New short golf courses are popping up everywhere to accommodate golfers who want a high-quality, less-time-consuming golf experience.
Here are 6 Amazing New Short Courses:
Rogers Park Short Course Tampa
This nine-hole, par-3 course is being designed by golf architect Steve Smyers and NBC broadcaster Gary Koch, who is also a golf course designer and the chairman of the First Tee of Tampa Bay. The longest hole will measure 120 yards, the shortest about 70. Once the 900-yard (approx.) course opens, First Tee will have first rights to the course for camps, tournaments and other programs, as needed. If the course isn’t being used, it will be open to the public. The new par-3 course will be set on a 6 1/2 acre plot on the current Rogers Park 18-hole course, a popular public Tampa Bay layout since the early 1950s.
The Glen Golf Park
Hopefully we’ll see more or these people-friendly golf complexes in the near future. Located in Madison, Wisconsin, this exceptional 9-hole muni drew inspiration from the Old Course in St. Andrews, which allows dogs, walkers and other activities on the course when it’s closed. Developed by Michael Keiser — the son of Mike who brought us Bandon Dunes and Sand Valley– the goal was to make Glen Golf Park an integral part of the community. He succeeded. After play has finished for the day, the course grounds are used for a wide variety of pursuits and events, including ultimate frisbee, kite flying, dog walking, yoga classes, music festivals and movie nights. The course is a redesign of the nearly 100-year old Glenway Golf Course. Fairways were widened, rough was eliminated and all nine greens were rebuilt. On any given day you’ll see all types of golfers from hat-on-backwards college kids to 9-hole loving seniors and serious juniors prepping for tournaments. Glen Golf Park follows in the footsteps of a growing trend of community friendly courses like WP9 in Winter Park, Florida and Goat Hill Park near San Diego, California.
Little Sandy at Amelia Island Resort
Designed by Beau Welling, the 10-hole, par-3 course is nestled around Red Maple Lake amid dunes, sandy native grass areas and stunningly beautiful landscaping. With holes ranging from 70 to 125 yards, the course is played through a lowland marsh habitat on TifGrand Bermuda grass. The 10th hole plays to an island green to provide an entertaining finish to every round. Other amenities at Little Sandy include an accompanying 18-hole putting course and a newly constructed check-in location featuring a shop with logoed merchandise and a food-and-beverage outlet with comfortable seating on an expansive shaded porch overlooking the golf course. Little Sandy is open to all resort guests and members of the Amelia Island Club.
The Swing at Omni PGA Frisco Resort
Set to debut in Spring 2023 at this new resort situated about 30 miles north of Dallas, is The Swing, a lighted par-3, 10-hole course designed by Beau Welling and Gil Hanse. Dramatic swales, mounds and interesting green complexes will dominate this much anticipated layout. The holes will range from 45 to 100 yards. Other golf experiences at Omni PGA Frisco Resort will be two 18-hole championship golf courses (Fields Ranch East and West), a PGA Coaching Center, Lounge by Topgolf and The Dance Floor, a 75,000 square-foot putting course, the second largest natural grass putting surface in the world, next to Pinehurst.
The Staple at PGA National Resort
Recently opened, this nine hole, par-3 layout was designed by golf course architect Andy Staples. Created out of two holes from the Old Squire Course, The Staple features lots of undulations and fun-to-play greens with backstops, funnels and bowls. Holes range in distance from 60 to 150 yards on this unconventional track and I do mean unconventional. There are no specific tee boxes, one hole starts in a bunker and another hole demands a bump-and-run shot from the teeing area.
The Chain at Streamsong Resort
Construction is scheduled to begin later this year for this 12-hole loop designed by Ben Crenshaw and Bill Coore. The Chain, with holes stretching from 125 to nearly 300 yards, will be routed across decades old mining cuts and along the banks of Little Payne Creek. First tees will be located a short walking distance from the Lodge at Streamsong. The innovative concept — with options of six- and 12-hole loops — does not require a full set of clubs offering a quicker play option than the three other larger and longer courses.The six-hole loop weaves through a grove of native live oak trees with the longest hole at around 145 yards. The 12-hole loop sweeps across old mining cuts and along the banks of Little Payne Creek. These holes stretch from around 125 to nearly 300 yards with more opportunities for risk and reward. A sprawling two acre putting course called “The Bucket” (roughly twice the size of the existing Gauntlet putting course at Streamsong Black) is an integral part of the new design. The Chain will have its own clubhouse and beverage operations.
