
Full Answer
How many golf courses are there in the US?
With such a large number of golf courses throughout the world, you can assume that the US has a very large number of courses for golfers to pick from. The quick answer to “how many golf courses are in the US?” is around 15,500.
How many acres is a golf course?
The average size of a golf course is between 100 and 190 acres. This measurement includes area for the club house, driving range and practice greens. Smaller golf courses will instead be around 70 acres (28.3 hectares). Reports from the GCSAA reveal that a 100-110 acres golf course is ideal for an 18-hole golf course.
What is the average slope of a golf course?
The value is between 55 and 155, and the average standard slope number ranges from 113 to 120. The higher the slope number, the more difficult the golf course is for average golfers. USGA introduced the slope rating measurement in the 1980s as a system of fairness directed to bogey players.
How much of a golf course is the driving range?
6% of the golf course is usually reserved for the driving range on a golf course. The average size of a driving range occupies approximately 7.1 acres of the total golf course. In smaller golf courses where space is limited, the driving range is not feasible and is left out.

What is the average of a golf course?
The average golf course is approximately 6600 yards long (3.75 miles or 6 kilometers) made up of Par-3, 4 and 5's, with a varying number of each depending on the course.
How many holes does the average golf course have?
18 holesA regulation golf course usually consists of 18 holes of varied length. There are generally four short holes, 130 to 200 yards (par 3); ten average holes 350 to 400 yards (par 4); and four long holes 450 to 550 yards (par 5).
How many golf courses are 18 holes in the US?
That's just over half the amount in the USA which is home to a whopping 16,752, 43% of the world's supply. In second place in Europe is Germany, with a total below half of that in England, at 1,050 golf courses. France are 3rd with 804, Sweden 4th with 662 and Scotland in 5th with 614 golf courses.
How many acres is needed for a golf course?
“This means an 18-hole course of all short par 3s could be built on as little as 30 acres, while an intermediate length or executive course of 18 holes of par 3s and 4s would require 75-100 acres, and a full size par 72 course would need 120-200 acres.
How many holes do most golf courses have?
18 holesThose are the broad strokes of how a typical golf course came to have 18 holes. Sadly, as Snopes confirmed, the number has nothing to do with how many shots are in a bottle of Scotch—though that makes for a much more fun story.
How many acres is a typical 18-hole golf course?
150 acresAt the individual level, an average 18-hole golf course covers 150 acres, approximately 100 (67 percent) of which is maintained turfgrass. This area is predominantly comprised of rough (51 acres) and fairways (30 acres).
What is the #1 golf course in America?
1. Pine Valley Golf Course, New Jersey. This golf course was designed in 1918 by George Crump and H.S. Colt, and it has been on the top 100 golf courses in the country for multiple years.
What is the #1 golf course in the world?
1 [1] ROYAL COUNTY DOWN G.C. (CHAMPIONSHIP) On a clear spring day, with Dundrum Bay to the east, the Mountains of Mourne to the south and gorse-covered dunes in golden bloom, there is no lovelier place in golf.
Which state has most golf courses?
States With The Most Golf Courses in the USAFlorida. Number of Golf Courses in the State of Florida: 1,250. ... 2. California. Number of Golf Courses in the State of California: 921. ... Texas. Number of Golf Courses in the State of Texas: 907. ... New York. Number of Golf Courses in the State of New York: 832. ... Michigan.
How many acres is Augusta golf course?
345-acreSince 1934, once a year in the spring, eyes around the world focus on a 345-acre plot of grass, trees and greenery in Augusta, Georgia.
Are golf courses bad for the environment?
Environmentalists argue that golf course land is not only a waste of space, but also harbors harmful impacts to the earth and environment, such as pesticide use. This negative impact occurs by using large quantities of water and destroying habitats for wildlife species.
How much water do golf courses use?
In California, an average 18-hole golf course sprawls over 110 to 115 acres and conservatively uses almost 90 million gallons of water per year, enough to fill 136 Olympic-size swimming pools, said Mike Huck, a water management consultant who works with golf courses statewide.
How long does it take to golf 18 holes?
There are tons of factors that go into it, but an average round is 4 hours and 30 minutes. A longer round of golf is considered slow day. A shorter round of golf means a good pace of play. Slow play ruins a round of golf.
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.
How many par 4 holes does a golf course have?
Number of Par-4 Holes on a Golf Course But most commonly, the breakdown is four par-3 holes and four par-5 holes, with the other 10 holes being par-4s.
How many holes do they play in the PGA?
72-holeExplaining How Many Golfers Make the Cut on the PGA Tour PGA Tour events are 72-hole tournaments, with 18 holes played per day. So, barring delays due to poor weather, the 36-hole cut takes place following completion of the second round.
Why is the number of golf courses changing?
This number is always changing due to renovations, closings, and new golf courses that are coming onto the scene. It’s tough to really get a definite number for this since there are a lot of golf courses that are private and very under the radar in the US.
What is the best golf course in the United States?
The great thing is that the best golf courses in the United States such as Augusta National, Pebble Beach, and many more are as popular as ever. You still will not find any problem finding an incredible golf course to play.
Which state has the most golf courses?
The state with the most golf courses is actually Florida. It is a general rule that the warmer a state’s climate, the more golf courses it has. Also, the population of the state plays a major role in that as well. States like New Mexico have a climate for golf, but the population is small, so it does not have the same number as Florida.
Does New Mexico have a golf course?
States like New Mexico have a climate for golf, but the population is small, so it does not have the same number as Florida. Hopefully, the warmer climate states will continue to grow the game and increase how many golf courses are in the US.
Which country is the best for golf?
The United States is one of the best countries in the world to play golf, and that means that there is a large number of golf courses.
Who is Nick Lomas?
Nick Lomas is the founder of GolfSpan, an avid golfer, not quite a pro but has over 15-years of experience playing and coaching golfers from all over the world. His mission is to bring the golfing community a better experience then it comes to choosing the right golf gear, and finding the right set up for your game.
Is golf dying in the US?
The sad news for golf fans is that the number is actually declining. That does not mean that the game of golf is dying in the States, but it does mean that a lot of golf courses are failing in certain areas. The number of golf courses in the US is on a general decline but it is likely not going to be that noticeable for a long time.
How many acres are there in a golf course?
The typical number of acres for an average golf course is 160 acres . The 160 acres number includes a small area for a practice area and a small clubhouse. The average number of acres that a golf course has can range all the way from 120 acres to 200 acres.
How does difficulty affect golf?
Difficulty- the level of difficulty can affect the acres in a golf course because of the doglegs and unique course additions can add or subtract area. Practice Range Area- the number of acres that a golf course has depends on the area of the putting green and range for your long game. Clubhouse Size- another important factor is the size ...
Why is it so hard to get a golf course size?
It is really hard to get a general size on golf courses because of other factors such as the layout and how spaced out the property is . Some parkland golf courses are smooshed together and most of the fairways are right on top of each other. Others might be strung out and twice as big in acreage!
How long is a golf course?
As we all know, golf courses come in all shapes and sizes. Some courses might play long at over 7,000 yards and some might be around 5,000 yards. All golf courses are unique and totally different in sizes, but it is possible to narrow down an average size.
Who is Nick Lomas?
Nick Lomas is the founder of GolfSpan, an avid golfer, not quite a pro but has over 15-years of experience playing and coaching golfers from all over the world. His mission is to bring the golfing community a better experience then it comes to choosing the right golf gear, and finding the right set up for your game.
What percentage of golfers are women?
0 %. of on-course golfers are women. Females represent a disproportionately higher percentage of juniors (34%), beginners (36%) and off-course participants (45%) than they do in the overall golf population. Latent Demand.
What is golf participation?
Golf participation is a core measure of golf’s vitality. NGF closely tracks how many people play the game, as well as the demographic composition of golfing America.
How many people will play golf in 2020?
played golf – both on-course and off-course – in 2020. This includes 24.8 million people who played on a golf course and another 12.1 million who participated exclusively in off-course golf activities at places like driving ranges, indoor golf simulators or golf entertainment venues like Topgolf and Drive Shack.
Why is golf a good game?
Golf is such a great game to play for a lifetime because it combines competitiveness and challenge with social fun and relaxing exercise. You would have to look long and hard to find another hobby that meets all of those criteria.
How many rounds of golf are played in 2010?
Golfers who play public courses: 90%. Golfers who play at least eight rounds per year and consider themselves “passionate” about the game: 90%. Number of 18-hole rounds played in 2010: 33,000 (down from 40,000 in 1990) Increase in number of golf courses since 1990: 24%. Increase in number of golfers since 1990: 17%.
How long does it take to play golf?
While most golfers understand that a round of golf (18 holes) should take around four hours to complete, letting the pace of play slip up to five hours or more simply isn’t acceptable. If the average round of golf starts getting closer to five hours than four, many players will simply find something else to do.
What is the challenge of golf?
Even the best golfers on the planet still hit bad shots during every round, and they are always trying to get better. While this might sound like a frustration, it is actually one of the best aspects of the game. Challenge is what keeps your mind engaged and interested in a task, such as hitting a golf ball. The fact that you will never completely master the job means that you can spend the rest of your life trying to improve your technique and sharpen your performance.
What is the NGF?
Since 1936, the National Golf Foundation (NGF) has collected data pertaining to the United States golf industry. Among other statistics, the group tracks the number of golfers and golf courses as well as trends related to each.
Why is golf important?
Many of us live indoor-based lives these days, often staring at computer screens for hour after hour, day after day. For most people, that just isn’t much of an exciting life – so we count down the hours until we can get outside and enjoy the fresh air and green grass. Golf provides the perfect reason to get outside and do just that . Golf courses are well-manicured outdoor spaces, and even a poor round of golf can be redeemed by the pleasant atmosphere of being outside among the trees and plants. Unlike a sport like tennis, which can be played indoors or out, golf is a strictly outdoor game that can be played year round in many parts of the country.
What is it like to be a golfer?
One of the exciting things about being a golfer is having the opportunity to travel around to new locations and play different golf courses. Most other sports are played on a field that looks exactly the same no matter where you go – but the field is always changing when you are a golfer. Even if you play most of your rounds on the same local course, you can always try to book a vacation or two to visit some of the best golf courses in USA. There are plenty of destinations across the country, with most of the popular ones being located in warm, southern climates that offer great weather in addition to beautiful courses.
What is USGA Golf Course Rating and Who Rates It?
USGA Golf Course Rating is an assessment of the difficulty of a given golf course for scratch golfers. The course rating estimates the scratch golfers’ average scores who played on the golf course under the rating procedure. It is expressed in strokes, so an easy par-72 golf course could have a 68.9 course rating, while the more difficult one is likely to have a rating of 74.5.
Do Slope and Course Rating Affect Golfers’ Handicap?
Yes, they do. However, the course rating impacts the golfer’s index considerably more than the slope number. It often happens that players become too focused on the slope number while ignoring the golf course number. It is important to note that if a certain course number is high, and some golfers might find it too competitive, it won’t necessarily mean that they won’t be able to play on another course. The formula below shows the significance of the course rating on the players’ handicap differential:
What Is the Minimum and Maximum Slope Rating?
The minimum established number for a slope rating is 55, while the maximum is 155. The difficulty is proportional with the number, i.e., the lower the slope rating, the less difficult it is. The United States Golf Association established the average slope rating to 113, but it has later increased to about 120 as there aren’t many 18-hole golf courses with slope ratings set that low. As has been observed, most golf courses worldwide have average slope ratings of about 120.
How to calculate slope rating?
The standard procedure to calculate the slope rating is to multiply the difference between the bogey rating and the USGA score rating. The score you get when the expected good score for a Scratch golfer (a zero handicapper) is multiplied by the expected good score for a bogey golfer (a Mid handicap golfer with a range from 18 to 30).
What is the average slope rating for golf courses?
The United States Golf Association established the average slope rating to 113, but it has later increased to about 120 as there aren’t many 18-hole golf courses with slope ratings set that low. As has been observed, most golf courses worldwide have average slope ratings of about 120.
What is the difference between a slope rating and a course rating?
Therefore, the course rating provides scratch golfers information about the course difficulty, while the slope rating delivers the same information to bogey golfers. In other words, the USGA slope rating indicates the additional playing difficulty of the course for average golfers compared to scratch players. The dominant factor that defines the course difficulty is the golf course rating, not the slope rating.
How to rate a golf course?
When rating the course, the team evaluates the landing area for a bogey golfer the first 200 yards off the tee. They measure the width of the fairway, consider any existing bunkers, and estimate the distance from the fairway center to the nearest boundary/hazard line or trees. The same measurement is applied for scratch golfers, adding 50 yards to the landing area off the tee. The process continues until the team reaches the green. There, the rating team measures the depth and the width of the Putting green, the bunkers and the water hazards, and the distance to the boundary line.
How many rounds does a private golf club have?
This resulted in an average of 26,000 rounds per club and a median of 22,000 rounds. More interesting than the averages were the extremes, which illustrate how different some clubs can be. Clubs averaged 420 members with a median of 330, but had as many as 3,677. Of course, clubs with more than 18 holes can accommodate more members and rounds.
Does a club with more holes have more members?
Obviously, a club with more holes can accommodate more members, but a club more oriented to family golf is likely to generate more rounds per membership than a club that is more oriented toward the serious, male, adult golfer. However, there are family oriented clubs, often with large memberships that accommodate a limited number ...
What Exactly is a Golf Course Rating in Golf?
A golf course rating is a score that is established by a USGA official in order to ascertain the difficulty of a particular golf course. In America, golf courses are rated in regard to their difficulty for scratch and bogey golfers, and a slope rating is then expressed.
How is a Golf Course Rating Calculated?
The rating of a golf course is calculated by taking into consideration the various aspects, hazards, and layout of the course in question. Once the various factors are calculated, a numerical value is attributed to the course based on the overall difficulty of the golf course.
What is Considered a Good Golf Course Rating?
Describing a golf course rating as ‘good’ is a bit of a misnomer, as the measure is concerned with determining the difficulty of a particular course, not necessarily the quality. As such, you should treat golf course rating as a measure of how easy or difficult the course will be for you to play.
Is a Higher Course Rating Harder?
Yes, the higher a course is rated, the harder it is. The responsibility for rating a golf course falls with a team from the golf association within a particular area. This is important, as the team follows the stringent monitoring format expressed by the USGA.
