Average Golf Course Length; Size | Acres

An average golf course length depends on the tournament type as well as the number of available tee options for the golfers. Typically, the average length of a golf course measures 6,700 yards (6.12 km). PGA tournament courses measure from 7,200 to 7,300 yards. The golf courses for LPGA and PGA tournaments are measured between 6,200 and 6,600 yards. The Champion Tour’s average golf course length falls in the range of 6,500 to 6,800 yards.

Let’s discuss it in detail!

Average golf course length

In golf, players use various clubs to hit balls into holes on a course. A golf course contains a sequence of these holes, each composed of several elements. There’s the tee box, where your journey on each hole begins. A fairway extends from the tee, offering a path toward the green, but not without its share of potential pitfalls – the rough and other hazards lurking in the shadows.

And then, you reach the climax of the hole – the green. It’s a meticulously groomed patch of land adorned with a cylindrical hole reminiscent of a treasure chest. This humble hole is where dreams are realized or shattered. As you approach it, you’ll notice the flagstick standing tall, proudly displaying the course’s identity – like a ship’s mast in the vast green sea.

A full round of golf typically encompasses 18 of these enchanting holes. Most courses adhere to this magic number, but some rebel with only nine, while others explore unique configurations, sometimes boasting 12 or 14 holes that defy convention.

Each hole carries a designated score, known as par, which represents the number of strokes a skilled golfer should need to complete it. This par score is typically three, four, or five strokes.

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How Long is a Golf Course?

An average golf course length varies widely depending on the type of tournament and the tees used. Here’s a breakdown of the typical average lengths for various levels of play:

PGA Tour—For professional men’s tournaments like those on the PGA Tour, golf courses usually range from 7,200 to 7,300 yards.

LPGA Tour—The LPGA Tour, featuring professional women golfers, typically plays on courses with lengths ranging from 6,200 to 6,600 yards.

Champions Tour—The Champions Tour is usually designed for professional golfers. The courses measure with average lengths of 6,500 to 6,800 yards.

What are parts of a golf course called? —Major Elements of a Golf Course

Tee Box

The starting point in golf, the tee box, can sometimes add 10-20 yards to a hole’s length even before you hit the fairway.

Fairway

The fairway stretch of grass between the tee box and the green plays a significant role in a golf course’s length. The fairway length usually measures 0.38 and 0.45 inches, depending on its dampness. A well-rolled fairway can make the ball travel longer, while a damp one might bring it to a halt sooner.

Rough

The rough, typically maintained at heights between 1.0 to 1.25 inches, doesn’t usually factor into the overall length of a golf course unless it cuts across the fairway perpendicularly.

Green

Greens come in various sizes. The greens measure from tiny, like Pebble Beach’s average green at around 3,500 square feet, to gigantic, such as at the International Golf Club in Massachusetts, which boasts greens over 28,000 square feet. The length of the grass on the green, typically about 0.125 inches, affects play. Short grass and dry weather make greens ‘fast,’ while longer grass and damp conditions make them ‘slow.’

Hazards

Sand traps and water bodies are indeed prime examples of hazards on a golf course. These can impact a golf course’s length, especially if they come into play directly along the path from tee to hole. Hitting a ball into these hazards can make the course seem longer regarding strokes.

Factors Influence Golf Course Length

Tee Box Selection

Those markers you start your game with? Well, most golf courses have different tee boxes, each changing length. For example, the pros on the PGA Tour play from the far back tee boxes, making the course much longer than what we regular golfers tackle from the forward tees.

Course par

Par is the number of strokes it should take a skilled golfer to complete the course. Courses with lower par values, like par 68, tend to be shorter than those with higher pars, like par 72. Well, because courses with higher par values usually have more par 5s and longer holes, making them longer overall.

Location

Now, location matters too. Golf courses in areas with lots of land can stretch out, offering more play space. The United States, with its vast land, has some of the world’s longest courses. Compare that to places like Scotland, where space is limited, and you’ll find shorter courses.

Average golf course hole length

When approaching a Par 3 hole on the golf course, your target is clear: complete it in three strokes. On a Par 4 hole, the challenge intensifies. You must cover the fairway and reach the green in just two strokes. After your drive and approach shots have landed you on the putting surface, two calculated putts are all it takes to secure a Par.

A more extended journey awaits for the Par 5 holes, requiring five strokes to conquer. Your initial drive sets you up for the second shot closer to the green. With three shots down, the focus shifts to the final two putts as you aim to finish the hole with a respectable Par. Most golf courses aim for a total par score of 72 over 18 holes, but this can vary from one course to another.

The USGA specifies the following ranges for each type of hole:

Par 3: Up to 250 yards for men and 210 for women.
Par 4: Between 251 and 470 yards for men, between 211 and 400 yards for women.
Par 5: Between 471 and 690 yards for men and 401 and 575 yards for women. Anything longer is considered a par 6 or 7, though these are rare.

Course architects aim to design courses that take around 70 to 72 shots to achieve par. They usually include a mix of four par 3s, ten par 4s, and four par 5s on and an 18-hole course.

FAQs

How many miles Is a golf course?

Typically, a golf course measures around 3.9 miles in length. However, when golfers play a full round of 18 holes, they typically end up walking over 5 miles.

How many km is a golf course?

The average golf course length measures around 6,600 yards (3.75 miles or 6 km), featuring a mix of Par-3, Par-4, and Par-5 holes.

What is the average golf course length in meters?

An average golf course is typically around 6,000 to 6,400 meters long.

How many yards is a golf course?

Approximately 6600 yards to 6700.

Conclusion

The average golf course length varies, catering to different tournaments and players. PGA Tour courses challenge professionals with distances of 7,200 to 7,300 yards, while the LPGA Tour and Champions Tour offer variations tailored to their respective players’ abilities. LPGA Tour courses measure 6,200 to 6,600 yards, and Champions Tour courses fall between 6,500 to 6,800 yards.

Factors like tee box choice, course par, and location influence these lengths. Tee box selection, course par, and location are the architects behind these distinctive golfing landscapes.