The CSGA Links Volume 3 Issue 2 May, 2015 | Page 32

FEATURE

Time for

Nine

Connecticut is famously known for it’s
stellar collection of 18-hole championship
courses, designed by the likes of Ross,
Raynor and McDonald. But it’s collection of
hidden 9-hole tracks are tough to beat.

A

sk any golfer what the standard number of
holes for a golf course is, and no doubt they
will respond with “18”. However, this was
not always the case - in fact, prior to the late 1800’s,
golf courses were comprised of any number of holes,
ranging from 5 to 23. However, the standard of 18 holes
emerged from the Old Course at St. Andrews, which
only had 12 holes in 1764. Their holes were laid in a line
and played twice, once “out” and once “in”. However,
after much deliberation, they decided to eliminate two
of the holes, playing eight of the ten holes and leaving
the first and last hole unique. Thus, an 18-hole round
was born, and although more and more courses followed
suit, it wasn’t until 1858 when the R&A issues new rules
that the standard for a round of golf was recorded.

Which brings us to the topic of nine-hole course
32 | CSGA Links // May, 2015

~ by Brent Paladino

- the less-noticed younger brother of the standard
eighteen-hole course. Indeed, all of us love the game of
golf and welcome every opportunity to play. We enjoy
the camaraderie, the challenge and the exhilaration that
comes with being outdoors. Recognizing the pace of
our busy lives, there’s an emerging movement that calls
for golf to be played in the span of two hours or less,
typical of most other outside activities. Lucky for us,
Connecticut boasts some of the best nine-hole courses
in the country and offers everything from unique par-3
courses on the water, to courses that trace their roots to
some of the most famous architects in the country.

Located at the foothills of the Berkshire
Mountains, the Hotchkiss School Golf Course
(pictured above) in Hotchkiss, Connecticut is open
to the public and is situated on the property of the
Hotchkiss School, one of the oldest and most famous
preparatory schools in the country. In 1924, prominent
golf architect Seth Raynor designed this gem, which
winds through the campus of the school and offers some
breathtaking views of the scenic countryside. Among
Raynor’s many famous course designs include Country
Club of Fairfield, Fishers Island Club, Shinnecock Hills,
the Course at Yale and Greenwich Country Club. An
impressive list to say the least.

Even more interesting, however, Raynor’s course
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