Nine Are Just Fine

A rather frightening statistic was brought to my attention recently via The Wall Street Journal. Citing statistics compiled by the National Golf Foundation, the Journal reported that the number of golfers between the ages of six and 17 had dropped from 3.8 million to 2.9 million during the period from 2005 to 2008.
Given the source, I have no reason to question those numbers, but they do puzzle me. From what I’ve seen, all segments of the golf industry are reaching out to attract kids in that age group.

First Tee, a national program aimed at getting youngsters interested in golf, has more than 400,000 kids involved in its 200 chapters. The PGA of America has instituted a Play Golf America Day, which I’ve attended. It’s a good starting point, and most every course—public or private—has some sort of a junior program, though some are much better than others.
Some courses in the Chicago area have initiated Family Golf Nights. They’re a good idea. So are family scramble events. They’re excellent for family bonding as well as for introductions to golf.

So, why is the number of young golfers dropping? Cost is one factor. A longtime friend of mine who works in the golf industry knows that’s a problem. He has a son who played high school golf, a serious competitive golfer about to enter college. The son takes a lesson about once a week from a qualified instructor. The cost is $60. A big bucket of range balls for daily practice can run up to $22. And then there are greens fees for practice rounds, plus tournament expenses.

Yes, cost is a problem for the serious player. My guess, though, is that it isn’t the major factor as far as getting participation numbers back up. Time constraints are a bigger deal.
In these busy times, kids in the 6-17 age group have plenty of options in addition to golf, and they should take advantage of lots of them. That’s part of growing up. And their family members have priorities, as well. Making time for playing golf together isn’t always easy. Eighteen-hole rounds require the blocking out of four to five hours a crack. A youngster might eventually find such a time commitment confining. Golf’s not an easy game to learn, either, and a little frustration might lead that youngster to seek other forms of recreational activity. Golf loses when that happens.

So, what to do? My suggestion is simple: Try out the nine-hole courses.

Kids don’t need to be serious golfers. Golf is worthwhile as a lifetime activity and should always be fun. Nine-hole play fits the bill. The rounds require less time, obviously, but they provide a good taste of the wonderful activity of golf. You don’t have to be dead-serious about golf to enjoy it. Nine-hole rounds are more informal, which reduces the potential for frustration. You can play nine holes most any time.

Nine-hole rounds are stress-free. Many times, you don’t even need to book a tee time—you just go out and play. Kids can play with other kids, and parents will find it easier to allot time with their kids on a golf course if the game is for nine holes as opposed to 18. And, of course, a nine-hole round costs less

Keeping all that in mind, let me introduce you to the array of nine-holers in the Chicago area. There are 61 of them, according to our Chicago Area Golf course guide. I haven’t played them all, but I’ve played enough of them to know they’re worth a visit.

The best of the lot for getting youngsters started in the game is probably the Cantigny Youth Links, an extension of the 27-hole Cantigny complex in Wheaton. As its name implies, the Youth Links is for kids. Adults can play only if their kids accompany them. It’s a novel idea, and it works. Cantigny has an extensive lesson program in addition to the Youth Links. Similarly, Randall Oaks in West Dundee has just put in a course designed for its young players.

Nine-holers don’t have to be just for kids, however. The one I play the most (in part because of proximity to home) is the Arlington Heights Park District’s unique Nickol Knoll. It’s built on land that Walter Payton—the late, great running back for the Bears—used for offseason training. He’d do wind sprints up the hills adjoining the course. That helped to make him a winner, and the Nickol Knoll layout is also a winner in my book. The holes are all par-3s, but they can be challenging—especially the third hole, which requires a tee shot over water. A striking feature of Nickol Knoll is its views. You can see the Chicago skyline from many parts of the course.
Two of the Chicago Park District’s nine-holers rival Nickol Knoll as far as views go. The always-busy Marovitz course in Lincoln Park is right on Lake Michigan, and South Shore touches the lake as well. Many golfers have gotten their starts in the game at those layouts, and perhaps just as many are enjoying the Cook County Forest Preserve nine-holers, Meadowlark and Billy Caldwell.

None of Chicago’s nine-holers comes with more history than Downers Grove, which was part of the first golf course in the United States. With roots dating to 1892, Downers Grove was the forerunner to the Chicago Golf Club. Tam, in Niles, also has some history. In its days as an 18-holer known as Tam O’Shanter, it was a popular PGA Tour stop, as well as the scene of a famous Lew Worsham chip-in in the first televised golf tournament. Only four holes remain from the Tam O’Shanter layout, but it still has a touch of the atmosphere it had back in the days when George S. May used the venue to stage his big-money tournaments.

On the more modern front, Glenview National 9 is a keeper. Designed by Libertyville’s noted architect Rick Jacobson, Glenview National 9 has four par-4s (the longest is 363 yards) and five par-3s. It’s right across the street from The Glen Club, which has all the amenities of Chicago’s best 18-hole facilities.

Another nine-holer with a good mixture of holes is Heather Ridge in Gurnee. It offers a good challenge without the big-time commitment.

If you want a layout that’s a bit tougher, go up the long driveway to Willow Hill in Northbrook. Built on high ground with good practice facilities thrown in, it’s got a Scottish feel to it.
Other keepers? I can attest to Craig Woods in Woodstrock, Flagg Creek in Countryside, Fountain Hills in Alsip, Pistakee in McHenry, Rob Roy in Prospect Heights. Streamwood Oaks in Streamwood, Vernon Hills Golf Course, Western Acres in Lombard, Wing Park in Elgin and Zigfield Troy in Woodridge.

In the Chicago area, at least, golf doesn’t have to be an 18-hole game. Our nine-holers can work just as well. CG