Full Answer
What are the oldest golf courses?
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. Considering golf has been around since the 15th Century, some might consider the design ancient. Yet, links golf courses have stood the test of time and are still played on today.
What are the different types of golf courses?
1 Links course. First up is the most famous type of golf course, the links course. The term derives from the Old English word hlinc meaning rising ... 2 Parkland course. 3 Heathland course. 4 Sandbelt course. 5 Stadium/Championship course. More items
What are the characteristics of a golf course?
Links courses generally feature large, slow greens and firm, fast fairways; the rough and even the fairways might not be watered except by nature, and the golfer has the option to run his ball along the ground up onto the green. There are often large and deep bunkers. Golf first developed on the links of Scotland.
What is a “regular” golf course?
A “regular” or “woodland” golf course is commonly referred to as a parkland golf course. The main differences are that a parkland golf course is heavily developed by an architect and not as natural as a links golf course. The fairways tend to be more forgiving and flatter when compared to the rolling fairways on a links golf course.
What are the different types of golf course?
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 three different 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...•
What is an American style golf course?
Regular golf, or sometimes referred to as American golf, usually refers to courses that are well manicured with green fairways and lots of trees.
What makes a links style course?
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 does TPC mean in golf?
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. In the case of TPC Danzante Bay, we are licensed to use this designation and as the only TPC golf course in Mexico, have very special status.
What type of golf course is St Andrews?
St Andrews LinksClub informationTypePublicOperated bySt Andrews Links TrustTournaments hostedThe Open Championship Alfred Dunhill Links Championship St Andrews Links TrophyOld Course32 more rows
What is a lynx style golf course?
A links golf course is the oldest style of golf course, first developed in Scotland. The word comes from the Scots language and refers to an area of coastal sand dunes, and also sometimes to open parkland.
Is Augusta a links course?
MacKenzie and Bobby Jones, both having studied the Old Course, created Augusta National on the links principle of giving players options.
Why are links golf courses so called?
Well you may have noticed from above that the game of golf originated on the coast of Scotland – this in turn brought the term links. The word itself has actually evolved from the Old English word 'hlinc' – meaning ridge or rising ground. This described the type of hilly land found in the coastal regions of the UK.
Is Pebble Beach a true links course?
In fact, less than 1% of all the golf layouts in the world would be defined as “true links,” with just a handful in the U.S. Many of the most famous American golf destinations – including Pebble Beach, Whistling Straits and the Ocean Course at Kiawah Island – are links-style courses.
Is Whistling Straits a links course?
Whistling Straits is one of two 36-hole links-style golf courses associated with Destination Kohler, a luxury golf resort owned and operated by the Kohler Company in Kohler, Wisconsin.
Why do golf courses have 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.
How many different types of golf are there?
There are two basic forms of golf play, match play and stroke play. Stroke play is more popular.
Is Augusta a links course?
MacKenzie and Bobby Jones, both having studied the Old Course, created Augusta National on the links principle of giving players options.
What are short golf courses called?
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.
Why is it called an executive golf course?
If you're wondering where the name comes from, the term “executive course” is actually from corporate America. Executives love to play golf but busy schedules make playing a two and a half hour round out of the question.
When did golf courses start?
Links History. In Scotland, where golf is believed to have originated in the 15th century, the first courses were developed on stretches of land known as links. Farmers deemed these coastal lands useless because of the sandy soil, so golf course designers began to make use of them. There are a number of true links courses still open ...
Why are links golf courses called links?
One reason the game originated on this type of land was because it suited play. Course designers had limited resources for moving earth to shape a course. Many modern links-style courses are not necessarily coastal and have been shaped to take on traditional links characteristics.
What are the characteristics of a links course?
A links course is along the sea, consists of sandy soil and has little vegetation other than tall sea grasses and gorse, a hearty low-growing evergreen plant. The natural terrain is used to develop the golf holes. Many of the bunkers were once natural windswept dunes. The layout of the holes is also part ...
Why is golf played closer to the ground?
Generally, the game is played closer to the ground. Since the terrain on a links course is naturally firm , players employ more bump-and-run shots. Putting from close off the green is also encouraged. And keeping your ball flight low helps to lessen the effects the usually brisk coastal winds have on your ball flight.
Which country has the most links golf courses?
Andrews. Ireland, Wales and England also have true links courses, but Scotland is believed to have the most.
What are the most famous links courses in the world?
St. Andrews, Royal Troon, and Royal Dornach are considered three of Scotland's most famous and most traditional links courses. In Ireland, there are also traditional links, including Waterville, Ballybunion and Lahinch. The United States also has several famous links courses. One of them is the highly ranked Pebble Beach. Sinnecock Hills in New York and Bandon Dunes in Oregon are also traditional links.
What is the most famous golf course in England?
Heathland Golf Courses are another style typically found in England. The most famous of them all is Sunningdale Golf Club. Other examples include The Berkshire and Walton Heath. In a way, they are like inland Links Golf Courses due to their brownish colour, gorse bushes and sandy soil. They may lack the same wind levels of links golf, but you will have much tighter fairways and many more trees to navigate.
What is an executive golf course?
Executive Golf Courses consist exclusively of par-3 holes. That does not mean they are ‘ pitch and putt ’ courses. Many of them consist of full-length par-3 holes. Nor does it mean they are guaranteed to be easy, some executive golf courses are more challenging than their traditional full-length counterparts.
What is Parkland Golf Course?
A Parkland Golf Course is the opposite of a Links Golf Course. While Links’ are built on the coasts and blend into the wild terrain, a Parkland course is built inland and is clearly maintained by man.
Is there a golf course in the desert?
It should come as no surprise to learn that Desert Golf Courses are built … in the desert! If Parkland Golf Courses are artificial, well, Desert Golf Courses take it up a notch. But in a good way, they are like a beautiful lush green oasis in a sea of yellow and white sand.
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.
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.
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.
Why are links golf courses so difficult to play?
Due to the lack of human modification of a links golf course, golfers may experience far more difficult shots.
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.
Why does the score climb in a golf tournament?
There is also a wind element that blows the ball around and can cause scores to climb during a golf tournament.
How to contact College of Golf?
If you want to learn even more about the history of golf and how to get started with a career in golf, contact College of Golf today at 888.355.4465 / 561.478.5500.
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.
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.
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 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 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 ...
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.
The Famous Three Styles of Golf Course
- Links Golf Courses
This is truly the original style of golf course. Whenever you play a Links Golf Course, you play golf as it was invented to be played. To qualify as a Links Golf Course, it must be located within sight or sound of the sea. Golf links have open layouts with very few trees, rolling undulating landscap… - Parkland Golf Courses
A Parkland Golf Course is the opposite of a Links Golf Course. While Links’ are built on the coasts and blend into the wild terrain, a Parkland course is built inland and is clearly maintained by man. Playing a Parkland Golf Course will feel like you are playing golf in a park. They have lush, green, …
Some Lesser-Known Styles
- It is important to note that some of the courses fitting these styles are often hybrids. For example, one can argue that Pinehurst Number 2or even Augusta National are both Parkland and Woodland/Forest Golf Courses.
Heathland Golf Courses
- Heathland Golf Courses are another style typically found in England. The most famous of them all is Sunningdale Golf Club. Other examples include The Berkshire and Walton Heath. In a way, they are like inland Links Golf Courses due to their brownish colour, gorse bushes and sandy soil. They may lack the same wind levels of links golf, but you will have much tighter fairways and many m…
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. Considering golf has been around since the 15th Century, some might ...
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. Heathland golf courses are inland, away from the sea. One of the biggest differences this …
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. If the land is flat, architects can get a bit more creative, but the course is still flat. While links and othe…
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. If you’re playing a desert course, goal number one is to have fun. Just kidding, it’s to stay on the grass and off the sand. Keep yourself on the grass and …
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. Championship golf courses have a variety of definitions. To help with your understanding of the basic types of golf courses, we’ll walk you thr…
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 one distinction to make between the two, pitc…
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. When this type of course began popping up, it was through …
What Are Most Pro Courses?
- Nearly all professional golf tournaments are held at links or heartland courses. Besides being the oldest and most common types, these courses are tweaked to be a tougher test of player ability. With only the rarest of exceptions, any time you watch a pro tournament in Europe, it will be on a links course. Watch the players tee off in the United States and the ratio is a bit different. If it’s cl…
Golf and The Occupied Environment
- As you can see, types of golf courses are more than if it’s 9 or 18 holes. Much of what determines the type of course is the environment around it. Unlike sports with standard courts, fields, and tracks, golf has more freedom. Every time you step onto the first tee of a course, you get something different. Much like no two rounds are ever the same, no two courses are the same. F…
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: There really is no dedicated name, no special la…
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 co...