Every golf course has a different layout, features, and challenges. However, understanding the basic parts of a golf course will help you adapt to each course. We will be breaking down the 5 major parts of any golf course to give you a basic understanding of what to expect.
Tee- Each hole begins on a close cut area of grass, known as the tee. The majority of courses have several tee boxes that allow players to choose their starting point depending on their skill level.
Fairway- Finding the fairway is essential to becoming a great golfer. Identifiable based on the short cut grass, the fairway is located between the tee box and the green. Don’t forget to pay attention to the different types of grass, different shots may prove to be more useful.
Rough- The longer cut area of grass that surrounds the fairway and green should be avoided. The grass on this part of the course is usually longer, requiring you to use more club.
Green- Players putt once they reach the green where the hole is located. The grass dictates a lot of what level of power to use while putting so make sure to check if it is wet or dry. The conditions largely depend on the conditions of the overall course.
Hazards- Lakes, creeks, ponds, or any place marked with yellow or red stakes are hazards. If the ball is found there and can be played, go for it. However, if it cannot, you take a one stroke penalty. A note on sand traps, they are also considered to be hazards but they can be hit out of with no penalty.
Now that you understand a little more about what to look for on a golf course, make sure you have the right golf accessories and driving range equipment to set you up for success.