Such a hole is therefore called a par-3 . And every hole on a golf course is rated as either a par-3, a par-4 or a par-5 (par-6 holes also exist, but they are rare). A very good golfer — or a very lucky golfer — might complete a hole in fewer strokes than the par (called "under par").
What the term 'holed' means in golf?
Hole: In very easy terms, hole is where the golfers aim to putt the golf ball. This is a spot on the green where a flagstick can be seen and the turf has been chipped off to prepare that hole or cup. This is a spot on the green where a flagstick can be seen and the turf has been chipped off to prepare that hole or cup.
What is the hardest hole of golf in the world?
[Infographic] The Extreme 19th at the Legend Safari and Golf Resort in South Africa is recognized by many as the hardest hole of golf in the world. This par 3 tees off from the top of Hangklip Mountain and sees golfers hitting toward a green located 1,300 feet below.
What is the best shot in golf called?
- Double eagle: On a par-4, means you finished the hole in 1 stroke — a hole-in-one (very, very rare on par-4 holes)
- Eagle: You finished the hole in 2 strokes
- Birdie: You finished the hole in 3 strokes
- Par: You finished the hole in 4 strokes
- Bogey: You finished the hole in 5 strokes
- Double bogey: You finished the hole in 6 strokes
What percentage of golfers ever get a hole in one?
A hole in one is scored once every 3,500 golf rounds. Odds of making a hole in one is 1:3500. Only 1-2% of golfers score a hole in one during the year. Average years of playing is 24. Average handicap of golfers making hole in one is 14. Age group that makes the most holes in one is 50-59 (25%) and the next highiest is 40-49 (24%)
Do golf holes have names?
Think of the Master's this last weekend, “Amen Corner”, which is the 11th, 12th and 13th holes at Augusta National Golf Club, is one of the most famous series of holes in the world (and in an interesting twist, each individual hole has a name: 11 = White Dogwood; 12 = Golden Bell; and 13 = Azalea).
What are golf areas called?
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".
What are the different types of holes in golf?
Let's take a quick look at the four design styles for golf holes.The Redan. Perhaps one of the most widely used golf hole design styles, the Redan style comes from the 15th hole of Scotland's North Berwick Golf Links. ... Penal. Penal style golf holes are straight-forward in their design. ... Heroic. ... Strategic.
What are the three holes in golf called?
In golf, a "par-3 hole" is a hole on the golf course that has a par of three. Natch. OK, but what does that mean? In the par rating of golf holes—par 3, par 4 and par 5 are the usual ratings—the number is an estimate of how many strokes an expert golfer is expected to need to play that hole.
What is a hole in one called?
In golf, a hole in one or hole-in-one (also known as an ace, mostly in American English) occurs when a ball hit from a tee to start a hole finishes in the cup. A ball hit from a tee following a lost ball, out-of-bounds, or water hazard is not a hole-in-one due to the application of a stroke penalty.
What is the first hole of a golf course called?
teeIf you have finished playing all 18 holes you have played a round of golf. Each hole has a starting place, called a tee. This is a small area from which the golfer takes the first stroke or drive.
What is golf hole?
1. The point on the green where the flagstick stands and where turf and sod have been removed to create the "hole" into which the player putts. In other words, the hole is literally the hole in the putting green. The hole on the green is 4.25 inches in diameter and is at least four inches deep according to the rules.
What's a fairway in golf?
Definition of fairway 1a : a navigable part of a river, bay, or harbor. b : an open path or space. 2 : the closely mowed part of a golf course between a tee and a green.
What is the most famous hole in golf?
Golf's 18 Most Famous Holes (Front Nine)1st—Old Course (St. ... 2nd—Gamble Sands (Brewster, Wash.)3rd—Old Macdonald (Bandon, Ore.)4th—Spyglass Hill (Pebble Beach, Calif.)5th—Royal Melbourne, West Course (Black Rock, Victoria, Australia)6th—Riviera (Pacific Palisades, Calif.)7th—Pebble Beach (Pebble Beach, Calif.)More items...•
What is a hole in two called?
Double eagle: On a par-5, means you finished the hole in 2 strokes. Eagle: You finished the hole in 3 strokes. Birdie: You finished the hole in 4 strokes. Par: You finished the hole in 5 strokes.
Is a hole in one called an eagle?
Definition of an Eagle If you holed your ball in three shots on a par-5, that's considered an eagle. Another eagle would be if you holed your ball in two shots on a par-4. A hole-in-one on a par-3 is also considered an eagle, but is almost always referred to as a hole-in-one.
Why is it called bogey in golf?
The term 'bogey' comes from a song that was popular in the British Isles in the early 1890s, called "The Bogey Man" (later known as "The Colonel Bogey March"). The character of the song was an elusive figure who hid in the shadows: "I'm the Bogey Man, catch me if you can."
What is a hole in one called?
But a hole-in-one — knocking the ball in the hole with your first shot — is also called an " ace .". ( On a par-5 hole, making an ace means a golfer is 4-under on that hole and, yes, golfers have a term for that, too: condor .)
What is it called when you complete a hole in less strokes than the par?
A very good golfer — or a very lucky golfer — might complete a hole in fewer strokes than the par (called "under par "). And of course, most of us are not "experts" at golf, and so on most holes we'll need more strokes than the par (called "over par").
What is the highest par in golf?
A double eagle (very rare) is 3-under par (also called an " albatross "). A triple bogey is 3-over par. Given that a par-5 hole is the highest par most golfers will ever see, there is a limit to how far under par a golfer can go.
What does "par" mean in golf?
"Par" refers to the number of strokes an expert golfer is expected to need to complete the play of one hole on a golf course. Golf holes of different lengths will require more or fewer strokes by a golfer.
What is a birdie in golf?
They describe a golfer's performance on a hole in relation to the hole's par: A birdie is a score of 1-under par on a hole (for example, scoring 4 on a par-5). A bogey is 1-over par on a hole. An eagle is 2-under par on a hole. A double bogey is 2-over par on a hole.
How many strokes are required to play a 150 yard hole?
So a 150-yard hole is one on which the expert is expected to hit the green with his tee shot, take two putts, and, therefore, require three strokes to finish that hole. Such a hole is therefore called a par-3.
What does "double eagle" mean in golf?
Double eagle: On a par-5, means you finished the hole in 2 strokes. Eagle: You finished the hole in 3 strokes. Birdie: You finished the hole in 4 strokes. Par: You finished the hole in 5 strokes.
What does "hole" mean in golf?
The term "hole" has several meanings in a golf context. It can refer to the hole in the ground on the putting green; to the whole hole, from tee to green; or, used as a verb, "hole" or "to hole" means to get the golf ball into the hole on the green. That's the object of the game.
How deep is a hole in golf?
In other words, the hole is literally the hole in the putting green. The hole on the green is 4.25 inches in diameter and is at least four inches deep according to the rules. 2. One of the units of play on a golf course: That area from the teeing ground, down the fairway and to the putting green constitutes one hole.
How far down should a hole be in a putting green?
The lining must be sunk at least 1 inch (25.4 mm) below the putting green surface, unless the nature of the soil requires that it be closer to the surface. The word “hole” (when not used as a Definition in italics) is used throughout the Rules to mean the part of the course associated with a particular teeing area, putting green and hole. ...
Is "cup" a noun?
Also Known As: Cup is a synonym for hole as a noun in the No. 1 usage above.
What is a water hole in golf?
Water Hole: Any hole on a golf course that includes a water hazard on or alongside the hole (in a position where the water can come into play).
What is a cape hole?
Cape Hole: Today the term typically refers to a hole on a golf course that plays around a large, lateral hazard, and presents a risk-reward tee shot - the option of crossing part of that hazard (or playing around it). The fairway on a cape hole gently curves around the hazard, as opposed to the sharper dogleg style of hole.
What is the name of the grass that runs through a golf course?
Bermudagrasses have thicker blades than bentgrass, resulting in a grainier appearance to putting surfaces. Burn: A creek, stream or small river that runs through a golf course; the term is most common in Great Britain.
What is a bail out area?
Bail-Out Area: A landing area on a hole designed to provide a safer alternative to golfers who don't want to attempt the riskier play that some golfers will choose to make on that hole.
What grasses are used in golf courses?
Some examples of cool-season grasses cited by the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America include colonial bentgrass, creeping bentgrass, Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass, fine fescue and tall fescue.
What is a cart path?
Cart Path: The designated route around a golf course that riding golf carts are expected to follow. A cart path is usually paved in concrete or covered in some other surface (such as crushed stone), although some courses have more rudimentary cart paths - ones that are just trails worn down by traffic.
What does "course" mean in golf?
Course: The Rules of Golf define the "course" as "the entire area in which play is permitted." For a tour of common features on golf courses, see Meet the Golf Course .
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 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.
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.
How do you play golf?
When playing on an 18-hole course, each hole is played once; whereas, on a nine-hole course each hole can be played twice to complete a round. To begin a hole, players start by striking the ball off a tee. Playing the ball off a tee can only be used on the first shot of every hole although it is not required to use a tee on the first shot. Tees are a small wooden or plastic peg used to hold the ball up, so that when hit by the club the ball travels as far as possible.
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".
Why is turf important for golf courses?
Environmental concerns, along concerns with cost and human health, have led to research into more environmentally sound practices and turf grasses. Golf course superintendents are often trained in the uses of these practices and grasses. This has led to significant reduction in the amount of water and chemicals on courses. Golf course turf is an excellent filter for water and has been used in communities to cleanse grey water, such as incorporating them into bioswales .
What is a big dog in golf?
Big Dog – A Driver. Bite – A term used by golfers for a golf ball to stop rolling. Bladed Shot – A chip shot from just off the green purposely hit with the bottom of the club. Played often from when the ball rests against the collar of the green. Runs like a putt.
Where does the center shaft come from on a golf putter?
Centre Shaft – Shaft comes out of the center of the putter head.
What is a baseball grip?
Baseball Grip – A type of grip that resembles a baseball bat grip. Others might call it a 10-finger grip. Below the Hole – A term that refers to a putt where the hole is at a higher elevation than the ball. Big Dog – A Driver. Bite – A term used by golfers for a golf ball to stop rolling.
Why is backspin important in golf?
It is important for distance and accuracy. Backspin – Spin is very important in most aspects golf and you will often come across the term when comparing clubs or in golfing instructions. Simply put, more backspin will give you a high ball with a fair amount of control.
What is an ace in golf?
Ace – Otherwise known as a hole in one an ace is when the ball finds the hole from the tee in a single stoke. It is the dream of many golfers.
What is bump and run golf?
Bump and Run – A chip shot around the green involving a low lofted iron. This type of chip is great for a large part of the green to work with.
What is the center of gravity in golf?
Center of Gravity – While this term can also be used to talk about a player it is generally related to the design and balancing of the golf club. To keep the concept simple, the farther back and lower the center of gravity (CG), the higher the trajectory will be according to the loft angle. This will give golfers an easier launch that generally has good backspin. Low handicap players do not need this advantage as much and tend to prefer a progressive CG with a higher CG on the longer irons.
Where does the term ‘golf’ come from?
Many believe it is derived from the Scots-language word “goulf”.
What is an ace in golf?
An “ace” is one of the most coveted accomplishments in the golf. It is simply an alternate golf term for “ hole-in-one “, which is when a player needs only one shot to get his ball in the hole. Virtually all “aces” or “holes-in-one” occur on par 3s. That’s because all players are expected to reach the green on par 3s with their tee shot ...
What does ‘mulligan’ mean in golf?
A mulligan is a golf term that only applies to recreational golfers. Sometimes (and sometimes often) amateur players will hit a poor drive on the 1st hole, whether it is due to nerves or failing to warm up properly. Rather than start off on a bad note, golfers in casual games will sometimes “take a mulligan” and re-play their first shot with a new ball without counting the original bad shot.
What is a forecaddie in golf?
Some think it comes from the golf term “forecaddie”, which is a person that stands in a forward position on each golf hole to pinpoint where the players’ balls go. “Forecaddies” are often in the line of fire and need to be warned when a ball is flying toward them.
Where are links golf courses located?
Links courses are also usually located on ocean coasts, where strong, changing winds play a major factor. “Links” golf courses began in Scotland with the very first golf courses ever built.
What is a par? A birdie? A bogey?
Let’s start simply with the golf terms “par”, “birdie” and “bogey”. All three of these golf terms refer to scoring.
What is a stroke in golf?
Golf Scoring Terms Explained. Stroke - In golf, a "Stroke" is any forward club swing, including when putting, that a golfer is trying to hit the ball. You can essentially use "Stroke" as a synonym for a shot/putt, but keep in mind that it also includes "whiffs" if you miss the ball when trying to hit it. Par - " Par " is the number of strokes that ...
What hole do you put an aces on?
When aces do occur, it's almost always on a par-3 hole, though hole-in-ones have been accomplished on par-4 and even par-5 holes.
What does "under par" mean in golf?
Under Par - The term "under par" describe a player's score when they've taken fewer strokes than par up to a given point of the golf course.
What is the main determining factor in a hole's par rating?
Distance, or more specifically "effective distance" (the distance a hole plays after accounting for whether it's uphill/downhill, its elevation, etc.), is the main determining factor in a hole's par rating.
How many condors are there in the PGA?
Only four condors have been recorded in PGA history. Generally, the only way to accomplish a condor is to massively "cut off" a "dogleg" par-5 golf hole for a hole-in-one. Hole-in-One / Ace - A "Hole-in-One" or "Ace" occurs when a golfer hits their first shot into the hole (cup), completing the hole in just one stroke.
What is double bogey?
Double Bogey - A " Double Bogey" is when a golfer scores two strokes OVER par. Ex: 6 strokes on a par-4 hole.
What is the MyGolfSpy app?
MyGolfSpy and TheGrint (a Golf GPS and Golf Handicapping App) analyzed how often users of TheGrint made par, birdie or better, bogey, double bogey, and triple bogey or worse.
How many holes are in a championship golf course?
Most of the time a club saying they have a “Championship Course” doesn’t mean much other than it is 18 holes, fairly long and fairly tough. The phrase “championship” is often used to distinguish courses if a club has more than one to choose from.
What is links golf?
When most people think of links-style golf, they are picturing golf that can be played along the ground with lots of undulation, plenty of dunes and little to no trees. These courses also usually feature pot bunkers as opposed to the larger sprawling American-style bunkers.
What golf courses are in Bandon Dunes?
Some of these courses include The Old Course at St. Andrews, Royal Troon, Lahinch, and several of the courses at Bandon Dunes golf resort. The 18th hole at the Old Course at St. Andrews. But this doesn’t tell the whole story.
What is the best golf course in Britain?
The terrain is often undulating in a similar way to links and the sandy soil is similar as well. Many of the best courses in Britain are heathland courses, including Woking Golf Club, Sunningdale Golf Club, and Alwoodley Golf Club. Woking Golf Club in the UK. Woking Golf Club.
What is the most famous parkland course in the world?
Augusta National is among the most famous parkland courses in the world.
What is a beginner's guide to golf course design?
Welcome to A Beginner’s Guide to Golf Course Design, where we’ll dig into the history, design and meaning of golf course architecture terms you’ve probably heard before but might not fully understand. We’ll explain all of the above, and better yet, teach you how to identify these features and plan your attack for the next time you see one, saving you strokes along the way. In this installment, we’re breaking down the different types of golf courses.
Where is the Sandbelt Course?
Sandbelt course. The sandbelt region in Australia is home to some of the most cherished courses in the world, though they can get lost in the shuffle due to their location. The sandbelt region is just outside of Melbourne, Australia and is home to several of the world’s finest courses.

Overview
Features
The game of golf is played in what is called a "round". This consists of playing a set number of holes in an order predetermined by the course. When playing on an 18-hole course, each hole is played once; whereas, on a nine-hole course each hole can be played twice to complete a round. To begin a hole, players start by striking the ball off a tee. Playing the ball off a tee can only be used o…
Design
Although a specialty within landscape design or landscape architecture, golf course architecture is considered a separate field of study. Some golf course architects become celebrities in their own right, such as Robert Trent Jones, Jr.; others are professional golfers of high standing and demonstrated appreciation for golf course composition, such as Jack Nicklaus. The field is partially repres…
Types
Links is a Scottish term, from the Old English word hlinc : "rising ground, ridge", describing coastal sand dunes and sometimes similar areas inland. It is on links land near the towns of central eastern Scotland that golf has been played since the 15th century.
The shallow top soil and sandy subsoil made links land unsuitable for the culti…
Ownership and management
See also: Golf course superintendent, Greenskeeper, Turf management § Golf courses, Equipment manager § Golf, and Groundskeeping
There are three main categories of ownership and management of a golf course: private, commercial, and municipal.
A private course is owned and managed by a golf club on behalf of its members, on a non-profit …
Environmental impact
Environmental concerns over the use of land for golf courses have grown since the 1960s. Specific issues include the amount of water required for irrigation and the use of chemical pesticides and fertilizers in maintenance, as well as the destruction of wetlands and other environmentally important areas during construction. The United Nations estimates that, worldwide, golf courses cons…
See also
• List of golf course architects
External links
• USGA Course Rating Primer at the website of the United States Golf Association