6-hole golf, designed for 1.5 hours (or less) of quick play is NOT NEW, I seem to recall a similar initiative a couple of years ago. It was origionally intended to pander to the needs of hard-working executives who couldn't spare 4 hours or so that weekend golf was taking up (OK in some cases that could easily be up to 6 hours on a weekend at a certain course well known to the Epping Bandits). It is a good idea for social play as well as competition play, I like the idea of restricting the number of clubs (a bag of 6 would seem to be fair) which may help to speed up play generally.
Is the idea to speed up play or to make golf more available to people who cannot spare the time (or afford to buy full set of equipment) that 18 holes might take. I can see this having family appeal in holiday situations, which wouldn't necessarily speed up play, but it would bring golf to many more...
For the professionals - there used to be a skills-based competition (extra points for getting inside zones for example)... if that could be incorporated into 6 hole tournaments that might even prove to be more TV-friendly.
There might even be some justification in providing courses with loops of 6 holes (instead of 9) which would be even more ideal for holiday players and casual groups with not much time to spare.
I agree with Paul that slow play can be annoying, but there are plenty of ways to ensure that speed of play remains reasonable... being ready to play a shot when it is your turn instantly springs to mind. Being realistic about capabilities (not waiting for the green ahead to clear before trying that 250 yad 3-wood and then topping it 20 yards...yep happens to us all). Play your own ball before helping to locate a partner's missing ball... etc.. etc...
I think we can all remember starting to play.. and sometimes it would take 6+ shots to get to the flag... new players can be forgiven BUT slow play is to be avoided.
Bottom line - 6 hole competitions didn't quite catch on a couple of years ago... has anything changed to change status quo... Adding the skills-based enhancements would make it more fun...
