The standard 18-hole format in golf is said to have originated in Scotland in the 19th century, when members of the world's oldest golf club at St Andrews decided that it was the ideal number of holes for a round of golf.
Golf originated in the Middle Ages, probably during the time when Scottish shepherds passed the time by hitting stones with their sticks. The game developed and gradually became popular in Scotland, to the point that King James II temporarily banned it in the 15th century because it distracted soldiers from their military exercises. The first official golf courses appeared in the 15th and 16th centuries along the Scottish coast: these were wild, rugged places where the unique shapes of the natural terrain defined the holes, with no real plan at the outset. These rustic, improvised, and often chaotic courses laid the foundations for the modern game.
The choice of the 18-hole format is not based on strict mathematical logic but rather on practical and symbolic reasons. Initially, the number of holes varied by club. By the late 18th century, the famous Scottish course of the Old Course at St Andrews already had 22 holes but was reduced to 18 simply to save space and reorganize the layout. Other influential courses then followed suit. This number subsequently became standard, as it offered a good compromise between difficulty, playing time (approximately half a day), and reasonable physical fatigue. Additionally, a small symbolic and practical nod, these 18 holes also allow for a harmonious distribution of play: two equal sets of 9 holes to comfortably vary breaks and organization. It has become the norm for simplicity, tradition, and balance.
Scottish courses, particularly the famous St Andrews club, played a central role in establishing the standard of 18 holes in golf. At the time, the Old Course at St Andrews varied between 12 and 22 holes, depending on the era and local preferences. But in 1764, the authorities at St Andrews decided to simplify things by reducing their course to 18 holes, which was more practical to play. Obviously, since St Andrews was already the reference club for Scottish golf—carrying a certain prestige—this format naturally spread elsewhere. Other courses gradually aligned themselves to avoid being left behind. Very quickly, the number of 18 holes became essential, and that’s how this purely Scottish format became standardized all around the world.
Towards the end of the 19th century, some prestigious clubs began to practically adopt the 18 holes. Among them, the very famous Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews, Scotland, a true worldwide reference for golf. Their course, definitively set at 18 holes since 1764, served as a model. The influence of this club was such that when other clubs sought a standard to follow, they simply copied what the Scots were already doing. Very quickly, this choice spread through famous and recognized competitions, further enhancing the aura of the Scottish course. Ultimately, influential clubs, with St Andrews at the forefront, made the 18-hole course the almost obligatory norm through mere imitation and prestige, without really having to argue or convince.
It was mainly around 1900 that the standard of 18 holes truly became established everywhere. Why? Because the English and Scottish clubs, which dominated golf, set the reference worldwide. Essentially, if you wanted to be taken seriously at that time, you modeled yourself after them. As a result, new courses in the United States, continental Europe, or elsewhere gradually followed this model. By the early 20th century, major international competitions, including the prestigious Grand Slam tournaments, definitively adopted this standard course length. And that’s how the modest Scottish 18 holes became the universal norm of modern golf.
The location and distance of the holes are determined by many factors such as the natural features of the terrain, the varied challenges presented to golfers, and the standards set by governing bodies of golf to maintain fairness and interest in the game.
On average, a standard 18-hole round of golf takes about 4 to 5 hours for a group of four players. This duration can vary depending on the pace of play, the difficulty of the course, and the weather conditions.
The term 'par' refers to the standard number of strokes that an experienced player should need to complete a hole or a course. It allows for the assessment of the player's performance in relation to the standard set by the course designers.
The 'Old Course' at St Andrews in Scotland is considered one of the oldest golf courses still in operation today. This iconic location has greatly contributed to the establishment of current standards, including the 18-hole format.
Yes, some courses feature 9 holes, allowing players to play them twice to complete a traditional 18-hole game, while other exceptional courses sometimes offer a different number, although they remain rare.
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