About North America, Europeand even the BahamasA new generation of short courses is emerging: compact, creative layouts that trade distance for fun, strategy and sheer joy in making shots. Some glow under the post-sunset lights, others can be played upside down, and many are next to lively practice areas or expansive putting greens. Here’s a look at eight notable newcomers and soon-to-open gems and why they’re reshaping the future of golf.
The Commons at Sand Valley (Nekoosa, Wisconsin)
Sand Valley’s next addition is The Commons, a 12-hole course from Jim Craig designed to be social, walkable and daringly strategic – very ‘Sand Valley’, just distilled. It will grow into the resort’s sixth layout over the course of 2025, with an opening planned for spring 2026. Expect a compact route that encourages fast loops, creative angles and the same adventurous spirit that made The Sand Box and the resort’s larger courses cult favorites.
Intersection at Palmetto Bluff (Bluffton, South Carolina)
Crossroads is a reversible nine designed by Rob Collins & Tad King (King-Collins) on approximately 54-60 acres – two different experiences on the same property. One direction, The Hammer, plays like a whirlwind of diagonals; send it to The Press and you’ll get a new set of puzzles. Built for members of Palmetto Bluff Golf Club, it compresses “a lot of golf” into a minimal footprint with fast, creative rounds and plenty of match play energy.
The chain at Streamsong (Bowling Green, Florida)
Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw’s The chain is perhaps the purest ‘choose your own adventure’ short course yet. There’s a six-hole loop through oaks (about 50-150 yards), followed by a 13-hole loop with shots stretching for almost 300 yards – no par on the card, just teeing areas bordered by literal dragline chains, a nod to the site’s mining heritage. The winner chooses the next tee spot, making each course feel different; it opened in 2024 next to the “Bucket” putting area.
Cliffhangers at Big Cedar Lodge (Ridgedale, Missouri)
Johnny Morris’ wilderness golf playground added Cliffhangers, an 18-hole par-3 carved into Ozark limestone with creeks, ledges and big views beside it Payne’s Valley. Holes float in the window of approximately 60 to 170 meters, with cinematic elevation changes and a grand opening on July 4, 2025. It is intended as an “adventure course” that complements Mountain top And Top of the Rock – lots of drama, low score.
Doon Brae in the Highlands (Harbor Springs, Michigan)
At The Highlands (formerly Boyne Highlands), architect Ray Hearn created Doon Brae, a nine-hole walking par-3 that glides over ski slopes with downhill, uphill and side elevations – and fully lit for nighttime play. Multiple fairway options on every hole encourage inventive lines, while the adjacent Himalayan-style Back Yaird putting course transforms the complex into a family-friendly evening center.
Little Sandy on Omni Amelia Island (Amelia Island, Florida)
Opening in 2022, Little Sandy is a Beau Welling design woven through an oak swamp habitat with ten holes in the 70 to 125 meter range. It’s built to be played in just over an hour – ideal for resort guests and Amelia Island Club members – and sits on stretches of the old Ocean Links footprint, combining coastal scenery with beginner-friendly fun and veteran-approved shots.
The playground at Jack’s Bay (Eleuthera, Bahamas)
Tiger Woods’ TGR Design opened The Playground in 2020, a 10-hole ocean cliff par-3 that embraces flexibility: lineups can be anywhere from 55 to 170 yards, and the routing can change to suit casual family loops or sharper match play showdowns. It is the textbook example of fun on the short course: pure views, fast golf and just enough grip for better players.
The piglet in Les Bordes (Loire Valley, France)
In the heart of France Loire Valley, The Piglet at Les Bordes Golf Club proves that world-class golf doesn’t need 18 holes. This charming 10-hole par-3 layout, designed by Gil Hanse, complements the club’s acclaimed golf course Old And New courses with playful shot values, complicated greens and lots of variety on just a few hectares. Each hole measures between 85 and 150 yards, making it perfect for fast, pressure-free rounds or family fun. The thoughtful route and scenic woodland setting encourage creativity, while still offering the same design integrity that defines Les Bordes as one of the most beautiful Europas first-class private golf estates.
Why these courses matter
Short courses are not a substitute for full-length golf; they widen the driveway. Reversible designs like Crossroads double the fun without doubling the footprint; The Chain makes tee selection a game within the game; Doon Brae’s lighting proves that golfing after work is possible; Cliffhangers shows that par-3s can be just as spectacular as any championship hole; and Little Sandy and The Playground show how an hour of golf can still feel rich, varied and memorable. All together, they are reshaping resort golf into something that is more social, flexible and playable for everyone.
Tommy Fleetwood’s WITB at the DP World Championship India 2025
The best golf resorts in America
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