5 Main Types Of Golf Courses

There are many different types of golf courses.  

It is always fun to play a course that matches your style and the amount of time that you have available to play.

If you are a beginner here are some golf tips that you can implement right away.

There are various categories  - types of golf courses depending on the time taken when playing, landscape style, and location of the course among others. For most of us, golf is meant for recreation. The utmost goal of the game is to help fit people’s lifestyles into the game depending on where one lives. Golf courses can exist in any terrain.

Landscape Golf Courses

There are a number of different types of golf courses.  Golf courses can have various architectural designs that incorporate natural settings in their appearance. The shaping of the natural terrain by an architect is what categorizes a golf course. Most American golf courses are either link, parkland or desert courses.

Links Golf Courses

Link golf courses are sandwiched between coast and farmland. The golf courses have natural slopes and turn and are not landscaped. The courses are sandy and most of the time affected by wind due to their proximity to the coast. Playing golf in these fields requires mastery of wind direction.  On many of them, there is not much difference between the fairway and the putting surface.

Bandon Dunes in Oregon, Chambers Bay and Gamble Sands in Washington would be three examples of links style courses.  Having played at all three of these courses my favorite is Bandon Dunes in Oregon.  

When I played Bandon Dunes there were four courses available to play. Since that time I hear that they are working on adding a fifth course.

Parkland Golf Courses

A parkland golf course is one that has well-manicured lush green grass and trees. The golf course has smooth fairways. Parkland golf courses are usually located far from coastal shores. Most golf courses in the U.S are parkland courses.

Desert Golf Courses

Desert golf courses are located in the middle of drylands that experience desert climates, usually around an oasis. The courses are characterized by sandy landscapes. Here, you will find features such as dunes and have scanty vegetation such as grass. Courses in the desert are often an oasis of green amidst the area’s dry, sandy landscape. The golf courses require to be watered to help little vegetation grow.

Executive Golf Courses

Executive golf courses are made for quick play and are designed for busy people who want to play while on the move. Executive golf courses can either be made of 9 or 18 holes. Playing in such fields focuses on making the most holes within the shortest time possible. The courses have low-par holes which help shorten the time taken to play.

Another benefit of the executive type of golf course is that it is a great way to practice your short game.  Because most of the holes are shorter you would be using your shorter irons.  Many golfers struggle with the short game.  

It is not unusual to get close to the green in 2 strokes and then it may take another six to get in the hole.  One of the best ways to lower your score is to practice your short game.

Length Of Play

Golf courses can also be categorized by the time it takes one to play. Golf, unlike other sports, lacks a regulation regarding the size of the field. Golf courses vary in hole lengths meaning that it will take more time to play in some courses compared to others.  The average round of golf should be about 4 – 41/2 hours.  The main goal is to keep up with the group in front.