I Used to Guess My Yardages Like a Blind Man at a Darts Game, Until an Old Caddie Showed Me the Value of a Simple Notebook
Now hold on a second. If you've ever walked off a distance or squinted at a sprinkler head and guessed your yardage, you know the frustration of picking the wrong club. I did that for years, and my scores showed it. Then, back in the '90s, I played a round with an old caddie at a state park course who carried a beat-up notebook full of handwritten numbers. He'd open it before every shot, glance at a page, and pull the exact right club. I asked him about it, and he said, "Son, this here's my yardage book. It's my memory on paper." That notebook changed how I thought about golf. You don't need a fancy GPS or a $300 rangefinder to know your distances—you just need a little book and a little walking. This guide will show you what a yardage book is, how to make a simple one for your home course, and how to use it to save strokes. I'm Earl Buck Hatfield, and I've been playing golf in Beckley for forty-four years. Let me show you the old-school way that still works.
Why You Should Trust Me on This
My name's Earl Buck Hatfield. I've been playing public golf in Beckley since 1982, and I've been keeping a yardage book for thirty of those years. I know every green, every hazard, and every sneaky yardage on the courses around here, and I've written most of it down. I'm not a pro, and I won't pretend that a yardage book will fix your swing. But it'll help you pick the right club more often, and that'll shave strokes off your score. I may earn a small commission if you buy through my links, but I only recommend what I'd suggest to a friend. And I'll never call you a dummy for guessing your yardage. I did it for years, and it cost me plenty.
What a Golf Course Yardage Book Actually Is
A yardage book is a small notebook or booklet that contains distances and landmarks for a specific golf course. It's like a cheat sheet for your round. A professional yardage book might have detailed diagrams of each hole, with distances from tees to hazards, landing areas, and the green. But for a regular golfer, it can be much simpler: a few pages of notes with key yardages—like "7th hole, big oak on the left is 150 from the green" or "12th green is 30 yards deep." You can make your own with just a pencil, a small notebook, and a little walking. I use a pocket-sized notebook that fits in my back pocket, and I write down distances as I learn them. Over time, it becomes a personalized guide to the courses I play most. If you want a nice cover for your notebook, here's a search for golf yardage book covers on Amazon. If your budget's tight, DHgate has cheap options with slower shipping—order ahead if you want one. But honestly, a $2 notebook from the drugstore works just as well. I've used the same one for years, and it's held together with a rubber band and a lot of pride. The book itself isn't the magic; the knowledge inside is.
How to Make Your Own Simple Yardage Book
Making a yardage book is easier than you think, and it's a great excuse to walk a course and really learn it. Here's my simple method, which I've used for thirty years. First, pick a course you play regularly—maybe Grandview or another local track. Second, walk each hole with a rangefinder or just a good eye, and note the distances from the tee to the fairway bunker, the turn, and the green. You don't need exact numbers; approximate is fine. I pace off distances or use a cheap rangefinder. If you don't have one, you can use a phone GPS app—Maya has a guide on the best free golf apps that'll give you distances. Third, write down the distances for each hole in a small notebook, along with any landmarks that help—like "the big oak on the left is 150 out." Fourth, keep the book in your bag and refer to it before each shot. Over time, you'll add notes about green depth, pin positions, and where not to miss. I've been updating mine for decades, and it's become as valuable as any club in my bag. If you want to learn how to use a rangefinder to gather your distances, check out my guide on whether a rangefinder is worth it. And if you're a beginner still learning the basics of the game, Maya's swing basics guide will give you the foundation to make all those yardages count.
How to Use a Yardage Book During Your Round
Using a yardage book is simple, but it takes a little discipline. Before you pull a club on a given hole, open your book and check the yardage to the front, middle, and back of the green, as well as any hazards or landing areas you need to avoid. I like to write down the total distance to the green from each tee, plus the distance to the 150-yard marker. That way, I can quickly do the math from wherever my ball lies. For example, if my book says the 12th hole is 390 yards from the white tees, and I'm 140 yards from the 150 marker, I know I have about 290 yards left. It's not rocket science, but it saves me from bad guesses. I also note the depth of each green, so I know how much room I have to work with. A 40-yard-deep green is a lot more forgiving than a 20-yard one. I've saved strokes just by knowing which greens are shallow and which are deep. If you want to track your distances more precisely, a rangefinder can help you fill in your book—Jack has a guide on the best rangefinders. And if you prefer digital, a GPS watch can give you the same numbers without the notebook. But there's something satisfying about a handwritten book that's been with you for years. It's like an old friend in your back pocket. If you want to learn more about the mental side of course management, check out my club distances guide.
Three Honest Drawbacks of Keeping a Yardage Book
I love my yardage book, but I won't pretend it's for everyone. Here are three real frustrations you might run into, and how to handle them.
1. It takes time to make. Walking a course and writing down yardages is a project. It might take two or three hours to do a full 18 holes, and you'll need to update it whenever the course changes. I've spent many afternoons walking and pacing, and I've had to update my book more than once when a green was rebuilt or a tee moved. The fix is to see it as an investment, not a chore. I enjoy the process—it's a way to learn the course intimately. And you don't have to do it all at once. I built my first book over several rounds, adding a few holes each time. If you're short on time, just note the key yardages and add more later. For more on course management, read my pace of play tips—a good yardage book actually speeds you up, because you're not guessing.
2. It's one more thing to carry and keep track of. A notebook in your pocket adds a little bulk, and if you lose it, you lose your notes. I've misplaced mine a few times and felt lost without it. The fix is to keep it in a consistent place—mine lives in a specific pocket of my golf bag, and I always put it back after use. I also take photos of the pages with my phone as a backup, so if the notebook gets lost, I still have the numbers. It's a simple habit that's saved me more than once. If you're worried about losing it, consider a digital version—many phone apps let you save course notes. But I prefer the paper version; it feels more personal. If you want a durable cover to protect your notebook, here's a search on Amazon. DHgate has cheap ones too, but shipping is slow.
3. It can become a crutch. Some golfers spend too long staring at their book before every shot, slowing down play. I've been guilty of that. The fix is to use the book for key decisions—like approach shots and tee shots on unfamiliar holes—but not for every chip and putt. I glance at my book, get my number, and go. If you find yourself overthinking, put the book away and trust your feel. My pace of play guide has more on keeping your round moving. And remember, the book is a tool, not a master. Your eyes and your swing still have to do the work.
Red Flags: Signs Your Yardage Book Is Costing You, Not Helping
If you notice any of these, it might be time to simplify or update your book. I've made each of these mistakes and corrected them.
🚩 You're spending more time reading your book than swinging the club. That's a sign you're overcomplicating things. Use it for key shots only.
🚩 Your yardages are outdated, and you're hitting shots based on wrong numbers. Courses change—update your book regularly. I check mine at least once a season.
🚩 You're relying on the book so much that you've stopped looking at the course itself. The book should complement your eyes, not replace them.
🚩 You're carrying a huge, unwieldy book that slows you down. A pocket notebook is all you need. If it doesn't fit in your back pocket, it's too big.
If you catch any of these, take a step back and simplify. A good yardage book is a few pages of key numbers, not a novel. I've seen golfers with professional yardage books they barely use, and it just clutters their bag. My advice: keep it simple, keep it current, and use it as a guide, not a gospel. If you want to improve your course management further, check out my uphill and downhill lies guide—mountain courses demand both yardage and elevation awareness. And if you're new to the game, Maya's first time golfing guide will help you feel comfortable on the course.
What to Do Once You've Made Your First Yardage Book
The first time you pull out your own handwritten yardage book, glance at a number you measured yourself, and hit the right club to the green, you'll understand why I wrote this guide. It's a quiet satisfaction—like having a secret map of the course. I remember my first book, filled with shaky numbers and little notes like "don't go right on 6." It wasn't pretty, but it worked. And every round, it got better. If you want to keep improving your course management, read my club distances guide and Jack's rangefinder guide. They'll help you gather the numbers that go into your book. And if you need gear like a notebook or a pen, the beginner gear hub has honest recommendations that won't oversell you. When you're ready to test your book on a real course, Earl's list of Beckley golf courses will point you to some tracks that are perfect for walking and mapping. Now go out there, make your own yardage book, and remember: the best golf gadget is the one you build with your own two feet. And a pencil. Don't forget the pencil.
Frequently Asked Questions About Golf Course Yardage Books
What is a golf course yardage book?
A yardage book is a small notebook or booklet that contains distances and landmarks for a specific golf course. It helps you choose the right club by giving you yardages to the green, hazards, and other key points. Professional versions have detailed diagrams, but a homemade version with simple notes works just as well. I've been using one for thirty years, and it's saved me countless strokes. If you want a ready-made cover, here's a search on Amazon. DHgate has cheap options too. But a $2 notebook is all you really need.
Do I need a yardage book if I have a rangefinder or GPS?
No, you don't need one, but it's a great complement. A rangefinder gives you exact distance to the pin, and a GPS gives you front-middle-back. A yardage book can store additional notes like green depth, where to miss, and local knowledge that gadgets don't provide. I use both—a rangefinder for exact numbers and my book for the stuff I've learned over the years. It's not either-or. For a beginner, a phone app or a basic rangefinder is probably enough. But if you play the same course often, a small book of notes is invaluable. Check out my guide on rangefinder vs GPS watch for more on the digital options.
How do I make a yardage book for my home course?
Walk the course with a rangefinder or GPS app and note the key distances: from tee to fairway bunker, to the 150-yard marker, and to the front, middle, and back of the green. Write these in a small notebook, hole by hole. Add notes about green depth and where not to miss. I did this over several rounds, and it changed how I played. You don't need to do it all at once—just start with the holes that give you trouble. If you want a more precise method, use a rangefinder to shoot landmarks. Jack's rangefinder guide has budget picks that'll help.
Is a yardage book legal in golf?
Yes, yardage books are completely legal under the Rules of Golf. You can also use a GPS or rangefinder during most rounds. The only restriction is that some tournaments may have local rules about electronic devices, but a paper yardage book is always allowed. I've used mine in league play and casual rounds with no issues. It's just information, not a swing aid. So don't worry about breaking any rules. If you're playing in a serious event, check with the committee, but a simple notebook is always fine. For more on the official rules, check out Maya's golf rules for beginners.
Can I buy a ready-made yardage book for local courses?
Many courses sell yardage books in the pro shop, especially resort courses. They're usually $10 to $20 and contain professional diagrams. I've bought a few over the years, and they're nice, but I still prefer my own notes. If you can't find one for a local course, you can often find printable versions online or make your own. I recommend making your own—it forces you to learn the course, which is half the value. If you want a nice cover for a homemade book, here's a search on Amazon. DHgate has cheaper options with slower shipping. But a rubber band around a pocket notebook works just as well, and it's what I've used for years.
Where to Go From Here
Now that you know how to make and use a yardage book, the next step is to improve the accuracy of your distances. My rangefinder guide and Jack's GPS watch comparison will help you gather the numbers you need. If you want to work on course management and club selection, my club distances guide is the perfect companion. And if you're new to the game and want to learn the fundamentals, start with Maya's swing basics guide. For all your gear needs, the beginner gear hub has honest recommendations that won't oversell you. When you're ready to walk and map a local course, Earl's list of Beckley golf courses will point you to some great tracks. Now go out there, take some notes, and remember: the best golf gadget is the one you build with your own two feet. And a pencil. Don't forget the pencil.