Some golf courses are in an uncontaminated natural environment. Others are among centuries-old oak, chestnut, and larch woods. But smaller golf courses with a driving range are launched in more urban contexts as well. So, the size can vary. But, for instance, the Golf Course Superintendent Association of America sets specific guidelines for the golf course dimension. So, you can find both a specific and a more general answer to the question about their length.
As you know, an 18 hole is twice as long as a 9 hole. The 3 hole golf course length is, most likely, the most difficult to predict. Mostly, because you might want to consider the presence of a driving range or a practice green in the sports facility.
Why do we need to understand the size and dimension of a golf course?
Famous architects designed most of the current golf courses around the world. Both size and dimension satisfy the players’ needs and the location, club, or tourist resort potential. So, a dog leg on a fairway might be useful to create a suggestive atmosphere. After all, these places live off their beauty and evocative power.
The three most important reasons why we need to understand the shape of a golf course are:
- because of the design requirements
- the importance of an adequate lighting system
- to establish the capacity of the sports facility
1. Better golf course design and layout
Creating a complex and ambitious project like building a golf course means developing an idea. In detail, it all starts with a project idea based on the territory. Then, the architect or engineer must verify the feasibility periodically. At the same time, the specialist must respect both the landscape and the environment.
The size and dimension of a golf course are more than parts of a creative process. When an 18 hole project is on its way, the overall space is less than a 3 hole golf course. Sometimes, the owner’s request tries to reach a specific outcome. As a result, the size might change many times before the final approval.
2. Better lighting design for golf course
During the planning phase, the architect must consider the lighting system. Then, it is up to the owner to add the light fixtures and install the light poles for varying purposes. Think of the area necessary for chipping practice or the use of a putting green.
Considering the size and dimension of a golf course gives you an idea of where to put each practice area. Besides, the required watt and lumens depend on golf course size. Finally, you have to implement a great lighting design if you want to extend the opening and closing hours.
3. Calculating the accommodation of golfers
As an owner, you want to know the maximum number of golfers who can stay inside the golf course/club at the same time. Your profit depends on this precise figure. Mostly because they decide how many reservations you can take.
When you have a precise idea of the size and dimension of a golf course, you can schedule the correct number of tee times per day. More golfers can book your golf courses. Plus, your staff can accommodate the customers with clear data for their 18 hole, 9 hole, or 3 hole golf course reservation.
Are all golf courses the same size?
Simply put, no. The golf course sizes depend on several factors. Here are four common causes that influence a golf course dimension:
- the level of competition
- the number of golf holes
- complexity
- construction year
I will discuss each of them more in detail to give you an idea. But be aware that other factors might be in place. Or that these explanations might not be exhaustive to recount every single detail that goes in the construction process. The main goal of this section is to help you understand that there is a method behind the apparent madness.
1. Level of competition
If you love golf, then you might know about the different levels of competition. That is, the use of the golf course for local tournaments or international championships. In detail, the same 18 hole golf course can be available for:
- recreational use
- golf club or PGA Championship
- Masters Tournament
- US Open
When the level of play increases, other standards increase. For example, the lighting standard for televised tournaments. As a consequence, the size and dimension of the links might call for adjustments. The US Open wants to challenge the professionals to the extreme, so the dimension standards are high.
2. Number of golf holes
Many luxury holiday resorts offer a 9 hole course instead of the standard 18-hole. In fact, they may have a driving range and more than one practice green. Or an area with putting greens or golf hitting cages for their guests to relax.
The number of golf holes can adapt to the available space. For example, an urban golf facility might find a 3 hole course more manageable than a 9-hole. In this case, practicality and locations may influence the choice of a restricted number of golf holes. Then again, it could just be a budget issue. 18, 9, or 3 holes are the most popular choices.
3. Complexity
While it is fun to make your first shot from the tee box or your last chip shot near the green, that is not all there is to a golf course. On and outside the fairway and green, you can find yourself walking uphill, downhill, near a lake, in a bunker.
These obstacles can be real hazards for beginners and low handicapped players. So, the size and dimension of the golf course must take help and assistance into consideration. Of course, some obstacles cannot be avoided because they are part of protected territory. But the owner could very well want to add some complexity like an artificial stream to increase the difficulty.
4. Construction year
Famous courses get restored all the time. Many golf course architects renovate old projects and prepare them for the modern game. Sometimes, renovation can take many years, during which time the association’s rules may change. Ladies golf and televised games are also pretty recent changes. So, you can expect to see modifications from time to time to the dimension guidelines. The shape can also reflect the latest trends. For example, bunkers with better drainage and redesigned panoramas.
In general, a golf course undergoes a renovation of some kind every twenty years or so. The same goes for the lighting system, which needs maintenance and repairs over time. In those instances, the size could be modified.
How many acres and sq. meters is an 18-hole golf course?
Usually, an 18 hole course occupies an area of 150 acres (60,000 sq. meters). But you can find many instances of bigger and smaller golf courses. This includes private country clubs with 90-acres golf courses in several US states. Many of which have been increased to over 120 acres over time. As in the case of the Richmond County Country Club in Staten Island, New York.
In several continents, an 18 hole golf course can be much bigger than the typical size. For example, in China, the Lijiang Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Golf Club covers an area of 329.5 acres (131.800 sq. meters).
What is the average length of an 18 hole golf course?
The typical 18-hole golf course has a length of 6,500 yards (approx. 6,000 meters). Like the usual size (acres), length can vary due to several factors. Earlier, I mentioned the Lijiang Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Golf Club in China. Well, it is one of the biggest and longest golf courses in the world. It is an 18 hole course (par 72) over more than 8,500 yards (more than 7,800 meters).
Obviously, the greater the area available to the golf course architect, the greater the ease with which a first-class golf course can be designed.
How many acres and sq. meter is a 9-hole golf course?
On average, a 9 hole golf course is a little less than half of the length of an 18-hole. Usually, it is around 3000 yards spread over as little as 25-30 acres (between 10,000 and 12,000 sq. meters). A 9 hole facility tends to offer golf lessons and junior golf programs. Of course, many 9-holes big as an 18 hole course exist.
Among the main factors that determine the dimension of a 9 hole golf course, the location is maybe the most influential. The yardage follows the availability of water, hills, and lowland areas.
How many acres and sq. meter is a mini 3-hole golf course?
A mini 3-hole golf course is less than an acre of land (less than 2,000 sq. meters) or even half that. In detail, miniature golf courses have a different standard to follow for the hole size, depth, and radius. Sometimes, short games are available on bigger golf courses too. So, that would just change the yardage by a lot. As well as the overall rules. A short game can have a tutorial purpose as well.
How many acres and sq. meter is a driving range?
Many driving ranges will offer up to 10 acres (4,000 sq. meters) of land for your golf practice. Over a distance of about 350 yards (325 meters), some golf facilities offer a target green to aim at. Instead, others could prefer to limit the overall yardage to propose more services. For example, a practice green for chipping practice or for testing your bunker shot ability. Or a putting green to increase your accuracy. Some may even venture to offer a golf hitting net for developing focus and fluidity in movements.
How much land do I need to build a golf course?
From an entrepreneurial perspective, you can open a mini-golf course with as little as 25 acres (just for the holes). But if you want to construct a regular golf course and apply for championships, you need much more space. You require anywhere between 120 to 200 acres (or more) of building land.
For starters, you need to check the association’s recommendations about the minimum requirements for golf course length and size. Then, a golf architect must certify the buildability of your project. And, you might need to check the regional or national laws and regulations as well. Especially if you are planning to build near other private or public properties.
Conclusion
No player considers that the shape of a golf course can help him or her to hole out. But the size and dimension of the grounds on which the game is played make a difference. The minimum length of an 18 hole changed over time. It started somewhere around 5,000 yards, and it has been increasing since. Today, most 18 hole courses have a length of at least 6,500 yards for an area of 150 acres or more. Most 9-holes fall somewhere half the 18-hole size. But nothing is stopping you from increasing the usual 60-80 acres range you find nowadays. Lastly, a mini 3-hole golf course can cover less than one acre of land.
