Golf golf course consists of 18 holes, but nine-hole courses are common and can be played twice through for a full round of 18 holes. Early Scottish golf courses were primarily laid out on links land, soil-covered sand dunes directly inland from beaches. This gave rise to the term "golf links", particularly applied to seaside courses and those built on naturally sandy soil inland. The first 18-hole golf course in the United States was on a sheep farm in Downers Grove, Illinois, in 1892. The course is still there today. Every round of golf is based on playing a number of
Timeline of golf history (1945–99) attempting the same feat. Judy Rankin becomes the first LPGA professional to earn more than $100,000 in a season. Richard Stanwood sets the record for fewest putts in one round—15—at Riverside GC in Pocatello, Idaho. The USGA institutes the Overall Distance Standard—golf balls that fly more than 280 yards (256 m) during a standard test are banned. 1977 Al Geiberger shoots 59 at Colonial CC in the second round of the Danny Thomas Memphis Classic, to set a new PGA Tour 18-hole record. Bing Crosby dies after completing a round of golf in Spain. His Bing Crosby National Pro-Am continues