Irish turn to nine-hole rounds due to time constraints

Time-challenged Irish golfers are turning to nine-hole rounds in increasing numbers, new figures indicate.

A report from The R&A reveals that competitive nine-hole club rounds by women and girls increased by 64% (18,753 to 30,803) and by over 200% by men and boys (2,370 to 7,250) between 2016 and 2017.

The eye-catching increase comes as a number of the world’s leading golfers, including Pádraig Harrington, voice their support for shorter forms of golf.