how to read a golf course map

by Anthony Heathcote 10 min read

The Modern Way Of Reading Maps

  • Get the app. Before you start reading the golf course maps, you need to get a device that will enable you to install the application.
  • Choose the course. Apparently, you will not read the chart without knowing or choosing the course. ...
  • Reading the course maps. ...
  • Get the standard yardage map. ...
  • Have a detailed yardage map. ...
  • Determine the break. ...

A pin sheet has 18 circles, each representing 1 of the 18 holes on the course. Usually the 18 circles are divided into three columns of six to make it easy to fold and store in your yardage book. The left side is holes 1-6, the middle column is 7-12, and the right is holes 13-18.

Full Answer

How do you read hole numbers on a golf course?

First, the small numbers to the left of each circle are the hole numbers, so we are looking (clockwise) at holes 1, 7, 8, 2. The handwritten number to the left of each green is the depth of the green in paces. Hole 7 (upper right) is 42 paces deep from front to back.

How do you read the slope of a golf green?

Viewing a Green’s Slope Gauge the green’s flatness to determine how to putt the ball to the hole. Stand behind the hole to determine the slope around it. Walk along the lower side of the hole as you return to your ball. Check the perspective around the ball to improve your read. Stand over the ball to analyze the ground around it.

What do the numbers on a golf course mean?

The handwritten number to the left of each green is the depth of the green in paces. Hole 7 (upper right) is 42 paces deep from front to back. The vertical line that starts from the 6 o'clock position and goes up halfway up also has a number next to it. That number tells us how far from the front of the green the hole is cut.

How do you find the depth of a golf green?

First, the small numbers to the left of each circle are the hole numbers, so we are looking (clockwise) at holes 1, 7, 8, 2. The handwritten number to the left of each green is the depth of the green in paces.

What is an arc on a golf course?

Can you read a chart without knowing the course?

Is it necessary to read a golf course map?

How do you read a golf course layout?

Note the color names on the side which indicate each hole's distance.Black or gold tees are the furthest from the hole. ... Blue markers reflect the tee boxes for local competitions. ... White tees are the middle tees, most often used by golfers with middle to high handicaps.Red tees are the shortest member's tees.More items...

How do you read a golf yardage?

The yardage will usually be measured from the middle of the given tee box to the middle of the green. Therefore, the yardage might vary by a few yards from what is shown on the card. The difficulty of the hole might not be related to the length.

How do you read a golf slope and rating?

The higher the slope number, the harder the course is for the bogey golfer relative to the difficulty of the course for the scratch golfer. Slope numbers can range anywhere between 55 and 155 with the average slope in the United States being 120.

How do you read the greens on a scorecard?

First, the small numbers to the left of each circle are the hole numbers, so we are looking (clockwise) at holes 1, 7, 8, 2. The handwritten number to the left of each green is the depth of the green in paces. Hole 7 (upper right) is 42 paces deep from front to back.

How is distance measured on a golf course?

So, how are the yardages on your scorecard calculated? Short answer, golf holes are measured “across the ground” using the playing route that most golfers will take. For example, on a dogleg hole, the measurement is taken from the tee box to the apex of the dogleg. Then from that apex to the center of the green.

What does green depth mean in golf?

These printed sheets are used to indicate the location of the holes on every green. These sheets indicate: Green Depth. Distance the hole is from the front of the green. Distance the hole is from the left or right edge of the green.

What does a slope rating of 130 mean?

From Tom's tees, a slope of 130 gives him a 12 Course Handicap.

What is the difference between slope and course rating?

Slope rating (a term trademarked by the United States Golf Association) is a measurement of the difficulty of a golf course for bogey golfers relative to the course rating. Course rating tells scratch golfers how difficult the golf course will be; slope rating tells bogey golfers how difficult it will be.

What does r4 mean in golf?

Round 4 Scoring Average | PGA TOUR Stats.

How do you read a golf Scoreboard?

For example, if a player shoots 70, 70, 70 and 70 in a 72-hole tournament, then they scored 280 for the four rounds. If the par on the golf course is 72, then the total expected par would be 288. That means the player shot 8 under par in relationship to par, as 280 subtracted by 288 is -8, reflected as 8 under par.

How do you read the grain of a golf green?

0:121:18Golf Instruction Zone: Reading the Grain on the Greens - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo what that tells me is the greens girl in that way now if I did it to the opposite side that meansMoreSo what that tells me is the greens girl in that way now if I did it to the opposite side that means I'm going down green. Now if I'm going on the opposite side of the hole.

What do handicap numbers mean in golf?

The United States Golf Teachers Federation USGTF defines handicap as "a measure of his current ability over an entire round of golf, signified by a number. The lower the number, the better the golfer is." A handicap essentially signifies how many strokes above or below par a golfer should be able to play.

What does the red number on a golf cart mean?

For example, red numbers may indicate the yardage from the front tees and blue numbers the yardage from the back tees. The chart may also include a line drawn straight from the tee to the green, indicating the distance of a shot that cuts the dogleg.

What does 125 to F mean in golf?

The “125 to F” represents the yardage to the front of the green. The “8” means she played an 8-iron. “PH, LAW” means she hit her shot pin high, a little against the wind. Bryson DeChambeau and Aaron Rodgers win The Match. Golfweeks' Adam Woodard breaks down the results from the match. More Videos.

What is a line on a fairway?

A line or arc is drawn across the fairway, along with a number indicating the yardage from that point to the middle of the green. The chart may include the name of the landmark that corresponds to the line or arc. For example, a chart may contain a caption toward the right of the fairway that reads: “197, first large oak.”.

Where is the pin sheet on a golf green?

The pin sheet shows the hole located on the back right part of the green. You know that there's a bunker guarding the front right of the green and that the back right part of the green is on a shelf. You know, in other words, that the best way to approach this hole location is from the left side of the fairway.

Where is Bob's ball in golf?

Let's say Golfer Bob's ball is sitting in the fairway next to the 150-yard marker. Remember: Measurements into the green are to the center of the green. So Bob's ball is 150 yards from the center of the green. Bob is playing Hole 3, so he consults the pin sheet and sees what we see above.

How many paces is the flag in hole 7?

For Hole 7, the flag is 6 paces from the edge. We also know that it is 6 paces from the right edge because the "6" is written to the right of the vertical line (or put another way, the "6" is written in the right half of the circle, closest to the right edge). Now, look at Hole 2 above (lower left).

How deep is hole 7?

Hole 7 (upper right) is 42 paces deep from front to back. The vertical line that starts from the 6 o'clock position and goes up halfway up also has a number next to it. That number tells us how far from the front of the green the hole is cut. For Hole 7, the cup is 27 paces from the front of the green.

Where to find par information on golf scorecard?

You can find the par information in the par row on the scorecard. The average golf course is a par 72, which means that the pars of all the holes added together equals 72. Par generally relates to length. Par 3s are the shortest holes on golf courses and par 5s are the longest holes.

What is a golf scorecard?

Golf scorecards allow golfers to track their score as well as providing vital information about the course. The total score is based upon strokes and handicaps and compared to the other players to determine a winner. If you are tracking your own progress as a golfer, scorecards can also be useful as a non-competitive reference.

What does it mean when you take 72 shots on a par 72 course?

If they take 72 shots on a par 72 course, they take 3 from 72 to give them 69, meaning they've shot 3 under par with their handicap. Your handicap is essentially an allowance to help you. Better players have lower handicaps and less-skilled players have higher handicaps. ...

What is the longest hole in golf?

Par 3s are the shortest holes on golf courses and par 5s are the longest holes. The most common par on a course is a par 4. If you look at the "Out" and "In" columns on the scorecard you will see the par for each set of 9 holes. A par 72 golf course will usually have 2 9 holes that are both par 36.

What is the back 9 of golf?

Holes 1 to 9 are known as the front 9 and holes 10 to 18 are known as the back 9. After the 9th and 18th hole sections of the scorecard you will see the words "Out" and "In" respectively. The 9th hole marks the end of the "Out" section which means playing away from the clubhouse.

What do blue markers mean on a golf course?

Blue markers reflect the tee boxes for local competitions. These tees are normally used by very good amateur players. If a course doesn't have black or gold tees, the blue tee boxes are the furthest from the hole. White tees are the middle tees, most often used by golfers with middle to high handicaps.

How many holes are there in golf?

Golf courses vary between 9 hole courses and 18 hole courses. Some scorecards will have a map of the course with each hole on the map having its number next to it. Holes are typically played in order from 1 to 18.

How to visualize reading a golf ball?

To visualize the read, imagine pouring water into the hole. Ask yourself which way the water would spill out if it were to overflow. You expect the water to spill out towards the lower end of a slope. The last stretch of green before the hole has the most impact on your ball.

Where should the line go when hitting a golf ball?

The line should move towards the higher side of the green, then head to the hole where you think the ball will break back towards the hole. Seeing the line can help you hit the ball with confidence. Imagining a clear line can take some practice. At first, you may not be able to hit the ball exactly along your line.

What does reading a green mean?

Reading a green is about anticipating how your golf ball will move from your putter to the hole. No green is perfectly flat, so you always need to take a close look at the slope to do this. Any hills or divots will also change the speed of your ball and, sometimes, its trajectory.

How to know which way your golf ball rolls?

Walk along the lower side of the hole as you return to your ball. Once you have identified which part of the green is lowest, you know which way your ball will roll after you hit it. Stroll back to your ball, taking plenty of time to examine how the green changes.

How to hit a putter in golf?

Hit the ball firmly towards the hole. Shake out your arms to loosen yourself up if you need to. Keep a firm grip on your putter, take a deep breath, and hit cleanly through the ball. Avoid stopping your swing short, or else your ball will end up short of the hole.

What is the difference between a good score and a great score?

The difference between a good score and a great score out on the golf course may be the result of effective putting. Sinking balls in a single stroke involves reading greens accurately, a skill any golfer can learn. Effective golfers study the green from many angles before settling on a shot.

How to adjust strokes on golf ball?

You can adjust your stroke by hitting the ball towards your right foot. Squat behind the ball to finalize your read. Complete your read with a worm’s-eye view of the ball’s path to the hole.

What is an arc on a golf course?

This may consist of a design of a break. This is where the figures are on paper at varying points. An arc is sketched along the fairway, together with a figure showing the yard distance to the putting green’s center, that is from that spot. It may also consist the identification of the marker that matches up to the arc or line. For instance, a map can consist a header in the direction of the accurate of the fairway that translates.

Can you read a chart without knowing the course?

Apparently, you will not read the chart without knowing or choosing the course. Well, you already know the course you want to or are playing. You have to pick it. The charts are displayed with the precise GPS distance. Sounds easy, right?

Is it necessary to read a golf course map?

If you are a golfer, you are already aware that the functionality of the golf GPS depends on the information provided by the golf course map. Therefore, it is necessary to be careful when reading the map.

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