Golf courses come in all different sizes and shapes. Some have 18 holes, while others have 9. At each hole, the golfer takes a shot or drives the ball into the air. The aim is to get to the green as fast as possible. Whether you’re brand-new to golf or an experienced player, there are certain aspects of the golf course that require knowledge. Knowing what components make up a golf course will help you choose a club or plan your shots more effectively.

1. THE GREEN

The most important part of any golf course is the green. It’s where players take their shots from. If they miss the green, it means they’ve lost the opportunity to putt for par. Greens can be made out of the grass, sand, or other materials. They can also be surrounded by water. In fact, many greens are shaped like miniature lakes.

2. THE PINES

Pines are tall trees with thin trunks. They grow in groups called “pitches.” Each pitch has its own name, such as the first, second, third, etc., depending on which side of the tree the ball lands. Pitches are used to guide balls back toward the fairway. For example, if a ball goes off the right side of the pine, it may go straight down the left side of another pine. This process continues until the ball ends up on the fairway again.

3. THE ROUGH

A rough is a large area of undulating terrain between the fairway and the tee box. Roughs are typically filled with thick grass and small shrubs. Players often use them to practice putting.

4. THE FAIRWAY

A fairway is a flat land between the tee box and the green. Fairways are usually bordered by bunkers, which are areas of sand or dirt surrounding hazards. Hazards include water, sand traps, and bunkers. Water hazards are the most dangerous because they force players to hit the ball over the hazard. Sand traps are smaller mounds of sand that players must avoid. Bunkers are just that–little hills of sand.

5. THE HILLS

Hills are the steepest parts of the golf course. They are usually located near the green. Hills are used to test players’ accuracy. If a player hits a long drive onto the hill, he’ll likely lose his Golf Ball. But if he manages to keep his ball within reach, he may be able to knock it close enough to the pin to score.

6. THE DITCHES

Ditches surround the entire course. They’re designed to slow down errant balls, so they don’t end up in the lake. Ditch lines are marked with orange flags.

7. THE WATER

Water features are common at golf courses. Most of them are manmade ponds. Others are natural lakes. These bodies of water add beauty to the landscape, but they can also cause problems for golfers. Balls hitting these bodies of water often sink below the surface. When this happens, they become difficult to find. Also, when a ball sinks, it becomes harder to retrieve.

8. THE OBSTACLES

Obstacles are anything that stands in the way of a ball. The most common obstacles are trees, bushes, and rocks. Trees are especially dangerous because they block lines of sight. Rocks are slippery, so players need to watch where they step.

9. THE HOLES

The holes are the spaces between the various types of terrain. There are three different kinds: Par 3, Par 4, and Par 5. Par 3 holes have three distinct distances between the hole and the flagstick. Par 4 holes have four distinct distances between the hole the flagstick. And Par 5 holes have five distinct distances between the hole.

10. THE FLAGSTICK

The flagstick is the stick placed in the ground next to the hole. It’s used to measure how far a golfer needs to carry the ball to get into position to putt. The flagstick is measured from the centre of the hole.

11. THE PIN

The pin is the object that marks the spot where the player will start his shot. In regulation play, the pins are made of metal. They stand about 2 feet high and weigh more than 30 pounds.

12. THE GREEN

The green is the place where the player will actually take his shot. Greens are sloped to make it easier for the ball to roll toward the hole. Greens are surrounded by sand except for an opening called the “cup.” This allows players to see their approach shots.

13. THE ROUGH

A rough is any area of tall grass or weeds on the course that makes it hard for the ball to travel straight. Players use the rough as a practice area before taking their shots on the greens.

14. THE TEE BOX

The tee box is the space around the hole where players set up their clubs. Tee boxes vary in size depending upon the type of hole. Tee boxes are also used to mark out the starting positions for each group during scramble competitions.

15. THE TEEMASK

The masks are small pieces of cloth that cover the face of the club. Tees masks help prevents dirt from getting inside the head of the club.