DnTheMiddle

Two of the biggest challenges, IMO, that golf faces is the time it takes to golf 18 holes and the cost of equipment and greens fees. Golf is a business and a sport, and I get that, but some of the costs associated with equipment is just ridiculous at times. $400 for a driver, $200 for a fairway wood, $400-$1000 for a set of irons. Wedges for $150 and putters from $75-$300. A big part of amateurs is being like the pros. Well, to look like a pro and play similar equipment will set you back a pretty penny. Thank gosh for ways of getting equipment at a reasonable cost. Fortunately greens fees around here are very reasonable and I can visit a large number of decent courses for under $50 for 18 (with a cart). But I know that's different in some areas. The speed of the game can be altered in a number of ways. I really don't know what option works best or if there is a way to effectively speed up the pace. It's just very hard to schedule away 6 hrs of a day to play golf when our lives are already fast paced and pretty full of many activities.

@RyderJ , IMO, I believe the thought and discussion of a larger cup is meant to make the course slightly easier and improve the speed of play for the average golfer. You are not the average golfer if you're shooting sub-80 scores (above average). So many unique and innovative ideas are starting to be put on the discussion boards and I'm all for making the game more interesting and fun for the average/new golfer. The key is; however, is how do you accomplish or implement some of these strategies/goals with also keeping the game as traditional as possible for the golf purist? For golfers that are really good and for those that just love how the game is need to be a major factor in any game changing decisions. I think an eight inch hole would be awesome, but there would need to be a way for the cup to remain at its current size and NOT having multiple holes per green. Some ideas can be used strictly for events and or periods of time with lower play (say Sat and Sun afternoon/evenings).