9 or 18 ?

[Jim N]

I'm a 9 hole guy 95% of the time. I usually play Sunday afternoons, and generally plan on getting in a 5 or so mile hike in the morning, which basically kills playing 18 most of the time. This time of year, with more daylight, I'm more likely to go for 18.

[dabobert]

Right now I am more in favor of 18. 9 is easier and you can do 9 in a time crunch. But right now, life is pretty open, and not many things taking my time up. So I like 18. 9 holes also always leaves me wanting more. Which may not be a bad thing.

[archship]

I love both, but as a walker who turned 50 last year, I find myself playing more 9 hole rounds lately. Part of that comes as the USGA changed the GHIN to count 9-hole rounds individually, which is nice. Another part is my particular membership. I can walk Avocet, an 18 hole track, only after noon, but I am able to walk Hummingbird all day. Once summer hits in South Carolina… I do a lot more morning rounds on Hummingbird, even though Avocet is the better course. 

[ping45]

In the past, playing 9 was never in the conversation. However, now that I'm 85, everything has changed. Age does that to you. I still play 9 at least 2, sometimes 3 times / week, and every once in a while I do 18, but body rebels my rebels at night when I do that, (usually suffer from leg cramps). 

[mholzer]

Any type of golf is the best golf. A course nearby has 12 holes and I find that's a really good balance. It's about 2.5 hours max and then I feel like it's not just 9 holes....not that I would pass that up very often!

[MNUte]

As a parent to a toddler, any free time is precious and fleeting. So I don't necessarily appreciate one over the other, I just change my approach to my round accordingly (e.g., walking 9 vs. riding 18, my wife getting to go out for a manicure in return or a girls' brunch, etc. ).

[Rob Person]

39 minutes ago, MNUte said:

As a parent to a toddler, any free time is precious and fleeting. So I don't necessarily appreciate one over the other, I just change my approach to my round accordingly (e.g., walking 9 vs. riding 18, my wife getting to go out for a manicure in return or a girls' brunch, etc. ).

[SilvesterT]

I used to think Golf should be only 14 holes now I think it should be 24 holes. Can’t get enough of it. Holes tournaments where you’re doing set ups other than that 18 holes all the time. Nine holes if you have time.

[ChuckZ]

Love those four hours or less that I get to spend enjoying the fellowship, with my senior buddies, three days a week.  My time to play a little golf and enjoy nature.  Even though at my age (78) and medical issues limit me to riding a cart.  Love the challenge.  Right now I have stepped away for about eight weeks letting my lower back rest after the epidurals.  Having injections in my hips when we return from our vacation.  No golf. Doctors advice.     

[Willie T]

9 when I’m gonna walk (all depends on how the left foot and right knee are feeling).  The pace of walking is often key for better play days.  As most rounds are 18 and can be done in under 4 hrs it’s not too bad.  Those 5-6 rounds are a bear in the summer heat.  M like others I have to admit some days, the  last 6 can be a struggle so 12 may be a great compromise.  

[JeremyD]

Right now, it's 9. I want to try to get out early and get back home on a saturday or sunday. 

[Rob Person]

1 hour ago, ChuckZ said:

Love those four hours or less that I get to spend enjoying the fellowship, with my senior buddies, three days a week.  My time to play a little golf and enjoy nature.  Even though at my age (78) and medical issues limit me to riding a cart.  Love the challenge.  Right now I have stepped away for about eight weeks letting my lower back rest after the epidurals.  Having injections in my hips when we return from our vacation.  No golf. Doctors advice.     

Good luck,  and hope that vacation helps you heal up!

[buckpillar]

Always 18.. be really like a late evening 9 is really relaxing 

[Senior Champ]

I usually play 18. But I enjoy playing 9 on occasion if I need to get things done around the house or in the yard, since I have the energy and time for other work. If I like to work on my game, I try to play alone and play 9. I'm able to hit a few pitch, chips, bunker shots or putts if there is time between me and the group behind. 

[Barrio6]

No preference what ever time allows. I would rather play 9 if for say I can play in about hour and a half, than a 5 hour+ 18 hole round

[schooner44]

I really enjoy walking but 18 is too much to walk so I enjoy both because I can walk 9 for a nice relaxing round and then ride when playing 18. Seems like the best of both worlds.

[Pcmart03]

I usually play nine because I have three 9-hole courses within 15 minutes of my house. Also, I have a six year old, so I don't often have time for a full 18. I usually find a full round more satisfying, but I'll take a couple hours of golf over nothing any day.

[Golf Dawg]

I prefer to play 18 whenever possible, but sometimes I can only get in a quick nine. I always walk nine only days, so it’s a great aerobic workout and brain break.  

[dpaulus]

Being an older golfer I have been playing 9 for a couple of years now. Would prefer to go 10 or 12 but health does not permit it now. Used to play 18 several times a week but age has taken its toll. At least I get to play still.

[duckman]

My typical week is play 9 Holes with a friend on a Monday, sometimes 2 balls per hole, a bit of practice etc.

Wednesday is Comp Day, play 9 holes. This Group consists of me at age 60, then mid 70's up to 93 years old. Sometimes up to 15 of us play, then have a chin wag in the clubhouse afterwards. This group also do general clean-up on a Friday morning, called the Dads Army.

Then Saturday is comp day, play 18 holes.

Keeps me outside & active, is very good.

[jpgolf15]

While preferring 18, I am totally good with 9.  Over the past few years I have played a LOT of 9 hole rounds alone… and have found them pleasing and joyful. I tended to pick times where fewer players were out on the course - and this allowed me to play as quickly as I wanted to - or - play another shot or two if I was working on something.  I love playing with my regular group, but… getting out there alone can be a fun and uplifting experience. 

[JCole]

I Prefer 18. 9 feels like you’re just getting warmed up. I would play 27 if feasible 

[MyCatsMom]

Walking I often prefer 9 if it’s a long course otherwise 18. If it’s really hot I like to play late in the day when the course is emptier and the temperature starts to drop so then it’s only time for 9

[3Putt4Double]

Gotta be 18 holes for me..front 9 is warm up for the back 9!

[golfmule]

I used to say, "If I can't play 27 it's not worth going to the course" but I'm older now and summer heat takes it's toll. I still like to play 18 but if it's going to be a really hot (for Minnesota) day and there's high humidity, I'll likely play just 9 holes. Our course is laid out in triangles of three holes each so you can play 9, 12, 15, 18 or 21 if you want. You're back at the clubhouse every third hole anyhow. I often, like yesterday, play 12 holes.

[Rob Person]

9 was perfect for me today.  104⁰ outside, worked at the course all day, so a nice 9 holes with a coworker made for some fun and relaxing golf!!!

[ParGuy]

I play 18most times but at least once per week I play 9 as an on course practice, late in the day I hit 2 balls and put my self in rough and bunkers

[Pat W]

I am usually an 18 with my golf group. However I do enjoy a 9 hole course that I can walk, and I usually play this by myself.

[Schmucker20]

Much prefer 18. Usually cures the itch for a few days lol. In all honesty I’ve found I start to pick up my game now as the round goes on. 

[RickyBobby_PR]

18. If I don’t have time to play a round then I would rather go to the range.

If it’s after work I’ll play as many holes as possible and skip through groups when needed and get in somewhere around 14 holes