A golf course is a large outdoor area planted with grass and other landscaping, constructed with defined fairways, putting greens, and holes for the game of golf. Golf courses usually include a variety of landscape elements, including wooded areas, ponds, and sand pits, many of which serve as obstacles in the game.

The fairways and putting greens organize play between starting points and holes. Landscape features can create obstacles along that route.

The definition concerns the constructed outdoor course. A compact minigolf layout has a separate recreational meaning.