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
Fulwell Golf Course in 1906 making it just under in length with the longest hole being , formally opening for play on 19 November 1907. In 1921 Alister MacKenzie, the noted golf course architect, was contracted to extend and improve the outer course. Phil Gaudin was appointed as the first head golf professional at Fulwell in 1906, and he remained there until the start of World War I in 1914. Gaudin played a match there on 1 June 1906 against Taylor. Taylor led by 6 holes after the first round and eventually won 3&2. George Oke became resident professional at Fulwell in 1921