Ohio Golf Journal November 2018

PUBLIC SHORT COURSES ARE GAINING POPULARITY IN AMERICA BY FRED ALTVATER While the USGA and The R&A are studying the effects of longer golf balls, along with hi-tech golf clubs that increase distance, rendering older traditional courses irrelevant, several new short courses are bucking the trend to provide a wonderful GOLÚNG EXPERIENCE FOR THE AVERAGE GOLFER Maybe the USGA, The PGA of America, as well as, The R&A would be better served spending a few of the millions they are hoarding in their large bank accounts to update and renovate old municipal courses in urban areas along the lines of these short course models. Existing municipal courses that are outdated and poorly maintained could be downsized to a short course, which would be fun for women and juniors to play, plus the balance of the property could be converted to a practice facility and host clinics for beginners to learn the game. Young girls and women are two of the fastest GROWING SEGMENTS OF THE GOLÚNG POPULATION 7HAT better facility for a young girl to learn the game than on a short course with a practice green and short game practice area. No. 1 at Bandon Dunes Preserve O h i o G o l f J o u rn a l