| One of the things that a newcomer to the World | | | | someone who is already a member. |
| of golf would probably like to know is what the | | | | Public Golf Courses can be courses owned by |
| difference is between different types of golf | | | | private organizations or individuals or by other |
| course. This question is more complicated than | | | | organizations such as local businesses. The key |
| you may first imagine as there are really three | | | | here is that the owner charges a fee for playing. |
| different ways to express what category a | | | | Essentially this means that the course is open to |
| particular golf course fits into. | | | | be played by anyone who can afford to pay the |
| The first is by setting and categories a course by | | | | fee. |
| whether it is set in heathland, woodland or by the | | | | Courses also exist which are essentially a |
| ocean etc. The second type is by length, where | | | | combination of the above two. Club members can |
| the course is categorized essentially by the length | | | | play at any time. The public are allowed to play |
| of time it takes to play a round, so these types | | | | but usually only on specific days of the week, or |
| will be pitch & putt, full length or executive, | | | | times of day. |
| so called because executives may not have time | | | | Municipal golf course are owned by the local |
| to play a round on a full length course of 18 holes. | | | | government. They operate like public golf courses |
| Most executive courses are only 9 holes. | | | | but the money paid for the green fees goes to |
| In this article though we are going to look at how | | | | the them as opposed to a private individual or |
| golf courses can be categorized by ownership. | | | | company. |
| The above two types of categorization allow you | | | | Some residential areas have their own golf course |
| to know what to expect when you turn up to | | | | which is designed to be played by the local |
| play. However, this third type of categorization | | | | residents only. They tend to be run by the |
| determines whether or not you will be allowed | | | | community itself and as such are not open to the |
| access to the course at all. | | | | public. |
| The following is not an exhaustive list of course | | | | Finally there is the resort golf course. Resort golf |
| types but these are the most popular types of | | | | courses are owned and operated by a holiday |
| course that you might come across. | | | | resort or a hotel chain for the pleasure of their |
| Private Golf Courses are courses which are | | | | guests. Play may not be restricted to resort |
| owned by a golf club and they only allow play by | | | | guests however, and so you may find some |
| members of the club. If you aren't a member of | | | | resort courses are open to the public in return for |
| the club then you can't play, unless of course you | | | | a fee. |
| are lucky enough to be invited to play by | | | | |