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A golf course contains a mixture of
par 3, par 4, and par 5 holes. A player shoots par by hitting
the ball from the tee into the hole in a certain number
of strokes, usually 3, 4, or 5. A typical par 3 hole measures
up to 250 yards (229 meters), a par 4 from 251 to 470 yards
(230 to 430 meters), and a par 5 measures at least 471 yards
(431 meters).
Most courses are laid out in a loop that
brings the golfer back to a point near the first tee at
the end of each nine holes. The holes are arranged so that
players are relatively safe from balls hit by players on
another hole. Golfers shout the traditional warning "Fore!"
to alert other golfers that a shot is about to be hit or
that a ball has been hit in their direction.
The Tee
Each golf hole begins at the tee, a small flat area
from which the golfer takes the first stroke, or shot. This
stroke is sometimes called a drive. Before hitting the ball,
the golfer places it on a wooden or plastic peg that is
also called a tee. The peg may only be used on the tee.
After the tee shot, the golfer must hit the ball as it lies
on the course.
The Fairway
The fairway is a stretch of closely mowed grass that
extends from the tee to the green. The fairway may be a
straight path to the green or it may be laid out at an angle,
called a dogleg. The fairway is designed to give the golfer
the clearest route to the green. Golfers who hit their ball
outside the fairway land in the rough. This area borders
each side of the fairway. It has higher grass and may include
bushes and trees.
The Green
The green is an area at the end of the fairway. The
green is covered with special grass that is mowed very closely.
It contains a hole 4 1/4 inches (10.8 centimeters) in diameter
and at least 4 inches (10 centimeters) in depth. A movable
marker called the flagstick or pin is placed in the hole
to show its location.
Play on the hole is completed when the golfer
hits the ball into the hole. The number of strokes the player
takes to hit the ball into the hole becomes the player's
score for that hole. The player normally takes progressively
shorter shots from the tee to the green. Once on the green,
the golfer putts (rolls) the ball into the hole with
a club called the putter. The surface of the green is usually
gently sloped, and the golfer should allow for the slope
when putting.
Hazards
Hazards are obstacles placed throughout the course to
make play more difficult. Golfers try to avoid them. Hazards
include bunkers and water hazards. Bunkers are depressions
in the ground. If they contain sand they are called sand
traps. Water hazards include ponds and streams. If the ball
lands in a water hazard, the golfer may hit it out if the
ball is playable. Otherwise, the golfer lifts it out by
hand or plays another ball, adding an extra stroke to the
score as a penalty.
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