
A "municipal golf course" is one that is owned by a city government (or some other level of government, such as a county or state). Cities typically operate municipal golf courses out of their parks departments, but sometimes outsource day-to-day management to an outside company. Golfers often shorten the term to "muni," as in "muni golf course."
How much land to build a golf course?
Although municipal golf courses may earn money, cities and counties typically do not have a profit motive. Their primary mission is to provide reasonably priced outdoor recreation for local...
What county has the most golf courses?
Municipal Course: When a golf course owned by a city has to be indicated, it is called a municipal golf course. In addition to this, a county-owned golf course is also termed as municipal course. Sometimes in abbreviated form, a municipal course is called Muni.
What is the most important part of a golf course?
The semi-private course is open to the public but also offers memberships for those who want to pay for priority tee times, reduced green fee rates and other perks which fit their appetite for golf. Charging higher green fees to the public than municipal courses, semi private courses are able to maintain the fairways, tees and greens to a ...
What is the best golf course?
What Is A Links Style Golf Course? Golfweek. Course A links golf course is the oldest style of course.The word “links” is derived from ancient Scotland and refers to an area along a coast that often includes sand dunes and few, if any, trees.One reason the game originated on this type of land was because it suited play. Course designers had limited resources for moving earth to …
Rates & Quality at Municipal Courses
What does that mean? What is a championship golf course? Oddly enough, according to About.com, the traditional meaning derived from golf facilities that have more than one golf course. These facilities might have had an 18-hole golf course and a 9-hole golf course.

What is the difference between public and municipal?
Ownership. Municipal courses are owned and/or managed by the city, town or county. Public courses are owned by individuals, real estate development companies, partnerships or corporations. Public courses may be owned by one entity and managed by another.
What are the two types of golf courses?
American Hole 'n One's BlogLinks 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. Desert courses are most common in the Middle East as well as the American southwest. ... Championship Courses. ... Parkland Courses. ... Par 3 Courses.
How many municipal golf courses are in the US?
The number of municipal facilities - not total courses but single facilities owned and/or operated by a government entity - grew from an all-time high of 2,492 in 2016 to 2,497 in 2017. That accounts for roughly 17 percent of total U.S. golf facilities (out of 14,794, according to the NGF's latest report).Jun 1, 2018
What does an executive golf course mean?
An "executive course" or "executive golf course" is a course that's shorter than a standard golf course in one or more respects. It has a lower par because it's usually comprised of more par-3 holes than are found on a typical golf course.Mar 28, 2019
What is a municipal golf course UK?
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.Apr 3, 2018
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
How do public golf courses make money?
The most common income streams are green fees, membership fees, pro shop sales, and food and beverage sales. While increasing membership fees or green fees might seem like a good way to increase revenue, it might put off more golfers than the additional income earned.
Can you make money owning a golf course?
Profitable golf courses are generally selling for six to eight times EBITDA, while courses that aren't profitable tend to sell at 0.8 to 1.4 times revenue.Dec 21, 2021
How many public golf courses are there in the United States?
15,014 — Number of regulation golf facilities. 3,670 private, 11,344 public.May 1, 2018
What is 9 holes of golf called?
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.
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 is the difference between a golf course and a links?
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.Feb 11, 2020
What are the differences between municipal courses and public courses?
Municipal courses also may offer only limited food and beverage options such as snacks and soft drinks to avoid the expense of operating a restaurant, while public courses are more likely to have full-service restaurants and more extensive golf shop merchandise. Municipal courses can have more upscale amenities, though, ...
Where are major golf championships played?
For example, Chambers Bay, a municipal layout near Tacoma, Washington, ...
What percentage of golf courses are open to the public?
According to the PGA of America and the World Golf Foundation, 80 percent of all golf rounds are played on courses that are open to the public, including municipal courses.
Do private golf courses require carts?
Municipal courses typically offer motorized cart rentals, but many do not require golfers to use carts. Public courses are more likely to require cart rental.
Who owns public golf courses?
Public courses are owned by individuals, real estate development companies, partnerships or corporations. Public courses may be owned by one entity and managed by another. For example, the two courses at Arizona's Talking Stick Golf Club were designed by Ben Crenshaw and Bill Coore, are owned by the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community ...
Do municipal golf courses make money?
Although municipal golf courses may earn money, cities and counties typically do not have a profit motive. Their primary mission is to provide reasonably priced outdoor recreation for local residents. Municipal courses use their revenue sources to pay for the maintenance of the course and facilities, including staff salaries.
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.
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.
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 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.
Does golf have a regulation field size?
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.
What is the term for the part of the golf club that strikes the golf ball at impact?
Clubface: The clubface is the part of the golf club which strikes the golf ball at impact.
What is the area around the putting green called?
Apron: The area which is neatly moved, especially around the putting green and between the putting surface and any kind of undulated ground surrounding the putting green is called apron . Army Golf: Army golf is a slang amongst the golf terms.
What is an approach course?
Approach Course: A golf course having short holes, may be a par 3 distance or shorter and falling short on designated teeing areas is called approach course. Approach Wedge: Another name for gap wedge, approach wedge is a name for a golf club which has a high loft.
What does the lip mean in golf?
The first means that around two inches above the level of sand, in a bunker, there is a rim of sod. This prevents the chance for a golfer to putt out of the bunker. The other meaning refers to the edge or rim of the hole or cup.
What is the golfer's decision making called?
Course Management: The golfer’s decision-making during a round of golf is called course management.
What is an alternate shot in golf?
Alternate Shot: This is basically a golf competition format , also called the Foursomes. Here, two-member teams hit the same ball alternately. Alternate Tees: A golf hole is said to have alternate tees when there are two different sets of tee boxes built on that same hole.
What is an albatross in golf?
Albatross is the common British golf term for double eagle. All Square: All square refers to a tied match as a result of the tied scores between the players. This is a must know amongst the terms in golf terms glossary. Alternate Fairway: A golf hole offering two fairways is referred to as having an alternate fairway.
What are the privileges of membership in a private golf club?
And the privileges of joining a private golf club are many: uncrowded and pristine courses, refined dining, social activities, highly personal service, and five-star amenities fit for the entire family.
What are the benefits of semi private golf courses?
Semi private courses might also offer a complimentary round of golf, no green fees at certain times/days, complimentary carts and driving range privileges.
Is the semi private golf course open to the public?
For those looking for a choice to get the best of both worlds, there is a hybrid, the semi-private golf course. The semi-private course is open to the public but also offers memberships for those who want to pay for priority tee times, reduced green fee rates and other perks which fit their appetite for golf.
Is Pebble Beach a public golf course?
From Pebble Beach to Bethpage Black, there are a number of public golf courses that buck the stereotype of overrun, overbooked municipal courses. More often than not, beginning golfers get their start on the nation’s public courses.
What does "championship golf course" mean?
What does that mean? What is a championship golf course? Oddly enough, according to About.com, the traditional meaning derived from golf facilities that have more than one golf course. These facilities might have had an 18-hole golf course and a 9-hole golf course.
Where is Keller Golf Club?
Keller Golf Club. Tucked away in St. Paul, some might find it surprising to learn that this municipal golf course played host to the 1932 and 1954 PGA Championships. The course also hosted PGA and LPGA Tour events until the 1970's.
Who won the 1959 PGA Championship?
In 1959, Minneapolis Golf Club hosted the PGA Championship, which was won by Bob Rosburg. Like Interlachen Country Club, Minneapolis Golf Club is a Donald Ross design and also hosted the 1950 U.S. Amateur.
Is there a standard for 18 hole golf?
Yet, no actual standard exists for what makes a golf course a championship course.
Is there a standard for a golf course?
Yet, no actual standard exists for what makes a golf course a championship course. On the other hand there are golf courses that have hosted major golf championships, which we believe is closer tied to what a championship golf course should embody.
Landscape Style
- Municipal golf courses are almost always open to any golfers who want to play. That separates muni courses from private golf clubs, which are typically members-only; and from semi-private courses, which might restrict times of play for the general public. Although open to all, a municip…
Length of Play
Course Access
Types of Golf Courses For You
- 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.