10 March 2008
The world of recreational activities is constantly changing. New sports, new facilities, and different categories are constantly emerging to satisfy the increasing social demand: gyms with all types of exercise machines, personal trainers, group classes, etc. Many of these recently born disciplines are fads that disappear after a few years. Others have made a place for themselves and survive. This is the case of Pitch & Putt, an activity that has consolidated itself in Spain in the past few years and that many consider a substitute for golf.
Its name comes from two types of golf swings: “The pitch is a short high swing that comes close to the green. The objective is for the ball to fly over the course for a few metres and then stop quickly once it falls,” explains Daniel Asís, one of Spain’s contemporary golf promoters. “And the putt,” according to Asís, “is the club that is especially designed to make sure the ball rolls into the hole.”
Pitch & Putt is the sport most similar to golf. It could be considered its first cousin, although it was born and raised in Ireland. These courses have 9 to 18 holes and the distances are short (the minimum is 40 metres and the maximum is 120 metres from the starting tee, which is placed on an artificial grass mat, to the centre of the green, where the hole is found and where the ball must end up.)
Less environmental impact
Antoni Lloret from the Catalan Federation of Pitch & Putt explains that “It is not obligatory to join the federation to play, but most players that try it end up getting their license.” As in golf, the player is given a handicap depending on his/her level. The handicap is the advantage the course gives him/her to compete in a fair way.
The Spanish Golf Federation requires that all players join the federation, and can improve their golf handicap by practicing Pitch & Putt. To build an 18-hole course, you need a surface of no more than six hectares. If the land lies next to an important urban centre, its success is guaranteed. The total investment does not exceed a million euros.
Another advantage of Pitch & Putt is its sustainability: the courses need less water, as well as fewer employees and machines than a regular golf course. In the latter case, the projects are usually accompanied by real-estate development promotions, which have limited their growth in the last few years.
Pitch & Putt, which can be enjoyed out in the open air without having to invest four hours of your time as you do with golf, also has a lesser environmental impact while remaining an efficient way to get close to a golf course and for golfers to improve their short game.
CINCO DÍAS February 4, 2008
