I came up with a game for my college kids to play today and I'd like to share it with you. Here were the rules I gave them:

• Play the black tees on odd # holes, blue tees on even # holes. (Par fives are: 3, 8, 13, 15. Par threes are: 6, 9, 12, 14.)
• The first 16 holes are grouped into four-hole groups: 1-4, 5-8, 9-12, 13-16.
• Except for the putter, which may be used on all holes, players may use each club in their bag only one time per four-hole group. If you plan to hit driver on #3, you cannot hit it on holes 1, 2, or 4.
• On 17 and 18, players have access to their full bag (all clubs).
• If you take a stroke-and-distance penalty, you may re-hit the same club.

The way I see it, and the way it proved out…

• The game is designed to emphasize playing golf. HItting shots. Not just "oh, 150? That's a pitching wedge" or "stock yardage, hit a driver on every par 4 or 5" golf.
• It forces players to plan ahead a bit.
• It forces players to think about what shot they want to leave - it's easier to chip-and-run a 7I up from the fairway just short of the green (or putt from 20 yards) than it is to play over a bunker to a short-sided hole with your 9I because you used up your wedges).
• It clearly rewards players who don't go at flags and who can hit greens - they probably won't run out of wedges.

What we found today was that if you were playing well, it surprisingly had almost no effect. If you were playing poorly, it almost multiplied the pain. My assistant coach thinks it's a great game to figure out who can qualify for the #4 or #5 spot on a team week to week, as it really creates separation.