GMac: More 9-Hole Par-3 Courses, Please

Graeme McDowell files his year-end column with the help of Iain Carter and covers an array of topics.

Besides his take on Rory, the Ryder Cup and Poulter, worth noting is his desire to see the game more kid friendly.

We have to make the game cheaper, more accessible, faster and more fun. Growing up in Ireland, one of the things was how cheap and accessible it was. Just look at how many successful players Ireland has these days and I don't think that's a coincidence.

When I go to different parts of the world I see that golf is still elitist. It doesn't encourage people who can't afford to play. We need nine-hole par-three courses like the one I grew up on. I don't understand why we don't see more of that, especially in the United States.

We need ways to bring the masses in and to do that we have to make it fun, sexy and cool. We have the young icons - the likes of Rory, Rickie Fowler and Jordan Spieth - and now it is a case of leveraging that to boost the game.