Golf is an outdoor sport where players use various clubs to hit a ball into a series of holes (usually 9 or 18) in as few strokes as possible. Played on a course featuring teeing areas, fairways, rough, bunkers, and greens, the goal is to complete each hole under par.
Key Aspects of Golf:
- Objective: Complete a round of 18 holes with the lowest total score.
- The Course: Features a variety of terrain including fairways (short grass), rough (long grass), bunkers (sand traps), and water hazards.
- The Holes: Each hole has a "par," which is the expected number of strokes for an expert golfer (usually 3, 4, or 5).
- Scoring:
- Birdie: 1 under par.
- Par: Equal to par.
- Bogey: 1 over par.
- Equipment: Players may carry up to 14 clubs, including drivers for distance, irons for approach shots, and a putter for the green.
- Structure: A standard round consists of 18 holes, though many courses offer 9-hole layouts.
The game emphasizes accuracy, strategy, and etiquette, and it is unique because no two courses are exactly alike.