what do they call different types of golf course

by Dr. Summer Kovacek III 6 min read

Course Access

  • Municipal Course Golf facilities that are owned by a city or other municipality are known as municipal courses. ...
  • Daily-fee Course Like a municipal course, a daily-fee course is fully open to the public. ...
  • Semi-private Course At a semi-private course, you can pay to play each time, or you can purchase a membership. ...
  • Private Course Country clubs and golf clubs own private courses. ...

There are five main types of golf courses found around the world: links, parkland, desert, heathland, and sandbelt. Each type of course has unique characteristics and is found in very different locations.

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What are the different types of golf course?

Landscape StyleLinks Course. Golf originated in Scotland, and links golf, too, has its roots in Scotland. ... Parkland Course. ... Desert Course. ... Executive Course. ... Regulation Course. ... Municipal Course. ... Daily-fee Course. ... Semi-private Course.More items...•

What are the 5 different areas of a golf course?

To play with the right club, you have to have a better understanding of the hole you are playing, especially its parts. Each hole in a course has 5 major parts namely Tee, Fairway, Green, Rough and Hazards. Understanding these parts allow you to plan your shots right.

What do they call a golf course with no trees?

Hallmarks of True Links Courses A true links course is not just any golf course that is treeless. The term "links" historically applies specifically to strips of land in seaside areas that feature sandy soil, dunes, and undulating topography, and where the land is not conducive to cultivated vegetation or trees.

What is the most common type of golf course?

Parkland. Parkland golf courses are one of the most common types of courses. They are built inland, away from the city and often feature lots of trees and lush grass, making the scenery very park-like (you can see where the name comes from now can't you?).

What do you call a small golf course?

Approach course: An approach course is one that is even shorter than a par-3 course, one designed primarily to allow experienced golfers to practice pitching and chipping, or intended for use by beginners.

What is a golf hole called?

Hole A circular hole in the ground which is also called “the cup”, 4.25 inches in diameter.

Why is a links course so called?

The word "links" comes via the Scots language from the Old English word hlinc: "rising ground, ridge" and refers to an area of coastal sand dunes and sometimes to open parkland; it is cognate with lynchet.

What does TPC stand for?

Tournament Players ClubTPC — which stands for Tournament Players Club — means that a golf course is part of a prestigious network of golf courses around the world.

Why do they call it the links?

Links course The term derives from the Old English word hlinc meaning rising ground or ridge and refers to sandy area along coast. While many courses claim to be links, call themselves links-style, or have the word links in their name, the category is more specific than that.

What's the difference between golf links and golf course?

Links golf refers to a golf course built on a piece of land next to a coastline that connects the sea to the inward farmland and has very few trees in comparison to American golf courses.

What is the best score in golf called?

aceAn ace, commonly known as a hole-in-one, is the best score out there.

What is the difference between a golf course and a links course?

The difference between a links golf course and a regular course is that the golfer is forced to work with the natural elements of the course. The links course is not manufactured and maintains the original lay of the land. This emulates how it was in the earliest days of the game.

What makes up a golf course?

A golf course is the grounds where the sport of golf is played. It consists of a series of holes, each consisting of a tee box, a fairway, the rough and other hazards, and a green with a cylindrical hole in the ground, known as a "cup". The cup holds a flagstick, known as a "pin".

How many par 5 holes does a golf course have?

The typical golf course has 4 par 5 golf holes. This number might vary on occasion and can have as few as 2 and as many as 6. However, par 5s take up more land than par 3s and 4s, so if a course architect is limited on space, they might have less par 5s than the standard 4.

How is a golf course set up?

1:095:47Science of Golf: Course Setup - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipUse a device developed by the USGA. Called the true firm it's essentially a instrumented hammer weMoreUse a device developed by the USGA. Called the true firm it's essentially a instrumented hammer we drop a hammer from the set height every time and when it hits the turf. It does so with the momentum.

What is the sandy area on a golf hole called?

Golf courses have two types of hazards: bunkers and water. Bunkers are holes in the ground filled with sand that typically line the fairway or surround the putting green.

How are golf courses grouped?

Golf courses are generally grouped in three ways: By access (who can play them), by size (number and type of holes), or by setting and design.

What is a public golf course?

Public courses: A public golf course is one that is open to the general public. Everyone who plays golf is welcome at a public golf course. Within the public category, there are two main sub-types - the municipal course and the daily fee course. Municipal courses are those owned by cities or counties and run for the benefit of the local citizens ...

What are some examples of parkland golf courses?

So named because of the park-like setting. Most PGA Tour courses are good examples of parkland courses. Desert course: A course built in the desert, natch, where the teeing grounds, fairways and putting greens are lush but might be the only grass in the area.

What is an approach course?

Approach course: An approach course is one that is even shorter than a par-3 course, one designed primarily to allow experienced golfers to practice pitching and chipping, or intended for use by beginners. Holes on approach courses might include some holes of around 100 yards in length, but most of them will be shorter, some even just 30 or 40 yards. Drop a ball, pitch it to the green, putt out (which is why these are also called pitch-and-putt courses).

How many holes are there in a 9 hole golf course?

9-hole course: A 9-hole course is exactly that, a golf course with mostly par-4 holes plus a few par 3s and par 5s but only nine holes, rather than 18 holes, in length.

What is an issue in categorizing courses by setting/design?

An issue in categorizing courses by setting/design is that many courses do not fit entirely, or even easily, into one or other groups (aside from desert courses, which are pretty easy to spot). Some may mix elements of both parkland and links.

Where did golf originate?

Golf first developed on the links of Scotland. Parkland course: A parkland course is one that is lushly manicured with verdant fairways and fast greens, with plenty of trees, and typically located inland. So named because of the park-like setting. Most PGA Tour courses are good examples of parkland courses.

1. Links Course

One of the most common golf course types is a links course. But, if you find yourself asking “what is a links golf course?”, you’re hardly alone. A links golf course is one of the oldest styles you’ll find. These originated in England and Scotland, where the game was first played.

2. Heathland Course

Heathland golf course aren’t all that different from links courses. These are also most common in Europe. For the most part, they embody a lot of the same characteristics such as sandy soil and bunkers that won’t quit. Again, a lot of what defines these types of courses is where they lay on a map.

3. Parkland Course

Parkland golf courses are what most Americans usually play. This type of course carves its way through a natural landscape and is surrounded with trees, which serve as the biggest hazard. Parkland courses use what is available to them. If the area is hilly, you have a hilly course.

4. Desert Course

Desert golf courses are, you guessed it, found in the desert. This doesn’t mean they are all sand, but that the land surrounding it is. Depending on the course, the desert terrain can be 5 yards or 50 from your intended tee-to-green path.

5. Championship Course

A championship golf course comes less from design features and more of what the course is all about. While it’s not easy to define, a championship golf course is almost something you know when you see it—or someone tells you about it.

6. Par-3 Course

When a course has only par-3 holes, it is a par-3 course. These courses can also be referred to as pitch and putt courses. Most golf course types have names that aren’t as descriptive. A par-3 course is all par-3’s (with the rare exception).

7. Executive Course

Want to play a shorter course with some hole variety? Then you want to play an executive golf course. An executive course is like a par-3 course in that many of the holes are par-3’s, but this option lets you take the driver out of your bag a couple times. Additionally, an executive course with 18 holes is also fairly common.

What are the characteristics of a golf course?

Apart from the obvious temperature issues, characteristics of these golf course types include: 1 Snow blindness and movement constrictions due to thermal clothing. 2 Rough surfaces due to a layer of snow lying over the course – graphite clubs are discouraged as they may shatter! 3 The danger of seal dens and crevasses.

What is a link golf course?

Built on sandy soil between the coast and farmlands of Scotland, links are the most popular types of golf courses. They’re mostly known for their large, slow greens and fast fairways. Its wide use has rendered the links course to be recognised as any course that is relatively treeless, or as a synonym for ‘golf course’.

Why do golf courses have browns?

Through trial and error, workers created optimum green surfaces (known as ‘browns’) by mixing the sand and oil to create golf terrain that is slower but truer. For fully sanded courses, golfers could even be permitted to bring Astroturf with them to avoid the feeling of continuous bunker shots . They were taken over by emerging green golf courses shortly afterwards, though they are an interesting alternative to standard types of golf courses.

What are the natural hazards of golf?

Natural hazards – the golf courses are created around natural hazards of a coast, although bunkers are deepened to prevent sand blowing away. Natural course contours which make each hole unique, and often classifies the terrain as ‘rolling’ . Sand-based terrain drains rainwater well, so is rarely unplayable due to weather conditions.

Where are desert golf courses built?

Popular in parts of the USA and the Middle East , desert golf courses are as they sound: built in the desert. Greenery from this range of golf courses is sometimes the only green seen for miles, and they require heavy irrigation as a result of their location. This often comes at the price of environmental concern, however.

Where is the Ice Golf Tournament held?

The town of Uumannaq in Greenland holds an annual 36-hole ice golf competition. The Drambuie World Ice Golf Tournament is notoriously difficult, but incredibly interesting and unlike any other golf course or tournament. Apart from the obvious temperature issues, characteristics of these golf course types include:

Where did the link golf course originate?

However, we can be sure of where link style golf courses originated. Built on sandy soil between the coast and farmlands of Scotland, links are the most popular types of golf courses.

What are the holes in a golf course called?

The majority of the holes on a standard golf course are par 4s. The remaining holes are a mix of par 3s and par 5s. Many regulation golf courses are known as championship courses, even if they may never host an official championship. These courses have excellent playing surfaces, and they are often par-72 courses.

What is landscape golf?

Landscape Style. Golf course architecture is an art form. Many courses incorporate elements of the natural setting into their designs. How the architect uses or reshapes the natural terrain determines the landscape category of the course. Most American courses fall into one of three main types.

How often do you stop at a parkland golf course?

Casual golfers may prefer to stick with stopping in at the municipal parkland course once or twice a year. Those more committed to the game will appreciate what a challenging-yet-enjoyable, championship-level private golf club has to offer.

How do links courses work?

Links courses work with the natural landscape of these strips of lands along the Scottish and Irish coasts . They incorporate the land's slopes and turns, and the fairways often have a natural roll to them. Wind can be a major factor in the game on a links course. Even though purists claim that true links courses are located only in the part ...

How many holes are there in an executive golf course?

The course leans toward par-3 holes with just a few par-4 or par-5 holes thrown in. An executive course can have 9 or 18 holes.

What is a desert course?

Desert Course. Courses in the desert are often an oasis of green amidst the area's dry, sandy landscape. Although these courses work with the natural sand dunes and other features of the terrain, their abundant grass is unnatural for the area. Much irrigation is required.

Where are desert courses found?

Desert courses are found only in parts of the world with a dry, desert climate.

Links Course

First and foremost, the Links Course is the most popular golf course. The term comes from the Old English line. This means rugged terrain of ridges and refers to sandy areas along the coast. Many courses claim to be linked and call themselves the link style or include the word link in their names, but the categories are more specific.

Parkland Course

The Parkland Course is built inland away from the sea. These places are often full of trees and lush grass. You've probably seen many Parkland courses if you take the PGA Tour. It is called the Parkland Course because it looks like you are playing golf in the park.

Heathland

The easiest way to understand Heathland is to read the definition of heath. Most health courses are in the UK. These inland golf courses tend to be more open than the Parkland courses because their style is based on the links course.

Sandbelt Courses

Australia's Sandbelt region has some of the most popular golf courses globally, but in some places, you can get lost in the mix. The Sandbelt region is just outside Melbourne, Australia, and is home to some of the best golf courses in the world. The ground in this area is surprisingly sandy compared to the surrounding area and is ideal for golf.

Desert course

Desert courses are often green oases surrounded by arid sandy landscapes in the area. These courses work in natural dunes and other terrains, but their lush grass is unnatural for the region. It requires a lot of watering. The desert course is only available in parts of the world with a desert climate.

What are the different types of golf courses?

There are links, parkland, and desert golf courses and even executive courses. The type of golf course that I am going to talk about today is a links golf course.

What is the best style of golf course to play?

Links golf courses are an important part of golf’s history and are the best style of golf courses to play in my opinion.

Why Are Links Golf Courses Popular?

There are several reasons for links golf courses and why they are popular, but the main reason is because of the challenge and uniqueness of the course.

What is a link golf course?

What is a Links Golf Course? A links golf course is regarded today as a golf course that has few trees, a lot of wind, thick grasses or thick heather, and a lot of bunkers. They are built on sandy soil and in most cases are on a coastline of a body of water. The term “links” actually has Scots origins and means “rising ground” or “ridge”.

What does "links" mean in golf?

The term “links” actually has Scots origins and means “rising ground” or “ridge”. The reason for this is because links courses really do play true to the contour of the course and is not usually very flat. Some people might argue that links golf courses have fewer or more characteristics, but that seems to be the general consensus ...

Which is flatter, a golf fairway or a links fairway?

The fairways tend to be more forgiving and flatter when compared to the rolling fairways on a links golf course.

Where did golf originate?

The country of Scotland is where golf originated, and it has a ton of history with the game of golf and its traditions. Flash forward to today, and there are links golf courses all over in the United States and in Europe. The majority of links golf courses are usually on the coastline of major bodies of water.

What is the Best Grass for a Golf Course?

The best type of grass to use on a golf course is a variety that is tough and fast repairing.

What grass is used for golf?

So, if you’re one of the lucky ones who gets to play golf with the sun beating down on your neck all year round, you’re likely to be playing on Bermudagrass.

What type of grass is used for putting surfaces?

Bentgrass and Bermudagrass tend to take the limelight, particularly where putting surfaces are discussed, and for good reason.

What is considered a consideration in designing a golf course?

One of the most significant considerations of all course designers is which variety of grass should be used in each area of the course.

Why do golf courses use water?

Depending on the climate, golf course maintenance staff implement a water management system all year round to ensure their grass receives the ideal amount of water to thrive.

What grass is used in golf courses in Florida?

In the US, courses in Florida and Georgia utilize Bermudagrass, as it is heat and drought resistant and is receptive to being mowed low, which is ideal for cultivating smooth putting surfaces.

What is the primary influence of golf course grass?

As this article introduces, there are several types of golf course grass used in the US, and one of the primary influences is the climate that the course experiences for the majority of the year.

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Golf Course Types by Access

Golf Course Types by Size

  • Another way of grouping golf courses is by size, which refers both to the number of holes (18 is standard) and the types of holes (a mix of par-3, par-4, and par-5holes, with par-4s being prevalent, is the standard on a "regulation," or full-sized, course). When grouping courses by size, here are how those groups are labeled: 1. 18-hole course: The...
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Golf Course Types by Setting/Design

  • The third way of grouping golf courses by type is to group them according to their geographical setting and/or the architectural elements of their design (those are often the same things since courses are often designed to fit into their natural surroundings). There are three main types of courses when grouping by setting and/or design: 1. Links course: A links course is one built on …
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Links Course

Heathland Course

Parkland Course

Desert Course

Championship Course

Par-3 Course

  • When a course has only par-3 holes, it is a par-3 course. These courses can also be referred to as pitch and putt courses. Most golf course types have names that aren’t as descriptive. A par-3 course is all par-3’s (with the rare exception). Pitch and putt courses are ones with holes so short pitch shots are all it takes to get around. If there is ...
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Executive Course

What Are Most Pro Courses?

Golf and The Occupied Environment