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Fairway Support›Glossary›Fairway

Fairway

The mown strip of grass between tee and green where tee shots are meant to land.

More on this

The word is borrowed from sailing, where it's been used since the 1400s for a safe, navigable channel. Golf's original term for this area was actually "fair green" (used in the first written Rules of Golf in 1744), and "fairway" only overtook it in the early 1900s, likely because so many early courses were built right next to harbors and shipping.

More course & etiquette terms

Fore!

The traditional warning shout when a ball might be heading toward someone, always yell it, immediately, if there's any doubt.

Honor

The right to tee off first on a hole, traditionally earned by having the lowest score on the previous hole.

Ready Golf

An informal approach to pace of play where whoever is ready hits, instead of strictly playing in honor order, common (and encouraged) in casual rounds.

Out of Bounds (OB)

The area outside the legal boundaries of the course, marked with white stakes, hitting a ball there costs stroke and distance.

Penalty Area (Hazard)

Water or other marked areas (yellow or red stakes/lines) where a ball landing inside carries a one-stroke penalty and specific relief options.

Provisional Ball

A backup ball played when the original might be lost or out of bounds, to save time walking back if it is.