03/08/2026
Surprisingly, there was never a rule that golf had to be played over 18 holes. In the early days of the game, courses had all sorts of layouts – 5, 7, 12, 15 and even 22 holes!
The reason 18 became the worldwide standard dates back to the famous Old Course at St Andrews in Scotland. Originally it had 22 holes, but in 1764 some shorter holes were combined, creating an 18-hole layout. As St Andrews became known as the “Home of Golf”, courses around the world followed its example.
Today, 18 holes is the global standard, but you’ll still find plenty of fantastic 9-hole courses – like Tamborine Mountain Golf Club! Simply play two loops and you’ve completed a full 18-hole round.
Next time you’re on the course, you’ll know you’re following a tradition that’s more than 250 years old.
Have you played both 9 and 18 holes? Which do you prefer? Let us know in the comments! ⛳
