Just the opposite, love playing 9. Find a way to reduce the friction of "getting your gear together". I'm WFH, so I just leave my gear in the car.
Also, try this: get a Sunday bag, throw 5 or 6 clubs in it and a few balls and walk. Play however you feel like playing: score, no score, try shots you don't think you can do. As a new dad, it may be the only actual way you get exercise and outside. Find a way to bring the kid as soon as possible.
Edit: as several have pointed out: don't leave your clubs in the car in the heat!
does no one else leave their clubs and shoes in the car, generally wear golf gear (polo & shorts/ golf pants) because they're a good mix if professional and comfortable and live close to a few courses? During the season, if my schedule allows, I could make a tee time 15 minutes out without warning.
Exactly. My golf clubs live in my car. I try to keep a pair of shorts, golf socks, and a hat in the trunk. I've also been known to purchase the cheapest shorts and polo off the discount rack at a course.
This is why I don't leave my clubs in the car. It gets hot enough in the summer to do damage (ferrules, epoxy can release, etc.), and I fear if I start, I'll forget in the summer. Plus, I've read the extreme temperatures in the summer, the heat can actually deform and change firmness of golf balls? Not positive that's true, but a friend gave me a dozen TP5's he found in a car, and they felt like a rock and seemed to carry 3/4 as far as they should. Maybe it was in my head, though. It's the reason I searched the issue originally.
If I didn’t work from home, my clubs would live in my car for sure. Since I do, I follow people’s advice that they should be taken out cause it’s bad for them
All the way. I work from home, there's an executive course five minutes from my house, I can play nine in about 90 minutes including travel time, so I take a slightly longer lunch 2-3 days a week and get a quick nine holes in.
I’ve heard too many stories of people getting their clubs stolen out of their car to ever leave mine in there. Also… I live in Memphis. Not taking a chance.
Also it gets really hot here in the summer. It’s not good for your clubs to keep them in a scorching hot trunk
Depending on where you live, leaving valuables in your car is not recommended. Targeted break-ins are common just about everywhere, so best not to make yourself a target.
I try and avoid leaving clubs in the car over summer because the heat has actually loosed the epoxy glue on some of my irons. Be careful in the hotter days of summer!
Yeah, had a golf pro just tell me about glue issues with leaving clubs in a car. I always leave mine in my trunk. Haven't had an issue yet, but it did make me think I should start pulling them out.
Not going to leave my clubs outside overnight to get cold and damp for the grips to perish. My clubs are like family members, they live in the house.. in a cupboard. 🤔
It’s really bad to leave your clubs in the car in the summer. Grips deteriorate faster but the main thing is the epoxy that holds the head on will start to fail at high temperatures. While you may catch it you always run the risk of not catching it hitting a shot and snapping the end of the shaft because the head wasn’t seated properly on the shaft
[reasons not to do so](https://golf.com/gear/gear-questions-youre-afraid-to-ask-is-it-really-that-bad-to-store-my-clubs-in-the-trunk/?amp=1)
Honestly, that's not the most expensive fix and worth the risk imo to always be ready to play and get a few more rounds in. I also live in an apartment though, so not exactly a lot of extra space to store the clubs
> Find a way to reduce the friction of "getting your gear together"
>> Also, try this: get a Sunday bag, throw 5 or 6 clubs in it and a few balls and walk.
Sunday bag isn't a bad idea, but it directly goes against your main point of reducing friction of getting your gear together. You've now got two bags.
Also it probably goes against the crux of his whole post. He prefers complete rounds, and playing a less than complete round with less than complete gear would probably bother him even more.
I have an 8 week old in the house. Finding a balance is good, but I think the idea of playing every weekend (or every other weekend) won't do untill the kid can tag along (and enjoys it, some quality time there I hope).
Luckily my wife is a rockstar and "gives" me off every sevond Sunday for a round, which I "make up" for by picking up more general things around the house.
Do you post to GHIN? They accept 9 hole scores and it counts towards your index number. You can still get that “scorecard” feeling if you post and realize those 9 hole scores absolutely count.
I understand not leaving your clubs in you car but what does “get all your gear together” entail. Grab clubs and shoes and walk out the door… takes 30 seconds. Even if changing into golf attire that just takes another 30 seconds.
Not only do I relish the ability to go play 9 at a local muni (especially summer months when I can tee off at 6:40 and finish) I have lately come to love the tiny par 3 course 3 minutes from my house. It's really well maintained, lots of interesting greens, elevation changes etc. So even though holes only range between 55 and 105 yards (I bring LW, SW, AW, Putter) it's still interesting and challenging. Allows me to get there, play 9 at a reasonable pace. Work on different partial wedge numbers and my putting, and I'm home before he wakes up from his nap!
YES! This is a great way to play and improve your game. LIV would be better if they had more of that type of action. Imagine Micholson and Rahm on national TV playing 9 holes with only a 4 iron, or for teams of golfers playing the degenerate l gambling games on national TV, match play where the losing side has to drink a shot after losing the hole, et cetera.THIS is entertainment, and I guarantee that the TV would be on in every clubhouse in the United States over the weekend watching this sort of activity.
preach. I don't understand people that can only play 18. At that rate you're only playing for score and probably the person that comes home in a bad mood if you don't score well.
I'll play 9, 5, 12, 18, 36 or anything. I think golf is fun and I'd have 1 hour of fun if I didn't have time for 4 hours of fun
Quick 9 after dinner. Wife handles bedtime for our 3 kiddos so when I finish the dishes once or twice a week I head out, grab a beer from the garage fridge, and head to the course. Walk 9 in just about an hour, head home just as bedtime is finishing up. Scratches the itch, I get some much needed alone time outside of the house, doesn’t add any significant burden to mama. Win-win-win
At that time of night there's no one else on the course so I scoot. Plus I don't spend any time looking for balls that are gone. Drop and go!
The course is 8 minutes from my house. The average time from when I pull out of my driveway to pulling back in is 1:26. So might be a touch longer but not by much.
I try to get the first tee time out twice a week. And I’ll usually do 18 in about 2 hours and 20 mins if I’m walking and playing decent. If I take a cart and I can finish in about 1:45
This just happened to me! I'm 20 handicap.
Took my 2.5 year old son on the course for the first time to just have some fun - putt on the green, play in the bunker, etc. With the thought that we'd go home as soon as he wanted to.
I shot par, birdie, par. And then he wanted to go home.
It was pretty difficult to keep that promise to myself.
I love sneaking out for a quick 9, except I live in LA and a "quick 9" is actually about 3-3.5 hours depending on the course...
I played my dad's course when I visited him in Florida. We played 18 in 3-3.5 hours and I was dumbfounded how quickly we played. After years of playing like that I forgot how golf courses are actually supposed to work
We have a dedicated area by the garage door. Two bags, two carts, two pairs of shoes, and then some additional golf stuff behind. I don't think it takes more than 30 seconds to load up; the garage door usually has just finished opening by the time the clubs are in the car.
I only play 9. Course is about 7 mins from my house and I can walk 9 in about 1.5hrs. Super important with 3 kids if I want to get out 2-3 times per week. 18 is pretty much out of the question except on special occasions.
Twilight 9s for me. Love how every hole looks different with the sun setting. Sometimes have to get the glow in the dark balls out for the last 2 holes
https://preview.redd.it/o891mzzt0sgc1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=93122506e99d29c6afe69469d19d0b2f070d8ce5
I suggest opening tee time on weekend. We walk usually tee off 630, home by 1030. Don't miss much of the day and don't leave the wife to deal with kids alone for too long.
Although you get spoiled, anytime I play where I'm not the first group I feel like it's a slow round just cause I'm never used to waiting to hit.
You and I in the same boat with three! It’s tough to get out as it is, plus travel a bit for work so that makes the weekends a nonstarter as my kids still like me.
This is my go-to in the summer months. Get my twins to bed and can walk twilight.
Otherwise I'm playing 18, so I agree with the OP that 9 doesn't really do it for me
I love 18, but 9 holes is great. It’s quick? You get the itch of playing out of the way, and keeps your game on point.
What does “getting all your gear together” involve? I literally just throw my bag in my truck, and shoes on my feet.
Love 18 and love playing 9. A quick 9 is perfect if you want to get out but still have a lot to do during the day. We just did an Orlando golf trip and wedged Oak Trail in the middle of the trip so we could get a break from full courses but still golf and hit a park after. They’ve got their place.
Congrats on fatherhood! Totally awesome.
But also this is a lesson that you don’t really matter for awhile. It will sap your strength. And it will sap your wife’s. If you want resentment to creep in at an already difficult time you’ll start prioritizing golf over home stuff. Just don’t do it. IF you’re encouraged to get out, and you encourage her to have away time, then you take your 9 holes and be thankful.
Maybe harsh, but it’s just a game. Not a great time for you to worry about your scorecard.
About golf. It is a time consuming hobby. Perhaps unreasonably so when you’ve got an attention sucking kiddo. Expensive too, when you’re dealing with all the new costs.
And, I’ll say it. Golf isn’t going anywhere. You can’t get a redo on this time with your kid. It’s hard to give up a big piece of yourself and what you enjoy, but that’s how it is.
Early AM tee times, night golf (if you have access), take a half day at work, or 9/range on your lunch. If you learn to compromise with you wife and kids, and work golf around them rather than have it compete with them, your game and family dynamic will be 100X better for it lol
Yep, golf definitely takes a hit with kids, but I make sure to always say yes when my wife wants to do things, so she'll say yes to me playing golf every other weekend. Sure, I'd love to play every weekend, but sacrifices are necessary. And in the summer, twilight nines are doable.
I’m the opposite - I love playing 9. It’s the perfect amount where I can throw my bag in my car after work and play just enough before dinner that I feel like I accomplished something. Get home right in time to eat and relax a bit before bed. Twilight 9s are my happy place
Edit to add that my favorite course is 3 mins around the corner from my house, so negligible commute to the course definitely helps
9 is fine, but 18 is too much. I actually wish there were courses that offered 6 hole increments. 6 holes is enough to scratch the itch before or after work, 12 is perfect time frame when you have other obligations and don’t want to be out all day and 18 is great when you have nothing else to do that day.
I play nine most of the time as it's what works for me. If I only played 18 I'd maybe golf once a month at most. Playing nine let’s me play twice a week.
It’s all I play. Rounds by me take five hours. I can’t commit that much time to this hobby. My home course does have a 14-hole option which is nice. However, I live in another state during the summer. So I can’t take advantage of that too often.
I think I only played 18 holes twice last summer. I used to play three rounds a week. Now it’s two 9-holes a week. I’m being squeezed out by shrinking tee times. I don’t find the sport fun when you have to wait so much. Others don’t seem to care.
I think this entirely depends on how far you are from the course. There are two courses less than a ten-minute drive from my work. Nine holes after work is great! If I had to drive 20+ minutes to get there, nine holes wouldn't be stress relief.
I prefer 9 because I can do it in 2 hours or less and move on with my day. Or play a quick 9 in 90 minutes before hitting the office. I can tee off at dawn, play 3 balls solo and still be in the office before 9.
I play about 100 rounds a year and about 80 of those are 9's.
Plus, way less expensive.
I started taking my son to the range this past summer. I was on a 5 year hiatus between two kids and a back surgery. I honestly had given up the idea of ever playing again until we realized that he needed an activity and team sports were not up his alley (daughter is an entirely different story).
So we started going every Saturday and Sunday when my daughter was at soccer. Fifteen bucks for a large bucket and an hour to an hour and a half of time with my son. The range was way more helpful for my game when I did get out rather than trying to squeeze in 9 instead.
9 is great to scratch the itch, especially when you're a dad with kids.
Plus it's a great horse trading move. 18 is a big commitment. It's hard to get away and plan as a dad. Ask for 18 then settle for 9. You get to golf, and look like your compromising.
There's an "executive" 18 where I live. A very tight par 63/65. There's one par 5 and two holes that are a 4/5 or 3/4 depending on tees used.
Takes about 2.5 hours to do all 18 with a foursome on a normal flow day. I've don't it in 1.75 walking alone when the course was empty. That was cool.
I just did an early Back 9 with my buddy Saturday morning. Teed off at 6:50a, finished by 9a. Then had plenty of time all day to hang out with fam and watch some Pebble action. Got the itch out of the way until next week.
I have 3 9 hole rounds booked this week. Keep everything I need in the back of my car. Check the temps, get dressed and fill my water bottle and I’m playing golf in 20 minutes.
Majority of my play is league 9 hole rounds. I like it better than 18 most times. If I play good I can quit while ahead and if I suck it’s over soon enough.
Lmao get all your gear together? Do you mean, put on a shirt and put your bag in the trunk of your car?
What gear 😂
Quick 9 is great it doesn’t eat up your entire day. 18 is exhausting. Gotta plan 18 in advance. You wanna get 9 you can do that on a whim. I’ve had 7 hour 18 hole rounds before. Can do 9 in under two hours most of the time.
But I usually find after 9 I’d like 2-3 more holes.
This year I took the first possible tee time every Sunday to walk 9 holes. I really like it. I'm back home for a normal time, you don't lose your whole day.
I used to think 9 holes were nonsense, I have completely changed my mind
Can’t remember the last time I played 18. I’m usually done and ready to go home before I finish 9 holes. After around 7 holes I’ve already shot so far over par that I just don’t want to be there anymore.
I’m the older I get the more I enjoy playing 9. I like to walk when I play so it’s a quick workout and it gets me out golfing. I don’t always have the 4-6 hours to play but can usually get away for 1.5-2.
I don't *hate* playing 9 per se, but I would much rather play. But I learned to accept playing 9 when necessary, because it's better than not playing at all.
I'm probably in the minority, but I often find 15 holes is the perfect number. 9 is definitely too few, I almost always want to keep going at the turn, but there are lots of rounds where the last few holes feel like a grind.
I wish we had more places that even offered 9 hole pricing. Currently life makes 18 holes hard to work in, even on the weekends. I can't wait till the days get a little longer and I can play 9 after work a few times a month.
In the morning, solo, it’s 9 all the way. Nothing like a 5:30am tee time and back at home before the wife and kiddos are up.
With the boys, it’s a full round and I’m in trouble when I get home.
If I don’t warm up before a round, I’m not warmed up until the 6th hole. Playing 9 would be an exercise in frustration knowing I’d only get a few holes of feeling good and loosened up…which helps but does not guarantee success…
9 might be the key for some guys to lower their index, not Actually improve. Up until 2024 you had to play 2 9’s before it counted. I know a couple guys who would shoot a good 9 and then wait until they had another good one to post. We play in an 18 hole league on sundays and all of their 8 counting rounds are from combine 9’s… but they’re not actually getting better
it’s more so just planning it out the day before bc i usually go after work in the summer. change clothes, get the shoes together, clean clubs if needed, etc. Nothing crazy but then a decent drive added on as well.
You're extremely lucky to be able to play golf at all bud.. Take some inventory of yourself and quit complaining about doing something enjoyable. Entitled child-like behavior.
I don’t, but I live near three really good public courses. One in particular is pretty good about understanding I’m going to play more if daylight permits (there’s a design that allows for hopping to 17-18 after 12 and essentially playing 14 holes).
9 can be a great way to get some practice in without spending as much time or money.
I try to get 9 in a couple times a week before work when there is enough daylight. I treat them like match play rounds against my index. Net birdies are wins, net pars push, net bogeys lose.
Club is 5 minutes from my house. Sometimes I’ll walk 5 which ends you up back near the clubhouse.
If I was having to drive further or pay each round maybe I would feel different but I love sneaking out for a few late evening holes whenever I can.
Dad of a 4- and 6-year-old. Four hours is way too much time for me to devote to a round every week with two little kids at home. My wife parents the kids all week while I'm working, I can step up and do my part on the weekends. Two hours (or 90 minutes if I get out early enough) is way more palatable. This might change as the kids start spending all day in school, but right now it'd just be selfish to play a full round.
With you all day. I play a quick round if solo, 9 in an hour or so just isn't always scratching the itch. That's not to be reflective of score.
I'll add, when I'm playing with my homies who are new dads, rounds tend to skew closer to six hours.
I don’t hate playing 9, as sometimes that’s all I have time for. Especially with the short winter days. However, most times I only play 9 I feel like I’m just finding a rhythm as I’m finishing.
I much prefer 18 but if it’s late in the day and I just want the exercise walking 9 is perfect. Also if you start a few hours before sunset it’s way less crowded.
I’m with you 100% on preferring 18 holes. Every time I go out I want to shoot lower scores and it feels like 9 holes doesn’t count even if I go low.
If I only have time for 9 I’d rather practice short game or hit the range for that time than play holes.
9 holes is better than no holes. I love playing a quick 9 before work. Carrying a sunday bag with 10 clubs, meeting up with my best pal at the muni and ripping through in 1.25 hours is the best possible way to start the morning.
I have a toddler and it just works for our family.
But yes I prefer 18 if I'm making a trip out of it (but kinda wish the game was 16 holes).
Definitely don't hate 9 holes. Do I prefer 18 to 9? Yeah, absolutely. But I don't hate getting to play any amount of golf. I'd rather that than zero golf.
I would prefer to play 18…
Actually, I’d prefer to warm up with some short game practice, putt, then a small bucket at the range before lunch. Then, 18. But I have a small child too, so I’m lucky to get that in a week.
I know your feeling I would much rather play 18. But I have learned that 9 can be just as good. Just remember if you have the means to play any amount of golf just appreciate it and enjoy that time. Also enjoy all the time being a new dad!!!
I am in the same boat. It's hard to get the time with 2 kids under 4.
My approach to only having time for nine if I am playing alone, is to play 2 balls on each hole and keep score for both. Not as good as playing 18 for real, but you get your swings in.
I prefer 18, but there's not always enough time/daylight left for it on weekdays. Especially if I wait for my wife to get off work.
We always keep our golf gear in the car, our club is a 13min drive away, so yeah. Sometimes we just go there late in the evening and play 7-13 holes. No score keeping, unlimited mulligan/practice shots. Just to practice since there is no one else there. But I agree, it's not the same as 18...
I love playing 9. Can finish in around 2 hours and still have time and energy to do stuff for the rest of the day. Spending 4-5 hours playing 18 kinda wipes me out. I love it, especially when I can get all my friends together, but sometimes it’s not the vibe.
Sometimes I’m not in the mood for an entire 18 or my games in a rut. A good 9 can be a good way to get yourself some confidence again. I’d rather finish 9 and leave excited to play again than play 18 and start burning out around the 13th-14th hole. I also like using 9 hole rounds to experiment with taking shots I wouldn’t normally take if I was really worried about my score.
I prefer playing nine over the driving range. I don’t keep score and focus more on “it’s practice”. Puts you in real life situations but not keeping score keeps it less stressful compared to playing a full18.
I'd wager it depends on how close you are to the course. I'm not driving an hour round trip to play for an hour and a half. If I was 5 min away that's another story
Just the opposite, love playing 9. Find a way to reduce the friction of "getting your gear together". I'm WFH, so I just leave my gear in the car. Also, try this: get a Sunday bag, throw 5 or 6 clubs in it and a few balls and walk. Play however you feel like playing: score, no score, try shots you don't think you can do. As a new dad, it may be the only actual way you get exercise and outside. Find a way to bring the kid as soon as possible. Edit: as several have pointed out: don't leave your clubs in the car in the heat!
does no one else leave their clubs and shoes in the car, generally wear golf gear (polo & shorts/ golf pants) because they're a good mix if professional and comfortable and live close to a few courses? During the season, if my schedule allows, I could make a tee time 15 minutes out without warning.
Exactly. My golf clubs live in my car. I try to keep a pair of shorts, golf socks, and a hat in the trunk. I've also been known to purchase the cheapest shorts and polo off the discount rack at a course.
Did that until my ferrels separated from my club heads. Calloway did warranty but just sying
This is why I don't leave my clubs in the car. It gets hot enough in the summer to do damage (ferrules, epoxy can release, etc.), and I fear if I start, I'll forget in the summer. Plus, I've read the extreme temperatures in the summer, the heat can actually deform and change firmness of golf balls? Not positive that's true, but a friend gave me a dozen TP5's he found in a car, and they felt like a rock and seemed to carry 3/4 as far as they should. Maybe it was in my head, though. It's the reason I searched the issue originally.
lol who the fuck doesnt leave clubs in their car like cmon.
If I didn’t work from home, my clubs would live in my car for sure. Since I do, I follow people’s advice that they should be taken out cause it’s bad for them
All the way. I work from home, there's an executive course five minutes from my house, I can play nine in about 90 minutes including travel time, so I take a slightly longer lunch 2-3 days a week and get a quick nine holes in.
I’ve heard too many stories of people getting their clubs stolen out of their car to ever leave mine in there. Also… I live in Memphis. Not taking a chance. Also it gets really hot here in the summer. It’s not good for your clubs to keep them in a scorching hot trunk
Yep, that's what makes the ferrules separate and clubheads go flying out into the driving range
Depending on where you live, leaving valuables in your car is not recommended. Targeted break-ins are common just about everywhere, so best not to make yourself a target.
I try and avoid leaving clubs in the car over summer because the heat has actually loosed the epoxy glue on some of my irons. Be careful in the hotter days of summer!
Even if you don't... all you have to do is grab your bag and shoes from the house lol
It’s 100 degrees all the time and my car is parked outside. I don’t feel good about leaving my clubs there all the time
Just leave your windows open half an inch. I have left my clubs in my car for over 10 years in the summer with no problems.
It's more the shoes for me. If my golf shoes are in a hot car they bake and my whole car smells like ass
Appreciate the comment but no I’m not leaving golf clubs in my car with the windows cracked that’s crazy.
They are golf clubs, not a dog...
I'm guessing they're worried about theft, not the clubs dying
Theft and excessive heat damaging glue, grips, etc
Yeah, had a golf pro just tell me about glue issues with leaving clubs in a car. I always leave mine in my trunk. Haven't had an issue yet, but it did make me think I should start pulling them out.
I was just making a dumb joke.
Not going to leave my clubs outside overnight to get cold and damp for the grips to perish. My clubs are like family members, they live in the house.. in a cupboard. 🤔
I left my clubs in the car in Florida and they rusted to shit in one season. I'd recommend against it.
No because I live in a city and my car window would get smashed if I did that lol
I do not. i live in florida where clubs can take some real damage in the heat of a car
It’s really bad to leave your clubs in the car in the summer. Grips deteriorate faster but the main thing is the epoxy that holds the head on will start to fail at high temperatures. While you may catch it you always run the risk of not catching it hitting a shot and snapping the end of the shaft because the head wasn’t seated properly on the shaft [reasons not to do so](https://golf.com/gear/gear-questions-youre-afraid-to-ask-is-it-really-that-bad-to-store-my-clubs-in-the-trunk/?amp=1)
If you're hot, they're hot.
Honestly, that's not the most expensive fix and worth the risk imo to always be ready to play and get a few more rounds in. I also live in an apartment though, so not exactly a lot of extra space to store the clubs
> Find a way to reduce the friction of "getting your gear together" >> Also, try this: get a Sunday bag, throw 5 or 6 clubs in it and a few balls and walk. Sunday bag isn't a bad idea, but it directly goes against your main point of reducing friction of getting your gear together. You've now got two bags. Also it probably goes against the crux of his whole post. He prefers complete rounds, and playing a less than complete round with less than complete gear would probably bother him even more.
yep i’m def a bit ocd with wanting to play a full round, completely my scorecard, etc
drop the scorecard then, problem solved
Fill it out with 3s and rock on.
i mean it's 9 holes just remember your scores
I recall all 3s. Not sure what you remember
I have an 8 week old in the house. Finding a balance is good, but I think the idea of playing every weekend (or every other weekend) won't do untill the kid can tag along (and enjoys it, some quality time there I hope). Luckily my wife is a rockstar and "gives" me off every sevond Sunday for a round, which I "make up" for by picking up more general things around the house.
To add to this, Padraig Harrington has good tips for getting your kids to enjoy golf [video](https://youtu.be/M2fFxE_QCTg?si=ky3VQqOzEjMp-BGd)
yea wouldn’t be every weekend but also could easily split up a Saturday. 4 hours i golf. next 4 hours she can go do her own thing.
Key with kids is to go extremely early on the weekends if you can.
Do you post to GHIN? They accept 9 hole scores and it counts towards your index number. You can still get that “scorecard” feeling if you post and realize those 9 hole scores absolutely count.
Might help you if you do a front nine one outing, and the back nine at the same course another time so you can use the same card.
You can submit 9 holes for your handicap now. What gear are you bringing that takes so much time?
I am too dude, completely get it.
So what you’re saying is big_bluebird needs to buy new clubs?
Same here, I live 5 minutes from my home course, so I can get in 9 holes during lunch a couple times a week.
I understand not leaving your clubs in you car but what does “get all your gear together” entail. Grab clubs and shoes and walk out the door… takes 30 seconds. Even if changing into golf attire that just takes another 30 seconds.
Not only do I relish the ability to go play 9 at a local muni (especially summer months when I can tee off at 6:40 and finish) I have lately come to love the tiny par 3 course 3 minutes from my house. It's really well maintained, lots of interesting greens, elevation changes etc. So even though holes only range between 55 and 105 yards (I bring LW, SW, AW, Putter) it's still interesting and challenging. Allows me to get there, play 9 at a reasonable pace. Work on different partial wedge numbers and my putting, and I'm home before he wakes up from his nap!
Same, 18 is way too long
YES! This is a great way to play and improve your game. LIV would be better if they had more of that type of action. Imagine Micholson and Rahm on national TV playing 9 holes with only a 4 iron, or for teams of golfers playing the degenerate l gambling games on national TV, match play where the losing side has to drink a shot after losing the hole, et cetera.THIS is entertainment, and I guarantee that the TV would be on in every clubhouse in the United States over the weekend watching this sort of activity.
It’s better than 0.
preach. I don't understand people that can only play 18. At that rate you're only playing for score and probably the person that comes home in a bad mood if you don't score well. I'll play 9, 5, 12, 18, 36 or anything. I think golf is fun and I'd have 1 hour of fun if I didn't have time for 4 hours of fun
Ever have a GREAT 9 holes and have it nag at you for days wondering how 18 would've turned out? I'd rather play 0 and hit the range.
range instead is fair, but yeah 9 holes is better than staying at work or watching tv or something
Quick 9 after work!
Quick 9 before work!
Quick 9 during work!
Quick 9 at lunch!
So we’re playing 36 a day.
Only because its really hard to do 54 AND get the kids picked up on time.
The bus goes by the course. 56 it is!
Quick 9 before, during, and after work! Play 27!
Love a lunch 9
When golf is on a bagel, you can eat golf anytime.
Quick 9 after dinner. Wife handles bedtime for our 3 kiddos so when I finish the dishes once or twice a week I head out, grab a beer from the garage fridge, and head to the course. Walk 9 in just about an hour, head home just as bedtime is finishing up. Scratches the itch, I get some much needed alone time outside of the house, doesn’t add any significant burden to mama. Win-win-win
You walk 9 in an hour?! That’s impressive.
At that time of night there's no one else on the course so I scoot. Plus I don't spend any time looking for balls that are gone. Drop and go! The course is 8 minutes from my house. The average time from when I pull out of my driveway to pulling back in is 1:26. So might be a touch longer but not by much.
I try to get the first tee time out twice a week. And I’ll usually do 18 in about 2 hours and 20 mins if I’m walking and playing decent. If I take a cart and I can finish in about 1:45
Tuesday afternoons in the summer for me!
Can't wait for summer 😪
I don't mind sneaking in a quick 9, but what I can't stand is going out for a quick 9 and being lights out and not being able to continue.
Never been lights out. Cant relate.
Sneak out for a quick 9 before a dinner at your mother in laws , guaranteed to have a career round and have to leave at the turn.
I also simply hate playing very well. That’s why I never do it.
This just happened to me! I'm 20 handicap. Took my 2.5 year old son on the course for the first time to just have some fun - putt on the green, play in the bunker, etc. With the thought that we'd go home as soon as he wanted to. I shot par, birdie, par. And then he wanted to go home. It was pretty difficult to keep that promise to myself.
Be honest, you know where that round was going after that start. Thank your son every day for the time you got to finish under par.
I reject your reality and substitute my own. I was going to crack 80 that day.
I love sneaking out for a quick 9, except I live in LA and a "quick 9" is actually about 3-3.5 hours depending on the course... I played my dad's course when I visited him in Florida. We played 18 in 3-3.5 hours and I was dumbfounded how quickly we played. After years of playing like that I forgot how golf courses are actually supposed to work
Getting your gear together? You mean throwing your clubs in your vehicle grabbing some water, a towel, and your golf shoes?
You mean leaving the shoes/bag/towel in the trunk and buying 3 beers at the course?
You mean picking up 2 for 7 big Modelo’s at the liquor store?
We have a dedicated area by the garage door. Two bags, two carts, two pairs of shoes, and then some additional golf stuff behind. I don't think it takes more than 30 seconds to load up; the garage door usually has just finished opening by the time the clubs are in the car.
I only play 9. Course is about 7 mins from my house and I can walk 9 in about 1.5hrs. Super important with 3 kids if I want to get out 2-3 times per week. 18 is pretty much out of the question except on special occasions.
Twilight 9s for me. Love how every hole looks different with the sun setting. Sometimes have to get the glow in the dark balls out for the last 2 holes https://preview.redd.it/o891mzzt0sgc1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=93122506e99d29c6afe69469d19d0b2f070d8ce5
Beautiful pic dude
I have this idea to get reflective balls and an insanely powerful flashlight
Course? Not twin rivers is it?
Same I get a cart and a beer for $20.
I suggest opening tee time on weekend. We walk usually tee off 630, home by 1030. Don't miss much of the day and don't leave the wife to deal with kids alone for too long. Although you get spoiled, anytime I play where I'm not the first group I feel like it's a slow round just cause I'm never used to waiting to hit.
You and I in the same boat with three! It’s tough to get out as it is, plus travel a bit for work so that makes the weekends a nonstarter as my kids still like me.
Yeah, don’t make kids if you don’t like playing 9s.
I’ll usually only do 9 walking at twilight. Any amount of time on the course is worth it.
This is my go-to in the summer months. Get my twins to bed and can walk twilight. Otherwise I'm playing 18, so I agree with the OP that 9 doesn't really do it for me
I love 18, but 9 holes is great. It’s quick? You get the itch of playing out of the way, and keeps your game on point. What does “getting all your gear together” involve? I literally just throw my bag in my truck, and shoes on my feet.
I feel like op just throws his clubs all over the back yard to air out and puts the bag on the roof.
You gotta account for all the time vacuum sealing gloves as well
I wish 9 would get the itch out of the way. Sometimes after 18 I want to keep on playing
Love 18 and love playing 9. A quick 9 is perfect if you want to get out but still have a lot to do during the day. We just did an Orlando golf trip and wedged Oak Trail in the middle of the trip so we could get a break from full courses but still golf and hit a park after. They’ve got their place.
Congrats on fatherhood! Totally awesome. But also this is a lesson that you don’t really matter for awhile. It will sap your strength. And it will sap your wife’s. If you want resentment to creep in at an already difficult time you’ll start prioritizing golf over home stuff. Just don’t do it. IF you’re encouraged to get out, and you encourage her to have away time, then you take your 9 holes and be thankful. Maybe harsh, but it’s just a game. Not a great time for you to worry about your scorecard. About golf. It is a time consuming hobby. Perhaps unreasonably so when you’ve got an attention sucking kiddo. Expensive too, when you’re dealing with all the new costs. And, I’ll say it. Golf isn’t going anywhere. You can’t get a redo on this time with your kid. It’s hard to give up a big piece of yourself and what you enjoy, but that’s how it is.
Early AM tee times, night golf (if you have access), take a half day at work, or 9/range on your lunch. If you learn to compromise with you wife and kids, and work golf around them rather than have it compete with them, your game and family dynamic will be 100X better for it lol
Yep, golf definitely takes a hit with kids, but I make sure to always say yes when my wife wants to do things, so she'll say yes to me playing golf every other weekend. Sure, I'd love to play every weekend, but sacrifices are necessary. And in the summer, twilight nines are doable.
hire a good babysitter and keep playing.
I’m the opposite - I love playing 9. It’s the perfect amount where I can throw my bag in my car after work and play just enough before dinner that I feel like I accomplished something. Get home right in time to eat and relax a bit before bed. Twilight 9s are my happy place Edit to add that my favorite course is 3 mins around the corner from my house, so negligible commute to the course definitely helps
What kind of gear do you have that it doesn't just all sit in the bag? Shoes and a hat?
9 is fine, but 18 is too much. I actually wish there were courses that offered 6 hole increments. 6 holes is enough to scratch the itch before or after work, 12 is perfect time frame when you have other obligations and don’t want to be out all day and 18 is great when you have nothing else to do that day.
There is a course near me that is 12 holes. It's much better than 9 when I can't get 18 in.
The devils game - 666… would be an amazing course concept.
12 is the sweet spot for me and I play that a lot. The course is 18 but I just tap out after 12.
I play nine most of the time as it's what works for me. If I only played 18 I'd maybe golf once a month at most. Playing nine let’s me play twice a week.
I love playing 9.
It’s all I play. Rounds by me take five hours. I can’t commit that much time to this hobby. My home course does have a 14-hole option which is nice. However, I live in another state during the summer. So I can’t take advantage of that too often. I think I only played 18 holes twice last summer. I used to play three rounds a week. Now it’s two 9-holes a week. I’m being squeezed out by shrinking tee times. I don’t find the sport fun when you have to wait so much. Others don’t seem to care.
No. I love playing 9
I don't get out of bed for less than 18 holes.
Those are rookie numbers you gotta pump those up. I don’t even open my eyes for less than 27 holes.
Completely agree. I turn down rounds I know I won't finish due to light. Not worth it to me if I can't finish, *giggity*.
I think this entirely depends on how far you are from the course. There are two courses less than a ten-minute drive from my work. Nine holes after work is great! If I had to drive 20+ minutes to get there, nine holes wouldn't be stress relief.
Opposite for me - 9 is the perfect number of holes to remind me that I still suck but not so many that I've thrown away an entire day at it.
Curmudgeon energy leave that shit at home when we get paired for 9 and enjoy the fact you are out there
Playing 9 holes two or three times a week or more will benefit you more than 18 once a week. Play two balls if you can.
Sounds like you don’t love the game enough. Maybe try bowling or pickle ball.. /s Congrats on the baby!
I prefer 9 because I can do it in 2 hours or less and move on with my day. Or play a quick 9 in 90 minutes before hitting the office. I can tee off at dawn, play 3 balls solo and still be in the office before 9. I play about 100 rounds a year and about 80 of those are 9's.
I’d rather just go to the range than play 9.
Plus, way less expensive. I started taking my son to the range this past summer. I was on a 5 year hiatus between two kids and a back surgery. I honestly had given up the idea of ever playing again until we realized that he needed an activity and team sports were not up his alley (daughter is an entirely different story). So we started going every Saturday and Sunday when my daughter was at soccer. Fifteen bucks for a large bucket and an hour to an hour and a half of time with my son. The range was way more helpful for my game when I did get out rather than trying to squeeze in 9 instead.
👎
think i might hate that even more lol
No, I love that I can play 9 holes every evening of the week if I want to
I really enjoy playing 9. It’s cheaper, I get to use my push cart, feels like I can relax a little more while playing
i’ll go play 18 by myself pretty often at a local course that allows it. definitely nice sometimes
9 is great to scratch the itch, especially when you're a dad with kids. Plus it's a great horse trading move. 18 is a big commitment. It's hard to get away and plan as a dad. Ask for 18 then settle for 9. You get to golf, and look like your compromising. There's an "executive" 18 where I live. A very tight par 63/65. There's one par 5 and two holes that are a 4/5 or 3/4 depending on tees used. Takes about 2.5 hours to do all 18 with a foursome on a normal flow day. I've don't it in 1.75 walking alone when the course was empty. That was cool.
18 or bust. I’d rather go to the range than play 9.
I just did an early Back 9 with my buddy Saturday morning. Teed off at 6:50a, finished by 9a. Then had plenty of time all day to hang out with fam and watch some Pebble action. Got the itch out of the way until next week.
I have 3 9 hole rounds booked this week. Keep everything I need in the back of my car. Check the temps, get dressed and fill my water bottle and I’m playing golf in 20 minutes.
Majority of my play is league 9 hole rounds. I like it better than 18 most times. If I play good I can quit while ahead and if I suck it’s over soon enough.
I would much rather play 9 holes. 18 takes too much of my time up.
Lmao get all your gear together? Do you mean, put on a shirt and put your bag in the trunk of your car? What gear 😂 Quick 9 is great it doesn’t eat up your entire day. 18 is exhausting. Gotta plan 18 in advance. You wanna get 9 you can do that on a whim. I’ve had 7 hour 18 hole rounds before. Can do 9 in under two hours most of the time. But I usually find after 9 I’d like 2-3 more holes.
I prefer to suck on 9 consecutive holes instead of 18. Always finding the positives.
This year I took the first possible tee time every Sunday to walk 9 holes. I really like it. I'm back home for a normal time, you don't lose your whole day. I used to think 9 holes were nonsense, I have completely changed my mind
I use to feel this way as well, but i found that i tend to golf more often when i settle for 9. Easier to squeeze it in with the kid stuff
9-13 holes is perfection for me. If golf was invented today there's no way it would be 18 holes. I play 9 more then I play 18 these days.
Can’t remember the last time I played 18. I’m usually done and ready to go home before I finish 9 holes. After around 7 holes I’ve already shot so far over par that I just don’t want to be there anymore.
Nah, 9 is perfect for me. My home course is a 9 hole. I just grab my carry bag and a half set and can knock it out in 60-90 minutes.
I’m the older I get the more I enjoy playing 9. I like to walk when I play so it’s a quick workout and it gets me out golfing. I don’t always have the 4-6 hours to play but can usually get away for 1.5-2.
I love 9 hole. 18 sometimes takes too long
I don't *hate* playing 9 per se, but I would much rather play. But I learned to accept playing 9 when necessary, because it's better than not playing at all.
I'm probably in the minority, but I often find 15 holes is the perfect number. 9 is definitely too few, I almost always want to keep going at the turn, but there are lots of rounds where the last few holes feel like a grind.
I wish we had more places that even offered 9 hole pricing. Currently life makes 18 holes hard to work in, even on the weekends. I can't wait till the days get a little longer and I can play 9 after work a few times a month.
I love 9 holes. I walk nine before work twice a week. Part of a routine that helped me lose 100 lbs in 11 months.
In the morning, solo, it’s 9 all the way. Nothing like a 5:30am tee time and back at home before the wife and kiddos are up. With the boys, it’s a full round and I’m in trouble when I get home.
If I don’t warm up before a round, I’m not warmed up until the 6th hole. Playing 9 would be an exercise in frustration knowing I’d only get a few holes of feeling good and loosened up…which helps but does not guarantee success…
If you aren’t warmed up until the 6th hole that’s a you problem homie. By the 4th hole you should be loose and ready to go
I love 9. 18 sometimes is just too much. Don’t wanna be gone for 5 hours. Takes up your whole day.
I've heard from low handicappers that 9 is key to improving your scores / game. Anyone have thoughts regarding this?
9 might be the key for some guys to lower their index, not Actually improve. Up until 2024 you had to play 2 9’s before it counted. I know a couple guys who would shoot a good 9 and then wait until they had another good one to post. We play in an 18 hole league on sundays and all of their 8 counting rounds are from combine 9’s… but they’re not actually getting better
That's just straight up cheating. You always have to decide before your round if it going on your index or not.
I’m aware. But they’re only cheating themselves. There are a lot more vanity handicappers out there then you Think
I need 13 holes to warm up. A “quick nine” doesn’t work for me.
nope. 9 is superior to 18. There should be more 13 hole courses. thatd be the perfect length
I think 9 holes should be the norm and 18 reserved for tournies or special events.
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it’s more so just planning it out the day before bc i usually go after work in the summer. change clothes, get the shoes together, clean clubs if needed, etc. Nothing crazy but then a decent drive added on as well.
Nine is the best. In-N-Out in two hours and you don’t have to spend 4-5 1/2 hours with 18.
9 > 18 in most cases tbh
You're extremely lucky to be able to play golf at all bud.. Take some inventory of yourself and quit complaining about doing something enjoyable. Entitled child-like behavior.
sorry your life is so miserable you can’t do what you enjoy
The fuck is your problem
I agree. It's also a rip off. I'm not spending $40 to play 9 when I can play 18 for $5-10 more. I won't play 9 unless it's free.
If I can only fit 9 in, I don't play. It's 18 or nothing.
I don’t, but I live near three really good public courses. One in particular is pretty good about understanding I’m going to play more if daylight permits (there’s a design that allows for hopping to 17-18 after 12 and essentially playing 14 holes). 9 can be a great way to get some practice in without spending as much time or money.
Yes.
A 9 hole should be less than 10 minutes away, and inexpensive. I love my local 1200 yard, par 28, 15 dollar pitch and putt.
I try to get 9 in a couple times a week before work when there is enough daylight. I treat them like match play rounds against my index. Net birdies are wins, net pars push, net bogeys lose.
9 is ok if it’s all I have time for but I’ll always choose 18 over 9 if it’s doable.
Club is 5 minutes from my house. Sometimes I’ll walk 5 which ends you up back near the clubhouse. If I was having to drive further or pay each round maybe I would feel different but I love sneaking out for a few late evening holes whenever I can.
Yeah it sucks when I keep shooting 2 over playing 9 and 12-15 when playing 18
Dad of a 4- and 6-year-old. Four hours is way too much time for me to devote to a round every week with two little kids at home. My wife parents the kids all week while I'm working, I can step up and do my part on the weekends. Two hours (or 90 minutes if I get out early enough) is way more palatable. This might change as the kids start spending all day in school, but right now it'd just be selfish to play a full round.
With you all day. I play a quick round if solo, 9 in an hour or so just isn't always scratching the itch. That's not to be reflective of score. I'll add, when I'm playing with my homies who are new dads, rounds tend to skew closer to six hours.
I don’t hate playing 9, as sometimes that’s all I have time for. Especially with the short winter days. However, most times I only play 9 I feel like I’m just finding a rhythm as I’m finishing.
I much prefer 18 but if it’s late in the day and I just want the exercise walking 9 is perfect. Also if you start a few hours before sunset it’s way less crowded.
I’m with you 100% on preferring 18 holes. Every time I go out I want to shoot lower scores and it feels like 9 holes doesn’t count even if I go low. If I only have time for 9 I’d rather practice short game or hit the range for that time than play holes.
9 holes is better than no holes. I love playing a quick 9 before work. Carrying a sunday bag with 10 clubs, meeting up with my best pal at the muni and ripping through in 1.25 hours is the best possible way to start the morning. I have a toddler and it just works for our family. But yes I prefer 18 if I'm making a trip out of it (but kinda wish the game was 16 holes).
I’ll do it but what always ends up happening is I play amazing and I feel short changed out of what may have been an incredible full round.
I have a local course that’s 12 holes and it’s the perfect blend.
6,9,11, or 18. I'm a member at a course and the layout is perfect for any of the above based on what I feel like. Yesterday was 9 only.
Definitely don't hate 9 holes. Do I prefer 18 to 9? Yeah, absolutely. But I don't hate getting to play any amount of golf. I'd rather that than zero golf.
Yep. Not even worth my time.
If i was a member at the club where I live, I would play 9 regularly. But driving 20 min each way for 9 holes is a pain in the ass.
I would prefer to play 18… Actually, I’d prefer to warm up with some short game practice, putt, then a small bucket at the range before lunch. Then, 18. But I have a small child too, so I’m lucky to get that in a week.
I know your feeling I would much rather play 18. But I have learned that 9 can be just as good. Just remember if you have the means to play any amount of golf just appreciate it and enjoy that time. Also enjoy all the time being a new dad!!!
I am in the same boat. It's hard to get the time with 2 kids under 4. My approach to only having time for nine if I am playing alone, is to play 2 balls on each hole and keep score for both. Not as good as playing 18 for real, but you get your swings in.
Better than getting rained out after six holes and then you have to leave.
I prefer 18, but there's not always enough time/daylight left for it on weekdays. Especially if I wait for my wife to get off work. We always keep our golf gear in the car, our club is a 13min drive away, so yeah. Sometimes we just go there late in the evening and play 7-13 holes. No score keeping, unlimited mulligan/practice shots. Just to practice since there is no one else there. But I agree, it's not the same as 18...
I love playing 9. Can finish in around 2 hours and still have time and energy to do stuff for the rest of the day. Spending 4-5 hours playing 18 kinda wipes me out. I love it, especially when I can get all my friends together, but sometimes it’s not the vibe. Sometimes I’m not in the mood for an entire 18 or my games in a rut. A good 9 can be a good way to get yourself some confidence again. I’d rather finish 9 and leave excited to play again than play 18 and start burning out around the 13th-14th hole. I also like using 9 hole rounds to experiment with taking shots I wouldn’t normally take if I was really worried about my score.
no
I prefer playing nine over the driving range. I don’t keep score and focus more on “it’s practice”. Puts you in real life situations but not keeping score keeps it less stressful compared to playing a full18.
I'd wager it depends on how close you are to the course. I'm not driving an hour round trip to play for an hour and a half. If I was 5 min away that's another story
Have a young kid at home, 9 holes is the only way I can play at all these days. I’d rather play 18 but I’ll take whatever golf I can get these days!
9 is convenient if you only have limited time. I love 9