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.

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…