Should a round of golf be reduced to 12 holes to attract wider participation?
It’s a question that poses another. Why are there 18 holes on a golf course?
It’s all down to The Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews, which in the 1760s converted its 22 hole layout into 18, setting the standard for the future of the way the game is played.
The reason for change from 22 to 18 is steeped in folklore – and the best anecdote stems from a member of the hallowed club who pointed out to the board that it took exactly 18 nips to polish off a bottle of Scotch, thus players could have a tipple on every tee until the booze ran out.
Prior to the standardisation of golf courses it was common to find 12 hole layouts, and that’s a concept that is finding traction once more – as we previously explored in this article.
Sir Nick Faldo and Tiger Woods are among those who have shown support for the idea – Sir Nick believes it is more time efficient and makes the game more exclusive.
The call has not gone unnoticed by club proprietors – and some are embracing the change.
Latest to do so is found at the Mad Swans in The Mendips, a new countryside golf destination between Bath and Bristol that has relaunched with a 12-hole course designed by top architects Mackenzie & Ebert at its heart.
The owners want golf to be fun and take up less time to play – though of course purists could carry on after 12 holes to complete 18. Or simply play just six.
Co-founder Joel Cadbury of Longshot, the leisure and hospitality group founded in 1994, is passionate that a big part of Mad Swans is to encourage more women, younger players, and families to take up the game, removing the traditional stuffiness of the clubhouse and course and replacing it with a vibrant, social, and welcoming space. The design philosophy makes it easy for groups of friends and families to enjoy the game together.
The resort is not solely about golf. It features two restaurants, 16 eco cabins with more to come, padel, pickleball, darts and shuffleboard in pub-style surroundings as well as a covered all-weather driving range.
The owners have a second resort in Hampshire known as Mad Swans in the South Downs. Based on the site of the former Blacknest Golf & Country Club in Hampshire it operates in a similar fashion with a soft launch underway before a full opening in the spring.
If you want to know more, please visit https://www.madswans.com/.
Andy Waple is Golfshake’s Travel Editor and an experienced journalist with decades of experience reviewing golf destinations worldwide. A member of Hallamshire Golf Club in Sheffield, he has a deep appreciation for courses across the UK, Ireland, and abroad. Andy provides detailed insights into equipment, apparel and travel experiences with his favourite destinations including South Africa, the Dominican Republic and Portugal. His knowledge of international golf travel brings valuable insights for golfers planning trips in search of memorable courses and quality travel experiences.
