Parts of a Golf Course (Tee Box, Fairway, Rough, Fringe and Green)
Also known as: parts of a golf course, golf course layout, tee box, teeing area, fairway and rough, fringe of the green, apron of the green, what is the fringe
A golf hole runs from the teeing area, or tee box, to the putting green, where the hole or cup sits. The fairway is the closely mown strip between them. The rough is the longer grass around it, and the fringe or apron is the short collar around the green.
The Rules of Golf divide the course into five areas. They are the teeing area, the general area, bunkers, penalty areas and the putting green of the hole being played. Fairway, rough and fringe are not Rules terms. All three are part of the general area, along with trees and paths. Where your ball lies decides which Rules apply. For example, you may mark, lift and clean your ball on the putting green but not on the fringe.
The teeing area is a rectangle two club-lengths deep. Its front edge is the line between the forward points of the two tee markers. You may stand outside it. The ball itself must be inside it when you start the hole. The fairway is the short grass of the hole, and the rough is the longer grass beside it. Many courses also have a first cut, a strip of medium rough. The fringe, also called the apron or collar, is the band of slightly longer grass around the green. A ball on the fringe is not on the putting green unless part of it touches the green.
The hole is 4.25 inches (108 mm) wide and at least 4 inches (101.6 mm) deep. A flagstick shows where it is. Sandy areas that are not prepared bunkers, sometimes called waste areas, are part of the general area. Course guides also describe doglegs, holes that bend left or right.
Tips by skill level
Learn the five Rules areas first: teeing area, general area, bunkers, penalty areas and putting green. Most rulings depend on which one your ball is in.
Check how the committee marks edges, such as painted lines for penalty areas or ground under repair. Those lines decide which area your ball is in.
Example
On a par 4, a golfer tees off from the teeing area, misses the fairway into the rough, then hits onto the fringe. Her ball is not touching the green. She plays it from the fringe without marking, lifting or cleaning it.
Why it matters
Course terms come up in every lesson, rule and conversation. The area your ball is in also decides which Rules apply.
Common mistakes
- Assuming a ball on the fringe is on the green
- Teeing up in front of the tee markers
- Treating every sandy area as a bunker when waste areas are part of the general area
- Thinking the rough has different Rules from the fairway
Frequently asked questions
What is the fringe in golf?
The band of slightly longer grass around the putting green, also called the apron or collar. It is part of the general area. You cannot mark, lift and clean your ball there unless a Rule allows it.
What is the difference between the fairway and the rough?
The fairway is the short grass running from tee to green. The rough is the longer grass beside it. Both are part of the general area under the Rules.
How big is the hole in golf?
The hole is 4.25 inches (108 mm) in diameter and at least 4 inches (101.6 mm) deep, under the Rules of Golf.
What is the teeing area in golf?
It is a rectangle two club-lengths deep behind the front edge set by the two tee markers. You must play from inside it to start a hole.
Sources
Related terms
- Understanding ParPar is the number of strokes an accomplished golfer is expected to need to complete a hole, including two putts. Most holes are par 3, 4, or 5, based primarily on the hole's length.
- Penalty Area (Water Hazard)A penalty area, often a pond or stream, is marked by yellow or red stakes or lines. Relief costs one penalty stroke and is more forgiving than out of bounds.
- Bunker ShotA bunker shot is any stroke played from a sand hazard. The two families play nothing alike: greenside, where the club never touches the ball, and fairway, where clean ball-first contact is the whole objective.
- PuttingPutting is rolling the ball along the ground toward the hole using a flat-faced club (putter). A round of 90 with 36 putts spends 40% of its strokes on the green, so putting adds up fast.
- Which Tees to PlayPlay the tees whose total length lets you reach greens with clubs you hit well. The USGA's Best Tees guidance uses your 7-iron carry. About 125 yards suits a course of 5,400 to 5,600 yards, and about 140 yards suits 5,900 to 6,100 yards.
- Marking Your Ball on the GreenOnce your ball is on the putting green, you may mark, lift and clean it whenever you like. First place a ball-marker, or hold a club on the ground, right behind or right next to the ball. Replace the ball on exactly the same spot, and remove the marker before you putt. Lifting a ball without marking it first costs one penalty stroke.
Related guides & benchmarks
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