Beginner Golf Course Guide

A Beginner's Guide To The Golf Course

If you have never played golf before or are brand new to the game, the following golf course guide will provide you with a brief, yet thorough explanation of the golf course from start to finish. Do not worry if the information seems a bit confusing, you will remember more and more each time you play the game.

The golf course has several parts that make up the entire system. Every course is broken down into specific holes.  Most courses have either 9 or 18 holes and each of these holes are made up of the tee, the fairway, and the green. The green is the area located at the end of the hole in which your last shot will be made, or “the end” so to speak.

Every hole starts with an area called the “tee”. It is sometimes referred to as a tee-box, and in the shape of a rectangle or square. This is where you will start the play of each hole.  Your initial shot will be made by placing the golf ball on top of a small wooden peg (the tee) and hitting it as long and accurate as possible.  As the ball is swung at and travels out, it will hit the area called the fairway.

If your ball lands on the sides of the fairway, this is considered to be the “rough” and is never an easy shot to make when striving to get back on course. The rough is specifically designed to be harder to shoot from and will result in a penalty. There is primary rough, with grass somewhat unkempt, and then there is secondary rough, where the area is filled with long grass and is extremely tough to get the ball out of.

Your ultimate goal is to get the ball through the fairway and onto the green, which is the area that the flagstick is located at and is kept up in top shape, with a smooth surface. The hole itself is will have a color-coded flag to help you aim better. When your ball makes it to the green, the flag is typically removed so that you can sink the ball in and start the next hole.

Areas To Avoid When Playing Golf

The game of golf would not be fun if it did not have challenges on the course such as the rough area and other hard-to-shoot spots, like the out-of-bounds area, bunkers, and other hazards. These locations are typically near areas in which you are aiming the ball for, and with one tiny slice, the game becomes more interesting when you have to work your way out of a difficult situation.

Hazards should be totally avoided because some shots are just impossible to make.  For example, some courses have streams, swamps, or small ponds that the ball can easily shoot into. These scenarios would call for a penalized shot.

Golf offers thousands of different courses to play on throughout the United States and the rest of the world.  Some are considered very expensive and private, while others charge just a small fee and are open to the public.  Golf courses are all designed with different skill levels in mind, with some perfect for the beginner or intermediate player, and other more prestigious courses designed for the professional.

There are 18 hole courses that are 6,000 – 7,000 yards in length, and also shorter 18 hole courses that are between 4,000 – 6,000 yards in length. There are also an abundant number of 9-hole courses available. The average access availability is:

Public Golf Courses:

The most common type of golf course is built for the public. While these courses are open to the public, there is still a general dress code enforced, which is simply a variation of full-length pants and a shirt. Some dress codes more strict than others. The costs are typically priced between $15 and $35 for a full round of 18 holes. You may find public golf courses to be a bit crowded, especially during the weekends.

High End Fee Golf Courses:

High end fee courses are essentially the same as public golf courses, except that they charge a lot more money to play.  However, the conditions are usually 1st class and there are top-notch amenities offered, which you will not find at your average public course. These courses are prestigious and are specifically designed to give the player the experience of a high end private course, with the exception of a daily fee that may run 5 to 10 times more expensive than the standard public golf course fees. However, you will not be disappointed.

Private Golf Courses:

Then you have your private golf course facilities which make up approximately 30% of all of the golf courses in the United States.  These locations are for members whom pay dues and can bring along guests.  Private golf courses are more than just a place to play the game.  Many locations have restaurants, private golf lessons, massage services, locker room and showers, social parties, etc. As you can probably guess, entrance into these types of prestigious private golf courses come with a hefty fee which could mean thousands of dollars paid up front, plus monthly dues.