Handicaps to be based on nine holes

[Shooter_McGavin]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtml?xml=/sport/2007/08/28/sgmair128.xml

An interesting article - what does everyone think?

Perhaps a good idea for those who don't have time for full rounds of golf.

 

[Golfer2112]

Interesting indeed but my $0.02 says that this is just going to complicate things.

"Since there is no desire to change the traditional way in which competitive golf is played - ie, over 18 holes - it appears that golfers will not be allowed to acquire their initial handicaps over nine holes. Also, the number of nine-hole competitions is to be restricted, with the clubs limited to 10 per year, all of them in Stableford format. Players in Division One, in other words those with handicaps of five or better, will be free to enter the relevant events but will not have the handicap option"

 

[madandra]

I don't know if its a good thing or not. I used to play a 9 hole course years ago (we did 2 rounds for a medal) and I had some strange scores; out in 47 back in 35 and out in 35 back in 46. This would eff up the handicaps because you may find a 9 holer handicap playing an open over 18 holes and shooting a very high number.

 

[viscount17]

As if evening (after 4 pm) rounds and Friday afternoons weren't busy enough! Fair enough if they're kept to nine-hole courses but give me the chance to play the 18.

Wouldn't mind betting it would put up the price of a 9-hole round.

 

[GB72]

I for one would have been happy if there were steps to allow the initial handicap to be achieved over an agreed number of 9 hole rounds. As the group that I play with have been learning the game together, we are reliant on strangers agreeing to mark our cards to achieve a handicap. I suspect that this may be easier for all concerned if that could be over a number of rounds of 9 holes as this would allow evening rounds and mean that the person giving up his time would not have to forsake the his or her usual round at the weekend.

 

[golfdonkey]

Shocking idea. Golf is meant to be played over 18 holes. As others have suggested, there's a big difference – especially mentally – in playing nine. I'm shooting myself in the foot though – reckon I could be a much lower handicapper if I could post nine-hole cards. It's when you get to number 16 and a good score's on the line that the game of golf really starts. They should stop tinkering with our great game.

 

[madandra]

If Old Tom Morris was alive today I wonder what he would say? Probably 'how do I get out of this box?'

But seriously is this not the Americans trying to dumb it down a bit? Can't they go 4 and 1/2 hours without buffalo wings and a bud?

Buffalo Wings ???? Whatever

 

[lefty74]

terrible idea, golf isn't just about handicaps what about the enjoyment of being on the course, every round isn't a medal what about the bounce games, i would never want to walk off a golf course after nine holes.