How many holes are in a golf course?
Typically, a standard golf course has 18 holes. However, there are some variations out there, with some courses having fewer holes (sometimes as few as 9) and others having more (up to 36). So it really just depends on the specific course you’re playing on. It depends on the course, but typically a standard golf course has 18 holes.
What is a 9-hole golf course?
A "9-hole course", typically the type referred to as an "executive course", has only 9 holes instead of 18, but with the otherwise normal mix of par-3, par-4 and par-5 holes (typically producing a par score of between 34 and 36), and the course can be played through once for a short game, or twice for a full round.
How long is an 18-hole golf course?
Golf course length of 18-hole course ranges from 6,500 to 6,900 yards which is approximately 5,900 to 6,400 meters. Individual holes range from 100- 600 yards which are 90-550 meters.
What is the distance of a par 3 hole in golf?
Most golf courses have only par-3, −4, and −5 holes, though some courses include par-6 holes. (The Ananti CC and the Satsuki golf course in Sano, Japan are the only courses with par 7 holes.) Typical distances for the various holes from standard tees are as follows. Men. Par 3 – 250 yards (230 m) and below.

How many holes are there in a full round of golf?
18 holesWith the three foremost clubs in the world using 18 holes, this set the norm for a golf round. The 18-hole round was a default found for a golf match from 1933, but it was not laid down as a 'stipulated round' in the Rules of Golf until as late as 1950.
Why is golf 9 or 18 holes?
Andrews formalized the rules and stated, “One round of the Links, or 18 holes is reckoned a match, unless otherwise stipulated.” Legend has it that the reason for 18 holes is that a bottle of whiskey contained the same number of shots as holes on a course, thus providing just enough drink for a shot on each hole.
Why are there 9 holes on a golf course?
Andrews ultimately made the choice to turn the Old Course into an 18-hole course in 1764, making two longer holes from four shorter holes. There would be nine holes going out from the clubhouse to the farthest point on the property. Then golfers would turn around and play another nine holes toward the clubhouse.
Why does golf have 28 holes?
In 1764, the golfers at St Andrews decided to combine the first four short holes into two, to produce a round of 18 holes, though it was still 10 holes of which 8 were played twice. Thus was born the 18-hole round, though it would be hundred years before there were eighteen holes and other courses followed suit.
Why are there 18 shots in a fifth?
During a discussion among the club's membership board at St. Andrews in 1858, one of the members pointed out that it takes exactly 18 shots to polish off a fifth of Scotch. By limiting himself to only one shot of Scotch per hole, the Scot figured a round of golf was finished when the Scotch ran out.
Can you play 9 holes instead of 18?
9 holes (Dethier) Accessibility — It's easier to start off by playing 9 than 18! 18 holes takes forever, it's intimidating if you're a beginner … play nine! Flexibility — You can squeeze in a quick nine in the mornings or the evenings and soak up every minute of it.
Is golf 18 holes or 9?
Golf is very commonly associated with 18-hole rounds, and while most golf courses do offer 9-hole options, most golf groups and golfers will choose to play 18 and dedicate an entire day or afternoon to their round.
What does 18 holes mean in golf?
18 holes mean 18 short games What it actually means is that the golfer will need to play 18 games. Each game will be scored using a separate hole. Starting from the first hole, the golfer will try to complete the hole with the shortest shots possible.
How many shots are in 18 holes of golf?
One round of the Links, or 18 holes is reckoned a match, unless otherwise stipulated. Now the 18-hole golf course is central to the game of golf. There is a lore that a golf course is made up of 18 holes because it takes exactly 18 shots to polish off a fifth of Scotch.
What country invented golf?
ScotlandSt. Andrews, Scotland. It was here at the St. Andrews Golf Links that the R&A was formed and where the 18-hole round was established.
Why are golf named after birds?
Used to score one under par. It began to be used in 1899 in New Jersey. It turns out that on one game day, three golfers were playing when one of them, on his second stroke, hit a bird in flight with the ball and it landed very, very close to the hole. The teammates said it was a stroke of luck for a 'birdie'.
What does golf stand for?
The word 'golf' is not an acronym for anything. Rather, it derives linguistically from the Dutch word 'kolf' or 'kolve,' meaning quite simply 'club.
How did golf come up with 18 holes?
According to the website Scottish Golf History, the number was cut to 18 pretty arbitrarily when four short holes were combined into two (played in two directions) in 1764. And this still wasn't a template right away for other courses as evidenced by Prestwick Golf Club opening in 1851 with just 12 holes.
Is golf 18 holes or 9 holes?
A standard round of golf consists of 18 holes. Most courses contain 18 holes; some share fairways or greens, and a subset has nine holes, played twice per round. Par-3 courses consist of nine or 18 holes all of which have a par of three strokes.
Why are golf named after birds?
Used to score one under par. It began to be used in 1899 in New Jersey. It turns out that on one game day, three golfers were playing when one of them, on his second stroke, hit a bird in flight with the ball and it landed very, very close to the hole. The teammates said it was a stroke of luck for a 'birdie'.
What does 18 mean in golf?
Bogey Golfers While a scratch golfer is defined as having a 0 handicap, a "bogey golfer" is defined as having an 18 handicap. What this essentially means is that a "bogey golfer" will bogey every hole on an 18-hole courses, leaving him 18 over par; hence, the 18 handicap.
Why is the number of holes important in golf?
And the number of holes is the most important because a golfer must play all holes in the course to complete a golf round.
How many holes are there in a mini golf course?
The course design of the mini-golf is almost the same as the standard golf course. Usually, these courses also have 18 holes or multiple of 9 holes to play. However, some mini-courses make a layout of 9 holes. The typical difference between the layout of standard and mini-golf course holes is the distance of the holes.
How many acres are needed for an 18 hole golf course?
But we found that every golfer can easily handle an 18-holes course while playing golf occasionally or professionally. Another thing is that approximately 150 acres or 60 hectares of land require designing an 18-holes golf course.
What is a mini golf hole?
Mini-golf is nothing but the miniature version of the core sport of golf. It is also known as miniature golf, mini-putt, putt-putt, goofy golf, or crazy golf. The course design of the mini-golf is almost the same as the standard golf course.
Do all golf holes have the same size?
There are holes throughout the greens, depending on the structure’s size, square or rectangular. Besides, all holes are not the same in size, and they are a mix of shorter and longer holes. This principle mainly follows for minimizing the travel distance while a golfer completes his round of golf.
Is a 9 hole course unsafe?
So, the 9-hole golf course thinking will not be so unsafe for this prestigious game of golf.
Is a 9 hole course good for beginners?
But it is pretty beneficial for learners who struggle to learn golf techniques and kids who start to play. For people who spend lots of time watching a golf tournament and are interested in spending leisure time with golf, a 9-hole course is a suitable place for them.
How many holes are there in a golf round?
The cup holds a flagstick, known as a "pin". A standard round of golf consists of 18 holes. Most courses contain 18 holes; some share fairways or greens, and a subset has nine holes, played twice per round. Par-3 courses consist of nine or 18 holes all of which have a par of three strokes.
What is the first section of a golf hole?
The first section of every hole consists of the teeing ground, or tee-box. There is typically more than one available box where a player places his ball, each one a different distance from the hole (and possibly with a different angle of approach to the green or fairway) to provide differing difficulty.
How many markers are there in a golf tee box?
Each tee box has two markers showing the bounds of the legal tee area. The teeing area spans the distance between the markers, and extends two-club lengths behind the markers. A golfer may play the ball standing outside the teeing area, but the ball itself must be placed and struck from within the area.
What is the farthest tee in golf?
White – Farther still, typically used by low-to-average-handicap men and low-handicap teenage boys. Black or Blue – The farthest tee from the hole and with the most exposure to any major hazards; typically used only during tournaments or by zero-handicap ("scratch") male players.
What is a dogleg left?
The hole is called a "dogleg left" if the hole angles leftwards, and a "dogleg right" if the hole angles rightwards. A hole's direction may bend twice, which is called a "double dogleg". Fairway and rough, Spur Valley Golf Course, Radium Hot Springs, Canada.
What is a golf course?
Aerial view of a golf course ( Golfplatz Wittenbeck at the Baltic Sea, Germany) 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".
How deep is a hole in a golf green?
The hole, or cup, is always found within the green and must have a diameter of 108 millimeters (4.25 in) and a depth of at least 10 centimeters (3.94 in). Its position on the green is not fixed and typically is changed daily by a greenskeeper in order to prevent excessive localized wear and damage to the turf.
How many holes are there in a regulation golf course?
Regulation golf courses comprise of 18 holes but vary in length. It’s common to see four short holes which are about 130-400 yards in length. Added are ten average holes that are 350-400 yards, and four longer holes of 450-550 yards distance between the holes.
How many yards are there in an 18 hole golf course?
Golf course length of 18-hole course ranges from 6,500 to 6,900 yards which is approximately 5,900 to 6,400 meters. Individual holes range from 100- 600 yards which are 90-550 meters.
Why is a par 3 golf course considered a par 3?
A hole is given a Par 3 ranking because the course designer believes a total of 3 strokes are definitely achievable with enough skill.
How much of a golf course is tees and greens?
5% of the total golf course is allotted to the most significant part of the golf course known as the tees and the greens. This area scales around 6 acres. After the main elements of the course are planned, the golf course should also account for the clubhouse, storage, and parking areas.
What is a golf course?
A golf course is a field or a ground in which the game of golf is played. The grounds enclose a series of holes each consisting of a ‘fairway’ surrounded by the green. The rough and several ‘hazards’ included in the out of play area, the greens and tees, occupy approximately 5% of the total space. Seemingly simple, golf courses vary not only in ...
What is rough golf?
Rough is an area that every golf player tries to avoid having their ball in. Only superintendents and the maintenance crew deal with the rough on a regular basis. It’s very important to maintain the roughs properly and in perfect condition.
How many miles does a golf course cover?
Average Golf Course Length in Miles. The golf course length on the PGA tour covers around 7,200 yards which is 4.09 miles. A PGA player on an average plays about 78 rounds in a year spanning 319 miles a season.
How big is a golf hole?
The oldest governing body for the game--the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews--set the dimensions at 4 1/4 inches in diameter and at least 4 inches deep. These became standardized measurements around the world when the R&A and the United States Golf Association agreed on the uniform size of the hole.
Why is it important to maintain a golf hole?
Maintenance. Because all golfers eventually end up around the hole on a green, creating a lot of play around the hole itself , maintenance of the golf hole has become important to course care. Greenskeepers have developed more advanced, sharper hole-cutters that help lift the 4 1/4-inch plug out of the ground and insert it in another hole.
What was the diameter of the first hole cutter?
The diameter of the pipe was 4 1/4 inches. But there is also evidence that in 1829 officials at the Royal Musselburgh Golf Club in Scotland invented the first known hole-cutter or hole-maker. It produced a hole 4 1/4 inches wide. Because of the tool's popular use, the size became uniform in clubs all over Scotland.
What is a hole cutter?
A hole-cutter produces a clean edge for the hole's perimeter. And inside the hole is a plastic cup or insert that holds the hole's structure in place, keeping the sandy soil from crumbling and eroding. This cup also promotes proper water drainage.
Should the golf hole be enlarged?
Over recent years, some golf analysts, teaching professionals, and game advocates have suggested the golf hole be enlarged for amateur players. They cite improvement in player performance and a speed-up in playing time.
Is the hole size the same in golf?
Golf Hole Dimensions. Early in the history of the game, golf holes were not all the same size. There's always been a desired final destination for the golf ball--the bottom of the hole. But the size of the hole, or cup, wasn't always the same on every course. There was no standardized size for the hole when golf became popular in ...

Why Does Golf Have 18 Holes?
- The earliest form of golf courseshad a different number of holes depending on the region, province, and country. These holes include 5, 7 and only a few had 12 holes respectively. One set of golfers stood proud amidst all and they were the St. Andrews’ Royal and Ancient Golf Club. Th…
How Long Are The 18 Holes?
- Playing 18 holes requires a minimum of 5hours and a maximum of 6. However, it could be more especially if the distance between the greens and tee box of the course is more. This would also increase the distance of travels per. The 9 hole round is more time-efficient with a minimum of 2.5 hours and 3.5 hours tops. This provides golfers with ample time to refresh themselves off the st…
What About 9-Hole Rounds
- The 9-hole round is prevalent amidst weekend golfers and players whose intention is to squeeze in a bit of practice between chores. But recently, as the competition spikes at the workplace, people relish spending 6 hours wrapped to the TV hoping their favorite golfer wins the tournament. With the current global recession, the golf industry has suffered many setbacks. Th…
Frequently Asked Questions
- Who Brought The 18 Hole Rule?
The Royal and Ancient Golf Club. These elicit men to change the rule rules of golf holes. They combined the 5, 7, 11, and 22 into 18 holes. This singular move brought standardization to the game of golf, making it possible to people of different states, provinces, and countries to play un… - Is There Other Holes Aside 18 Hole?
Absolutely Yes! Other holes exist in golf. In ancient times other holes such as 5, 7, 12, and 22 existed but recent standardization has made these holes obsolete leaving just 9 and 18 holes respectively.
How Many Holes in The Mini-Golf?
- Before knowing the hole’s number in the mini-golf course, we should understand what mini-golf means. Mini-golf is nothing but the miniature version of a golf green construct with artificial teeing surfaces. It is also known as miniature golf, mini-putt, putt-putt, goofy golf, or crazy golf. The mini-golf course design is almost the same as the standard golf course. Usually, these courses also h…
How Many Holes in Golf?
- In general, the traditional 18-hole courses have 18 golf holes for playing. These holes make throughout the greens, square or rectangular, depending on the structure’s size. Besides, all holes are not the same in length, and they are a mix of shorter and longer holes. This 18-hole rule is mainly followed for minimizing the travel distance while an ...
Why Are There 18-Holes on A Golf Course?
- We found that different clubs used various spots to complete a round of golf in the early history of golf. However, these changes in hole configurations made golf competitions and tournaments more challenging to set up. Many conferences and meetings called for improved golf links. Many discussions and meetings called for improved golf links after establishing The Royal & Ancient …
What About A 9-Hole Golf Course?
- For people who spend lots of time watching a golf tournament and are interested in spending leisure time with golf, a 9-hole course is a suitable place for them. However, the 9-hole rounds squeeze the scope of improving golf skills comparing a standard golf course. But it is pretty beneficial for learners who struggle to learn golf techniques and kids who start to play. Besides, …