I’m not crazy about this change and frankly, I don’t understand it. #1 becomes a short risk-reward par 4 with a water hazard in play – which I’ve got to think will slow down the start of rounds compared to the current par 5 opening hole. I also dislike how the layout will play now, with what was a great closing 5 hole stretch now coming in the middle of the round. And the closing 2 holes will now be 2 of the most plain, boring holes of the entire 18 – both are uninteresting par 4’s with no hazards in play and flat, easy greens. And for tournaments and friendly multi-group matches, you no longer finish in front of the clubhouse.

Can we start a petition to keep the nines as is?