fairway

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.

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

n.

1580s, “navigational channel of a river,” from fair (adj.) + way (n.). Golfing sense is from 1910.