T
he frequency for changing hole locations
is dependent on golfer traffic, turf growth
and labor availability. For daily play, the
purpose for changing the hole is primarily to distribute
traffic over the entire putting surface to prevent wear
damage.
During times of heavy play, changing the hole
daily is likely a necessity to prevent excessive turf
wear from concentrated foot traffic and spike marks
and to maintain the integrity of the hole, as hole edges
can easily become worn and/or damaged by players
if they are careless in removing their ball from the
hole or replacing the flagstick. When play is light, golf
facilities may choose to change the holes daily, not
out of traffic concerns, but to keep the course more
interesting for players fortunate enough to play every
day.
In reality, many golf facilities reach a compromise,
with new holes cut following a day of heavy play, while
using the same hole location for consecutive days
when play is slow. While it may be possible to not
change holes for several days when play is minimal,
the interval between hole changes should not be so
long that lateral turfgrass growth effectively shrinks
the diameter of the hole.
Connecticut State Golf Association
35