Buffumville Lake 12-hole Short Course

[David Stidham]

Now that old hole #13 has been replaced, the short or "mini" course at Buffumville Lake now has 12 holes. The new course has 18 holes, for a total of 30 holes at Buffumville (although new hole #1 and #18 are part of the 12-hole short course). The new course has nice tee signs at each tee, with holes clearly numbered 1 thru 18. Most of the old tee posts are still in place at the 12-hole short course, identifying holes by the old (original) numbers, 2 thru 13.

I have new numbers to stick on all the poleholes, and we need to redo the tee posts for the short 12-hole course. But, before anything is done, we need to come to a consensus on how to number the 12-hole short course.

We could leave the numbers the way they are (2 thru 13), then we would not have to change the tee posts or the ace tags. This would require clarification when talking about a specific hole. For example, you might need to say either "new #3" or "mini #3".

Another option is to renumber the short course 1 thru 12, with #1 starting at the double tee pad. You could either go north, and play old #3, old #4, old #5, etc. Or go south, and play old #12, old #13, old #2, old #3, etc. With either one of these sub options, the old tee posts would have to be changed, and we would have to use clarification when referring to similarly numbered holes on the new and the mini course.

Another option is to continue numbering the holes consecutively after the new 18 holes, renumbering the short course 19 thru 30. Depending if you go north or south, old #3 would become #19, or old #12 would become #19. Two of the poleholes (new #1 and new #18) would have double numbers.

To help find consensus, I invite you to take part in this poll.

[Kevin Silvia]

I personally feel the holes at Buff are at an all time confusing, yet awesome.

My view of the course at present, with old 13's basket reinstalled, is that it is now finally a 27 hole course again. I don't quite get the thinking behind the "mini-12".

From what I can gather, you got the "new" 18 ... then there are 9 others, making for a total of three nine hole sets, 27 total.

The nine others:

[OLD HOLE NUMBERS]

3
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13

I think it might be worth considering the fact that we have, once again, 27 unique holes when it comes to numbering.

My suggestion is that we should number the nine holes that are NOT part of the new main 18 ~ 19 thru 27. How about old #3 becomes 19 and old #6 becomes 20? end at old 13 as new # 27.

Am I the only one who sees this as 27 unique holes?

[Keith Morin]

A little off topic, I know, but wasn't there talk about a new "mini" layout. One where I don't need to yell FORE! on as often, a layout where I can leave my helmet at home for? (specifically mini hole 3 and 6)
Also, it was great having two different pin positions for the mini layout. The way it stands, the first and third hole of the "mini" are stuck to single pin positions.

[Kevin Silvia]

Really I'm probably a little obsessive-compulsive about this, but I really think it'd be better if every hole at Buff had a unique hole #. Now that there are 27 holes again it seems even more logical.

Where are we getting 30 from? Using 18 twice? Are "new" 1 & 2 part of this "mini 12"?

I just think if there are holes with multiple numbers, or multiple holes that use the same number, it'll be confusing.

Personally, I've been using the 9 holes that are NOT part of the new 18 as it's own set of nine. I've been starting on old #3, then skipping old four & five (since I play them as part of new 18) and finishing at old #3.

3 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 = 9 holes; I'd love to see them numbered 19-27, in whatever order works best.

[Karl Molitoris]

Main course marked 1 through 18.
Mini course marked 1S through 12S.
Obviously a couple of the holes will have duplicate markers on the same tee.
And color-code them (hopefully in a way that the predominant color-blindness still can discern the differences - every little bit helps).

Karl

[David Stidham]

My view of the course at present, with old 13's basket reinstalled, is that it is now finally a 27 hole course again. I don't quite get the thinking behind the "mini-12".

I think most people who play Buffumville casually usually only play the "mini" 12 holes and consider the 12-hole short course as a separate and distinct course from the regular 18.

[Kevin Silvia]

Thanks for the reply. I had no idea, and find that to be pretty far out. My brain only golfs in nines.

[Tim Carter]

I agree with Karl. I think its worth remembering that many many mini nine players are not on this board. If they never play the new layout it will not make sense to them to start on hole 19, and if the point of the mini nine is to cater to casual/ rec players, why should it be numbered in a way that caters to the nefa regulars who play the long lay out? Use 1s or 1 m ( for mini) and use a different color sign or maybe a different color post. Seems like the vast majority are only playing the mini these days, and those of us who play the longs won't be confused by multiple holes numbered 1-12.

[Karl Molitoris]

One thing I always thought was neat - I "heard it" / "saw proof of it" when I first started playing disc golf - was "...if there are multiple tees in a layout, the lion's share of the work (concrete vs. natural, signs vs. no signs, the better signs of 2 sets, etc.) on a course was reserved for the "lowest skill set players", i.e. the AM / Rec teeing area(s)..."

This "shows" new players that there IS concern for them...and they're not just "afterthoughts" (as are most ball golf red / women's tees). And this portrays a sense of "belonging" (to the sport) and not that of isolationism (via "we, the good players vs. you, the newbie") which helps the word of mouth spreading of the sport.

Now I'm not saying that Buffumville has to go this route totally, but don't forget / overlook the people new to the sport...
...for they are our successors!

Karl