Anyways, I love the game and if I cannot play but I can practice, I will do that and be fairly content.

[gingerbeast87]

I would say it depends on how much time you have or how you're feeling. If I've just finished work I'll happily just do a quick 9 holes on the way home. It's a nice chance to get out and stretch the the legs.

[hoppman]

Any golf is for me. However, I am struggling in Ireland right now trying to walk 18, causes some issues with my legs that make it hard to swing and get through the ball. This is the first golf I have played since back fusion surgery. 

Played 18 the first day, but up and down some sandy dunes did me in. Yesterday was flat, but planned on only 9, but the leg issue kicked in around hole 6,and it was raining and blowing hard so 9 was fine. I will be trying to take a cart on the courses that allow it to see if that helps. I still have one more round where carts aren't allowed so I will see how it goes. 

[GFryman]

I would prefer 18 over 9 but 9 is better than no golf.

[Mezz]

Personally I don’t even think that 18 is enough. I love the game. I’d gladly play two rounds back to back, even in the heat!

[huggydougy]

18 because I'm out there having a good time

Just started playing with my grandson wish I could make 36

[MattA72]

Always try for 18, as it seems to take me the front 9 to get warmed up!

[Cmra1]

I use golf as mental health therapy. 18 is required 

[fozcycle]

I have a 20 minute drive to the club so I want to play 18. Being retired I play M/W/F at 7:30 with a dozen guys. Always 18 holes unless we get rained out.