Why are there 18 holes on a traditional golf course?

JReid

The game originated in its present form at St. Andrews, Scotland. Over the years, the Old Course at St. Andrews had varying numbers of holes. At one time, it contained 22 holes, but the R and A, the governing body of golf at the time, which was located at St. Andrews, decided to shorten the course to 18 holes. Because St. Andrews set the standard of the time, other courses, which had every number from 6 to 25 holes, settled on 18 as the standard number because that was what the Old Course had. America followed. Oct 03 00, 6:50 PM