Hit the Greens: The Different Types of Golf Courses

Lateet May 17, 2020

One out of every three Americans over the age of six has played, watched, or read about golf in 2019. From its beautiful scenery to its amazing health benefits, it’s no wonder golf is one of the most beloved sports across the world.

From the hills of Scotland to the desserts in Nevada, there are numerous types of golf courses to play on. Let’s explore the different golf course options.

Types of Golf Courses

Are you ready to grab your golf clubs and hit the green? Before you book your next golfing adventure, check out these rankings of different golf courses to ensure you’re at a top-rated course.

Links Courses

Golf has its origins rooted in Scotland. Links are what original golf courses looked like. They are courses built upon narrow sections of land between the coast and farmland.

Links use the natural landscape to create the perfect course. They incorporate natural hazards, such as slopes, turns, rolls, and sand, to create obstacles. Wind usually plays a role in links courses, whether it be to the player’s advantage or disadvantage.

Links are all about surrounding golfers with their natural landscape. The most famous links course is St. Andrews in Scotland.

Parkland Golf Courses

Parkland golf courses are more inland compared to links courses. This type of golf course is surrounded by green trees, lush forests, and well-groomed gardens.

Tall trees create a challenge for players. Parkland courses also have less roll, which can affect how the ball travels. Rain can make the natural clay underlay unplayable and prevent you from hitting the course during a wet spring.

Parkland courses are beautiful, which is why many PGA tours take place on them. Augusta National in Georgia, home of the Masters, is the most famous parkland golf course.

Sand Courses

Sand courses were the first types of golf courses in Britain. Golfers say sand courses make the long game harder, but the short game easier.

Sand courses contain putting areas that are a mixture of sand and oil, known as the “browns.” The mixture is blended and rolled. Some of the best sand courses are in the UAE, where sand is naturally abundant.

Desert Courses

A desert golf course uses natural sand dunes to create a challenging course. They are an oasis of green in a sea of dry sand.

Desert courses are difficult to maintain. They can only be found in hot and dry climates, such as in specific regions of the USA and the Middle East. The courses require extensive irrigation to keep the greenery pristine.

Arizona, California, Utah, and Nevada have some of the best desert golf courses for players to explore.

Snow Golf Courses

Who says golf is only for the spring and summer? Every year, Uumannaq, a small town located in Greenland, hosts a 36-hole ice golf competition known as the Drambuie World Ice Golf Tournament.

Golfing on a snow course is not easy. Not only is the temperature freezing, but the white snow can cause temporary blindness. Bundling up in winter outerwear restricts movements and hinders your swing. Rough ice and snow patches can create extra obstacles on the course.

But golfers love a challenge, which is ice golf is still a popular option.