Green
A green is the closely mown area on each golf hole, specially prepared for putting. Also called a putting green, it is where players roll the ball into the cup to complete the hole.
What is a green?
The green is one of five defined areas of every golf course, alongside the teeing area, the general area, bunkers, and penalty areas. The USGA Rules of Golf describe the putting green as the area on the hole being played that is specially prepared for putting. Each hole on a course has its own green, and the green is where every hole ends with the ball being rolled into a 4.25-inch cup using a putter.
The grass on a green is mown shorter and maintained more precisely than anywhere else on the course, often to heights below 1/8 of an inch. That tight, smooth surface is what allows the ball to roll predictably when struck with a putter. The flagstick, marking the location of the cup, sits in the middle of the green so players can see where the hole is from their approach shot.
The word “green” has two meanings in golf history. The older Scottish meaning referred to all the playing territory of a course, which is why phrases like “green fee” and “USGA Green Section” use the singular form. In modern conversation, almost everyone uses “green” to mean the putting surface specifically.
How a green fits into a golf hole
A round of golf is played one hole at a time, and the green is where each hole ends. A player tees off from the teeing area, advances the ball through the fairway and rough, then plays an approach shot toward the green. Once on the surface, the player putts until the ball drops into the cup.
Each hole is rated par 3, par 4, or par 5, and that par number assumes two putts on the green. Reaching the green in the expected number of strokes (par minus two) is called hitting the “green in regulation,” one of the most common stats golfers track at every level of play.
Green vs. fairway vs. fringe
It is easy to confuse the green with the closely mown grass that borders it. The difference comes down to mowing height and how each area plays:
| Area | Typical mowing height | What players do here |
|---|---|---|
| Green | 0.100–0.125 inches | Putt with a putter |
| Fringe (collar) | 0.200–0.500 inches | Putt or chip; the transition between green and surrounds |
| Fairway | 0.400–0.625 inches | Hit approach shots toward the green |
| Rough | 1.5–4 inches | Recover from missed shots |
The fringe, sometimes called the collar or “frog hair,” is the strip of slightly longer grass that rings the green. The fringe is not part of the putting green under the Rules of Golf. A ball on the fringe must be played as it lies, and players cannot mark and lift it the way they can on the green itself.
That distinction matters because players have special privileges on the green. They can mark, lift, clean, and replace the ball, and they are allowed to repair damage like spike marks and ball marks before putting. Off the green, those privileges go away.
How big is a green?
Greens vary widely in size, but most fall between 5,000 and 6,000 square feet. Some courses sit well outside that range:
- Pebble Beach Golf Links has the smallest greens on the PGA Tour, averaging around 3,500 square feet.
- The Old Course at St Andrews has the largest greens in championship golf, with several “double greens” shared between two holes that average over 22,000 square feet, according to data published by Pitchmarks.
- A typical PGA Tour green sits around 5,500 to 6,000 square feet.
Course architects size greens based on the length of the approach shot (longer approaches need bigger targets), the number of pin positions needed, and maintenance considerations.
Grass on a green
Three grasses dominate putting greens worldwide, with regional climate driving the choice:
- Creeping bentgrass is the standard for cooler climates in the northern United States and most of Europe. It tolerates ultra-low mowing heights and produces fast, smooth putting surfaces. Augusta National uses bentgrass.
- Bermudagrass is the warm-climate equivalent, used widely across the southern United States. Hybrid varieties like TifEagle have been bred specifically for putting greens and can be mowed almost as low as bentgrass.
- Poa annua (annual bluegrass) is common on West Coast courses, including Pebble Beach. It produces a firm, true putting surface but is prone to seed heads that introduce bumpiness later in the day, according to USGA agronomist Jordan Booth in a 2024 MyGolfSpy interview.
Each grass produces a slightly different ball roll, which is why touring pros adjust their feel from week to week.
Green speed and the Stimpmeter
Green speed describes how far a ball rolls on a level putting surface after being released at a consistent velocity. It is measured with a device called a Stimpmeter, designed by golfer Edward S. Stimpson in 1935 and standardized by the USGA in 1976.
Readings are given in feet:
- 8 to 9: Average municipal and public courses
- 10 to 11: Well-maintained private clubs
- 11 to 12: PGA Tour weekly events
- 13+: Major championship venues like Augusta National and Oakmont
Faster greens make putts roll farther and break more sharply, while slower greens hold a ball’s line and require more pace to reach the hole.
Related Golf Terms
- Fringe — The strip of grass between the green and the fairway or rough.
- Fairway — The closely mown area between the tee and the green.
- Golf tee — A small peg used to elevate the ball for the first stroke on each hole.
- Golf simulator — An indoor system that uses sensors and screens to simulate real golf.
- Grain — The direction grass grows on the green, which affects the speed and break of putts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is it called a green?
The term comes from Scottish golf history, where “green” originally referred to the entire playing territory of the course. Over time, the meaning narrowed to the closely mown putting surface around each hole.
Is the fringe part of the green?
No. The fringe (or collar) is a separate area with slightly longer grass. Under the Rules of Golf, a ball on the fringe is not on the putting green and cannot be marked and lifted without penalty.
How big is the hole on a golf green?
The hole is exactly 4.25 inches in diameter, a standard set by The R&A in 1891 and shared with the USGA. The hole must be at least 4 inches deep.
What is “green in regulation”?
A player hits the green in regulation by reaching the putting surface in two strokes fewer than par: one stroke for a par 3, two for a par 4, three for a par 5.
How many greens are there on a golf course?
Most regulation courses have 18 greens, one per hole. The Old Course at St Andrews is a notable exception, with seven “double greens” shared between two holes each, leaving the course with just 11 greens for 18 holes.
Sources
- USGA. “Putting Green.” Rules of Golf. Accessed May 2026.
- USGA. “The Word ‘Green’ In Golf.” Green Section Staff, March 2016.
- USGA Green Section Record. “Choosing Between Poa annua and Creeping Bentgrass for Cool-Season Golf Course Putting Greens.” September 2025.
- Pitchmarks. “What Is the Average Size of a Putting Green?” October 2022.
- Golf Course Industry. “Determining Green Size.” February 2016.
- TGL Golf. “TGL Green Size: How It Compares to Other Greens in Golf.” March 2025.
- USGA Green Section. “Stimpmeter Instruction Booklet.”
- MyGolfSpy. “How the Three Main Types of Putting Green Grasses Could Affect Your Short Game.” May 2024.
