How a golf hole is measured

Golf Digest, Sept, 2006

Holes are measured along their center line from points on each teeing area to turning points (if they dogleg) and to the green. A plate next to the teeing area often designates the starting point. If the tee box is ahead of or behind that point, subtract or add that distance for the exact yardage.

Yardages on a scorecard are typically from a plate to the center of the green, but newer courses sometimes provide yardages to the front, middle and back of the green.

Most courses are measured using Global Positioning System satellites or with lasers at ground level. Both methods are two-dimensional, so a 400-yard hole could play shorter or longer depending on elevation changes.