What is the difference between the fairway and the rough?

Both are grass, but the fairway is mown short so the ball sits up and can be struck cleanly, while the rough is left longer so contact is less predictable. Aiming for the fairway is why position often matters more than distance.

Does every hole have a water hazard and a bunker?

No. Holes are individually designed, so the mix of hazards changes from hole to hole. What every hole has is a teeing area, some route to the green, and a putting green with the hole in it.

Courts & fields

Golf Hole Diagram

The parts of a golf hole: the teeing area, the mown fairway, the rough either side, a water hazard, a greenside bunker, and the putting green with the hole and flagstick.

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Questions

What is the difference between the fairway and the rough?: Both are grass, but the fairway is mown short so the ball sits up and can be struck cleanly, while the rough is left longer so contact is less predictable. Aiming for the fairway is why position often matters more than distance.
Does every hole have a water hazard and a bunker?: No. Holes are individually designed, so the mix of hazards changes from hole to hole. What every hole has is a teeing area, some route to the green, and a putting green with the hole in it.

Golf Hole Diagram

Questions

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