You’ve probably heard the term “18 holes” before, and you may be wondering if it has something to do with the number of shots in a bottle of Scotch. While 18 holes is good news for golfers and those who love to compete, it may not be so great for those who want to play a round in a short amount of time. And it took a while for this standard to be adopted, so don’t assume it’s always the same.
St. Andrews Links
In the history of golf, the number 18 is a universal standard. Originally, courses had any number of holes, but in the mid-18th century, a course at St. Andrews, Scotland, had twenty-two holes. Old-timers claimed that one shot per hole was required to complete a fifth of scotch. Then, other courses began to emulate the 18-hole standard. Today, there are about 16,000 18-hole courses in the United States, which is about the same as the number of nine-hole courses.
The modern game of golf has eighteen holes. The oldest golf course in the world, the Old Course in St. Andrews, has 18 holes. This was the first course to use the 18-hole system. The 18-hole standard was eventually adopted, and it became the norm. Despite its long history, it’s still a controversial topic among golfers. Whether or not you agree with this standard, it’s important to know why 18 holes are used.
The first golf course to adopt this standard was at St. Andrews, which originally had 22 holes. But later, remodeling work merged smaller holes into larger ones. Other courses quickly followed suit. Today, more than a third of golf courses follow the St. Andrews model. Although 18 holes are the standard number of holes, golf courses have many other layouts. The reason for this widespread standardization is the modern growth of the game.
Prestwick
The average golf course is 18 holes long. Golf holes are usually 300-500 yards apart and about 0.1 inches deep. Even small changes in the hole spacing can change the trajectory of a golf ball. Fortunately, golfers can play nine-hole courses if they prefer shorter rounds. However, it can be a challenge to find the perfect layout on a golf course. That’s why most courses have two nines.
The game of golf evolved and developed over time. Its modern form dates back to the 15th century in Scotland. Historians debate its origins. The ancient golfers used either stones or bent sticks to hit the balls. Then they developed a standardized game that required players to hit balls with clubs. However, players did not have to make physical contact with each other’s clubs. Several years after the game was introduced, the first course had 18 holes.
Another theory explains why golf courses are only 18 holes. The reason is that a whiskey bottle contains the same number of shots as holes on a golf course. As a result, there would be enough whiskey to drink at each hole. Although this theory is largely urban legend, the 18-hole concept has a lot to do with the Sacred 19th hole, the third half of the game in rugby. The 19th hole is the clubhouse bar, a watering hole where players and teams enjoy a post-match drink with their playing partners.
Leith Links
The Leith Links is a renowned 18-hole golf course located in the docks district of Edinburgh. The Links are separated into two parts: the western and eastern sections. Historically, the Links served as a golf course. They also contained a Victorian bandstand and the Leith Races were held on the sands. While golf is still played on the Links, it is also a popular place for other types of recreation.
Golf was first played in Leith in 1554. The Honorable Company of Golfers, later known as the Royal and Ancient Golf Club, played there. By the late 1700s, interest in the sport had dwindled, and the course was ruined. The Honorable Company of Golfers, who played there, were about to drown in debt. The links were invaded by the military, and sheep were trampled by town residents.
A local old timer suggested that the number of holes be 18 because it took 18 shots to finish a fifth of Scotch. Earlier golf courses had different numbers of holes. Leith Links had five holes when it opened in 1744, followed by Blackheath and Bruntsfield Links. The number of holes changed gradually, and many others had fewer than eight. The Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers had five holes in 1744, while the Blackheath Golf Course expanded to seven in 1818. In the late 1800s, Musselburgh added a ninth hole to the course. In 1866, Montrose had twenty-four.
Blackheath
One of the first questions you might ask yourself when playing golf is why are there 18 holes in Blackheath? Despite the relatively short distance, the Blackheath golf course is still an excellent test of accuracy. The fairways of the course are lined with mature trees, and a stray tee shot may end up near a thick branch. Another problem is creating a proper stance for an escape shot. It can be extremely punishing to swing a driver over these trees, so careful club selection is critical to success.
Thankfully, the Blue Mountains are within striking distance of Blackheath Golf Club. Its lush, botanical beauty and spectacular landscape makes it an excellent destination for summer or spring getaways. While there, you can also enjoy a relaxing lunch at the 17th century Clubhouse. This elegant setting has been a fixture of the golfing world for nearly two centuries. It is the perfect place to unwind after a day of golfing.
The layout of the course offers an interesting variety. Some holes feature open, flat terrain, while others use obstacles on the course. The par-4 third hole is benched into a hillside, so a shot that is too far left of the green will fall down the slope. The par-3 sixth hole features a slightly less ominous version of the same terrain. In a course like Blackheath, it is important to play the correct club selection to avoid a costly mistake.
Bruntsfield
Located near Edinburgh, Scotland, Bruntsfield Links Golf Club is one of the best parkland courses in Scotland. The club has a modernisation programme to improve its course, including new bunkering and alterations. The project is being carried out by 1st Golf Construction, a Sussex company. Its previous work includes the creation of two new holes on the Royal Portrush course, which was built in preparation for the Open Championship.
A course that is 35 acres long and a mixture of tree and open parkland is the main attraction of Bruntsfield Links. The word links originally meant an open, sandy area covered in bent grass and turf, usually near the sea. As golf evolved, the word came to refer to any type of land where the game could be played. The word eventually came to mean golf courses in modern Scotland.
The number of holes varies from one course to another. In 1744, the Bruntsfield Links had just five holes. Then, after another decade, the course was expanded to fourteen holes. Then, in 1818, Bruntsfield Links had six holes and in 1834, Bruntsfield Links added a seventh. The number of holes on the Bruntsfield Links started with five holes. Similarly, Musselburgh’s Old Course started out with seven holes and added the eighth in 1832. The course later added nine holes.
Musselburgh Old Course
The Musselburgh Links Golf Course has nine holes and is part of East Lothian Council’s golf course network. It is home to the Musselburgh Old Course Golf Club, as well as the Musselburgh Links Ladies Golf Club. The Musselburgh Links has been a golfing destination for over 150 years. It was the original venue of the ‘Open Championship’, held six times between 1874 and 1889. The golf course is open to the public all year round, and hickory clubs are available for hire.
The Musselburgh Old Course is one of the oldest golf courses in the world. It was first built in 1672 and is one of the oldest in the world. The course was first played by a prominent Edinburgh lawyer, Sir John Foulis of Ravelston, who played at the golf course 350 years ago. The R&A adopted the four-inch cup in 1893, levelling the playing field for future competitive play.
The Musselburgh Old Course is located in the town of Gullane. The city has an airport about 20 minutes away. There are also train stations in the vicinity of Musselburgh. The Edinburgh airport is only 20 minutes away. Musselburgh is also accessible from the east via the East Lothian road. A ferry from the city center to the Musselburgh Old Course is the most convenient way to travel to the city.