Fairway
Course Areas
Explained Simply
The short-mowed strip of grass between the tee box and the green. This is where you want your ball to land.
Example
“Hit your drive down the center of the fairway and you'll have a clean, easy-to-hit lie for your next shot.”
Why it matters
Fairway lies are the easiest to hit from — the ball sits cleanly on short grass. Missing the fairway into rough or worse makes the game harder.
Common beginner mistake
Aiming too close to hazards or out of bounds trying to cut corners. Aim for the widest part of the fairway.
Related
beginner
Course Areas
Related
- RoughThe longer, thicker grass bordering the fairway and other course areas. Harder to hit from than the fairway.
- Green (Putting Green)The closely mowed area of grass surrounding the hole where you putt. The hole (cup) is always on the green.
- Tee BoxThe designated starting area for each hole where you place your tee and hit your first shot.
- Lie (Ground Lie)The situation your ball is sitting in — whether it's on the fairway, in rough, on a slope, or in a divot.