Lesson 4: Distances and Numbers on the Course
Numbers do not just live on the scorecard. They are all over the golf course itself. Those small markers in the fairway — the red, white, and blue markers on the ground or the posts at the side — tell you how far away the hole is.
The 150-yard marker is a white marker in the middle of the fairway that tells you the hole is 150 yards away. Some courses also have markers at 100 yards and 200 yards.
Understanding distances helps you choose the right club. A shorter hole might only need a short iron. A longer hole might need a driver and then another big club. The numbers on the ground are clues that help you make smart decisions.
Distances in golf are measured in yards in America and some other countries, and in meters in many other parts of the world. 100 yards is about 91 meters — they are close but not the same!
Distance markers show how far the hole is from where you are standing. They help you choose the right club.
Distances are measured in yards (in the USA) or meters (in many other countries).
Why do you think golfers need to know exactly how far away the hole is? What would happen if there were no distance markers anywhere on the course?
Walk to the 150-yard marker on one of the fairways at your facility with your parent. Stand next to it and look toward the hole. It is hard to imagine what 150 yards looks like, isn’t it? Now try to estimate: how many times would you have to walk end-to-end in your bedroom to travel 150 yards? (Your bedroom is probably about 10-15 feet long — there are 3 feet in a yard.) Write your calculation in your math journal.