What do you think of executive courses?

I played the only executive course in the area for the first time this year.  It was fun, a well-designed layout, and easy to walk. I've played it more than any other course, mainly because it's cheap ($10 Golfnow). The problem is I really miss busting the driver or 3-wood throughout the round.

I like many people learned to play on executive courses............this is a good way to learn the game.

I don't play them now, but this is besides the point.....I have many good memories on those courses during my early golf years.

I learned the game on executive courses, too, then dumped them for the big boy courses because they were sissy.  Of course, I never thought of golf as a sport until my late twenties because I thought it was sissy, so go figure.

They serve a purpose.  Great for seniors, juniors, and those looking for a quick round but would rather play 18 than 9.....it's also worth noting that a lot of 9-hole tracks are very crowded, a result of golfers playing twice to get in 18 holes, whereas an executive course, especially later in the day, can be virtually empty.

My parents live on a nice little exec course down near Sarasota.  It's in very good shape, with lush fairways and small, quick, well protected greens.  Par 63, so 12 par-3's ranging from 100 yards to 165 yards and 6 par-4's, all under 325 yards.

My father turns 80 this year and is still able to play twice a week, though he hasn't been able to play a "big" course in a few years now.  I play with him when we visit.  We're able to get around in well under 2:30 and always have an enjoyable time.  Interestingly, I've only broken par there once and anything under +5 is a pretty good score for me.  It's a fun little challenge.

I learned on executive courses, and I will teach my kids on them as well.  They serve a great purpose for introducing people to golf.  I haven't been to one in years, perhaps I will have to sneak a round in sometime.

Yup, learned the game on 3 par/exec, I didn't step onto a full course until I could hit driver, its the only way.

A few weeks ago I returned because I couldn't find a partner and hate going solo, and I've been back a few time since, it's great practice for those that need it, and on off hours they can be very empty.

A local 3 par by me has lights on the course, it's open until midnight! very cool.

Can't say I've ever played one but I would.

I like 'em.  I take my kids out on them regularly.  It's cheap and easy to get on.

I'd play an executive course only if I'm playing with someone who isn't really capable of or willing to play full-length course, like my wife.  They are GREAT for that purpose, though.

As a kid I played executive courses almost exclusively (1960's).  Today most executive courses seem to fall into one of three categories:

1. modern design with bunkers and fine maintenance

2. old school with decent maintenance, not much bunkering and tiny greens

3. beat up nine-holers that are in a race to see whether the crabgrass takes over before it is sold to a real estate developer

The first category is fun to play as it really helps tune up one's iron play, bunker play, etc...  The best example I have played recently is Mountain Shadows Golf Course (Scottsdale, AZ area).

The second category is fun to play with the family.  Inexpensive, short and non-punitive.  Our city executive course, Huron Hills, is a great example (Ann Arbor, MI area)

The last category I avoid like the plague.

Completely agree, and you can throw in beginners.  When I came back to the game I use to play on an executive course that was actually a regulation front 9, par 36 and a shorter back 9 with 3 par 4's and 6 par 3's.  A lot of the time I would only play one 9 or the other, depending on what I wanted to work on.  Especially if I wanted to work on my iron play, I would play the back 9, play 2 or 3 balls, would only take me 60-90 minutes to play.  I could go play and be home in less than 2 hours, wife and kids never even missed me!

I'm a newbie, as well as a senior, and all I've played on so far are 9 hole/executive courses.

It's a great learning environment.  It's relatively cheap.  No crowds.  No problem playing alone.  No need to reserve a tee time; just walk on.  Doesn't take too long to play 9.  No worries about being embarrassed about how poorly I play or getting sh*t from better golfers or regulars who don't want to put up w/beginners.

This is important because I hit the ball so short that I can actually use my driver/3w the 200-250 yard holes and, since it's uncrowded, I can hit/putt pretty much as many balls as I want until I can make a decent shot and, as long as I can find them, I also have the time to pick up all of my extra balls.

I don't plan to step foot on a regulation course until I can master the executive courses effectively.  When that time comes, I'll probably starting playing just the front or back 9 of full 18 hole courses to get use to the longer distances and then, if things progress well enough, move on to a full 18 hole experience.

That's what most people learn the game on, wish there were more, funny today I tried to remember a course I played in NM that was an executive but at a very high altitude like nearly 9000, I finally found it in Cloudcroft NM I remember the first hole was downhill over 100' at 240 yards par 4, it was 20 years ago I knocked it on with a 5 iron.

I see your personal info says NY. I grew up in New York. We had a lit par 3 in Jamestown. Forest Heights. Only course I've played where every hole was par or birdie. What town are you from?