One of the questions that often arises when discussing golf courses is, “How many acres make up a typical golf course?”. There isn’t just a straight answer or ballpark figure.

The short answer is typically somewhere between 125 to 170 acres, although you will exceptions to the rule when it comes to the average acres for a golf course.

Some local course have 18 holes squeezed into a small area, others have great expanses of land with holes well spaced out and needing buggies or carts to move from green to tee.

How Many Acres Is A Golf Course?

Golf courses can vary in size and layout, however, there are some general guidelines that can help us understand the average acreage of a typical golf course.

The United States Golf Association (USGA) provides guidelines for golf course design and maintenance.

According to their standards, a regulation 18-hole golf course typically encompasses about 125 to 150 acres of land. This includes the playing area, tees, fairways, greens, roughs, and hazards.

However, it’s essential to note that these are just general guidelines, and the actual size of a golf course can vary significantly.

You will find some courses covering less than 75 acres and others spread across much more than 200 acres depending on the land owned or leased.

Average Acres Of A Golf Course

Many factors can influence the size of a golf course, and there are various types of golf courses designed to cater to different skill levels and preferences.

To help you understand how many acres in a typical golf course, some examples of different golf course sizes and designs:

Championship Courses

These are the courses that host professional tournaments such as August for the Masters or one of the US Open venues.

Championship courses tend to be on the larger end of the spectrum, often exceeding 200 acres. They are meticulously manicured and present a challenging test for the world’s best golfers.

Resort Courses

Golf courses associated with resorts are designed to provide an enjoyable experience for both seasoned golfers and beginners.

They can vary in size but often fall within the range of 150 to 200 acres. The emphasis here is not only on golf but also on providing a picturesque setting for vacationers.

Municipal & Public Courses

These courses are open to the general public and come in various sizes, but they are typically more compact than championship or resort courses.

Municipal courses might range from 80 to 120 acres, making them more accessible and affordable for local golfers.

Links Courses

Links courses, typically found in coastal regions, are known for their natural, windswept landscapes. They can be quite extensive due to the sprawling, undulating terrain.

These courses, the like of which the Open Championship are played on, might range from 150 to 200 acres.

9-Hole Courses & Executive Courses

Executive courses, or nine holers, are smaller and designed to be completed more quickly than traditional 18-hole courses.

They usually comprise nine holes and range from just 50 to 100 acres. These courses are excellent for beginners and players seeking a quicker round.

Major Golf Courses Acreage

To put these ranges into perspective, you can compare your local course with the acreage of a few famous golf courses around the world.

Augusta National Golf Club: Home of the Masters, Augusta National spans approximately 365 acres, making it one of the larger and more prestigious courses in the world.

Pebble Beach Golf Links: This iconic coastal course in California covers around 95 acres and is a prime example of a compact, scenic layout.

St. Andrews Links (Old Course): As one of the most renowned links courses in the world, the Old Course at St Andrews occupies around 200 acres of Scottish coastline.

Pinehurst No. 2: Pinehurst No. 2 in North Carolina is a classic example of a resort course, encompassing approximately 180 acres.

Royal County Down Golf Club: Located in Northern Ireland, this world-renowned links course covers approximately 140 acres below the Mourne Mountains.

Kiawah Island Golf Resort (Ocean Course): The Ocean Course in South Carolina spans around 255 acres and has hosted major championships, including the USPGA Championship.

Whistling Straits: Situated along the shores of Lake Michigan in Wisconsin, Whistling Straits is a vast, championship-caliber course that occupies over 560 acres.

Bethpage Black: This iconic public golf course on Long Island, New York, encompasses roughly 150 acres and has hosted several US Opens.

TPC Sawgrass (Stadium Course): Home to the famous island green on the 17th hole, TPC Sawgrass in Florida covers about 415 acres and is a regular host of The Players Championship.

Royal Melbourne Golf Club: Located in Australia, the Royal Melbourne Golf Club covers approximately 250 acres and has been the site of numerous international tournaments.