Larger holes are coming soon to two executive golf courses in The Villages and the concept has caused quite a stir in the golfing community.
The new holes, six inches in diameter, will be unveiled Monday on the El Santiago course.
The six-inch holes will be used at El Santiago on Monday and June 26 and at Turtle Mound on June 12 and June 20. Regulation holes will not be used on those days. The two courses are among the easiest to play.
The golf division said the idea is not to replace the regulation holes, but to offer “a fun and unique option” to the golf program.
Most golfers don’t seem to support the larger holes, even though they may give beginning golfers a better chance to avoid those nightmarish four-putt or five-putt experiences.
“I’m a purist when it comes to golf,” said Norbert Gregor of the Village of Gilchrist. “I’m not really into bigger holes. How many holes-in-one are you going to have?”
Gregor, who’s golfed for about 30 years, said he’s had three holes-in-one, all with standard-sized holes.
Longtime golfer Charlie Blor said he also doesn’t care for the larger holes.
Why would you want to make a larger hole?” he asked. “It’s not golf, in my opinion.”
It’s just silly,” said Mary Berry, who golfed with several friends Saturday morning at El Diablo.
Bob Fierle of the Village of St. James, who also golfed at El Stantiago on Saturday and has been playing about 1½ years, said the larger holes could make the game seem like “baby golf.”
The idea was suggested last fall by golf superstar Jack Nicklaus when he appeared at the “Lesson with the Legends” golf event in The Villages. Nicklaus said it was an idea that could revitalize the sport and get more people interested in playing. Another idea, he said, is reducing the number of holes in a typical golf game to 12.
Susan Agnew of the Village of Liberty Park said she has no objection to the larger holes as long as they’re limited.
“If they limit it to a couple of the easier courses where the grand-kids can play, I am in favor of it,” she said. “I’ve heard a number of people say, ‘I’m not going to play these holes.’”
Larger holes could help those who struggle with golf, said lifelong golfer Dennis Weingart of the Village of Collier.
“There are some people who aren’t that good and they need a little extra help,” he said. “It’ll help them as long as they don’t put in windmills and loop-de-dos like miniature golf.”
Don Venturini of the Village of Duval, who started golfing at age 13 and plays championship courses, said he wouldn’t use the larger holes, but he sees some benefit for beginning golfers.