fairway

[fair-wey]

noun

1. an unobstructed passage, way, or area.

2. Golf.

   1. the part of the course where the grass is cut short between the tees and the putting greens, exclusive of the rough, trees, and hazards.

      More important than long drives is keeping your ball on the fairway.

   2. the mowed part of any hole between the tee and the green.

      The foursome is now on the tenth fairway.

3. Nautical.

   1. the navigable portion of a river, harbor, or other partly enclosed body of water.

   2. the channel customarily navigated by vessels in such a body of water.

fairway

/ ˈfɛəˌweɪ /

noun

1. (on a golf course) the areas of shorter grass between the tees and greens, esp the avenue approaching a green bordered by rough

2. nautical

   1. the navigable part of a river, harbour, etc

   2. the customary course followed by vessels

Word History and Origins

Origin of fairway¹

1515–25; 1905–10 fairway for def. 2; fair ¹ + way ¹

Example Sentences

For instance, you’re playing your first tee shot on Day 2 into what was yesterday’s 18th fairway toward yesterday’s 17th green.

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The rough at Bethpage, known for its maddening length when it hosts major championships, was trimmed so short that players were sometimes better off there than on the fairway.

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McIlroy lost his cool towards the end of his morning foursomes win alongside Lowry, swearing at American fans during a heated moment on the 16th fairway.

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Rather than the noise filtering down from the terrace on to the tee, it seemed to drift over the top of the players and down the fairway.

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The boisterous buzz makes it an essential part of the day for fans, who arrive in morning darkness to stake their spot, while latecomers, irked at missing out, slope off down the fairway.

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