Golf Course Layout: 5 Main Components Explained
Are you searching for the best golf course in Oakville, Ontario, with the best golf lessons? Before you choose, it is important to understand how golf courses are laid out.
Of course, they all come in various sizes and shapes, but most consist of 18 holes and have five major components.
Let’s find out in detail what those components are.
Major Components of a Golf Course
Whether you’re going to a golf camp in Oakville or about to start lessons, here are five major components of a golf course you need to know as a beginner.
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Tee Box
The tee box refers to the starting point on each hole. This is where you tee off. Golfers usually try to gain more distance off the tee for better golf scores.
The ball should be placed between the two markers that set the boundaries of the teeing area. It is okay to stand outside this teeing area. However, make sure that your ball is within the boundaries and not in front of the markers.
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Fairway
The fairway refers to the area stretching for about 30 to 50 yards between the tee box and the green. Unlike other areas of the golf course, hitting the ball from here is relatively easy as it is closely mown. It is also in this area where golfers expect the ball to land with their tee shot.
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Green
The green is where the golf hole and flagstick are located. The grass is neatly trimmed here, allowing the ball to gently roll into the hole after the golfer strikes it.
Before aiming the ball to get into the hole, it is important to learn to read the green. This includes noticing its undulations and slopes and checking for grains. Once you have mastered reading the green, you will be able to make more putts.
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Rough
Encompassing the fairways are the rough areas. These comprise longer grass than fairways which makes playing shots from here challenging. That is why golfers try to avoid landing the ball here. Also, the length of grass varies in different areas of the golf course, making it hard to predict their shots.
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Hazards
Besides roughs, hazards are the areas where you don’t want your ball to land. These features are designed to make the game even more challenging. Almost all golf courses in Oakville have two hazards – bunkers and water.
Bunkers are natural or man-made holes or depressions filled with sand. They vary in size, shape, and depth. Though they mainly lie around the putting green areas, it is not uncommon to find them alongside fairways.
A water hazard refers to any open body of water on the course, including a pond, lake, river, stream, sea, bay, or ocean. Golfers can easily identify them as they are marked with yellow or red stakes. There is a one-stroke penalty if you hit a shot into a water hazard.
The main objective of golf is to get the ball into the hole with the fewest possible strokes. It is important to know the components of a golf course. Otherwise, each will be a challenge when you approach a hole. So, if you are planning to take up golf lessons in Oakville or go to a golf camp, make sure you are familiar with these components.
