What might quickly become the latest and greatest fad among local golfers looking for a "businessman's lunch special" has teed off at Spring Valley Golf Club, Mercer.

The course, 925 Bestwick Road, recently opened a 9-hole "pitch-and-putt" course alongside its 18-hole regulation layout.

But this is no ordinary par-3 course as indicated by its 541-yard length, which is nearly one-third the length of a typical par-3 layout. Borland Golf Center's par-3, one of the most popular in the region, is 1,366 yards.

And for an investment of approximately 35 minutes and $3, area golfers, especially those just learning the game, will now have a non-intimidating way to learn the basics of what often adds up to more than two-thirds of the game -- chipping and putting.

Spring Valley's pitch-and-putt is one of nearly 100 nationwide and only the eighth in Pennsylvania.

"We had a driving range, but we didn't have enough area," explained Bob Mills, course superintendent and co-owner. "We knew we wanted to do something else -- we wanted the whole golf experience, not just an 18-hole golf course -- and we needed a place for beginners to practice or learn the game of golf and also so we could get into some kids' leagues and kids' lessons. And since our driving range wasn't feasible because we didn't have enough room, we (his parents Jean and Terry, and sister Barb, who also serve as co-owners) kept thinking about a par 3. But a par 3 has holes that can go up to 220 or 230 yards. They're not as short. We got on the internet looking for information and came across this pitch-and-putt idea where the holes shouldn't be any longer than 100 yards."

The par-27 layout, which is actually shorter than some par 5 holes in the area, doesn't, providing hole lengths from 36-93 yards.

"We have a place for beginners to learn the game of golf and feel comfortable, because when they go on a (regulation) course a lot of times they feel intimidated," Mills said. "Now we have a place for beginners."

While it might be the perfect place for a beginner, it appears experienced golfers will also be tested by the pitch-and-putt's small greens, as well as eventually, water and sand hazards.

"You're hitting into a 700-square foot green, 900-square foot green, so it's not really that easy," said Mills, who added by comparison that the regulation course greens at Spring Valley average 5,000 square feet. "Even though (the course) is for beginners, we wanted to make it so that the better player, the average player, the low-handicap player is challenged, because everybody needs to work on their short game."

In spite of their diminutive stature, the greens, which actually range from 700-1,200 square feet, are constructed in an identical process to Spring Valley's regulation course greens.

"They're sand-based greens, graveled, drained, irrigated, the whole bit, just like our regulation greens," Mills said.

As with any first-year course, plenty of work is yet to be completed -- Mills expects it will be another year before all is said and done -- but even in its neophyte condition, golfers can probably expect to have plenty of fun.

The second hole, which plays at 55 yards, is over water, while golfers can eventually expect several bunkers to dot the course, including some tee areas.

"A lot of guys are starting to come out, even if they have an hour lunch break," Mills said. "And all the average or better player needs is a wedge and a putter and a couple of balls."

The pitch-and-putt officially opened the last weekend of April and has already been well received by those who have shelled out the $3 for nine or $5 for 18 (played twice).

"So far, golfers are surprised that it's more challenging than what they thought," Mills said. "They think, 'Pitch and putt, 36-yard holes, or 70 yards or 56, no big deal.' But as soon as they get out there, they find its a small, real golf course."

A "miniature golf course" as far from your nearest Putt-Putt as possible that includes: regulation, yet cut-down flagsticks, grass tee areas, sand bunkers, landscaping, two holes with water, and a sprinkler system that covers the entire layout. Eventually, fairways will be cut in to give it an even more authentic look.

"Yes, it's a golf course and a good experience, but it's also going to be fun," Mills said. "We have a goldfish pond and a fountain to go in it yet. We have to finish our landscaping so it will be nice and attractive. You won't believe how much fun it is."

People at Jones Beach on the south shore of Long Island, New York sure do. Players line up for 90 minutes to get to the first tee.

Some of the criteria and rules surrounding pitch-and-putt courses in general:

• Each hole is a par 3.

• Holes should be no shorter than 25 yards and no longer than 100 yards.

• Rules are the same as the Rules of Golf established by the U.S.G.A.

• The game is to be played with two clubs only, one of which must be a putter, although that isn't the case at Spring Valley.

• If a player's ball is not on the green after four strokes, it will be picked up and placed on the nearest edge of the green (within one putter-head length from the edge) with the player lying five. This is being utilized at Spring Valley with the intent of keeping golfers moving at a reasonable pace. In addition, "beginners don't get frustrated then," Mills said. "They don't take 10 strokes to get to the green."

"Whether you're 8 years old or 80 years old, you can play golf," Mills said. "One of the nicest things you see, especially on holidays, is the 12-year-old son or daughter, then the father and grandfather come out. And they spend (time) together, enjoying the outdoors and just being together. ...There's a camaraderie that's built between everybody that golfs, whether it's a foursome or a twosome, they enjoy each other's company."