Apron
An apron in golf is the area of closely mown grass in front of a putting green where the fairway transitions into the green surface. It is not part of the putting green.
What is an apron in golf?
The apron is a strip of grass that sits between the fairway and the putting green on a golf hole. The Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) defines it as the fairway area close to and in front of the putting green, adjoining the putting green collar, noting that it is normally mowed at fairway height but sometimes mowed slightly closer.
On most courses, the grass on the apron is cut to a height between that of the fairway and the green. Putting greens are typically mowed below 0.25 inches, while fairways are cut to around 0.5 to 1.5 inches, according to recommended mowing height tables from the USGA and state turfgrass management guidelines. The apron sits somewhere in between, giving it a slightly different texture and color that most golfers can spot by eye.
Not every hole has an apron. For one to exist, the front of the green needs to be open to the fairway with no bunkers, rough, or water hazards blocking the path. When an apron is present, it gives golfers the option to run the ball along the ground and up onto the green rather than flying it all the way to the putting surface. This is a deliberate design choice by the course architect or superintendent, and it affects how a hole plays.
Apron vs. fringe vs. collar
These three terms cause a lot of confusion, and golfers (and even commentators) use them loosely. Here is how they differ.
| Term | Location | Grass height | Notes |
| Apron | In front of the green, between fairway and green | At or slightly below fairway height | Sometimes called the approach area. Not present on every hole. |
| Fringe | Narrow band surrounding the entire green | Between green and fairway height | The most common modern term. Also called frog hair. |
| Collar | Ring of grass encircling the green | Between green and fairway height | Often used interchangeably with fringe. Some courses maintain a distinct collar cut. |
In practice, many golfers and broadcasters treat apron, fringe, and collar as interchangeable. The distinction that matters most is this: the apron specifically refers to the area in front of the green where the fairway feeds into it, while the fringe and collar wrap around the entire perimeter. Frog hair is a slang term, primarily American, that can refer to either area. The Historical Dictionary of Golfing Terms traces its usage back to at least the 1960s.
Under the Rules of Golf, all three areas are classified the same way. None of them is part of the putting green.
Apron vs. false front
A false front looks like the front edge of a putting green, but it slopes sharply enough that balls landing on it roll back toward the fairway. The 9th hole at Augusta National is one of the most well-known examples.
The difference between an apron and a false front is straightforward. An apron is not part of the putting green. It is mowed at or near fairway height and treated as a general area under the rules. A false front is part of the putting green, mowed at green height and maintained like the rest of the putting surface. The apron provides a path to roll the ball onto the green. A false front punishes golfers who do not carry the ball far enough.
Both can appear on the same hole. A golfer might need to run the ball across an apron, over a collar, and past a false front to safely reach a pin position in the back of the green.
Rules of Golf on the apron
The apron falls under the general area of the course, as defined by Rule 2.2a of the Rules of Golf (R&A/USGA). This means it is treated the same as any other part of the fairway. A few specific implications follow from this.
Golfers cannot mark, lift, clean, and replace their ball on the apron the way they can on the putting green. That right is reserved for balls on the putting green under Rule 13.1b.
Damage repair works differently, too. On the putting green, golfers may repair ball marks, spike marks, and other damage. On the apron, these repairs are not permitted in the same way because general area rules apply.
Any club can be used from the apron. Putting is a popular choice, and many golfers prefer it when the grass is tight and smooth. But a putt struck from the apron does not count as a putt for stat-tracking purposes. The PGA Tour only counts strokes played from the putting green surface as putts, so a putter used from the apron counts as a stroke from the general area.
Related Golf Terms
- Approach shot — A shot played toward the green, typically from the fairway.
- Alignment stick — A thin rod used during practice to help with aim and swing alignment.
- Putting green — The specially prepared area of each hole where golfers putt the ball into the hole. Mowed at the shortest height on the course.
- Address — The position a golfer takes before hitting the ball.
- Chip shot — A short, low-trajectory shot played from near the green, designed to get the ball onto the putting surface quickly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the apron part of the putting green?
No. The apron is classified as part of the general area under the Rules of Golf. Putting green rules (such as lifting and cleaning the ball) do not apply on the apron.
Can you putt from the apron?
Yes. Golfers can use any club from the apron, including a putter. The ball will typically roll more slowly through the slightly longer grass before reaching the green surface.
What is the difference between an apron and a fringe?
Some golfers use the terms interchangeably. Technically, apron refers specifically to the area in front of the green where the fairway transitions into it, while fringe describes the closely mown band around the entire green perimeter.
Does every golf hole have an apron?
No. An apron requires an open approach to the front of the green. Holes with bunkers, water, or rough between the fairway and the green do not have an apron.
Sources
- Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA). Apron definition and turf management terminology.
- R&A and USGA. Rules of Golf. Rules 2.2a (Areas of the Course) and 13.1 (Ball on the Putting Green). 2023 edition.
- USGA Green Section Record. “Strategies to Prevent Putting Green Collar Decline.” Vol. 60, Issue 6. 2022.
- USGA Green Section Record. “Establishing and Maintaining Closely Mown Green Surrounds.” Vol. 61, Issue 10. 2023.
- PGA Tour. Stat-tracking methodology for putts (putts counted only from the putting green surface).
- Kelley, Brent. “The Apron in Golf: Where Fairway Meets Putting Green.” LiveAbout. 2020.
- Historical Dictionary of Golfing Terms. Entry on frog hair. Citations from New York Times (1977) and Sam Snead (1962).
