Are you familiar with all the different types of golf courses? Freshly cut grass and surrounding nature are probably the first things that pop to mind when we think of golf courses, right? However, there are plenty of different courses used for both amateur and professional golf around the world. Most people would never have thought about sandy or snowy golf terrains, but these exist too. So, whether you are a golf beginner or just want to learn more about the most popular golf courses, you are in the right place. Let’s take a look and explain the 5 most distinctive golf courses to play on.
Links course
The first golf course on our list is literally the first type that ever existed. This is probably one of the most popular golf courses in the world. Links are specific because of the terrain they’re on – the name of this course comes from the old English term for sandy coast. So, golf courses that are located near the beaches and are built around sandy surfaces are called links. Even though many courses are called links, this specific course can only be found in certain countries that have sandy soil underneath the course.
One of the reasons why links are so popular is because they’re the ones where golf initially originated. Sandy soil was not good for agriculture, so people decided to use it as their first golf course. Because of their popularity, nowadays, architects are replicating these courses all around the world.
Stadium
There is probably no professional golfer that hasn’t played in one of these golf courses. Stadiums are used for organizing championships and professional golf competitions. Instead of having just one course, Stadiums often have a variety of different terrains to play on. Another interesting fact about golf Stadium is that it can be more difficult to play on since it’s purposefully built for championships. Chances are, the best female golfer of all time has probably played on a few Stadiums throughout their career. In other words, these courses are not good for beginner golf players, but they are certainly fascinating to look at.
Parkland course
Unlike links, parkland courses are usually created further inland. Instead of sandy soil, parkland courses are full of trees and greenery, and they are famous for lots of lush grass. In the world of golf, these courses are probably the most attractive ones, since they provide that playing-in-the-park feel. Even though they have plenty of nature around, parkland courses are well-maintained in order to provide perfectly-cut grass to play on. They are built-in, typically in places where there are no natural surroundings suitable for playing the game, so these courses often feature a lot of different amenities which are all man-made.
Image by academiagolf from Pixabay
Desert course
Many countries don’t have the geographic advantage for creating appealing golf courses. Instead of a perfectly-cut grass field, you can find desert courses that are exactly what one would expect. Desert courses are quite common in dry states with hot and dry summers. Without much greenery around, these courses have artificial “built-in” grass terrain, which can look very appealing with the contrasting surroundings. Among all other courses, desert golf courses are some of the most difficult to maintain.
Snow course
The last type of golf course we’ll explain is the one that is the rarest of them all. Snow courses are not very popular, which is easily understandable. Some countries that have plenty of cold weather and snowfall use it to their advantage. Instead of choosing the right type of grass to cover the terrain, snow courses are used to play golf on sturdy snow or clear ice. Playing golf in these conditions is certainly different, but for many, it’s an interesting way to change the scenery and their golf technique.
Snow courses are not easy to play on – for starters, snow blindness makes it harder to see and track the ball’s movement. The overall nature of the terrain is also not favorable since it can be built in a few layers of snow, so not all types of golf clubs can work well in the game. Overall, snow courses are not for everyone, but they are, without a doubt, some of the most fascinating golf courses you can see.
Final Words
Whether you are an amateur golf enthusiast or training to become a pro, chances are you haven’t seen all of these golf terrains live. Classic grass-green courses are just a small part of everything a golf course can be. If you are actively playing golf, make sure to try out different types of terrains – it can be both fun and good for improving your golf game!
