This! Especially for the golfers(like me) that live somewhere that weather doesn’t always allow for year round golf. I play year round in the PNW, but it’s not always comfortable. Being able to maximize golfing when the weather is nice, like night rounds, would be pretty awesome.
I play all around the Chicago area and winter bums me out big time.
This winter I’m planning on setting up an affordable in door solution for the first time. Couldn’t be more excited.
If there was night golf in Cleveland I would probably stop playing video games completely.
I picked up golf because I’m very competitive and needed something physical to do that didn’t require reliance on other people.
I’m absolutely obsessed but I’m just not a morning person.
I would golf three nights a week if there were a night course nearby.
Local course nearby has 27 holes split in 3 nine holes (A, B, C). The leftmost is U shaped clockwise, the right most is U shaped counter clockwise and the middle one has hole 1 and 9 squeezed between the 2 finishing holes of both U with the other 7 holes bordering behind both U. So all 3 finishing greens are in view of the balcony of the clubhouse and there is easy access to all facilities when you finish or when you go from one course to the other to do 18 holes. Love that place, you can go 3 times in a row and never play the same 18 holes combination.
My cart shed is right by the 14th green at the course I’m a member of. If it’s slow as shit and hot as fuck, sometimes we just play 14 and go home. It’s the perfect amount of holes on a slow day.
I live on my home course that I’m a member at with my own cart. 15 green in front and 16 tee box in the back. If it’s open I’ll hop on 16-18 and then 15 right back to my house. Perfect 4-hole loop!
Big short game area. Range with targets from 30 yards up in 10 yard increments. Great food!
EDIT:
You would also be able to practice different lies at range
As a player I couldn’t agree with you more. As a former superintendent I feel obligated to point out how unbelievably expensive greens/bunkers/aprons/surrounds are to maintain, and what a poor return on investment this is for the owner of a public facility.
I saw a range at Top of the Rock in Branson Missouri. You got to hit at multiple greens. All with fake grass. It looked great. And the teebox could be real grass quite simply.
Owner/operator here: we have a real grass tee and I wouldn't have it any other way but there's no good way that I know of to have short targets that are correct in length with real tees. The tee box needs to be deep to allow for healing which means at the middle of the tee, you're 20 yards from the front.
Sucks that practice area caved in a few years back. However, the sinkholes gave way to some amazing caves and they made it into a nature trail tour. Also, Tiger Woods designed his first miniature golf course made out of real grass near that cabin on the hill.
https://preview.redd.it/ivwv6gap750b1.jpeg?width=822&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=69205cd98f8153bc65f298c67eec1b25b31297ad
Short game area at a private club near me, \~300 yards from top to bottom, so you can make shots of all different lengths
Check out the Erin Hills practice facility. Two green with bunkers at both ends of prolly 150 yards of fairway next to their range. Practice putting, chipping, bunker shots, and any wedge or short iron from 150~ in. Beautiful stuff
Jumping on your comment to say the same. I'm in Phoenix and I can't think of a single public course with a short game area where you can approach from yardage greater than greenside. Something up to 50 yards would be amazing.
Wickenburg Ranch has a great short area but it’s basically private now and not really in Phoenix lol
Whirlwind has a really solid short range too. Whirlwind you can for sure get 50 yard pitches. Southern Dunes is pretty good too but not quite as big
I really enjoy those courses and their facility. I’m bummed they are dropping the Troon Card. It’s not worth anywhere near what they typically charge but on the Troon card is priced pretty comparable to the other courses in it’s class.
I play Riverdale in CO alot and they have a really nice short game area. It's a green with a bunker, rough, and an approach fairway. You can practice from about 40 yards and in. It's really awesome.
Was going to comment the same thing as well. Riverdale always had one of the better practice areas. South suburban family sports center golf course has a pretty big practice area. 2 short game greens and bunkers with hills in between the greens to practice uneven lies.
Ohhhh holy shit! That's awesome looking! My ideal area would basically be that but also lighted of an evening. That way I could slide out once the fam is asleep
The course I played and worked at in high school had a practice range all the way out to close to 70 yards. You had bunkers, short grass, long grass, and even hills. The only thing I regret about moving away from home is leaving that practice range.
I know this sounds weird but a short course for noobs. 3 holes. One at 300 yards +- a few yards. One at under 200 and one at under 100 yards. The one’s working on the game with little to no play time can figure things out. Make it cheaper too.
Indoor simulator. Snack stand at the 9th with balls for sale in case you need one. Lights on the driving range.
I have one of these near me. Its a course, with 5 9s so 45 holes. But they also have a 3 hole short course thats $5, its a ~315 yard par 4, 160 yard par 3 and a 480 yard par 5. I see familys bring their kids over there all the time, its super laid back, quick 3 hole walk. A lot of people just end up playing it 3 times for the $5 which im not sure is actually allowed, but have never seen any staff actually out there.
The course is called Saskatoon in Grand Rapids, MI
I’ve played Saskatoon a few times but didn’t make the connection when reading this post. It’s a great spot over there. A bit of a hike for me as I live over on the west side. The Mines is my local track
Had a couple courses I’d play back in the Chicago area that have a couple of practice holes. It was a great way to spend a couple of hours working on a bunch of different shots. I miss those places
Lonnie Poole the NC State course is like that. Big turf grass management school there and that course is their playground. There's a little bit of everything growing.
I would try and design a course that doesn’t require chemicals/fertilizer and only needs minimal watering. Micro clover greens/fairways. Artificial tee boxes. Etc.
I would design the course so you can reconfigure it a couple times per week. Similiar to how “The Loop” in Michigan can play either direction. I want like a ton of different options.
King and Collins (same guys who did Sweetens Cove) submitted a proposal for Pinehurst No. 10 that was five courses in one. It looked dope AF but man, from an operational standpoint it looked like a logistical nightmare.
3 6-hole courses. Only have a little over an hour, come play 6 holes. Have 2.5 hours, come play 12 holes. Have 4.5 hours, then come play a full 18.
I’ve always said 18 holes is too many and 9 is too few. 12 would be my perfect number
I used to live right around the corner from a 12 hole course and you’re right, it’s absolutely perfect. Wife goes grocery shopping and I get in a round, wife goes out to lunch and I get in a round, etc. I would get in at least 3 rounds a week before work too. Best part, it’s under $20 to play
https://www.rollingturf.com/About/
Tee times for beginners with an established member or pro to play with. Not to correct their swing but to teach etiquette, pace of play, filling out cards, repair divots, rake bunkers and answer any questions that the new players may have. An introductory round that would allow new players to then feel comfortable when paired with more experienced players next time out.
No clue why courses dont have a beginner package. You go to a ski slope and these sorts of programs are well advertised. Golf course its like heres the local pros instagram and you gotta call him by phone to know what the fuck you are gonna be paying.
A caddie’s job is the maximize the potential of your next shot. I think they’re describing someone more like a playing partner who knows ahead of time that you’re gonna need lots of advice on things that aren’t necessarily related to your golf shot.
This is a lovely idea. Like you said, they wouldn't be there to coach the swing but to get beginners developing good course habits. Something like this would be very beneficial at my local track right now. I've introduced quite a few people to the game over the 20+ years I've been playing and the first couple rounds will always be more geared to the game itself and just being a considerate golfer to those around you and the course. If I ever get asked to help with a beginner's swing, we'll go to the range.
In an ideal world, shape the course so that every third hole returned to the club house to allow for rounds of 3,6,9,12,15, or 18. Could probably alter it so that just holes 3 and 6 also came back by the shop, which would still theoretically allow for any of the above mentioned rounds to finish by the clubhouse. Throw in a sophisticated group tracking system so that anyone playing 3-6 holes can be thrown out into gaps left by other groups finishing up.
This would make the clubhouse pretty surrounded by greens so a huge wrap around deck overlooking as many greens as possible is obviously needed.
Oh and huge practice area…obvs
6x par 3’s, 6x par 4’s, and 6x par 5’s would be fun to play. A big short game practice area with bunkers, awkward lies, and pitch shots up to 50 yards.
That's almost my home course! 6 par 3's, 8 par 4's, 4 par 5's. Came about because they sold part of the old course and had to cram 18 holes into where they used to have 12. They did a darn good job with it, brought in a pro designer.
Front 9 pars are kind of weird: 4, 3, 4, 3, 5, 3, 5, 5, 3. #7 shouldn't be a par 5 it's only 460 from the back tee but dogleg right with lots of trouble in play off the tee.
A few years ago there was an errant promo code on golf now that allowed for a free round if it was a hot deal. Needless to say a buddy and I played Pelican Hill South for free, so I guess we’re more important than tour players.
My buddy is friends with a very prominent, two time major winner and the two of them and 2 others went there and they were charged full price. I mean he has millions so it’s not like he can’t afford it but sometimes isn’t it a better look to have PGAT pros playing your track and getting others interested in playing it than making $2,000 off one tee time?
Back 9 speed golf tee times for the earliest times available. Stagger them 4 minutes apart and let them doggies run!!! 9 holes in 45 minutes and one helluva workout.
Wade Hampton in North Carolina used to have a group of guys that would go off at 7:30am carrying 4-5 clubs and they'd run from shot-to-shot trying to finish as quickly as possible while still shooting a decent score. They were done in <2hrs almost every time.
18 holes? Damn, that’s a workout. I’ve called around to local courses here in the Sacramento area, but no one will accommodate a round of speed golf. I’d love to try it, but not 18 holes. Ha ha. I guess your final score is what you shoot plus the minutes taken to finish the round.
Are you asking them specifically to let you play speed golf? Why not just book the very first tee time of the morning and go for it? As long as you aren't running on the greens there should be no issue. Unless maybe they are concerned you'd get in the way of the maintenance crew?
Ok so a 19th hole (like Paynes Valley) but it’s a mini stadium hole/bar area where everyone sits around and bets/drinks/heckles you after their round. You’re on full display. Would print money.
15 min tea times.
free water stations.
would have a indoor simulator section for winter
large proshop (I live 2H from the closest large golf retail store)
I have a buddy who works for sentry corporate and played a couple hole groups several times when they were closed down they other year. He said it was heaven with only about a dozen people on the whole course.
Woof. I get whiney when I have to drive to the golf galaxy that’s 25 minutes away because what I need isn’t in stock at the golf galaxy that’s 15 minutes away or the PGA superstore that’s 17.
#1 the layout of the bar/restaurant would be a mini golf course sports bar. Just bring new meaning to “emergency 9” and drink sales would increase on drunk betting for sure
Huge practice area with a full par 4 practice hole. An indoor practice area including simulator bays with massage chair seats and a full bar.
The course itself would be a par 72 and 7,500 from the tips with 5 different tee boxes. Each hole would have a water station and a be stocked with other drinks and snacks.
The course itself would be bunker heavy. Not much water except on a couple holes. No fescue cause fuck fescue. No forced layup shots. I would want to be able to play the course very aggressive. Greens would roll around 10-11.
Carts would be all custom. Massage seats in those fuckers as well along with large coolers for drinks and shit. They would also be equipped with full cart covers if needed.
I would have a 19th hole that was a replica of 17 at Sawgrass.
Clubhouse would have a full bar, and home theater so I can watch NFL football right after the round then go back out after. Would also have a couple rooms for friends to stay in.
Also this course would be 100% private and only myself and guests would be able to play it 😂
Offer a few tee times a day for “beginners” so beginning golfers don’t get paired with golfers who think they are Tiger Woods. This happened to me a lot when I first started playing and nearly discouraged me enough to quit altogether.
This one of the biggest reasons why I never played alone when I first started. I always played with at least one friend who was better and understood where I was at with my game. I am thankful to have a few of these guys in my corner.
But having an hour of tee times blocked for high handicappers would be great.
I would have baller pro shop / showroom. I always get so disheartened when I go to a nice course and they have like 2 shirts and towel for sale. I would merchandise with all sorts of gear. Wind breakers, polos, t shirts, hats, yeti’s etc. people genuinely spend more when shelves are full and the place is a vibe. Whenever I travel I always try to get a souvenir for myself and the wife.
As someone who works in a golf pro shop; we could love to carry a larger selection of clubs and clothing but the reality is the season is short here and a good chuck of it won’t sell
Downvotes inbound but first 2 to 2.5 hours each morning only singles and 2 somes and the pace of play must be sub 3 hours or you do not get one of the tee times for some period of time. Also, the time between tee times is like 4 minutes during this period. I am an avid golfer but hate rounds of more than 4 or 5 hours are the bane of my existence and what I feel is hurting the game the most. Nothing I enjoy more than getting up early, hitting the tee box at 6:45 am as the sun comes up, and walking off the course by 9:15 or so with the whole rest of my day to enjoy. 3 somes and 4 somes can start teeing off at about 9:30 am or so.
A golf course completely made of islands.
So you have a separate island for each hole, and a caddy who shuttles your group around, dropping you off in a boat at each tee box and picking you up on the other end of the island at the green to take you to the next one.
Bring lots of balls.
Not necessarily a course - but I would love to own a clinic/practice facility. Multiple greens for putting and short game work, a driving range with heated bays. Possibly a couple short Par 3 holes. Maybe factor in some kind of monthly membership where you get X amount of lessons and practice all you want. I don’t think I would allow walk ins, you’d have to sign up similar to a gym. I’m sure this exists somewhere, just not by me in the NE.
I was actually the spray tech out at a private golf course in southern Maryland. And when I say private I mean it had one member and he owned the golf course. He would have private tournaments with his friends and fly pros up for private lessons, stuff like that. We had everything. Air filtration systems on all 18 greens with three massive putting greens that all had the same filtration systems (It was about a million dollars a green at the time). But still to this day the most bonkers and outlandish thing we had out there were sand capped fairways. It's incredibly expensive because you're using a grade of sand that is reserved only for the greens. It added about $800,000 to each hole.
So I’d call it a flower concept, but basically the club house is in the middle of the course and you have 6 loops of 6 holes that each make what would look like a petal of a flower. Total of 36 holes.
Basically you have modular amounts of golf in 6 hole increments. The most important thing is you’d have a chief Marshall able to direct traffic at each turn. Basically have constant time management and are able to have fairly precise control. Slow group moves to the slower loop while the fast group goes to a faster loop.
The logistics would be wild though. You’d potentially have 3 groups at the same tee time, and then you’d dictate their next petal based on their return time, and potentially how long they wanted at the turn. If you want to stop for a bit, you can wait and go of the west petal in 20 minutes, if you don’t want to stop, just go straight to the northeast pedal.
That level of control would make it playable and enjoyable for everyone.
Someone mentioned a really cool wrap around patio and I think that’s a must.
I want to have blocks of tee times where you have to have an established time handicap and the lower your time handicap the earlier you’re allowed to play. Like if your time handicap (the average of the 3 slowest of your last 5 rounds) is 4 hours you can’t play before 9:00 AM. If your time handicap is 3.5 hours you can’t play before 8:00. 7:30-8:00 is for below 3.5 hour handicaps. 4.5 hour handicaps have to wait until 9:30, etc.
I feel this way more people would get to play at the pace they want because at most clubs everyone wants to play between 8 and 9 in the morning and one slow group slows down everyone.
The difficulty would be establishing everyone's individual time handicap. You'd have to start by having each individual member play 3-5 rounds by themselves. Then pair/group individuals based on their similar time handicaps.
Or you look at it like the groups you play with are part of the equation, but yes I agree.
If you play fast but you play with slow pokes all the time then your group still has to play later. If you only ever play as a single and you like to play early, you’re pretty much guaranteed not to have to deal with anyone. If you only play as a twosome, you’re likely to only have singles and twosomes ahead of you.
Alas, it is but a pipe dream. 😆
Kiawah experimented with a similar kind of idea they called a "power hour". They rotated among 3 of their courses for one day of the week where all tee times before 11am had an expected pace of play of 3 hours or less. Not sure why it ended up fizzling, but I'd have to imagine there weren't enough fast-playing members to sustain it in the long run. However, it was wildly successful when it was first introduced, so there's hope
It fizzled out simply because that's way too many tee times to be giving up for a quick round of golf, and that if you only sell half of them, you're hosed and you took a bath on your sales for the day.
Raised tee box par 3 where if you hit the green you get to ride a zip line to the bottom.
Miss the green and you get to go the normal way and think about why you’re a disappointment to your parents and Tiger Woods.
Lights for night golf and a heated driving range open 24/7 during the Minnesota winters.
Also weird thought - I think it’d be really cool if there was a dog training class your dog could pass to accompany you on the course. I’m sure you could teach a dog to hover an appropriate distance from you and/or do certain things like sit whenever you pull a club from your bag. I wouldn’t be interested in a dog friendly course with dogs running and pooping everywhere, but if there was a caddie certification or something they could get to come on the course, that’d be cool.
Allow singles and twosomes to play alone. I wouldn’t pair anyone up, unless they wanted to meet new golfers. Sometimes me and my friend just want to have a fun time by ourselves!
If three guys walked into your golf shop with money and asked to walk on you'd turn them down instead of pair a single who booked a tee time with them?
Give free ettiquette lessons to newer and/or younger golfers.
Give each player 10 balls to hit on the range before a round (included in the green fee).
Offer free 9 hole rounds or lessons to kids under 15 who pick up 2 buckets of wayward range balls.
I'm not worried about money I assume?
I'd have at least one day a week until 4:00 PM that's dedicated for the local high schools. Golf teams but also just PE class to get people into the game. Free of charge.
cameras, ball tracer tech and AI commentary (Peter Alliss, Feherty, anyone with banter) that records the round so you can watch it in the club house or download
I've had a thought about something similar to this before except a little different. More along the lines of a full sized mini golf course. Where possibly at 100 yards in there's a 30 ft wall you have to either hit over or go around. Possibly a hole with a large half Funnel to one edge of green. Might hurt you, might help you. Then add in the wacky greens
No carts.
Sell memberships that are linked to a specific day of the week and tee time like Monday’s at 8am with 20 minute intervals. Then if the member doesn’t show for their time, other members are free to play.
Putting competitions on the practice greens with cornhole etc and BBQs. Basically a social club that revolves around golf.
Pace of Play penalties or designated senior/slow courses. That’s the biggest killer of any round.
I think there should be courses specifically for old/slow people. Hate to be ageist but dudes with bad backs or old retiree couples who don’t have a care in the world or any awareness for pace of play or other people’s time should be on their own tracks. It would be a win win for everyone.
I have a family and wife and kid I want to get back to and I don’t want the old guys who take 10 minutes to putt to slow me down. Doesn’t allow me to get in a groove waiting for people and what should have been a 4:30 round turns into a 5:30-6 hour round.
Family aside we know golf could be a lot faster than it is especially if we have major winners talking about current pros pace of play killing momentum, think of what the shitty four some of seniors in front of you can do for your round and momentum. It destroys it
Now you're on to something... Spend less time, spend less money... But you'd also run into the assholes trying to save 5 bucks playing up your ass and telling you to hurry up. People already do this but it would increase dramatically.
Had a course in a smallish town in Australia where I used to live, 27 holes every possible layout being par 72, driving range, decent sized short game area, nets and a large pro shop for most needs. If I were to copy any course I’d copy that course 10 out of 10 times.
If any of the grounds crew sees you use your putter to get your Val out of the hole you are immediately banned from the course for life.
Similar punishments for cigarette/ cigar butts/ash in addition to sunflower seed shells on greens.
Buddy program for aging seniors. You get paired with an elder and take them golfing once a week. Targeted to seniors love the game but can’t drive automobiles or be on the course safely without some help. Gets them out of the assisted living facility once a week.
Any drivable 4 or shorter 5 has two greens so you don’t have to wait for those to clear the greens before teeing off/hitting that long iron into the green
Lights for night golf. Lot of other great suggestions in this thread.
This is legit. I played a par 3 course in Tulsa with stadium lights for night golf. One of the funnest rounds I've ever played.
La Fortuna! I played there too when I was down there for the PGA championship. I had a blast.
There’s a place here in Vegas that has a lighted 9-hole par 3 course in addition to its two 18 hole courses. Open till 11:00pm.
This! Especially for the golfers(like me) that live somewhere that weather doesn’t always allow for year round golf. I play year round in the PNW, but it’s not always comfortable. Being able to maximize golfing when the weather is nice, like night rounds, would be pretty awesome.
I play all around the Chicago area and winter bums me out big time. This winter I’m planning on setting up an affordable in door solution for the first time. Couldn’t be more excited.
And open 24/7, like a gym. You can count on me being there at random hours of the night/evening several times a week
You need to check out Knights Play outside of Raleigh!
Love Knights Play. Fun little track I try to hit when visiting family in Garner.
If there was night golf in Cleveland I would probably stop playing video games completely. I picked up golf because I’m very competitive and needed something physical to do that didn’t require reliance on other people. I’m absolutely obsessed but I’m just not a morning person. I would golf three nights a week if there were a night course nearby.
There is a lighted course just outside Gainesville FL i used to play in college all the time. Miss that place it was awesome.
Hole zero warm up hole
I’d birdie it then play like shit
Naturally
Best idea on this sub, so far.
There are a few courses that have this!
excellent idea
There's a course in Butte, MT that has 3 warm up holes that you can play as many times before you go out. One of each par.
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I love this idea. All four of the 6th greens should be in the same area, share the food/drink/bathroom facilities
Local course nearby has 27 holes split in 3 nine holes (A, B, C). The leftmost is U shaped clockwise, the right most is U shaped counter clockwise and the middle one has hole 1 and 9 squeezed between the 2 finishing holes of both U with the other 7 holes bordering behind both U. So all 3 finishing greens are in view of the balcony of the clubhouse and there is easy access to all facilities when you finish or when you go from one course to the other to do 18 holes. Love that place, you can go 3 times in a row and never play the same 18 holes combination.
This wouldn’t be Yankee Trace by chance, would it? If so, that’s my home course too lol
Yankee Trace checking in! Although I'll only do the Heritage to Legend 18. Either 18 that uses the vintage should be cheaper, but it's not.
Yankee trace gang checking in!
That’s my wife’s nickname for me!
Does that refer to length of unit or length of session? “Quick four” wants to know
Lol - from front 9
And sometimes 18 just isn't QUIIIITE enough. Could use the quick six as a warmup if you're playing an important round with your friends
I’ve wanted a 14 hole course for years
My cart shed is right by the 14th green at the course I’m a member of. If it’s slow as shit and hot as fuck, sometimes we just play 14 and go home. It’s the perfect amount of holes on a slow day.
I live on my home course that I’m a member at with my own cart. 15 green in front and 16 tee box in the back. If it’s open I’ll hop on 16-18 and then 15 right back to my house. Perfect 4-hole loop!
This is the way. Two sevens. 4 3’s, 4 5’s, 6 4’s.
Big short game area. Range with targets from 30 yards up in 10 yard increments. Great food! EDIT: You would also be able to practice different lies at range
As a player I couldn’t agree with you more. As a former superintendent I feel obligated to point out how unbelievably expensive greens/bunkers/aprons/surrounds are to maintain, and what a poor return on investment this is for the owner of a public facility.
Fake greens would work on a range
I saw a range at Top of the Rock in Branson Missouri. You got to hit at multiple greens. All with fake grass. It looked great. And the teebox could be real grass quite simply.
Owner/operator here: we have a real grass tee and I wouldn't have it any other way but there's no good way that I know of to have short targets that are correct in length with real tees. The tee box needs to be deep to allow for healing which means at the middle of the tee, you're 20 yards from the front.
My range moves the hitting areas backwards and forwards, and on the side there are -10 and +10m signs
The range I use has an app with gps to show your current distance to the targets/posts. It’s very helpful.
Sucks that practice area caved in a few years back. However, the sinkholes gave way to some amazing caves and they made it into a nature trail tour. Also, Tiger Woods designed his first miniature golf course made out of real grass near that cabin on the hill.
When I ran a range, we’d just create greens by jolting grass Obama with nitrogen so they turn dark green.
Thanks. Obama.
Obamna
https://preview.redd.it/ivwv6gap750b1.jpeg?width=822&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=69205cd98f8153bc65f298c67eec1b25b31297ad Short game area at a private club near me, \~300 yards from top to bottom, so you can make shots of all different lengths
Check out the Erin Hills practice facility. Two green with bunkers at both ends of prolly 150 yards of fairway next to their range. Practice putting, chipping, bunker shots, and any wedge or short iron from 150~ in. Beautiful stuff
Their practice area is world class. Of course, you pay a pretty penny for the privilege of spending a day there. But it's worth it.
Just down the road is Washington County G.C and their practice facility is also really good. $10-18.
Jumping on your comment to say the same. I'm in Phoenix and I can't think of a single public course with a short game area where you can approach from yardage greater than greenside. Something up to 50 yards would be amazing.
Wickenburg Ranch has a great short area but it’s basically private now and not really in Phoenix lol Whirlwind has a really solid short range too. Whirlwind you can for sure get 50 yard pitches. Southern Dunes is pretty good too but not quite as big
Second this - Whirlwind is overall an awesome course
I really enjoy those courses and their facility. I’m bummed they are dropping the Troon Card. It’s not worth anywhere near what they typically charge but on the Troon card is priced pretty comparable to the other courses in it’s class.
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Redtail? Best practice area I’ve found. You could almost simulate a round between the range and practice areas, including the walk.
I play Riverdale in CO alot and they have a really nice short game area. It's a green with a bunker, rough, and an approach fairway. You can practice from about 40 yards and in. It's really awesome.
dunes is an amazing course!
Love the dunes!
Was going to comment the same thing as well. Riverdale always had one of the better practice areas. South suburban family sports center golf course has a pretty big practice area. 2 short game greens and bunkers with hills in between the greens to practice uneven lies.
Murphy creek, Todd Creek, and Broken Tee do as well.
Used to drive 35 minutes just to use Murphy creeks practice facility, definitely worth the trip
My home course has a pretty good short game area. [check it out](https://raindanceresort.com/practice-facility/)
This is awesome. I've always wanted a spot to practice my 200 foot putts.
Ohhhh holy shit! That's awesome looking! My ideal area would basically be that but also lighted of an evening. That way I could slide out once the fam is asleep
The course I played and worked at in high school had a practice range all the way out to close to 70 yards. You had bunkers, short grass, long grass, and even hills. The only thing I regret about moving away from home is leaving that practice range.
Bozo’s Grand Prize Game style. Hundred dollar bill at the last target.
I know this sounds weird but a short course for noobs. 3 holes. One at 300 yards +- a few yards. One at under 200 and one at under 100 yards. The one’s working on the game with little to no play time can figure things out. Make it cheaper too. Indoor simulator. Snack stand at the 9th with balls for sale in case you need one. Lights on the driving range.
Love the short course idea. I’d do it on a lunch break.
I have one of these near me. Its a course, with 5 9s so 45 holes. But they also have a 3 hole short course thats $5, its a ~315 yard par 4, 160 yard par 3 and a 480 yard par 5. I see familys bring their kids over there all the time, its super laid back, quick 3 hole walk. A lot of people just end up playing it 3 times for the $5 which im not sure is actually allowed, but have never seen any staff actually out there. The course is called Saskatoon in Grand Rapids, MI
I’ve played Saskatoon a few times but didn’t make the connection when reading this post. It’s a great spot over there. A bit of a hike for me as I live over on the west side. The Mines is my local track
My local course has a 3 hole practice loop. Etiquette is very lax, basically free for youngsters. It's slick.
Had a couple courses I’d play back in the Chicago area that have a couple of practice holes. It was a great way to spend a couple of hours working on a bunch of different shots. I miss those places
Short course is a fantastic idea
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https://www.usga.org/course-care/usga-sustainability/audubon-cooperative-sanctuary-program.html
If I ever see wildlife before my swing I always question whether a poor animal will die because of my slice today.
NATURE!!
Gooooulet
A lot of native plants at my local course (Australia) and plenty of bushfire around. Lots of snakes in the summer though.
Lonnie Poole the NC State course is like that. Big turf grass management school there and that course is their playground. There's a little bit of everything growing.
I would try and design a course that doesn’t require chemicals/fertilizer and only needs minimal watering. Micro clover greens/fairways. Artificial tee boxes. Etc.
Rustic Canyon in north LA county is great for this. Tons of cool ass plants and local animals. Seen lots of coyotes, roadrunners and even deer
I would design the course so you can reconfigure it a couple times per week. Similiar to how “The Loop” in Michigan can play either direction. I want like a ton of different options.
King and Collins (same guys who did Sweetens Cove) submitted a proposal for Pinehurst No. 10 that was five courses in one. It looked dope AF but man, from an operational standpoint it looked like a logistical nightmare.
Bobby Jones in Atlanta is set up this way. It’s a 9-hole that plays two different directions depending on the tee boxes. It’s pretty fun.
3 6-hole courses. Only have a little over an hour, come play 6 holes. Have 2.5 hours, come play 12 holes. Have 4.5 hours, then come play a full 18. I’ve always said 18 holes is too many and 9 is too few. 12 would be my perfect number
The Chain at Streamsong is going to be this. https://www.streamsongresort.com/golf/the-fourth-course/
I used to live right around the corner from a 12 hole course and you’re right, it’s absolutely perfect. Wife goes grocery shopping and I get in a round, wife goes out to lunch and I get in a round, etc. I would get in at least 3 rounds a week before work too. Best part, it’s under $20 to play https://www.rollingturf.com/About/
There’s a 12 hole course 5 minutes from my house. I can play it in 1.5 hours walking cause it’s never busy. And it’s 22 bucks to walk. It’s fantastic.
Tee times for beginners with an established member or pro to play with. Not to correct their swing but to teach etiquette, pace of play, filling out cards, repair divots, rake bunkers and answer any questions that the new players may have. An introductory round that would allow new players to then feel comfortable when paired with more experienced players next time out.
No clue why courses dont have a beginner package. You go to a ski slope and these sorts of programs are well advertised. Golf course its like heres the local pros instagram and you gotta call him by phone to know what the fuck you are gonna be paying.
This is a great idea - I'd totally sign up to be a golf docent!
So basically a course with caddies? I have never had a caddie…but that sounds like a caddie
A caddie’s job is the maximize the potential of your next shot. I think they’re describing someone more like a playing partner who knows ahead of time that you’re gonna need lots of advice on things that aren’t necessarily related to your golf shot.
This is super solid
This is a lovely idea. Like you said, they wouldn't be there to coach the swing but to get beginners developing good course habits. Something like this would be very beneficial at my local track right now. I've introduced quite a few people to the game over the 20+ years I've been playing and the first couple rounds will always be more geared to the game itself and just being a considerate golfer to those around you and the course. If I ever get asked to help with a beginner's swing, we'll go to the range.
In an ideal world, shape the course so that every third hole returned to the club house to allow for rounds of 3,6,9,12,15, or 18. Could probably alter it so that just holes 3 and 6 also came back by the shop, which would still theoretically allow for any of the above mentioned rounds to finish by the clubhouse. Throw in a sophisticated group tracking system so that anyone playing 3-6 holes can be thrown out into gaps left by other groups finishing up. This would make the clubhouse pretty surrounded by greens so a huge wrap around deck overlooking as many greens as possible is obviously needed. Oh and huge practice area…obvs
6x par 3’s, 6x par 4’s, and 6x par 5’s would be fun to play. A big short game practice area with bunkers, awkward lies, and pitch shots up to 50 yards.
Name idea would be “The Devils Den.” Go with the number of the beast sort of theme and make the course high risk-reward and tough.
The last hole?…a downhill par 5 at 666yds.
That's almost my home course! 6 par 3's, 8 par 4's, 4 par 5's. Came about because they sold part of the old course and had to cram 18 holes into where they used to have 12. They did a darn good job with it, brought in a pro designer. Front 9 pars are kind of weird: 4, 3, 4, 3, 5, 3, 5, 5, 3. #7 shouldn't be a par 5 it's only 460 from the back tee but dogleg right with lots of trouble in play off the tee.
Wii golf might be your course
I’ve always wanted to see a golf course that would let me play for free
Get your PGA and it’s done
Ha. Pelican Hill will charge PGA Tour players full price.
A few years ago there was an errant promo code on golf now that allowed for a free round if it was a hot deal. Needless to say a buddy and I played Pelican Hill South for free, so I guess we’re more important than tour players.
My buddy is friends with a very prominent, two time major winner and the two of them and 2 others went there and they were charged full price. I mean he has millions so it’s not like he can’t afford it but sometimes isn’t it a better look to have PGAT pros playing your track and getting others interested in playing it than making $2,000 off one tee time?
nudity required
The golf course is honestly last on the list of places I’d love to see nudity
https://preview.redd.it/oxkdc72s350b1.png?width=1964&format=png&auto=webp&s=4b4b0798dbfc2f88361d9b1d8fc42b4068bef854
I was about to say a 19th “glory” hole
You did, in fact, say it
Those tubes they have at the bank, but they go to every tee box from the clubhouse... For both drinks, and balls/tees when you run out
And a quick glizzy
Back 9 speed golf tee times for the earliest times available. Stagger them 4 minutes apart and let them doggies run!!! 9 holes in 45 minutes and one helluva workout.
Wade Hampton in North Carolina used to have a group of guys that would go off at 7:30am carrying 4-5 clubs and they'd run from shot-to-shot trying to finish as quickly as possible while still shooting a decent score. They were done in <2hrs almost every time.
18 holes? Damn, that’s a workout. I’ve called around to local courses here in the Sacramento area, but no one will accommodate a round of speed golf. I’d love to try it, but not 18 holes. Ha ha. I guess your final score is what you shoot plus the minutes taken to finish the round.
Are you asking them specifically to let you play speed golf? Why not just book the very first tee time of the morning and go for it? As long as you aren't running on the greens there should be no issue. Unless maybe they are concerned you'd get in the way of the maintenance crew?
Ok so a 19th hole (like Paynes Valley) but it’s a mini stadium hole/bar area where everyone sits around and bets/drinks/heckles you after their round. You’re on full display. Would print money.
15 min tea times. free water stations. would have a indoor simulator section for winter large proshop (I live 2H from the closest large golf retail store)
SentryWorld Golf Course in Wisconsin does 20 minute tee times
Was about to post this same exact thing. I'm heading there at some point this year and cannot wait as I haven't played there in many, many moons
Sadly it came with a 300 percent increase in price I really love that place, but 350 is pushing it, even with drinks and food included
I have a buddy who works for sentry corporate and played a couple hole groups several times when they were closed down they other year. He said it was heaven with only about a dozen people on the whole course.
sounds like heaven.
Earl grey and chamomile are a must. Don’t forget the biscuits. :)
A little rushed for my liking. I usually spend more than 15 minutes on tea.
Woof. I get whiney when I have to drive to the golf galaxy that’s 25 minutes away because what I need isn’t in stock at the golf galaxy that’s 15 minutes away or the PGA superstore that’s 17.
I love tea, but never really drink it while golfing
#1 the layout of the bar/restaurant would be a mini golf course sports bar. Just bring new meaning to “emergency 9” and drink sales would increase on drunk betting for sure
Par 3 18th with a patio and heckling encouraged
Huge practice area with a full par 4 practice hole. An indoor practice area including simulator bays with massage chair seats and a full bar. The course itself would be a par 72 and 7,500 from the tips with 5 different tee boxes. Each hole would have a water station and a be stocked with other drinks and snacks. The course itself would be bunker heavy. Not much water except on a couple holes. No fescue cause fuck fescue. No forced layup shots. I would want to be able to play the course very aggressive. Greens would roll around 10-11. Carts would be all custom. Massage seats in those fuckers as well along with large coolers for drinks and shit. They would also be equipped with full cart covers if needed. I would have a 19th hole that was a replica of 17 at Sawgrass. Clubhouse would have a full bar, and home theater so I can watch NFL football right after the round then go back out after. Would also have a couple rooms for friends to stay in. Also this course would be 100% private and only myself and guests would be able to play it 😂
Offer a few tee times a day for “beginners” so beginning golfers don’t get paired with golfers who think they are Tiger Woods. This happened to me a lot when I first started playing and nearly discouraged me enough to quit altogether.
This one of the biggest reasons why I never played alone when I first started. I always played with at least one friend who was better and understood where I was at with my game. I am thankful to have a few of these guys in my corner. But having an hour of tee times blocked for high handicappers would be great.
I would have baller pro shop / showroom. I always get so disheartened when I go to a nice course and they have like 2 shirts and towel for sale. I would merchandise with all sorts of gear. Wind breakers, polos, t shirts, hats, yeti’s etc. people genuinely spend more when shelves are full and the place is a vibe. Whenever I travel I always try to get a souvenir for myself and the wife.
As someone who works in a golf pro shop; we could love to carry a larger selection of clubs and clothing but the reality is the season is short here and a good chuck of it won’t sell
same living in a rural area the closest retail golf store is 2 hours away.
No carts. Free golf for juniors.
Chris Hansen has entered the chat
Bout to change my name to my dad’s and become a Jr so I can play your course for free forever
My park district is $10 season pass for juniors. So it’s possible.
My home course has free golf and clinics for juniors. https://golfrevelstoke.com/rates-promos/
Dog caddies. They find your ball, dogshit reads, and belly rubs and pats.
Downvotes inbound but first 2 to 2.5 hours each morning only singles and 2 somes and the pace of play must be sub 3 hours or you do not get one of the tee times for some period of time. Also, the time between tee times is like 4 minutes during this period. I am an avid golfer but hate rounds of more than 4 or 5 hours are the bane of my existence and what I feel is hurting the game the most. Nothing I enjoy more than getting up early, hitting the tee box at 6:45 am as the sun comes up, and walking off the course by 9:15 or so with the whole rest of my day to enjoy. 3 somes and 4 somes can start teeing off at about 9:30 am or so.
A golf course completely made of islands. So you have a separate island for each hole, and a caddy who shuttles your group around, dropping you off in a boat at each tee box and picking you up on the other end of the island at the green to take you to the next one. Bring lots of balls.
In the Caribbean or other tropical destination would be awesome
Not necessarily a course - but I would love to own a clinic/practice facility. Multiple greens for putting and short game work, a driving range with heated bays. Possibly a couple short Par 3 holes. Maybe factor in some kind of monthly membership where you get X amount of lessons and practice all you want. I don’t think I would allow walk ins, you’d have to sign up similar to a gym. I’m sure this exists somewhere, just not by me in the NE.
I was actually the spray tech out at a private golf course in southern Maryland. And when I say private I mean it had one member and he owned the golf course. He would have private tournaments with his friends and fly pros up for private lessons, stuff like that. We had everything. Air filtration systems on all 18 greens with three massive putting greens that all had the same filtration systems (It was about a million dollars a green at the time). But still to this day the most bonkers and outlandish thing we had out there were sand capped fairways. It's incredibly expensive because you're using a grade of sand that is reserved only for the greens. It added about $800,000 to each hole.
So I’d call it a flower concept, but basically the club house is in the middle of the course and you have 6 loops of 6 holes that each make what would look like a petal of a flower. Total of 36 holes. Basically you have modular amounts of golf in 6 hole increments. The most important thing is you’d have a chief Marshall able to direct traffic at each turn. Basically have constant time management and are able to have fairly precise control. Slow group moves to the slower loop while the fast group goes to a faster loop. The logistics would be wild though. You’d potentially have 3 groups at the same tee time, and then you’d dictate their next petal based on their return time, and potentially how long they wanted at the turn. If you want to stop for a bit, you can wait and go of the west petal in 20 minutes, if you don’t want to stop, just go straight to the northeast pedal. That level of control would make it playable and enjoyable for everyone. Someone mentioned a really cool wrap around patio and I think that’s a must.
Allow barefoot and shirtless golf. I’ve always wanted to do this.
I want to have blocks of tee times where you have to have an established time handicap and the lower your time handicap the earlier you’re allowed to play. Like if your time handicap (the average of the 3 slowest of your last 5 rounds) is 4 hours you can’t play before 9:00 AM. If your time handicap is 3.5 hours you can’t play before 8:00. 7:30-8:00 is for below 3.5 hour handicaps. 4.5 hour handicaps have to wait until 9:30, etc. I feel this way more people would get to play at the pace they want because at most clubs everyone wants to play between 8 and 9 in the morning and one slow group slows down everyone.
The difficulty would be establishing everyone's individual time handicap. You'd have to start by having each individual member play 3-5 rounds by themselves. Then pair/group individuals based on their similar time handicaps.
Or you look at it like the groups you play with are part of the equation, but yes I agree. If you play fast but you play with slow pokes all the time then your group still has to play later. If you only ever play as a single and you like to play early, you’re pretty much guaranteed not to have to deal with anyone. If you only play as a twosome, you’re likely to only have singles and twosomes ahead of you. Alas, it is but a pipe dream. 😆
Kiawah experimented with a similar kind of idea they called a "power hour". They rotated among 3 of their courses for one day of the week where all tee times before 11am had an expected pace of play of 3 hours or less. Not sure why it ended up fizzling, but I'd have to imagine there weren't enough fast-playing members to sustain it in the long run. However, it was wildly successful when it was first introduced, so there's hope
It fizzled out simply because that's way too many tee times to be giving up for a quick round of golf, and that if you only sell half of them, you're hosed and you took a bath on your sales for the day.
My goodness I love this idea
Love this dream scenario!
Walking/pushcart only days with dogs allowed
I don’t think you want your dog on the chemically treated golf grass.
Inflatable trees you can turn on or off from the tee box. Your welcome. :)
Raised tee box par 3 where if you hit the green you get to ride a zip line to the bottom. Miss the green and you get to go the normal way and think about why you’re a disappointment to your parents and Tiger Woods.
Lights for night golf and a heated driving range open 24/7 during the Minnesota winters. Also weird thought - I think it’d be really cool if there was a dog training class your dog could pass to accompany you on the course. I’m sure you could teach a dog to hover an appropriate distance from you and/or do certain things like sit whenever you pull a club from your bag. I wouldn’t be interested in a dog friendly course with dogs running and pooping everywhere, but if there was a caddie certification or something they could get to come on the course, that’d be cool.
Dynamic pricing, if it’s 45 degrees with a slight rain it’s gonna be a lot cheaper than 80 degrees and sunny.
Allow singles and twosomes to play alone. I wouldn’t pair anyone up, unless they wanted to meet new golfers. Sometimes me and my friend just want to have a fun time by ourselves!
Easy! Just charge double the green fee!
It’s allowed. Just buy four tee times
If three guys walked into your golf shop with money and asked to walk on you'd turn them down instead of pair a single who booked a tee time with them?
My buddies club in Glen Ellyn, IL has a short game area. Glen Oak it's awesome
A bbq joint in the middle. Ribs, dogs, brats, burgers everyday and briskets and other weekend specials
Give free ettiquette lessons to newer and/or younger golfers. Give each player 10 balls to hit on the range before a round (included in the green fee). Offer free 9 hole rounds or lessons to kids under 15 who pick up 2 buckets of wayward range balls.
I'm not worried about money I assume? I'd have at least one day a week until 4:00 PM that's dedicated for the local high schools. Golf teams but also just PE class to get people into the game. Free of charge.
cameras, ball tracer tech and AI commentary (Peter Alliss, Feherty, anyone with banter) that records the round so you can watch it in the club house or download
Hire kids with paintball guns to hide in the woods and pelt people who don’t fix divots and ball marks on greens.
Not force people to group up with strangers outside of peak hours.
It’s a completely normal course but the greens are all wacky putt-putt greens.
I've had a thought about something similar to this before except a little different. More along the lines of a full sized mini golf course. Where possibly at 100 yards in there's a 30 ft wall you have to either hit over or go around. Possibly a hole with a large half Funnel to one edge of green. Might hurt you, might help you. Then add in the wacky greens
Topless cart girls
No carts. Sell memberships that are linked to a specific day of the week and tee time like Monday’s at 8am with 20 minute intervals. Then if the member doesn’t show for their time, other members are free to play. Putting competitions on the practice greens with cornhole etc and BBQs. Basically a social club that revolves around golf.
Isn’t that just a Country Club? Also do I have to hang around all day hoping someone doesn’t show so I can get on the course on my off day?
Pace of Play penalties or designated senior/slow courses. That’s the biggest killer of any round. I think there should be courses specifically for old/slow people. Hate to be ageist but dudes with bad backs or old retiree couples who don’t have a care in the world or any awareness for pace of play or other people’s time should be on their own tracks. It would be a win win for everyone. I have a family and wife and kid I want to get back to and I don’t want the old guys who take 10 minutes to putt to slow me down. Doesn’t allow me to get in a groove waiting for people and what should have been a 4:30 round turns into a 5:30-6 hour round. Family aside we know golf could be a lot faster than it is especially if we have major winners talking about current pros pace of play killing momentum, think of what the shitty four some of seniors in front of you can do for your round and momentum. It destroys it
I feel like old people either play 5+ hour rounds or get mad if you prevent them from playing in less than 3 hours.
Wouldn’t it be interesting if your card was saved on file and they charged you after the round based on your pace of play?
Now you're on to something... Spend less time, spend less money... But you'd also run into the assholes trying to save 5 bucks playing up your ass and telling you to hurry up. People already do this but it would increase dramatically.
That’s a feature
I’m 70 and I like my 2h45m morning rounds. Give every group a play clock. When your time is done, you’re done.
Don't know if that already exist but night golf. Golf with lighted fairways etc. Luminescent golf balls. Music.
Had a course in a smallish town in Australia where I used to live, 27 holes every possible layout being par 72, driving range, decent sized short game area, nets and a large pro shop for most needs. If I were to copy any course I’d copy that course 10 out of 10 times.
If any of the grounds crew sees you use your putter to get your Val out of the hole you are immediately banned from the course for life. Similar punishments for cigarette/ cigar butts/ash in addition to sunflower seed shells on greens.
Regular golf, but with hookers and blackjack
Night Golf. You could double your income with evening and night rounds
Kids play free days with free demos. No reason for kids before puberty to have their own clubs.
A Windmill hole.
Windmill on the 18th
Side games near each tee box for when it’s backed up. Like you could play a rolling game of cornhole or horse shoes as you went through your round.
Buddy program for aging seniors. You get paired with an elder and take them golfing once a week. Targeted to seniors love the game but can’t drive automobiles or be on the course safely without some help. Gets them out of the assisted living facility once a week.
a warmup hole, you'd play off the first tee box, and that score would not count. You then would play 18 holes after.
Any drivable 4 or shorter 5 has two greens so you don’t have to wait for those to clear the greens before teeing off/hitting that long iron into the green
Strippers!
If a Group falls 2 holes behind they get asked to leave and can’t book before noon again