news
Big Hole Golf starting to sink in
weren’t necessarily interested in cricket.
David Newbery
“I ask people if they have played Big Hole
Golf and they say, ‘no, but I’d like the sound
of it’.
[email protected]
B
IG Hole Golf, a game played with an
eight-inch cup, is starting to gain
momentum in Australia with the US
and Canada showing interest.
“They all want to have a go. I want Big Hole
Golf to drive participation.”
Blair has also devised a new mode of play
and scoring called Fastball.
Murray Blair, a PGA professional from
Gungahlin Lakes Golf Club in the ACT, owns
and manages the concept.
“It allows social golfers to have fun in a
competition without needing a handicap,” he
explained.
He told Inside Golf that New South Wales,
Victoria, Queensland and ACT golf clubs had
joined the Big Hole Golf revolution.
“When you use this mode of play with
the bigger holes, it means golf clubs are
engaging more with their social golfers,
which in turn boosts membership.”
“Another 25-30 clubs are about to introduce
the concept and we hope to have 50 clubs
involved quite soon,” he said.
Fastball is a two-person event, which is a
combination of foursomes and ambrose.
“Two US clubs, one in Idaho and another
Ohio, and another in Alberta, Canada have
started Big Hole Golf.
It allows people without a handicap to
enter a competition.
Now Blair is planning a national Big Hole
Golf Challenge to be staged later this year or
early next year.
“Big Hole Golf is a simple and exciting way
of bringing more golfers through your doors,
increasing your club’s revenues and making
the game of golf a lot more fun.”
“The national Big Hole Golf Challenge will
require a regular club golfer to recruit a new
golfer so they can participate in this twoperson event,” he said.
Using an eight-inch (20.320cm) cup, which
is roughly double the size of a normal golf
hole 4¼-inch (10.8cm), has its advantages.
“We have had a few trial events at
Gungahlin Lakes Golf Club in Canberra and
have attracted between 40-50 players.
“Using the bigger cup means an 18-hole
round of golf is 30 per cent faster,” Blair said.
“You can shave close to an hour off 18 holes
because the hole is bigger and the rules
state you must keep the flag in the cup when
putting.
golfers and families to the game, provide
the pathway to club golf membership and
increase participation through a national
event.
“That speeds up play because there is no
need to mark your ball and line it up from six
feet – just bang it in.”
“By changing the game by four inches
means you don’t lose the values and
traditions of the game,” Blair added.
Blair says Big Hole Golf will bring new
Queensland Golf School
of Excellence
Senior, Development
and Junior Squad
enrolments Years 4 – 12
Coaching and instruction by
leading professionals
ENRO
NOW FO LLING
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2015
Squ
appoiad trials by
ntment
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ompl
10/11/1 eted by
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· Fitness Coaching – Brad Pillett-Hughes
· Nutrition- EatSmart – Lauren Nugent
· Sports Psychology – Mental Notes Consulting – Rachel Jones
· Cert III in Fitness – College of Health and Fitness – Tony Attridge
proudly supported by
“A recent golf survey in Australia found that
two-thirds, more than 65 per cent, of golfers
are social and recreational golfers.
“All we are doing is tweaking the game
slightly to attract more people to golf.
“It’s like T-20 cricket. When it came along
the game attracted interest from people who
“The feedback has been incredible with
clubs as far afield as Idaho in the US and
Alberta in Canada contacting us to order Big
Hole Kits.”
Anyone interested in finding out more
about Big Hole Golf and the Fastball rules can
contact Murray Blair at info@bigholegolf.
com or visit www.bigholegolf.com •
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For more information please contact Dave Kuchler on 07 3552 7346 or
email [email protected], including name, age, handicap, golf club and phone number.
For enrolment applications please contact Jessie Ehrenberg
on 07 3552 7340 or email [email protected]
Visit kelvingrovesc.eq.edu.au
10
August 2014 | www.insidegolf.com.au
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