What is Executive Golf Course? A detailed walkthrough

You’ve probably heard of golf courses with 18 holes, 9 holes, and even par 3 holes. However, you might not be familiar with what is executive golf course.

That makes sense, given their rarity and the fact that many individuals are unaware of them.

A basic and simple description of an executive golf course is that it is a section of a conventional 18-hole golf course that is shorter than the average length. You’ll quickly notice something about the courses if you visit nearby or watch a game of golf; they are all par 72.

What about courses with shorter holes and lower pars, though? This week, we’re going to discuss “executive courses,” which are these junior-sized courses.

executive golf course

A golf course that is shorter than a typical course in one or more ways is known as an “executive course” or “executive golf course.” Due to the fact that it frequently contains more par-3 holes than the average golf course, it has a lower par. Executive courses can have par-4 and par-5 holes, although they often have more par-3 holes.

Though many executive golf courses are a part of bigger golf clubs or facilities, they can also operate independently. Another location where golfers might find businesspeople is in practice areas with driving ranges.

Executive courses, which offer the ideal compromise between a short par-3 course and a lengthier standard course that will take hours to play, are growing in popularity.

What is Executive Golf Course?

An executive course is shorter than a standard course and features many more par 3 holes, with a few par 4 holes and, on certain courses, the occasional par 5. Executive courses enable players to move through the game more rapidly since they need to travel shorter distances and make fewer shots.

Businessmen who enjoy doing deals on executive courses and having a fast round over their lunch break are the reason why executive courses got their moniker.

In the corporate world, “executive course” is a word used. The chances of successfully sneaking away to the golf course during a lengthy lunch break are higher on a shorter course that takes less time to play. This is especially true for business people, specifically company executives.

From that concept, these golf courses’ names were derived. Executive courses are well-liked by golfers who want to play a few holes right before the sun sets, but they are also perfect for beginners, higher handicappers, and anyone who prefers a shorter game.

business girl playing golf

These golf courses are shorter than standard golf courses. When the course was constructed, the designers added more par 3 holes and shorter par 4 holes. There were occasionally additional par-5 holes added, but they were typically just one in total.

Golfers may complete these courses more quickly since they need to hit fewer shots and cover less ground. The executive course was so named because corporate leaders may meet there during their lunch break because of the reduced round time.

According to the PGA’s rules, a golf hole should take a little under 15 minutes on average. The time balances out to a constant standard that takes slightly longer on par 5s and slightly less time on par 3s because most courses have roughly the same numbers of par 3 and par 5 holes.

Every hole on an executive course can typically be finished in under 15 minutes by reducing the total number of par 4 holes and the number of par 5 holes. This shortens the time required to play nine.

Difference between Executive Golf Course and Regular Golf Course

Curious about What is executive golf course and regular course difference?

The regular golf course is condensed into an executive course. Most golf courses include nine or 18 holes, and they typically have a combination of par 3s, par 4s, and par 5s.

The majority of holes on a standard golf course are par 4, which implies that it takes four shots on average to accomplish the hole. Two par 3s and two par 5s can be found on this traditional layout’s front and back nines. As a result, the course’s par of 72, or an average par of 4 across its 18 holes, is maintained.

Not all regular courses have a par of 72. On some courses’ front and back nines, there is only one par 5, resulting in a par of 70.

player playing golf course

When it comes to a common design and what the course’s regular par is, courses can vary by a few strokes in either way. The course, however, becomes more of an executive course design after the total par of the course is reduced to the mid-to-low-60s.

Designing an executive golf course takes play speed into consideration. In an ideal world, golfers might play nine holes in less than an hour and a half, making it a more practical sport for business meetings or during lunch.

Due to this objective, there are many par 3 holes, and the par 4 holes are typically not very long. Executive courses offer a quick nine holes alternative in the middle of the day and are a wonderful area for beginners or players who don’t hit the ball very far to work on their games.

Executive vs. Par-3 Courses

Par 3 golf courses and executive golf courses are commonly misinterpreted and confused. In reality, they aren’t. A par 3 course is similar to an executive golf course in principle, but these courses also provide golfers with some pleasant par 4 holes and the occasional par 5.

Golf Course with a Golf Ball

A par 3 course, of course, consists entirely of par 3s. The main issue with par 3 golf courses is that you can never, ever hit your driver. Executive golf courses address this by providing a few longer holes while yet remaining quick and practical.

There will occasionally be a few par 4 holes on a par 3 course. The 18-hole par on the course is one of the key differentiators. A par of 54 would be the number of par 3 holes on a course. The par on executive courses normally ranges from 60 to 65.

Although the precise number of holes can have an effect, the owner ultimately decides what kind of course it is.

There is a broad understanding in the game of the many sorts of courses, but at the end of the day, the owner can refer to their course as anything they choose, similar to your local country club, where it might not appear like the conditions live up to the “country club” designation.

How long does it take to play an Executive course?

As we’ve discussed so far about what is executive golf course, how it is different from other courses, now you might be wondering how long it would take if you wanna play.

Rounds move more quickly and more easily when played on executive courses. You could have a chance to complete it if you want to play a twilight round after work.

An incredibly quick round can result from playing an executive course alone or with just one other person. It can take two to three hours. Some solo performances might be finished in 1.5 hours.

It can take anything from 3.5 to 4 hours when there are 3–4 players, depending on how quickly they play and whether they use mulligans. The round will go by considerably more quickly if you use a cart rather than walking.

time for Golf on an Executive Golf Course

An executive course is typically created with the premise that a round can be finished within a lunch break, as we covered earlier in the discussion of the meaning of the term “executive course.”

Instead of the typical 2-2.5 hours needed to play nine holes on a regulation course, the ideal situation would be to hold a lunch meeting on the course and play nine holes in under 1.5 hours. Corporate executives can now play golf during their lunch break rather than spend the entire day in an office.

Benefits of Executive Golf Courses

Apart from saving you time, money, and energy, playing Executive Courses has a ton of other advantages.

Benefits of Executive Golf Courses

Improving your approach game

On a standard course, your first shot is likely to be a driver, wood, or hybrid, while on an executive course, your first shot will typically be low iron, wood, or hybrid. Shorter holes allow you to concentrate more on precision, whether you are hitting for the green or laying up near it on a par 4.

A greater focus is placed on the shorter side of the game and more shots are taken with higher clubs on shorter courses. Executive golf will be won or lost on the shorter end of your game with a lower total par and fewer shots.

Improves your Putting on Immaculate greens

Even if you are not Dustin Johnson, the majority of your shots will likely be putts.

Despite this, practicing it is still the most challenging part of your game. How will you locate quality practice greens with a variety of slopes and lies?

There is nothing like the sense of trying to read new greens that you haven’t played before with the added pressure of trying to make a birdie or par added in. Sure, pricey home putting greens and the putting green at the local range can assist.

Executive courses and par 3 holes are the best ways to develop your putting outside of a regular course.

Better Confidence

We have all experienced the difficulty of breaking even 100 on a real course when learning the game of golf.

You may shoot a respectable score much more quickly on an executive course because it is significantly shorter and simpler to traverse. This demonstrates your exact level of improvement and boosts your self-assurance for when you play golf on a regular course.

Building up your confidence is a surefire approach to enhance your game overall because the mental side of golf is just as essential as the physical side.

Suitable for seniors, juniors, and beginners

It can be intimidating to step up to a fairway that is hundreds of yards away on the first tee box, especially if you’re junior or senior who isn’t the strongest hitter.

Although women can utilize the lady’s tee boxes, practically all courses have lengthy and challenging drives. Executive courses are great for shorter players who may be just as skilled as bigger players but are unable to locate the necessary distances to layup for their green approach shots.

The fact that you can’t hit the ball as far as Bryson DeChambeau doesn’t imply you shouldn’t be able to shoot a score on a golf course that is near to or below par. Executive courses provide shorter batters a level playing ground to demonstrate their skill.

You May Also Like Reading:

📌 What to wear for golf men – A perfect golf attire guide
📌 Guide: Beginner casual golf attire for ladies
📌 What to wear golfing if you don’t have golf clothes?
📌 What to wear at a country club

Wrap up

Playing Golf

Cutting to the chase, Why and What is executive golf course?

They were given that term because business professionals would play them during their lunch breaks or close faster business deals.

Compared to ordinary golf courses, these ones are shorter in length. More par 3 holes and shorter par 4 holes were included when the course was developed. Occasionally, par-5 holes might be added, but typically, just one would be added.

These courses allow golfers to finish them more quickly because they need fewer shots and shorter distances.