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) the top three of a major tournament. Jack Nicklaus wins the PGA Championship - unusually played in February in 1971 - but then surprisingly loses the Masters, beaten in the final round by unheralded playing partner Charles Coody. Nicklaus would then lose a playoff for the U.S. Open to Lee Trevino. The classic golf book "Golf in the Kingdom" by Michael Murphy, is published. 1972 Carolyn Cudone wins the U.S. Senior Women's Amateur for a record fifth consecutive time. Dick Kimbrough completes 364 holes in 24 hours at the 6,068 North Platte CC in Nebraska. Tom Doty records 10-under-par in