Small is Gonna be Big

I have seen the way forward, the future of golf, and it is small. Small golf is the most fun you’re every going to have on a golf course barring doing something that’ll get you arrested. Several large destination golf resorts have seen the light too. The Cradle at Pinehurst, The Hay in Pebble Beach, The Wee Course at Sand Hollow and Bandon is opening a short course this year. Equipment companies are also pushing the less clubs is more fun golf ethos, just look at the popularity of the “Sunday” bag. A single shoulder carry bag that can hold about 4-8 clubs. Walking a 900 yard course with a couple of wedges, a putter and your friends is one of the best golf days a person can have so why is it so rare?

The benefits of small golf are numerous. You can play it in less time so its easier to get out without committing a whole day, it’s a smaller footprint so courses could be built on small parcels of lands even as small as  6-7 acres. Small footprint means less agronomy costs and less insurance. Inclusivity skyrockets, a 73 yard tee box is not as intimidating as a 195 yard forced carry. Scratch, child, first first-timer, distance, strength, and technique are out the window, just go pop it on the green, everyone is welcome. Less clubs means you’re more accurate, Taking the woods out of the bag and forcing you to play the high lofted clubs is great practice. Larger groups can play together. The Hay allows 8-somes because at 850 yards total a group can easily get around in under an hour.

The real question is can a course like this survive without the larger resort propping it up. Can it be financially feasible to open a golf course where all you need is a gap wedge at most? I would say yes if run and marketed correctly. A restaurant and bar would have to be attached, not just hot dogs and Coors banquet like most pro shop snack shacks but a real full bar and restaurant overlooking the course with a massive outdoor area. A place to hang afterwards, to form a community, where you’re in the facility longer than you’re on the course. The maintenance should rival any major course, no dog track BS just cause its small and cheap. NO carts, pull carts sure but walking in some form. Cheap fees and here’s the real kicker NO par. That’s right shoot what you shoot and go enjoy yourself. Calling these courses par 3 courses and not short courses adds a very different connotation to the experience. Par 3 sounds cheap and low down, short course sounds fun!

So there, golf is saved for a whole new generation, ushering in a wave of new, casual, players. Next week I’ll solve world hunger.

Until then – The Starter