The sport of golf has grown immensely in recent years. People of all ages and skill levels can enjoy one of the most exciting forms of sport around. With this growth comes a huge number of opportunities for enthusiasts to play the game! And if you want to learn more about TimberStone Golf Course, see here.
Surely you’ve heard people talk about the green, rolling fields, and the perfect fairways. But, there are many more types of golf courses on the planet than just that. If you’re like me and love golf, you might want to try some different courses based on your life experience or lifestyle.
Here is a list of five types of golf courses you should play in your lifetime.
Link courses
Link courses were once found only in Scotland and Ireland, but now there are hundreds of them all over the world. They originated on beautiful sandy beaches where the grass grew naturally, so many of them have very little grass. That makes for a very different playing condition than most other courses in the world that have lush greens and manicured fairways. These courses require accuracy over the length, and it can be difficult to reach some of the holes because of how far you have to carry your ball over the dunes or mounds of sandy hills.
Desert courses
Desert golf courses are a thrill because they’re so different from the courses most people play. They’re more demanding and require more shot-making ability, as well as alertness to hazards.
Tee shots are wide open and generally carry across vast stretches of desert before landing on a fairway that is just as flat. Putting surfaces are often in stark contrast, with lots of subtle breaks that can catch players off guard.
While this type of golf course may not be for everyone, it can be an enjoyable and challenging experience for even the best players.
Championship courses
Championship golf courses are a special breed. They are often located in scenic locations, have fast undulated greens, and challenging water hazards.
Tees Valley Golf Course in England is a great example of the characteristics of a championship golf course. The course is located in the rolling hills of North Yorkshire and consists of primarily flat fairways (there are no elevation changes) with large greens that require accuracy overpower.
The four par-five holes always provide thrills. The third hole runs parallel to a highway and requires players to hit over an artificial pond to reach the green. Hole number six plays alongside an artificial river, which can be intimidating due to the two large bunkers on either side. Finally, the ninth hole is one of the most famous par 3s in championship golf; it is relatively straightforward but is partially surrounded by bunkers with water directly in front of the green.
Parkland courses
Parkland courses are usually very flat with lots of trees, shrubs, and grass and have wide fairways. The grass is often cut short to make it easier for the players to find their balls. There are not many hazards on these courses, but there is plenty of water. The holes on these courses are short, but there can be some blind shots.
Knowing how to play the golf course is crucial when playing a parkland course as you need to use a lot of imagination when playing these holes; you will also need to have a decent iron game as there are few hazards that could cause you to lose your ball.
Par 3 courses
No matter where you go, there’s always that one guy who wants to play mini-golf. And honestly, why not? It’s a fun way to work on your short game and get some quality.
A par-3 course is an ideal option for players looking for low-stress golf. By strategically placing hazards around the holes, a course designer can restrict the ability of players to hit drivers, so they aren’t tempted to use a longer club. At Greenwood Golf Course, we set our fairways back off the tee boxes so players can utilize a 3 or 4 iron while maintaining the optimal approach angle par five to the green.
There’s something for everyone among the different types of golf courses, from the more traditional parkland courses to those rich with history. But no matter the type of course you play, you can rest assured that golf will challenge your body, break up the monotony of work, and give your mind a chance to rest after a hard day at the office.