They say there’s such a thing as the home field advantage. Knowing the space where you play sports like the back of your hand can help you to victory. Good golfers use this to avoid obstacles like tall grass or a deep bunker, which is a pit of sand. But what happens when you step onto a new course? What if every hole isn’t the same? Well, they aren’t, not even on your regular course. Different par levels alone can make a hole look completely unique. Sometimes, you may even step on the green only to find that the hole with its bright flag is no longer where you thought it was. 

     The first thing you have to know is the meaning of the word “par.” Par is the number of strokes, or shots, the creators of the golf course think it will take you to finish. It is either three, four, or five. If you get to your fifth stroke and still haven’t finished, don’t worry, you can go over. In the PGA, Professional Golf Association, there are different words for the amount of strokes you take. First, they provide the par for the hole. If you get one under par, that’s birdie, two under is eagle, and a hole-in-one is an ace. It’s not all good though. Bogey is one over par, then double and triple bogey. PGA players keep going until the ball is holed, but in some places, you can max out and pick up your ball.

     Par threes are the shortest, many either downhill or uphill to add interest to an otherwise short and boring hole. They can also have bunkers and ponds, some with fountains, to put more in your way. Why? Many good players would land on the green in one shot if a par three didn’t have these important elements, and some still can. The length of the hole is usually around 260 yards. However, keeping with the theme, not all are like this. 

     On average, par fours are about 420 yards long, some taking a small turn to one side. Some have bunkers, where you have to jump in and hit the ball out of the sand. Careful! No practice shots allowed here, you must do it on the grass instead. If you land in the pond, that’s a whole other story. Drop a new ball in a designated zone or, if you’re less serious about the sport, simply pick up where you left off. Maybe you take a swing, land just off the fairway or the shorter grass that is one of the most well-known parts of a course and realize that it’s really tough to get the ball out. Welcome, ladies and gentlemen, to the rough. Here, the grass is longer and trees or roots might litter your path. The best strategy here is to get back on the fairway, then move forward. 

     Finally, there’s the par five. Trees, ponds, bunkers, there are myriad possibilities, all to make this type of hole, which on average is 600 yards, even more difficult. Some can take a slightly sharper turn to the left or right. This is called a dogleg, but not all have them. Again, no two are the same. 

     Maybe the home field advantage exists, but it’s harder to notice when playing golf. You have to adapt to a new course and changes made on your regular one. This can make someone noticeably better, and even your mindset in golf can help. Golf is important because it’s not only fun but helps to teach you to be flexible and think about your actions. Knowing your surroundings is vital, especially being aware of whatever situation you get yourself into. Getting into the mindset of doing this can change your life and how you look at challenges.

-Renee B.