So our club is putting on a tourney next month, and we have gotten to the point where our 18 hole course isn't big enough to host the tourney. Normally we just add a few extra holes to accomodate the amount of players. This year our TD has decided to add a second 18 hole course. Yesterday he called saying he couldn't find the minimum hole length for a sanctioned event. I hadn't ever heard of a rule like this, but thought I would check for him just in case. I looked, but couldnt' find anything. So figured I would just ask....

Is there a minimum hole distance for a C tier event?

I think there is just a minimum number of holes. That said... in the interest of proper course design, the holes should be designed at least par 3. That's not a PDGA regulation (that I know of), it's just my recommendation :)

Here are some charts that might help. One is general guidelines for different skill levels and the other provides the PDGA guideline for hole length and par for different skill levels. There's no minimum guideline except for Open division in Championships with a course SSA of at least 49 recommended. If you want to avoid holes with scoring averages under 2.5 for Open, then they probably need to be at least 275 in the open or 200 in the woods. For lower skill divisions, the holes can be shorter and have scoring averages closer to 3 than 2 with 150 being the common lower limit designers might go on public courses.

www.pdga.com/documents/2004/PDGAGuides2004.pdf (http://www.pdga.com/documents/2004/PDGAGuides2004.pdf)
www.pdga.com/documents/PublicPar.pdf (http://www.pdga.com/documents/PublicPar.pdf)

I've played an 87 foot hole in a B Tier.

I've played an 87 foot hole in a B Tier.


i've seen 5 circle 11's on that same hole :o

i've played a 130 foot hole in an a tier that was both fair and challenging and created score separation.

plinko hole?

Good call, here (http://www.sharkysshots.com/albums/userpics/10002/vaopen2006m0013.JPG) it is. And just to help you (http://www.sharkysshots.com/albums/userpics/10002/IMG_1675.JPG) out, here (http://www.sharkysshots.com/albums/userpics/10002/vaopen20060110.JPG) is the suggested route. :D

pachinko - not plinko.

nice Sharky!

i've played a 130 foot hole in an a tier that was both fair and challenging and created score separation.



Did it have a 'donut hole' scoring distribution like island holes? This is what Harold and other designers have been trying to eliminate with drop zones and alternate options to OB. No donut holes in ball golf even on 17 TPC.

no donut hole- 2's 3's and 4's mostly with a few 5's sprinkled in for good measure. it is very tight but has several recognizable alleys to hit. once you miss an alley it gets harder. i certainly wouldn't want to play a course full of them but imo it is not a bad hole in and of itself.

Par 3? Would that be your average on the hole or mine? :p


I think there is just a minimum number of holes. That said... in the interest of proper course design, the holes should be designed at least par 3. That's not a PDGA regulation (that I know of), it's just my recommendation :)

Par 3? Would that be your average on the hole or mine? :p


I guess that would depend on how far we have to walk to the hole and over what type of terrain. Pull-cart frustration and aching joints might make the par go up a bit for you ;)

Good call, here (http://www.sharkysshots.com/albums/userpics/10002/vaopen2006m0013.JPG) it is. And just to help you (http://www.sharkysshots.com/albums/userpics/10002/IMG_1675.JPG) out, here (http://www.sharkysshots.com/albums/userpics/10002/vaopen20060110.JPG) is the suggested route. :D



Not John's most flattering picture (not that there's anything wrong with that :eek:)
Pinky needs to be more upturned on release :D

I can't wait to play that hole in May!

Keith