A golf course has taken a fresh swing at the sport with a new 12-hole layout.
Basset Down Complex, a family-run countryside destination near Swindon set across 120 acres, has opened Wiltshire’s first and only 12-hole golf course.
The course is designed to offer a longer game thannine holes, but without the time commitment of 18.
Juliette and Will Nutland, owners of Basset Down, said: "This is a hugely exciting moment for Basset Down.
"Golf is changing, and people increasingly want leisure experiences that fit around modern life rather than dominate it.
"Our new 12-hole course offers a longer, more complete round than 9 holes, while remaining far more manageable than a full 18-hole round."
Opening on May 1, the launch comes just ahead of the early May Bank Holiday.
The new format, which takes around 2.5 hours to play, aims to fit more easily into modern schedules.
While a 12-hole course may seem novel, it has historical roots.
The Open Championship began as a 12-hole tournament in 1860 at Prestwick, with players completing the course three times to reach 36 holes.
The Nutlands said: "What’s important to us is that this evolution stays true to what Basset Down has always been about – quality experiences in a relaxed countryside setting, where everyone feels welcome, whether they’re members, pay & play golfers, families visiting for footgolf, or simply joining us for food and drink.
"We’ve continually invested in Basset Down over the years to create somewhere people genuinely want to spend time, and this new course is another important step in that journey."
The course features five new holes and seven from the existing layout.
It aims to make golf more accessible, social, and enjoyable for a wider audience.
Other facilities at the complex include a Toptracer driving range, footgolf and disc golf courses, and a countryside restaurant and bar.
In 2021, the Nutland family invested £1.5 million in expanding the restaurant and events venue.
They said: "Basset Down has always been about more than golf.
"It’s about getting outdoors, spending time together, and creating somewhere people genuinely want to return to.
"Whether that’s for a round of golf, food and drink, family activities, or simply to enjoy the setting."
Visitor tee times for the 12-hole course are now available to book online.
The course has been officially rated by England Golf and is fully recognised for handicap purposes under the World Handicap System.
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