Aren’t all golf courses the same? Not in the least! The style of terrain, the amount of time it takes to play the course, and the type of access individuals have to the course are all factors that can be used to classify a golf course.
Continue reading to find out more about the many sorts of golf courses. With this information, you’ll be able to determine which types of golf courses are best suited to your playing style.
Landscape Style
Golf course design is a sort of art. Many golf courses include natural elements into their designs. The landscape category of the course is determined by how the architect uses or reshapes the natural terrain. The majority of courses in the United States fit into one of three categories.
Links Course
Golf was born in Scotland, and links golf has its origins there as well. Links courses are constructed on limited swaths of sand between the shore and countryside.
Links courses are designed to blend in with the natural landscape of the Scottish and Irish shores. They take into account the terrain’s slopes and twists, and fairways frequently feature a natural roll. On a links course, the wind can play a significant role in the game.
Despite purists’ claims that real links courses may only be found in the region where they originated, courses created in the links tradition can be found all over the world.
Parkland Course
A parkland course is a well-kept golf course with meticulous landscaping and an abundance of green grass and trees. Fairways are usually smooth since the terrain is more suited.
Unlike links courses, which are by definition positioned by the seaside, parkland courses are frequently located far from it. Parkland courses make up the majority of golf courses in the United States.
The following video contrasts and compares these two types of courses:
Desert Course
In the desert, golf courses are typically an oasis of green amidst the arid, sandy landscape. Although these courses make use of the area’s natural sand dunes and other characteristics, their lush grass is out of place. Irrigation is necessary in large quantities.
Arid courses can only be found in areas with a dry, desert climate.
St. George’s belongs to which category? St. George’s was built in the early twentieth century to mimic the links style of golf. Before starting construction on St. George’s, architect Devereux Emmet had spent a lot of time studying and examining British links courses.
Length of Play
Golf, unlike many other sports, does not have a standard field size. Because each course has different hole lengths and challenges, some courses take less time to complete than others.
Executive Course
An executive course is designed for speedy play and focuses on holes that can be completed in a reasonable amount of time. It’s perfect for executives who need to go back to work or are on their way home after a hard day at the workplace.
Low-par holes cut the time it takes to complete an executive course in half. The course is primarily made up of par-3 holes, with a few par-4 and par-5 holes thrown in for good measure.
The number of holes on an executive course can range from nine to eighteen. The average par for an 18-hole executive course is 65.
What types of players would benefit from an executive course? To learn more, watch the video below:
Regulation Course
These courses are 18 holes and have a greater par than executive courses. On a typical golf course, the bulk of the holes are par fours. There are a combination of par 3s and par 5s on the remaining holes.
Even if they never host an official championship, many regulation golf courses are referred to as championship courses. These courses are usually par-72 and have great playing surfaces. This isn’t an official standard, and championship courses can be as low as 70 or 71.
St. George’s belongs to which category? St. George’s is a championship regulation course with 18 holes and a par of 70.
Course Access
Almost every golf course charges a fee to play. Some courses, on the other hand, charge you each time you come, while others let you to pay in advance for unlimited access to the amenities.
Municipal
Municipal courses are golf facilities that are owned by a city or other municipality. Each time you visit one of these courses, you must pay a charge. These are sometimes the cheapest pay-as-you-go courses, but costs for locals and non-residents may differ.
Daily-fee Course
A daily-fee course, like a municipal course, is completely available to the public. It is, however, privately owned rather than maintained by a municipality.
Semi-private Course
You can pay to play on a semi-private course on an individual basis or purchase a membership. You might be able to get preferred or unlimited tee times if you join a semi-private club.
Although this appears to be a hybrid of a public course and a private country club, semi-private clubs typically lack the amenities that a fully private club provides.
The resort course is an extension of this access approach. A resort or hotel owns a course to which visitors have access, although non-guests may be able to pay for a tee time in this scenario.
Types of Golf Courses for You
Golfers are as diverse as the various sorts of courses. CasuaCountry clubs and golf clubs own private courses. You must join the club and pay an initiation fee as well as annual dues to play on these courses. These contributions may give you to full access to the club’s facilities.
Although most private clubs allow members to bring guests, the general public is unable to schedule a tee time. Clubs are typically less congested than public courses because to their limited access.
Dining rooms, clubhouses, and social events may be available to members of private golf courses.
To which category does St. George’s belong? A top-100 golf course is only open to members at St. George’s Golf & Country Club.