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Yardage Book 101


What is a yardage book?

A yardage book is a small booklet or pamphlet that contains illustrations, pictures, or diagrams of each hole on a golf course. Most of the time these booklets will fit in the back of your pocket.

Old Golf Yardage Book

Photo credit: www.myusualgame.com

What’s the purpose of a yardage book?

The purpose of a yardage book is quite simply, to provide a golfer or caddie the distance, usually measured in yards/meters from Point A (where the ball is or most likely will be) to Point B (where you want the ball to end up). This helps in aiding the golfer to determine what club they should hit to accomplish this goal.

What information does a yardage book include?

A yardage book can be as simple or detailed as you like, but most offer the following:

  • Overhead view of the current hole

  • Outlines of tee boxes, fairways, hazards, rough, bunkers, and green complexes

  • Landmarks or significant areas of the course that never change, such as tree’s, rocks, yardage markers, structures, etc…