NCG’s Golf Glossary: What is yardage?

What does yardage mean? Well, here at National Club Golfer we’re the publication for the everyday player and so we’ve taken it upon ourselves to give you a step-by-step introduction to the wonderful world of the golfing lexicon.

Here at NCG we pride ourselves on being the publication for the everyday player, so we’ve taken it upon ourselves to delve into the wonderful world of the golfing lexicon.

Sometimes the most obvious terms have the most interesting story, so you might find yourself an interesting conversation starter…

What does yardage mean?

Yardage refers to the number of yards on either the golf course or each hole.

Yardage markers appear throughout the course to let you know the distance to each green. Many courses feature yardages on sprinkler heads and other objects on the fairway.

Information such as this allows the golfer to know how far they need to advance the ball to the green and informs club selection.

In order for this information to be useful, you need to know that measurements are to the centre of the green.

Sometimes, multiple yardages will be given. They will tell you the distance to the front, back and centre of the green.

How would you use it in a sentence?

“Hey Roger, what is the yardage of this hole?”

What is its origin?

The yard as a measure has an extremely long history and its longevity accounts for its prevalence in a venerable game such as golf.

The standard length of the modern yard was ratified in the The Weights and Measures Act of 1824. This is the measure used in golf today.

Any other business?

The yardage of each hole can usually be found on the course’s scorecard.

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