The Golf Course

One may think that golf needs only a green stretch of land, with holes in them. However, a golf course is a designated area which not only consists of holes, but also teeing area, fairways, rough and other hazards.

Teeing area is known as the first section of the hole. It is also known as the 'tee-box'. If you consider the most common tee areas in their increasing order of length from the hole, then that includes the Men's tee, Ladies's tee and the Championship tee. The golf course also encompasses other tee boxes, which include the Junior tee and the Senior tee.

The Junior tee is much closer to the hole and is apt for the beginners. The latter one lies between the Ladies tee and the Senior tee and is suited for those, who knows how to give the best stroke. The tee box has two markers, showing the limits of the legal tee area. A golfer can play the ball from outside the teeing area, but to get the right shot the ball must be shot from within the area.

Fairway and Rough are the other two part of the game area. The wooden manufactured stick known as the tee is used by the golfer to get the ball into the hole and double his game points. The player first strikes the ball and then again hits the ball towards the green, exactly at the point where the ball came to rest. Fairway is that area between the tee box and the putting green. Since the Fairway is considered as the crucial ground to hit the ball, the entire stretch of the turf is trimmed cleanly. On the other hand, the entire portion between the Fairway and the green is "rough". This ground is cut higher and it proves to be a disadvantageous area for the golfer to hit the ball properly.

The game of golf includes hazards which are of three different types. First is the man made hazards, like bunkers. The second is the water hazards, such as lakes, rivers, et al. The third is the lateral hazard that includes dense vegetation, bushes and gardens. The game lays down different rules, as how to play from the hazards, and accordingly collect your points.

Where you put the ball is called the "Cup". The ground where the ball will roll on is kept trimmed with short grasses, so that the ball moves smoothly without obstruction. It is possible to compare golf courses in terms of average green speed.

A good golf course is not just about a large green lawn or field. The way the land is designed is what matters the most. Hills are always welcomed by the veteran golf players, who like to take the challenge of overcoming the obstacle and getting the right stroke. Trees can also add excitement to the game. Holes should be spread all over the ground and not in a row. Thus, "understanding the golf course" should help a golf enthusiast play the game better.