What Is a Parkland Golf Course?
Parkland: The most common American course style — lush fairways, tree-lined holes, and soft conditions.
Parkland — full definition
The most common American course style, characterized by lush, manicured fairways, abundant trees lining holes, well-watered greens, and relatively little wind. The name comes from the park-like setting. Augusta National is the archetypal parkland course. Parkland courses play softer than links with more aerial golf.
Parkland — frequently asked
What defines a parkland course?
- Lush, manicured fairways with abundant trees lining holes
- Well-watered greens and relatively little wind
- Plays softer than links — more aerial, target-style golf
What are famous examples of parkland courses?
- Augusta National is the archetypal parkland course
- The vast majority of American courses are parkland-style
More on Parkland
Parkland is the default American style, so this is the description that fits most of the 20,000+ courses in the directory.
- Golf course directoryThe overwhelming majority of these are parkland layouts.
- BentgrassThe putting surface most northern parkland courses use.
- Golf course architectsBrowse designers by the courses they built.
Other course features
Links
A coastal course style built on sandy terrain with firm conditions, deep bunkers, and wind.
Dogleg
A hole that bends left or right between the tee and the green.
Elevation Change
The height difference across a course or hole — directly affects club selection.
Green Complex
The entire area in and around the putting surface — green, bunkers, chipping areas, and slopes.
Forced Carry
A shot that must carry over a hazard — no option to play around it.
Risk-Reward
A hole offering a choice: play safe for a modest result, or go aggressive for a bigger reward.
Pin Position
Where the flagstick is placed on the green on a given day — changes daily.