There are many different shorter and faster formats of golf that you can play with your family and friends, either recreationally or competitively.
9 Hole Golf
No time for a full 18 holes? No problem! Check out nearby 9 hole courses.
Pitch and Putt
A course with short holes - typically so short they only need a pitch and putt.
Mini-Golf
A fun golf game requiring players to putt their way around obstacles!
“It is encouraging that clubs are now offering their members opportunities to play alternative, shorter formats of the game to meet the demands of busy, modern lifestyles, while providing a fun and enjoyable means to exercise and socialise with family and friends.”
Richie Ramsay
Professional Golfer
Nine-hole Golf
In England, nine-hole rounds played for handicap purposes increased from 175,000 in 2019 to 407,000 in 2021.
The R&A 9 Hole Challenge – open to amateur golfers in Great Britain and Ireland, Australia and New Zealand – offers the chance to play in the Final each year at Open venues on the eve of the Championship.
GolfSixes is another growing format. Among younger players, it has been embraced with a junior GolfSixes league and is run by the Golf Foundation.