Golf is one of the most popular sports in the world, with millions of people playing the game. While all golf courses share some common features, there are many different types of courses that offer a variety of experiences to golfers. In this post, we’ll explore the different types of golf courses and their unique features, so you can find the perfect course for you.
Introduction to the Different Types of Golf Courses
Golf courses are designed to challenge the golfer’s skill, while also providing an enjoyable experience. Every golf course is unique, with its own terrain, vegetation, and hazards. The type of course you play will depend on a variety of factors, including the type of course you choose, the climate, and even the location.
In general, there are 5 main types of golf courses: Links, Parkland, Heartland, Sandbelt, and Stadium. Each of the 5 types of golf courses of these falling into 1 of 4 categories: Private, Semi-Private, Municipal and Public. Each of these types of courses offers different features and styles of play. Let’s take a look at each type in more detail.
Links Golf Course
A Links golf course is typically found in a coastal region and is characterized by undulating terrain with few trees. The course is usually flat, and the fairways are often covered with native grasses and shrubs. Traditionally, a Links course is an 18-hole, par-72 golf course. The hazards on a Links course typically include bunkers, sand dunes, and water.
One of the main features of a Links course is its natural beauty. The course is usually surrounded by stunning views of the sea, sky, and sand. This type of course typically features tough, fast-running greens, as well as natural hazards such as gorse and heather.
Often times golfer associate links style golf courses with firm, fast conditions in windy and variable weather, making golf that much more difficult. Many times on a links style golf course, the game is played more on the ground vs in the air. The most famous tournament help on a links style course each year is The British Open or “The Open.”
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Top Rated Links Golf Courses
The best links-style golf courses in the world include:
- Royal County Down in Northern Ireland
- Old Course at St Andrews in Scotland
- North Berwick in Scotland
- Turnberry Ailsa in Scotland
- Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland
- Royal Dornoch in Scotland
- Trump International Golf Links Ireland in County Clare, Ireland
- Kingsbarns in Scotland
- Lahinch in County Clare, Ireland
- Muirfield in Scotland
- Waterville Golf Links in Kerry, Ireland
- Other popular links-style courses include Royal Troon in Scotland
- Carnoustie Golf Links in Scotland
- Valderrama Golf Club in Spain
- Ballybunion Golf Club in Kerry, Ireland
- Royal Birkdale in England
Parkland Golf Course
A Parkland course is typically found in a wooded area with rolling hills and lush vegetation. This type of course is usually an 18-hole, par-72 golf course. The fairways are wide and the greens are usually fast and undulating. The hazards on a Parkland course usually include water, sand, and trees.
Parkland courses are usually challenging but fair. They usually feature multiple tee boxes, allowing golfers of all skill levels to enjoy the course. The natural beauty of a Parkland course is usually its main feature, with lush greens and trees providing a tranquil setting.
These courses are often found in the northeast part of the United States and into Canada. Many of the traditional and famous original county club courses are considered Parkland golf courses.
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Top Rate Parkland Golf Courses
There are many excellent parkland-style golf courses around the world, but here are some of the most highly regarded ones:
- Augusta National Golf Club – Augusta, Georgia, USA
- Pinehurst No. 2 – Pinehurst, North Carolina, USA
- Muirfield Village Golf Club – Dublin, Ohio, USA
- Sunningdale Golf Club – Berkshire, England
- Wentworth Club – Virginia Water, England
- Royal Melbourne Golf Club – Melbourne, Australia
- Gleneagles (King’s Course) – Perthshire, Scotland
Heartland Golf Course
The Heartland course is a hybrid of a Links and a Parkland course. This type of course is typically found in an area with rolling hills and lush vegetation. It is usually an 18-hole, par-72 golf course. The fairways are wide and the greens are usually fast and undulating. The hazards on a Heartland course usually include water, sand, and trees.
Heartland-style golf courses are characterized by wide-open fairways, lush green lawns, and minimal bunkers. These courses emphasize the aesthetic beauty of golf, with the challenge coming from the strategic placement of hazards, such as water features and sand traps. The layout and design of a Heartland-style course create a unique experience for golfers, as the lack of elevation changes and the wide-open feel of the course allow players to relax and enjoy their round.
The main feature of a Heartland course is its challenge. The course is designed to challenge golfers of all levels with a variety of shots and a variety of hazards. The course is usually well-maintained, with fast greens and lush vegetation.
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Top Rated Heartland Golf Courses
- Firestone Country Club in Akron, Ohio
- Stonebridge Country Club in McKinney, Texas
- Prairie Dunes Country Club in Hutchinson
- Kansas
- The Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail in Alabama [7].
Sandbelt Course
The Sandbelt course is typically found in a coastal region and is characterized by undulating terrain with few trees. This type of course is usually an 18-hole, par-72 golf course. The fairways are usually wide and the greens are usually fast and undulating. The hazards on a Sandbelt course usually include sand, water, and bunkers.
Sandbelt golf courses are style of golf course that originated in Australia and are characterized by tight, well-defined fairways, deep bunkers, and small, undulating greens. These courses typically feature thick, sandy soil that makes the course play much firmer and faster than other courses.
With their challenging design, Sandbelt courses are considered to be some of the best courses in the world, and some of the most prestigious tournaments are held at these courses. Notable Sandbelt courses include Kingston Heath in Melbourne, Australia [8], Royal Melbourne in Melbourne, Australia [8], Metropolitan in Melbourne, Australia [8], and Huntingdale in Melbourne, Australia [8].
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Top Rated Sandbelt Golf Courses
- Kingston Heath in Melbourne, Australia
- Metropolitan Golf Club in Melbourne, Australia
- Royal Melbourne East in Melbourne, Australia
- Victoria Golf Club in Melbourne, Australia
- Spring Park G.C. in Melbourne, Australia
- Ranfurlie Golf Club in Melbourne, Australia
- Sandringham Golf Course in Melbourne, Australia
- Woodlands Golf Club in Mordialloc, Victoria
These courses are renowned for their challenging design, lush green fairways, and deep bunkering which make them some of the best courses in the world.
Stadium Golf Course
The Stadium course is typically found in an area with flat terrain and few trees. This type of course is usually an 18-hole, par-72 golf course. The fairways are wide and the greens are usually fast and undulating. The hazards on a Stadium course usually include water, sand, and bunkers.
The main feature of a Stadium course is its spectator-friendly design. The course is designed to challenge golfers of all levels with a variety of shots and a variety of hazards. The course is usually well-maintained, with fast greens and lush vegetation.
Stadium golf courses are a type of golf course design that is characterized by wide fairways, few trees, and large, undulating greens. The layout of the course is typically designed to look like a stadium, with the fairways acting as the seating area and the tees and greens as the performance stage. These courses are designed to allow golfers of all skill levels to play and enjoy the game, as the wide fairways and limited trees make it easier to hit the ball straight and stay in the fairway. Additionally, the large greens make it easier to make putts, as golfers have more room to work with when aiming for the hole.
Top Rated Stadium Golf Courses
- Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, California
- TPC River Highlands in Cromwell, Connecticut
- Players Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass in Florida
- TPC Scottsdale in Arizona,
Municipal Golf Course
The Municipal course is typically found in an area with flat terrain and few trees. This type of course is usually an 18-hole, par-72 golf course. The fairways are wide and the greens are usually fast and undulating. The hazards on a Municipal course usually include water, sand, and bunkers.
The main feature of a Municipal course is its accessibility. This type of course is usually open to the public and affordable, making it an ideal option for casual or beginner golfers. The course is usually well-maintained, with fast greens and lush vegetation.
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Top Rated Municipal Golf Courses
- We-Ko-Pa (Saguaro) Fort McDowell in Arizona
- Wickenburg Ranch Wickenburg in Arizona
- Quintero Peoria in Arizona
- TPC Scottsdale (Stadium) Scottsdale in Arizona
- Pursell Farms (FarmLinks) Sylacauga in Alabama
Private Golf Course
The main feature of a Private course is the exclusivity. This type of course is usually available only to members and their guests, making it an ideal option for golfers who want an exclusive experience. The course is usually well-maintained, with fast greens and lush vegetation.
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Semi-Private Golf Course
The main feature of a Semi-Private course is the private club feeling with some accessibility. This type of course is usually open to the public, but available only to members and their guests at certain times. The course is usually well-maintained, with fast greens and lush vegetation.
Public Golf Course
The main feature of a Public course is the affordability. This type of course is usually open to the public and affordable, making it an ideal option for casual or beginner golfers. The course is usually well-maintained, with fast greens and lush vegetation.
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Conclusion
There are many different types of golf courses, each with its own unique features and styles of play. Whether you’re a beginner or a professional, there’s sure to be a course that suits your needs. From Links courses to Public courses, there is something for everyone. So, make sure to explore the different types of golf courses and find the perfect one for you.
