Golf courses take up a huge amount of land.
Frankly speaking, golfing sport is among the few that have a significant impact on the environment as it requires land clearing, landscaping, and constant maintenance.
CNN recently reported how 30 or so golf courses in the Salt Lake County of Utah drink up around nine million gallons of water a day to stay pristine green – that amount is more than 13 Olympic-sized swimming pools dedicated to just making sure your golf course is in a beautiful environment.
All that to say, golf courses are huge, and I have described in detail how big an average golf course is.
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How many Acres is the average golf course?
In a survey of 16,009 golf courses done by the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America(GCSAA), the average 18-hole golf course covers 150 acres. Of the 150 acres, 67% is composed of turfgrass that is maintained. The remaining 33% comprise non-turfgrass landscapes, parking lots, buildings, water bodies, and others.
In the US, you can expect a typical golf course acreage to range from 120 to 200 acres which varies depending on the length of the holes and the facilities the golf course has.
Some golf courses are smaller while some are much, much larger. For instance, Chambers Bay in University Place, Washington is a public golf course that covers 950 acres of land. This makes it almost 6 times the size of an average 18-hole golf course.
On the other hand, you have smaller 9-hole courses like the one at the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Golf Course in Md that only covers 28 acres of land.
Executive golf courses par 3, 4 or 5 that are shorter in length and have smaller greens usually occupy less than 100 acres. These types of golf courses are designed for those with limited time who just want to play a quick game.
It’s important to note that the size of the golf course doesn’t necessarily dictate its quality.
There are great golf courses that occupy a small piece of land while there are also those that sprawl over a large area but fail to provide an enjoyable golfing experience.
The size of the golf course is just one factor that you should consider when choosing where to play.
Other factors like the condition of the greens, the length of the holes, and the overall layout of the course are also important.
How much land is required for a golf driving range?
A driving range, on the other hand, doesn’t need as much land as a golf course.
The size of the hitting area will depend on the number of hitting stations and the type of targets being used.
For instance, a driving range with 10 hitting stations that use large circular targets will require less land than one with the same number of hitting stations but with small square targets.
The average size of a driving range is around 20 acres and is usually lumped together under the ‘managed turfgrass’ category which makes up the overall 67% of the entire golf courses- on average.
The driving range distance can range from 300 to 400 yards.
Some have hitting areas that are as long as 500 yards. These are usually the ones located near freeway exits so golfers can see them from the road and stop by for a quick game.
How many acres is a 9 hole golf course
The average acreage size of a 9-hole golf course is 80 to 100 acres, about half of the land size that a normal 18-hole golf course needs.
Of the 80 to 100 acres, almost 50 to 60 acres of it is composed of turfgrass.
The remaining 30 to 40 acres are parking lots, water bodies, buildings, and other structures.
While the average 9-hole golf course covers less land than an 18-hole golf course, there are also those that occupy a large piece of property.
The River Course at the Alisal Guest Ranch & Resort, for example, is a 9-hole golf course that covers 400 acres of land.
On the other hand, you have smaller 9-hole courses like the one at the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Golf Course in Md that only covers 28 acres of land.
How many acres is a par 5 hole?
Golf yardage and par ratings may not directly dictate the acreage size of a golf course- as you could have long holes on a smaller golf course or shorter holes on a larger one.
That being said, the average length of a par 5 hole is around 555 yards with the longest ones measuring over 700 yards.
Disc golf course acreage size:
The average size of a disc golf course is around 2 to 5 acres. In fact, a complete 9-hold disc golf course could fit in a 2-acre piece of land.
However, there are also those that cover a larger piece of land.
The Maple Hill Disc Golf Course in Leicester, Massachusetts, for example, is a world-renowned disc golf course that covers more than 200 acres of land.
On the other hand, you have smaller courses like the one at the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Golf Course in Md that only covers 28 acres of land.
How many acres is the masters golf course?
The Masters golf course is one of the most iconic courses in the world. The course, which is located in Augusta, Georgia, covers more than 365 acres of land. It has been home to the Masters’ Tournament since 1934 and has hosted some of the most famous moments in golf history.
Factors that Affect the acreage in a Golf Course
- Length of the course: The yardage of the golf course is one of the main factors that will dictate its size in acres. Longer courses will obviously occupy more land than shorter ones. The average length of an 18-hole golf course is around 6,500 to 7,000 yards.
- Difficulty/terrain: Another factor that will affect the size of the golf course is its difficulty or terrain. If the course is packed with a lot of obstacles and has a lot of elevation changes, it will definitely occupy more land. Factoring in the dogleg, water hazards, and other obstacles will also add to the acreage.
- Layout: The layout of the golf course is also an important factor. If the course is designed with a lot of mounding, bunkers, and landscaping features, it will definitely need more land.
- Clubhouse: The clubhouse is also a factor that will affect the size of the golf course. If the clubhouse is big and has a lot of amenities like a pro shop, locker rooms, showers, and a restaurant, it will definitely require more land.
- The number of holes: The number of holes in the golf course is also a factor that will affect its size. An 18-hole golf course will obviously need more land than a 9-hole golf course.
Hi there! I am Justin, one of the founders here at Golf Bagsy. I have been golfing since I was 12 and have participated in over 50 tournaments since 2018. When COVID took over the golf tournament schedules during the lockdowns, I spent a good amount of time doing research and writing about golf. I also provide part-time coaching for those looking to learn how to play golf and can be reached at justin@golfbagsy.com.