Keith Pelley's 6 Hole Event - A good or stupid idea?

[njrose51]

The New European Tour CEO Keith Pelley has said that he might consider launching a shorter form of golf featuring just 6 holes, possibly trialled on the European Tour next year.


He says... “We are looking to create a format that would be six holes that could be an hour or an hour-and-a-half content programme. Yes, there’d be a shot clock. Yes, there’d be music being played and PA announcers and players would probably be dressed a little bit differently. And maybe they’d only play with five or seven clubs.”

What do people think of this idea?

(full article at www.golf-monthly.co.uk/news)

 

[Deleted member 15344]

In a very packed calender already im not sure exactly when they will be able to fit it in

Being honest think it's a ridiculous idea and it's just trying to follow that one frame shoot out they have in snooker

 

[HomerJSimpson]

We've had things like this before with Powerplay which died a very quick death. Not sure this is necessary especially as a tour led event. All for trying to get people into the game but not sure how this fits in

 

[Capella]

I think it could be a fun format as an addition to a normal event. Like the long drive or par 3 challenges they do sometimes. Could be fun to watch. I don't see it as a standalone tournament. There is a reason that the tour players battle it out over four consecutive days: fairness. On a six hole event, external factors like wind, rain etc. would play a much bigger par, making the game depend on luck much more than it does now.

For tv broadcasts it would be good, though. A normal golf tournament is very difficult to cover in full. If you'd have a six hole event with a limited field ... let's say, 24 players, you could have six 4-balls starting with a canon start and have the whole thing over in less time than a football game. For spectators on the course it would be easier to follow more of the action as well. So from a viewing point of view, I think that it could be nice. I just don't want it to influence how golf is played usually, though. I like the occasional 9-hole comp, but I think everything shorter than that I would not be interested in playing.

 

[Curls]

I agree that it'll be difficult to schedule, many of the big stars will give this a miss unless there's serious money/exposure involved. Which is where I think they're missing a trick. I think if this was a night (floodlit) mixed Pro Am with celebrities it would have far more mass appeal. Think about the "soccer aid" match that seems to attract a decent crowd, and whenever a boy band gets on the ball the screams from the crowd let you know where they all came from.

Match 1. Jamie Doran & Paige take on Niall from 1 Direction & Lydia Ko.

The match would be to show the girls to be better than the boys, and that it isn't just a game for stuffy old boys.

I'd watch it.

 

[User 105]

I think it could work if they attach it to existing events. So they could maybe do it on Wed before the event, bit like the Par 3 contest at the masters.

But I think they'd have to make it worth the players while in participating. or make it mandatory.

 

[Slab]

It’d be a doddle to fit into a tour event

Sunday morning we’ve still got a field of 70+ with half of them having no chance of a decent finish
So the top 40 or whatever the 2nd cut is, play day 4 of the tournament
The rest drop into the 6-hole comp with its own prize pot & other rewards

Played Sunday morning it gives the crowd a reason to turn up early to follow it (as a comp in its own right) without straying too far from the clubhouse to miss the names going out for the big comp in the afternoon
Acts as a teaser event
Thins the field of the big comp
Gives TV companies a reason to broadcast earlier or at the very least filler material or highlights show for later
Generates player interest from those with no hope of even a top 20 finish

Sorted!

 

[fundy]

It’d be a doddle to fit into a tour event

Sunday morning we’ve still got a field of 70+ with half of them having no chance of a decent finish
So the top 40 or whatever the 2nd cut is, play day 4 of the tournament
The rest drop into the 6-hole comp with its own prize pot & other rewards

Played Sunday morning it gives the crowd a reason to turn up early to follow it (as a comp in its own right) without straying too far from the clubhouse to miss the names going out for the big comp in the afternoon
Acts as a teaser event
Thins the field of the big comp
Gives TV companies a reason to broadcast earlier or at the very least filler material or highlights show for later
Generates player interest from those with no hope of even a top 20 finish

Sorted!

can just see Mcilroy in 41st in the Open with a round to go being told he is playing a tinpot 6 hole comp rather than round 4 of the Open lol

 

[thesheriff]

If they could work out the scheduling to attract the best players I think its a fantastic idea.

6 holes, shot clock maybe add in bonuses for accuracy or long drive. Glam it up a bit.

Definitely not a replacement for the traditional tournaments, but I think golf should be exploring these kind of options to draw a younger audience and make it a little more exciting to the masses.

 

[Slab]

can just see Mcilroy in 41st in the Open with a round to go being told he is playing a tinpot 6 hole comp rather than round 4 of the Open lol

Is he that bad these days! Surely he'd have cried off with toothache or some other ailment or lobbed all his clubs in the pond by then anyway

But yup he'd have to it would be in the comp rules

Do we need 30 blokes dragging their carcass round the course in a fruitless exercise which is never shown on tv and basically just adds traffic to the greens for those in contention and all for the prize pot difference of winning £3,250 or £3,275

Stick a £25k top prize on it for the winner and let battle commence (the rest just get whatever their placing would have got them after day 3)

 

[Doon frae Troon]

Years ago I organised an 18 hole speed golf charity event....about 15 teams of six entered and it was all over in about 90 minutes.
Adjusted the rules slightly for lost ball/ponds [only one was lost on the night].

Totally different from what the PGA propose, but very entertaining.
6 players on the first tee who have to plot their way around the course as quickly as possible.
Only rules, that the ball must be played to the normal rules of golf and should be stationary before being hit
Winning team took about 18 minutes, slowest about 30.

Athletic golf

 

[Lord Tyrion]

Cracking idea. I suspect cricket faced many disparaging comments when 20-20 was first launched, in fact I know it did. Didn't work out too badly there did it? Fancy trying to drag golf into the modern era, foolish man. 72 hole golf is not going to disappear, this can only help and compliment the sport.

 

[Deleted member 18645]

G.G.G.G.G.G.Gimmick.

 

[Deleted member 16999]

Good on them for trying, play it on the wednesday instead of the Pro-Ams, all that does is stroke the ego's of celebrities, the whole field having a competitive 6 holes could be fun, who knows, even the TV companies might show it.
People on here have already moaned about declining TV audiences or no initiative for kids, this could be the ideal way, fewer clubs, time pressure, relaxed dress codes and fun!!

 

[ScienceBoy]

Really need to kick out a few 72 hole events and run some variety.

I really hope it works out.

 

[shewy]

I think golf is looking for a shorter format like t20 in cricket, this to me would be fun to watch, a little more relaxed and the shorter format would suit sky.
I'd go and watch it.

 

[Big D 88]

I agree that it'll be difficult to schedule, many of the big stars will give this a miss unless there's serious money/exposure involved. Which is where I think they're missing a trick. I think if this was a night (floodlit) mixed Pro Am with celebrities it would have far more mass appeal. Think about the "soccer aid" match that seems to attract a decent crowd, and whenever a boy band gets on the ball the screams from the crowd let you know where they all came from.

Match 1. Jamie Doran & Paige take on Niall from 1 Direction & Lydia Ko.

The match would be to show the girls to be better than the boys, and that it isn't just a game for stuffy old boys.

I'd watch it.

Yep - that would be something not only golfers but families would sit down & watch

Id certainly like to see a shortened more modern version of the sport.

 

[badgermat]

Sounds like a great idea to me. Tactically completely different from the full game, but probably a lot more entertaining to watch. If it helps attract a new audience and maybe a younger crowd of new players that can't be bad either.

bm

 

[Wilts]

The comparison with Cricket is what should be looked at, 20-20 massive success, BUT, at the cost of test cricket. Only really tests in Eng are attended worth any serious numbers. WI players don't even bother with test matches anymore.

If they go for a shorter format in Golf they need to protect the original 4 round format - Slabs suggest of 40 players of a second cut on day 3 could achieve that.

longer term, you have to maintain the status of the main comps and this needs to be thought of from the beginning, other wise it could change golf completely ....... the question is for the better or worse???

 

[ScienceBoy]

If they go for a shorter format in Golf they need to protect the original 4 round format l

longer term, you have to maintain the status of the main comps and this needs to be thought of from the beginning, other wise it could change golf completely ....... the question is for the better or worse???

Totally agree with the first point, have to preserve SOME 72 hole events but they are the events that releate the least to the average golfer so they should be reduced in number.

On the second point it's a change for the better, in TV viewing terms anyway.

I recently heard on the radio that if we were to lay out the rules for golf today we would not go for 18 holes, probably 12 or 14.

Something similar would be said of cricket, how can you play a game that takes most of the week!