
Here are the 6 different types of golf courses, explained
- Links course. First up is the most famous type of golf course, the links course. ...
- Parkland course. Parkland courses are built inland, away from the ocean. ...
- Heathland course. ...
- Sandbelt course. ...
- Stadium/Championship course. ...
- Par-3 course. ...
Full Answer
What are the different styles of golf courses?
May 31, 2020 · Here are the 6 different types of golf courses, explained Links course. First up is the most famous type of golf course, the links course. The term derives from the Old English... Parkland course. Parkland courses are built inland, away from the ocean. These courses often feature lots of trees ...
What is the best golf course?
Types of Golf Courses: Links, Parkland and Desert There are three main types of golf courses found around the world. Links, parkland and desert golf courses are commonly found, but each is very different. In addition, all three are found in very different places.
What are the different types of golf clubs available?
Sep 22, 2015 · The variety of golf courses provides golfers with a unique experience every time. In this post, we are going to take a look at different types of golf courses around the world. Parkland Courses; The most common style in the United States, parkland golf courses are characterized by “lush, well-kept fairways, mature trees, thick rough and bunkers.”
Where can I find list of golf courses?
There are a 3 main types of golf coursesthat vary in landscape and design. These include the typically Scottish ‘Links course’, the ‘Parkland course’ and the ‘Desert course’. Links courses: these are courses often found in the UK. These types of golf coursesare located on the sand and grass between the farmland land and the coast.

What are the various types of golf courses?
Most American courses fall into one of three main types.Links 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...•Apr 3, 2018
What is the difference between a links golf course and a regular golf course?
Another major difference between links and parkland is the openness of the course. Links are wide open without trees lining fairways. There is also a lack of water hazards. It is often said that links courses are far more difficult for golfers to play due to the layout of the course.
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.Aug 31, 2019
What are the four course types in golf?
Here are a few types of courses you should add to your golf bucket list to play in the future.Links Courses. Many golf courses claim to be a links course in their name or title, as it sounds trendy, and most people have heard the term. ... Desert Courses. ... Championship Courses. ... Parkland Courses. ... Par 3 Courses.
What is a golf course with no trees called?
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.May 31, 2020
What is the toughest hole in golf?
The toughest holes on the PGA Tour during the 2019-'20 seasonNinth hole, TPC Harding Park, 515 yards, par 4.Sixth hole, PGA National (Champions Course), 479 yards, par 4. ... 16th hole, El Camaleón Golf Club, 515 yards, par 4. ... Ninth hole, Monterey Peninsula Country Club (Shore Course), 223 yards, par 3. ... More items...•Dec 26, 2020
What is the golden rule of golf?
Play the ball as it lies. Don't move, bend, or break anything growing or fixed, except in fairly taking your stance or swing. Don't press anything down. You may lift natural objects not fixed or growing, except in a water hazard or bunker.Nov 27, 2011
What is the difference between a 4 and 7 iron golf?
As Golf.com's Jonathan Wall explains, a 7-wood aids you in getting the ball in the air and traveling to achieve consistent distance. Plus, it lands softly into greens where needed. Even if you do not strike your ball in the sweet spot, you will still enjoy moderate carry and distance. A 4-iron delivers a lower launch.
What is the long grass on a golf course called?
Golf course fescue is usually grown in the second cut of rough or beyond (such as in unmowed native areas). When golfers think of fescue, they picture a sturdy grass that turns golden and can grow three feet high. It may also be used as an ornamental grass to frame a feature like a bunker.Apr 17, 2018
What makes a golf course beautiful?
Tee locations, green sizes, depth of bunkers, turf types and water hazards provide the personality of a golf course. That personality is the result of the architect's vision. Generally, golfers can sense the atmosphere of the golf course or feel the dread of a hazard but rarely understand why.
What is double fairways continuous?
Double Fairway Continuous. The double fairway continuous 18-hole course uses approximately 150 acres, offers 25,000 feet of lot frontage, and requires a minimum width of 500 feet between developed areas. It uses one-sixth less land a single fairway course. The double fairways mean the layout is less flexible.
What par means in golf?
For golf purposes, the USGA defined "par" as, "the score that an expert player would be expected to make for a given hole. Par means expert play under ordinary weather conditions, allowing two strokes on the putting green."Feb 27, 2018
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 natural clay underlay?
Natural clay underlay means weather can make the ground unplayable more easily than links courses – if the rain has affected the ground you’re about to play on, ensure you’re informed on tips to maintaining a good game! There may be potentially less roll, especially in bad weather conditions. 3. Desert Courses.
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’.
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.
What is the purpose of tall trees in golf?
Tall trees are an integral part of the challenge of a Parkland golf course,and the intention to imitate beautiful gardens means they’re often well-manicured and taken care of. However, players should be wary of certain pitfalls in this type of golf terrain:
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:
What is a par 3 golf course?
Par 3 courses are designed where all of the holes on the course are par three holes. This type, of course, will be shorter than an executive course and will be even faster to play.
What are the best features of link golf courses?
The best features of link courses are the large, slow greens and the fast, firm fairways. Another unique feature of these types of courses is that the rough and fairway aren’t watered but are instead watered by nature. These also often feature large, deep bunkers, and this type of golf was first developed in Scotland.
Why are parkland courses called parkland courses?
They are fast greens that are mostly located in inland regions. They are named parkland courses because the setting is so park-like. These are the types of courses that most PGA tour courses are played on and a good example of the type of golf course you can expect if you choose to play on a parkland course.
What is the standard size of a golf course?
The size refers to the number of holes, where the standard is 18, and the types of holes the golf course offers. Types of holes usually include a mix of par 3, par 4, and par-five holes. Below, we will go into the different types of golf courses by size.
What is semi private golf?
Semi-private courses allow the public to play their greens, but they also offer memberships as well. Golfers who have memberships often receive certain perks, such as the best greens, the best times, and hefty discounts, and often access to the club’s other perks and amenities as well.
How many holes are there in a 9 hole golf course?
A 9-hole course is just what it sounds like, a course with nine holes, most of them being par four holes. It also features a few pars three and par-five holes, but not as many, and is nine holes, so it is shorter in length.
What is municipal golf course?
A municipal course is a course that is run by the county or the city so that the town’s residents have a place to go play. These types of golf courses are open to local residents and out-of-towners alike.
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 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.
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.
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.
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 is a link course?
There are three main types of courses when grouping by setting and/or design: Links course: A links course is one built on a sandy coastline that is open to the wind with few or no trees, but with plenty of tall coastal grasses.
What is a semi private golf course?
Semi-private courses: A semi-private course is one that both sells memberships and allows non-members to play. Those purchasing memberships might receive preferential tees times and discounted green fees, or access to other club amenities or perks.
What is a parkland course?
A manicured golf course with careful landscaping and an abundance of green grass and trees is usually known as a parkland course. The land is more tailored, so fairways are typically smooth. Unlike links courses, which are, by definition, found in coastal areas, parkland courses are often far from the shore.
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.
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 ...
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 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 municipal golf?
Municipal Course. Golf facilities that are owned by a city or other municipality are known as municipal courses. You pay a fee each time that you visit one of these courses. Sometimes, these are the cheapest pay-as-you-go courses, but fees may be different for residents and non-residents.
Why are links courses so difficult to play?
There is also a lack of water hazards. It is often said that links courses are far more difficult for golfers to play due to the layout of the course. There is also a wind element that blows the ball around and can cause scores to climb during a golf tournament.
What is the difference between a parkland and a links golf course?
In addition, players may hit shots uphill or downhill toward the green. Another major difference between links and parkland is the openness of the course.
What is links golf?
According to the BBC: “links courses are all about being one with nature”. It is this attempt to be one with nature that gives the look and feel of the course. The links’ look is very natural and golfers play to the contours of the land.
What is the most famous parkland course in the world?
Perhaps the most famous parkland course in the world is Augusta National. Augusta is a perfect example of the style and golf fans can see the parkland course type at every Masters tournament.
Where are links golf courses?
Links golf course. Links golf courses were first found in Scotland. The country is regarded as the ‘home of golf’, and the first courses were all links style courses. Links courses are seen all over Scotland and there are many more around the world. In the United States, Pebble Beach is classed as a links course.
Where are desert golf courses located?
The only grass found on this type of course is on the tee box, fairways and putting greens. These courses are mostly found in the American southwest and in the Middle East.
Where is Pebble Beach?
Pebble Beach, which is located in California, overlooks the Pacific Ocean. The coastal location helps to create the hills, ridges and fairways. Golfers on a links course will play on sandy terrain that receives plenty of wind blowing off of the ocean.
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.
Most Popular Types of Grass Commonly Used on Golf Courses
Below we introduce you to five of the most commonly used types of grass on golf courses around the world and explain their benefits and what conditions they’re best suited to.
FAQS: Grass and Golf Courses
Adding sand to golf course grass is a process known as ‘topdressing’ and is vital to the healthy growth of the grass across the course.
Location and Course Grass Explained
The type of grass used at a particular golf course largely depends on its location.
Why does turf grass need to be tall?
Here are the reasons why. Turf grasses need to withstand the cold or heat prevalent in the region: one of the major characteristics your turf grass needs to have is to withstand the prevalent temperature in that region. Be it cold or heat. It needs to stand still tall when this temperature hits.
What is perennial rye grass?
Perennial ryegrass is one of the most popular cool-season turf grasses around . It is usually planted on tees and fairways of golf courses. It has a fine texture like the fescue grass.
What is fescue grass?
Fescue grass is a cool-season grass that can withstand colder temperatures and some degree of heat. This makes it an attractive golf course grass for moderate regions experiencing both worlds. Fescue grass can also be used on fairways and has a good feel and look to it.
What type of grass is used in golf courses?
1. Bermuda Grass for Golf Course. It is befitting to mention this turf grass type first as it one of the most popular grasses used in golf courses. Bermuda is a warm-season grass and, as such, is used majorly in warm areas that typically reach temperatures unconducive for several kinds of grass.
What is golf course grass?
Golf course grass is commonly known as turf grass, and the grass types used differ from region to region by their ability to withstand both cold and heat. Turf grass differs from the regular lawn grass you may find in homes. Although some grasses used in home lawns can be used in golf courses.
What is the best grass for golf?
5. Zoysia Grass for Golf Course. Zoysia is a native Asian grass but has been in the US for more than a century and has become a popular golf course grass in that time. It is a warm-season grass best suited to warmer climes. This is a creeping heat and drought tolerant grass that will save you a lot on irrigation.
Why is grass important in golf?
Golf courses give a lot of us the ambiance to relax, play the game, and have a swell time, even with friends and family. Apart from a vast expanse of land, of course, the grass is the next biggest and arguably most important part of a golf course. Not only is it needed to cover most of the vast land, the type of grass determines the level ...

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...
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 …
Landscape Style
Length of Play
- Unlike many sports, golf does not have a regulation field size. Differing hole lengths and challenges on each course mean that it takes less time to play some courses than others.
Course Access
- There is a fee to play at pretty much any golf course. However, some courses charge you each time you visit while others offer the opportunity to pay upfront for continual access to the facilities.
Types of Golf Courses For You
- Golfers are as varied as the different types of golf courses. 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.