Games
A
Ace - To hole out in one shot. Congratulations. The odds of a
non-pro to make an ace are 8,404 to 1
Addressing the Ball - A player has "addressed the ball" when
he has taken his stance and has also grounded his club, except that
in a hazzard a player has addressed the ball when he has taken his stance.
Advice - "Advice" is any counsel or suggestion which could influence
a player in determining his play, the choice of a club or the method
of making a stroke.
Aggregate - The score made over more than one round of play,
or by 2 or more players playing as partners.
Albatross - A British term for a "Double Eagle" - to score 3
strokes under par on a hole.
All square - A tied match
Amateur - A player who does not receive any monetary compensation.
Approach - The shot played to the green or pin.
Apron - The grassy area surrounding the putting surface.
Arc - Path of club swing on backswing
Attack - To aggressively go after the hole. To take a risk, looking
to reap a reward.
Attend the flag - To hold the flagstick while another player
putts.
Away - The ball that is the furthest distance away from the
hole when more than one golfer is playing. It is the first ball to be
played.
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B
Back Door - The rear of the hole. If you fly over the green
you'll be coming in the back door.
Back Lip - The edge of the bunker that is furthest from the
green.
Back Nine - The last 9 holes of an 18 hole course.
Backspin - A reverse spin put on a ball to make in stop on
the green.
Backswing - The beginning of the swing where the club is brought
in a backward motion from the ground until it stops over the head.
Back Tee - championship tee where the course plays the longest
Baffy - A term used in the 1800's for a 5 wood. A lofted wooden
club developed from the baffling-spoon.
Bail Out - To avoid trouble purposely, such as a water hazard,
by hitting the ball to a safe area.
Balata - The sap-like substance from the South American Balata
tree used to make golf ball covers.
Ball - The round, usually white, dimpled object which is hit
with a club hopefully towards the target. Most balls today are made
of a solid compressed synthetic rubber.
Ball in Play - A ball is "in play as soon as the player has
made a stroke on the teeing ground. It remains in play until holed
out, except when it is , lost, out of bounds or lifted, or another
ball has been substituted whether or not such substitution is permitted;
a ball so substituted becomes the ball in play.
Ball Holed - A shot that goes in the hole from off the green.
Ball Marker - item such as a coin used to mark the position
of the ball on the green, so as to not interfere with the next players
ability to putt.
Ball Retriever - A long pole with a scoop on the end used to
pull balls from water hazards and other hard to reach areas.
Ball Washer - A device for cleaning golf balls usually next
to the tee area.
Banana Ball - A slice that curves hard to the right in the
shape of a banana.
Baseball Grip - To hold the club with all ten fingers like
a baseball bat on the grip.
Beach - A sand hazard on the course.
Bend - To curve a shot by using side-spin.
Bent Grass - A hardy and resilient type of grass native to
North America and Eurasia that can be cut very short.
Bermuda Grass - A type of grass seen mostly on southern courses
in North America.
Best Ball - the better score of each of the players on a team
is used
Birdie - One stroke under par for a hole.
Bird's Nest - A lie in which the ball is cupped in deep grass.
Bite - Backspin put on the ball that makes the ball stop with
little or no roll.
Blade - the bottom of the club face or sometimes used as a
description of a golf club which is not cavity back or perimeter weighted
Blade Putter - A type of putter with an iron head similar to
other standard numbered irons.
Bladed - shots that are hit on the leading edge of the clubhead,
not with the face, but the
Blast - A shot that takes a large amount of sand with it when
hitting out of a sand trap.
Blaster - sometimes used as a another description for a sandwedge
Blind Bogey - A type of competition in which each player tries
to come the closest to a score that has been drawn out of a hat.
Blind Hole - A hole where the putting green cannot be seen
by the player as he approaches.
Block Shot - A shot made by delaying the rotation of the wrists
during a swing. This causes the clubface not to be square at the point
of impact resulting in a sliced shot.
Bogey - A score of one over par for the hole. To play a hole
in one stroke over par.
Borrow - the amount of predicted distance to the left or right
of a hole when putting on an un-level surface.
Bounce Sole - the sole angle of an iron when the trailing edge
is below the leading edge
Boundary - The edge of the golf course that defines the area
of play.
Brassie - name formerly given to the 2 wood.
Break - To make less than a specified score. To break par on
a hole or 80 for the course. The direction which a putt will roll
on the green.
Break the wrists - To bend the wrists back during a swing.
British Ball - The type of golf ball specified by the Royal
and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews. Diameter is not less than 1.620
inches and weighing not more than 1.620 ounces. Now used mostly in
amateur play.
British Open - the first open golf tournament ever, first held
in 1860. The National Championship sponsored by the Royal And Ancient
Golf Club of St. Andrews, Scotland.
bulge - The amount of bulge or curvature on a wood club face.
Bunker - A hazard consisting of a prepared area of ground often
a hollow, from which turf or soil has been removed and replaced with
sand or the like. Grass-covered ground bordering or within a bunker
is not part of the bunker. The margin of a bunker extends vertically
downwards, but not upwards. A ball is in a bunker when it lies in
or any part of it touches the bunker.
Burn - The Scottish term for a creek or stream.
Buzzard - A score of two strokes over par on a hole. Same as
a Double Bogey
Bye - A tournaments term. A player who draws a "bye" is allowed
to advance to the next round without playing an opponent.
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C
Caddie - A "caddie" is one who carries or handles a player's
clubs during play and otherwise assists him accordance with the Rules.
When one caddie is employed by more than one player, he is always
deemed to be the caddie of the player whose ball is involved, and
equipment carried by him is deemed to be that player's equipment,
except when the caddie acts upon specific directions of another player,
in which case he is considered to be that other player's caddie.
Caddie Master - The manager of the caddies at a course.
Caddie-Car - A golf cart.
Calamity Jane - The name which Bobby Jones game to his putter.
Can - The hole on the green.
Can a putt - to make or hole a putt.
Cap - The top end of the club.
Casual Water - "Casual water" is any temporary accumulation
of water on the course which is visible before or after the player
takes his stance and is not in a water hazard. Snow and natural ice,
other than frost, are either casual water or loose impediments, at
the option of the player. Manufactured ice is an obstruction. Dew
and frost are not casual water. A ball is in casual water when it
lies in or any part of it touches the casual water.
Callaway - a handicap system which is determined by a players
worst holes
Card - The scorecard used to record scores at a course.
Carpet - A term used to refer to the surface of the putting
green or fairway.
Carry - The distance of travel by a ball from when it is hit
to where it lands, not accounting for the roll on the ground
Cart - A two-wheeled trolley which carries a golf bag and
pulled around the course or a golf car.
Casual water - Any temporary accumulations of water that are
visible to a player and is not in a hazard or in a water hazard. A
player may lift his ball from casual water without penalty.
Cavity back iron - an investment cast iron head that has extra
weight in the heel, toe and sole
Center shafted - club whereby the shaft is fitted in to the
center of the golf head. Usually found in putters
Center of gravity - the point where weight is evenly distributed
in all directions throughout the club head
Charge - To come from behind and play great or to play aggressively.
Chart the course - Walk and pace each hole for distances to
the green. Usually done by a professional's caddie prior to an event.
Chili-dip - To hit the ground before the ball, producing a
weak shot.
Chip shot - A short short low running approach shot usually
hit from near the green.
Chip-and-run - A chip shot intended to run the ball after
landing.
Chip in - To hole a chip shot.
Choke - To play bad under pressure. To grip down farther on
the club's handle.
Chop - To hit the ball with a hacking motion.
Cleat - spikes Cleek - Old term used for a 4 wood.
Closed stance - The left foot extends over the balls line
of flight while the right foot is back.
Cleat - The spike on the sole of a golf shoe.
Closed face - When the clubface is pointed to the left of the
target when you address the ball.
Closed stance - A stance taken with the right foot pulled back
away from the ball.
Club - The instrument used in golf to hit the ball. A club
is made up of the shaft, grip and clubhead.
Club face - area where golf ball is to be struck
Club head - The hitting area of the club.
Clubhouse - The building on the course housing the locker rooms,
pro shop, etc. Clubhouse lawyer - A self-appointed caller or
arbiter of the rules.
Cock - To bend the wrists backwards in the backswing.
Collar - The grassy fringe surrounding the putting green.
Come back shot - The shot made after overshooting the hole.
Committee - The "Committee" is the committee in charge of
the competition or, if the matter does not arise in a competition,
the committee in charge of the course. Competitor - A "competitor"
is a player in a stroke competition. A "fellow competitor" is any
person with whom the competitor plays. Neither is partner of the other.
In stroke play foursome and four-ball competitions, where the context
so admits, the word "competitor" or "fellow-competitor" includes his
partner.
Compression - The flattening of the ball against the clubface
at impact. Balls have different compression ratios or factors.
Concede - surrender the hole or match
Condor - A four-under par shot or a hole-in-one on a par 5.
Control shot - A shot that is played with less than full power
to hit a target area.
Core - The center of the golf ball.
Course - The "course" is the whole area within which play is
permitted. Usually made up of 9 or 18 holes.
Course rating - The comparison of playing one course as opposed
to another in terms of difficulty (terrain, distance and hazards).
It is expressed in strokes or decimal fractions of strokes. The yardage
of the course and the ability of a scratch golfer are the basis for
determination.
CPGA - Canadian Professional Golfers Association
Crack - To choke or play bad under pressure.
Cross-bunker - A lengthy bunker that is located across a fairway.
Cross-handed grip - A grip where your left hand is below the
right.
Cup - The container which holds the flagstick.
Cut - The score that reduces the field to a pre-determined
number and eliminates players from a tournament. Usually made after
36 in a 72 hole tournament.
Cut shot - A control shot that stops the ball almost immediately
on the green without rolling.
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D
Dead putt - A putt is said to be dead when there is no doubt
that it will be made.
Deep-faced - A club face that is thick from top to bottom.
Deflection - the deviation of the tip from the butt center
line after a known unit of force is applied to the tip create a curve
in the shaft.
Deuce - A hole made in two strokes.
Dimple - The round indentations on the golf ball cover which
are designed to give a ball a steady, true flight.
Divot - A piece of turf removed with by the club when making
a shot.
Dogleg - A bend in the fairway either to the left or right.
Dormie - To be unable to loose a match, example: golfer is
winning by two holes in match play with only two holes left to play
Double Bogey - A score of two over par for a single hole.
Double Eagle - A score of three under par for a single hole.
Down - Being a specific number of holes behind your opponent.
Downhill Lie - When addressing the ball and your right foot
is higher than your left for a right-handed player.
Downswing - The motion of swinging a club from the top of the
backswing to the point of impact.
Drain - To sink or make a putt.
Draw - curved ball flight to the left for right handed players.
The pairing of golfers for a match play tournament
Draw Shot - A controlled shot that curves from left to right.
To play a shot so that it curves with to sidespin from right to left
for a right-handed player.
Drive - To hit the ball with from the tee.
Drive the Green - hitting for first shot on the green
Drive-and-Pitch - The type of hole on which the green can be
reached with a drive and a pitch shot. Some courses have all the holes
of this type. A course of this type would be known as an Executive
Course.
Driver - The longest-hitting club in the bag usually the 1
wood, used primarily from the tee, when maximum distance is needed.
Driving iron - Another name for the one iron Driving range
- An area or indoor building used to hit practice shots.
Drop - To put the ball on the course after you have already
had a ball in play, after it has been declared unplayable or lost.
Dub - A missed or badly-hit a shot.
Duck hook - shot that curves sharply to the left for right
handed players.
Duff - To miss-hit a shot by hitting the ground behind the
ball first and then hitting the top of the ball. The resulting shot
does not go far or look very nice. This usually results in a stream
of four letter words. A player who makes many of these shots in a
round obviously lacks skill and is referred to as a "Duffer"
Duffer - An unskilled or bad golfer. (see above)
Dunk - To hit your ball into the water hazard.
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E
Eagle - To score two strokes under par for a single hole.
Eight-iron - An lofty iron club. Also called a pitching Niblick.
Effective loft - the loft of a wood when placed in a square
position face angle.
Equipment - "Equipment" is anything used, worn or carried
by or for the player except any ball he has played at the hole being
played and any small object, such as a coin or a tee, when used to
mark the position of a ball or the extent of an area in which a ball
is to be dropped. Equipment includes a golf cart, whether or not motorized.
If such a cart is shared by two or more players, the cart and everything
in it are deemed to be the equipment of the player whose ball is involved
except that, when the cart is being moved by one of the players sharing
it, the cart and everything in it are deemed to be that player's equipment.
Note: A ball played at the hole being played is equipment when it
has been lifted and not put back into play.
Etiquette - The proper behavior on the golf course
Executive Course - A short course that can be played in a breif
period of time than a championship course. So named because of it's
popularity among executives with limited time to play golf. Made up
of mostly par 3 and 4 holes, often not having any par 5's at all.
Explode - To hit the ball from sand using a lofted club with
the club hitting the sand behind the ball first and sending a large
amount of sand upwards.
Explosion shot - A shot that takes large quantities of sand
out of a sand trap.
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F
Face angle - direction of club face alignment relative to the
target line
Fat shot - refers to hitting the ground before striking the
ball, hitting behind the ball
Face - The hitting area or surface of the club head.
Fade - A shot in which there is a slight turning of the ball
from left to right at the end of the balls flight for a right-handed
player.
Fairway - The area on the course between the tee and the green
that is well-maintained allowing a good lie for the ball.
Fairway wood - A loftier wooden club other than a driver used
for long shots.
Fan - To swing and miss the ball completely. Also known as
a whiff.
Fat Shot - To hit the ground behind ball first.
Featherie - An old leather ball stuffed with feathers. Replaced
the wooden ball. Later replaced by the gutta percha.
Fellow-Competitor - See "Competitor."
Fescue - A type of grass used widely for the rough on golf
courses.
Field - The players in a tournament.
Five-iron - An iron club. Also known as a Mashie.
Five-wood - A lofted wooden club.
Flat swing - club being swung closer to a horizontal plane
Flex - the designation assigned to a shaft based on its stiffness,
or ability to resist bending flier: ball hit at the green lacking
backspin from lack of improper contact
Flag - The cloth marker attached to the flagstick.
Flagstick - The "flagstick" is a movable straight indicator,
with or without bunting or other material attached, centered in the
hole to show its position. It shall be circular in cross-section.
Flange - The surface of the club head which protrudes at the
sole.
Flat swing - A type of swing that occurs when the club head
is carried back in a flat manner.
Flex - The amount of bend or the degree of stiffness of the
club shaft.
Flier - A ball is hit without spin and goes further than normal.
Flight - In tournament play, the division of players with equal
ability placed in the same flight. Usually there are 16 players in
a flight.
Flub - A badly hit shot caused by hitting the ground before
the ball.
Fluff - mishit shot
Follow-through - The continuation of the swing after a ball
has been hit.
Forced carry - The distance a ball must fly in order to safely
land on the other side. This does not include the roll of the ball.
Forced carry hole - A player must get over an obstacle with
no option of circumventing said obstacle. A hole with a large lake
or waste area where there is nowhere to go but over the trouble. Not
the same as a Risk / Reward hole Emerald links 6 is a good example.
Fore - A term used to warn players that a golf ball could be
approaching. Gentleman golfers of the 18th century employed a forecaddie
to sight the driven ball on blind holes and because the grass was
only cut by the sheep and rabbits they tended to rely on the forecaddie
at every hole. The word "Fore" derives from "forecaddie" who would
be alerted to spot the flight of the ball.
Forecaddie - A "forecaddie" is one who is employed by the Committee
to indicate to players the position of balls during play. He is an
outside agency.
Forging - method of club head production where a block of metal
is literally pounded in to the finished club shape.
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H
Hazards - A "hazard" is any bunker or water hazard.
Hack - To chop at a ball or to play bad golf.
Hacker - An unskilled or bad golfer.
Half - Used in match play when score is tied on a hole. Each
side credited with a half.
Half shot - A shot played with less than a full swing (approximately
50%).
Halved - When a match is played without a decision. A hole
is "halved" when both sides play it in the same number of strokes.
Handicap - The number of strokes a player may deduct from his
actual score to adjust his scoring ability to the level of a scratch
golfer. Designed to allow golfers of different abilities to compete
on the same level.
Hanging Lie - A ball resting on a downhill slope.
Hazard - Any sand trap, bunker or water on the course that
may cause difficulty.
Head - The part of the club that makes contact with the ball.
Heel - The part of the club head nearest the shaft.
Hit - To play a shot or stroke.
Hitting Late - holding one's wrist cock as long as possible
Hold - To hit the ground or a green and stay in place with
little roll or bounce.
Hole - The "hole" shall be 4 1/4 inches (108mm) in diameter
and at least 4 inches (100mm) deep. If a lining is used, it shall
be sunk at least 1 inch (25 mm) below the putting green surface unless
the nature of the soil makes it impracticable to do so; its outer
diameter shall not exceed 4 1/4 inches (108mm).
Holed - A ball is "holed" when it is at rest within the circumference
of the hole and all of it is below the level of the lip of the hole.
Hole High - A ball that is on the green even with the hole
but off to one side.
Hole in One - A hole made with one stroke. Same as an "ace".
Congratulations. The odds of a non pro to make an ace are 8,404 to
1
Hole Out - To complete the play for one hole by hitting the
ball into the cup.
Home & Home Match - A match made up of rounds played on the
home course of each participant or group.
Honor - The side entitled to play first from the teeing ground
is said to have the "honor." The privilege of hitting first from the
tee. Assigned at the first tee. After which, the privilege goes to
the winner of the last hole.
Hooding - closing the club face at impact, (left for right
handers)
Hook - To hit the ball in a manner that causes it to curve
from right to left in the case of a right-handed player.
Hosel - The hollow part of an iron club head into which the
shaft is fitted.
Hustler - A golfer with who purposely maintains a higher handicap
in order to win bets.
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I
Impact - The instant the club strikes the ball.
In - A term used when your finished playing 18 holes, you are
said to be "in" the clubhouse.
Inside - When your ball is nearer to the hole than the ball
of your opponent.
Interlocking Grip - A type of grip where the little finger
of the left hand is intertwined with the index finger of the right
hand for a right handed player.
Impact - Point at which the golf club hits the ball
In play - ball is in play once the ball is hot off the tee
of a given hole
Investment casting - introduction of molten metal into ceramic
shells.
Irons - Any one of a number of clubs with a head made of iron,
steel or some other metal alloy and are generally used to hit at the
green.
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J
Jerk - To hit the ball from a bad lie, rough or sand, with
a downward cutting motion causing the clubhead to dig into the ground
beneath the ball. - Bonehead golfer
Jigger - An obsolete name for the 4 iron.
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K
Kick - A term for a big bounce. Usually an unpredictable bounce.
Kill the Ball - To hit a extremely long shot.
Kick Point - the point of maximum bending on a shaft
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L
Lateral Water Hazard - A "lateral water hazard" is a water
hazard or that part of a water hazard so situated that it is not possible
or is deemed by the Committee to be impracticable to drop a ball behind
the water hazard in accordance with Rule 26-1b. That part of a water
hazard to be played as a lateral water hazard should be distinctively
marked. A ball is in a lateral water hazard when it lies in or any
part of it touches the lateral water hazard. Note 1: Later water hazards
should be defined by red stakes or lines. Note 2: The Committee may
make a Local Rule prohibiting play from an environmentally-sensitive
area which has been defined as a lateral water hazard.
Line of Play - The "line of play" is the direction which the
player wishes his ball to take after a stroke, plus a reasonable distance
on either side of the intended direction. The line of play extends
vertically upwards from the ground, but does not extend beyond the
hole.
Line of Putt - The "line of putt" is the line which the player
wishes his ball to take after a stroke on the putting green. Except
with respect to Rule 16-1e, the line of putt includes a reasonable
distance on either side of the intended line. The line of putt does
not extend beyond the hole.
Lag - To putt the ball with the intention leaving it short
to ensure being able to make the next putt.
Lateral hazard - Any hazard running parallel to the line of
play, situated that it is not possible to drop the ball behind the
hazard
Launch angle - the angle of a flight of a golf ball immediately
after it leaves the club face
Lay up - To play a shorter shot than normally to achieve a
good lie. Usually to leave a ball short of a hazard.
Layout - The manner in which the holes are placed on the golf
course when it is designed.
Lie - The position in which the ball rests on the ground.
Lie angle - a measurement from the center of the golf club
shaft to the ground in degrees
Line - The correct path of a putt to the hole when putting
or when on the fairway, the correct direction which the ball should
be played toward the green.
Line up - To study the putting surface or green in order to
determine how the putt should be played.
Links - golf course built near water on sandy seaside land
Lip - The top rim of the hole or cup.
Lob shot - A shot that goes straight up and comes almost straight
down with very little spin or forward momentum.
Local rules - A set of rules for a club determined by the members.
or a rules committee for an event
Loft - The elevation of the ball in the air. Also means the
angle at which the club face is set from the vertical and is used
to lift the ball into the air. It is measured precisely as the angle
between the face and a line parallel to the shaft.
Lofter - An obsolete name for a lofted club, now the 8 iron.
Long game - Shots hit with the woods and long irons.
Long irons - The straight-face and longer hitting irons.
Loose Impediments - "Loose impediments" are natural objects
such as stones, leaves, twigs, branches and the like, dung, worms
and insects and casts or heaps made by them, provided they are not
fixed or growing, are not solidly embedded and do not adhere to the
ball. Sand and loose soil are loose impediments on the putting green,
but not elsewhere. Snow and natural ice, other than frost, are either
casual water or loose impediments, at the option of the player. Manufactured
ice is an obstruction. Dew and frost are not loose impediments.
Lost Ball - A ball is "lost" if It is not found or identified
as his by the player within five minutes after the player's side or
his or their caddies have begun to search for it. Also, if the player
has put another ball into play under the rules, even though he may
not have searched for the original ball. Also, if the player has played
any stroke with a provision ball from the place where the original
ball is likely to be or from a point nearer the hole than that place,
whereupon the provisional ball become the ball in play.
Low ball and total - A four-ball team bet in which the best
ball of each team wins a point and the lowest total of the partners
wins another point.
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M
Make the cut - To qualify for the final rounds of a tournament
by scoring well enough in early rounds.
Mallet - A putter that has a head that is much wider and heavier
than that of a blade putter.
Marker - A small object, like a coin, that is used to mark
the spot of the ball when on the green. - A "marker" is one who is
appointed by the Committee to record a competitor's score in stroke
play. He may be a fellow-competitor. He is not a referee.
Marshal - A person at a golf course or tournament to keep order
and handle spectators.
Mashie - Lofted iron club no longer in use. Also known as
a 5 iron.
Mashie-Iron - An iron club that had less of a loft than a mashie.
Mashie-Niblick - An iron club, no longer in use, with a loft
somewhere between that of a mashie and a niblick. A 6 iron.
Match Play - A competition played with each hole being a separate
contest. The team or player winning the most holes, is the winner.
The winner of the first hole is "one up". Even if the player wins
that hole by two or three strokes, he is still only "one up". This
was the original form of golf competition.
Medalist - The player with the lowest qualifying score in a
tournament.
Medal play - A competition decided by the overall number of
strokes used to complete the round or rounds. Same as "stroke play".
Mid-iron - An iron club, no longer in use, A 2 iron.
Mid-mashie - An iron club, no longer in use. A 3 iron.
Mis-club - To use the wrong club for the shot.
Mis-read - To not read the green or putt correctly.
Mixed foursome - A foursome with each side has a male and female
player.
Move or Moved - A ball is deemed to have "moved if it leaves
its position and comes to rest in any other place.
Muff - To miss-hit a shot.
Mulligan - Mr Mulligan was a Scottish golfer in the early days
of golf who would whiff shots and not count them in his score. The
practice was named after him. It is not permitted in the rules of
the game of golf to "Take a Mulligan" The word "Mulligan" is not found
in the rule book.
Muscle back iron - features a smooth backside and limited perimeter
weighting
Muscle memory - repetitive practice of a specific body movement
until your muscles memorize the motion.
Municipal course - A public course owned by a municipality
- Open to anyone.
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N
Nap - the direction the grass is growing, sometime refereed
to as the grain. A soft place under a big tee invites one of these
during a slow round.
Nassau - A three part bet in which separate wagers are made
on the first nine, last nine and complete round.
Neck - The tapered part of the shaft of a club that joins the
head.
Net - A player's final score after he subtracts his handicap.
Never up never in - referring to not hitting the ball a sufficient
distance to reach the hole
Niblick - An obsolete lofted club, used for playing from sand
and from the rough. A 9 iron.
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P
Plugged - the ball is embedded in its own impact position
Plus Handicap - The number of strokes a player gives to adjust
his ability to the common level.
Pop up - A short, high shot.
Pot bunker - A small, deep sand trap with steep sides.
Preferred lie - Local rules which allow a player to improve
his lie in a specific manner without penalty.
Professional - A player who receives payment for teaching or
playing in tournaments.
Pro-Am - A competition which pairs amateurs and professionals.
Pro shop - The shop at a golf course where golf equipment is
sold.
Provisional Ball - A "provisional ball" is a ball played for
a ball which may be lost or out of bounds. The provisional ball is
played until the status of the original ball can be established. If
the original ball is lost the provisional ball becomes the ball in
play.
Press - he forming of a new wager while the original wager
remains in place
Pull - A ball that goes to the left of the target with little
curve as hit by a right-handed player.
Punch - Low - controlled shot into the wind. Made with a short
swing by hitting the club down into the ball, with a short quick motion
with the ball back in the stance
Push - A ball that goes to the right of the target with very
little curving for a right handed player
Putt - A stroke played on the green.
Putting Green - The "putting green" is all ground of the hole
being played which is specially prepared for putting or otherwise
defined as such by the Committee. A ball is on the putting green when
any part of it touches the putting green.
Putt out - To hole the ball with a putt or to finish putting.
Putter - A short club with a straight face used to putt.
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Q
Qualifying School - Where would-be professionals attempt to
qualify for the PGA and LPGA tours.
Quarter shot - A shot made with a reduced swing, less a half
shot.
Quitting on the ball - Not hitting through the shot with your
follow through.
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R
R & A - Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews.
Rabbit - A touring professional with no tournament exemptions
and must qualify to play in tournaments.
Rake - An obsolete lofted iron club, was used for playing from
sand and out of water.- used to rake your foot prints from a sand
trap.
Range - A practice area.
RCGA - Royal Canadian Golf Association RCGA
Reading the green - To determine the path which the ball will
likely take on its way to the hole by analyzing the slope, contour
and texture of the green.
Recover - To make a shot to get yourself back into a satisfactory
position on the fairway or onto the green from an undesirable position
on the course.
Recovery shot - a safe shot from a troubled position on the
golf course
Referee - A "referee" is one who is appointed by the Committee
to accompany players to decide questions of fact and apply the Rules.
He shall act on any breach of a Rule which he observes or is reported
to him. A referee should not attend the flagstick, stand at or mark
the position of the hole, or lift the ball or mark its position.
Regulation - or "Green in Regulation" number of shots needed
to reach the green, subtract 2 putts from par. A par 5 where you reached
the green in regulation means that you are on in three strokes.
Relief - a free drop or moving of the ball to a better position
as allowed by the rules Release - The point in the downswing where
you uncock your wrists.
Reverse overlap - A putting grip where the index finger of
the right hand overlaps the little finger of the left for a right-handed
player.
Rifle - Hitting a shot accurately and for a great distance.
Rim out - To putt a ball that runs around the edge of the cup
and fails to drop in.
Risk / Reward hole - A hole designed to reward the player with
a significantly better approach position following a dangerous shot,
while leaving the player another option to play it safe. A player
can play a safe shot, leaving a long approach to the green, or he
can shoot to a landing area surrounded by or crossing a large area
of trouble, which would leave a much shorter or easier approach shot.
This is not a forced carry hole since the player has the option to
play it safe. Eagle Creek has many holes like this 6, 14 18
Roll-on-a-shot - To turn the wrists too much at impact.
Rough - Thick longer grass areas adjacent to fairway, greens,
tee off areas or in hazards.
Round - A complete a game of golf, 18 holes is considered
a round.
Round robin - A tournament in which every player has the opportunity
to play every other player. Competitors change teams every six holes
Rub of the Green - An accident, that moves or stops a ball in play.
Not caused by a player or caddie, and for which no relief is given
under the rules. When your ball is deflected by agencies beyond your
control that are not part of the match or the competitor's side in
stroke play. Deflected or stopped by any outside agency
Rule - Guidelines from The RCGA, R&A And USGA governing play.
The term "Rule" includes Local Rules set out by a course or tournament
committee.
Run - The distance the ball rolls on the ground after it lands
on the ground.
Run up shot - low shot at the green with the intention of the
ball running on the grass towards the hole
Running iron - A club that is used for making short running
shots.
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S
Sandbagger - A golfer who lies about his ability to gain an
edge.
Sand trap - Another name for a bunker.
Sand wedge - An iron with a heavy flange on the bottom that
is used primarily to get out of sand traps.
Sandy - Making par on a hole after being in a bunker.
Scoop - A swing in where the club has a digging action.
Scotch foursome - A match that has partners alternating hitting
the same ball. You alternate driving regardless of who holed out on
the previous hole.
Scruff - To misplay the ball by hitting or grazing the ground
with the clubhead. prior to hitting the ball.
Scratch - Par play. A zero handicap.
Scratch Player - A player who has a zero handicap, shoots an
average of par
Semi-private course - A course that has members but is still
open to the public.
Set - A complete group of golf clubs.
Set up - The position you place yourself in at address.
Seven iron - An iron club. Also known as a mashie-niblick.
Shaft - The part of the club joined to the head.
Shagging - Picking up golf balls from practice ranges.
Shank - A shot struck by the club's hosel, or neck of the golf
club usually ends up to the right of the intended target.
Short game - The part of the game that is made up of chip shots,
pitching and putting.
Short irons - The highly lofted irons.
Shotgun - The start in tournaments when everyone starts at
different holes. A shotgun may be used to start play.
Shot - to hit the ball.
Shotmaker - Someone who has the ability to play many different
shots.
Shotmaking - The ability to play a great many different shots.
Side - The first 9 holes or the last 9 holes of an 18 hole
course. - Two or more players who are partners.
Sides and Matches
Side: A player, or two or more players who are partners.
Single: A match in which one plays against another.
Threesome: A match in which one plays against two, and each
side plays one ball.
Foursome: A match in which two play against two, and each side
plays one ball.
Three-Ball: A match play competition in which three play against
one another, each playing his own ball. Each player is playing two
distinct matches.
Best-Ball: A match in which one plays against the better ball
of two or the best ball of three players.
Four-Ball: A match in which two play their better ball against
the better ball of two other players.
Sidehill Lie - A lie with the ball either above or below your
feet.
Single - a match in which one plays against another
Six iron - An iron club. Also known as a or spade-mashie.
Skulling - Hitting the ball at or above its center causing
the ball to be travel too far.
Sky ball - To hit underneath the ball sending it higher than
intended.
Slice - hitting the ball with the club face open making it
curve right for the right handed player as a result of sidespin.
Slope - Adjusts your handicap to the difficulty of the course
you play. The more difficult the course, the more strokes you'll need.
Under slope, golfers will no longer have a handicap. You will have
an index. An average course will have a slope rating of 113. Your
index is a mathematical calculation of your playing ability on an
average course. Maximum index allowed is 36.4 for men and 40.4 for
women.
Slump - A prolonged period of bad play.
Snake - A very long putt that travels over several breaks in
the green.
Snap-hook - To hit a shot with an sharp hook.
Sole - The bottom of the club head.
Sole plate - The metal plate on the bottom of a wood.
Spade-mashie - Another term for a 6 iron, no longer used.
Spike mark - The mark made on the green by the cleats of a
golf shoe.
Split hand - gripping method with the hands slightly apart
from each other
Spoon - Another term for a 3 wood, no longer used.
Spray - To hit the ball erratically off line to the left and
right.
Square Stance - Placing your feet in a line parallel to the
direction you would like the ball to travel.
Stableford - A method of scoring that uses points instead of
strokes.
Stance - Taking the "stance" consists in a player placing his
feet in position for and preparatory to making a stroke.
Starter - Person who determines the order of play from the
first tee.
Stick - The pin or flagstick in the hole. In some cases a club
may be casually referred to as a stick.
Stipulated Round - The "stipulated round" consists of playing
the holes of the course in their correct sequence unless otherwise
authorized by the Committee. The number of holes in a stipulated round
is 18 unless, a small number is authorized by the Committee. As to
extension of stipulated round in match play, see Rule 2-3.
Stimpmetre - Superintendents measure green speed with a stimpmeter.
Its readings give a snapshot of the green speed at that time of day.
Stimpmeter readings in the five to six range mean slow greens, seven
to eight mean medium, nine to 10 fast and above 11 extremely fast.
Stroke - A "stroke" is the forward movement of the club made
with the intention of fairly striking at and moving the ball, but
if a player checks his downswing voluntarily before the clubhead reaches
the ball he is deemed not to have made a stroke.
Stroke - forward movement of the golf club with the intention
of striking the golf ball.
Stroke Hole - when a player receives a stroke advantage as
required by handicapping.
Stipulated Round - The playing of all holes of a course in
the correct order.
Straight-faced - Refers to a club with little or no loft on
the face.
Stroke - A unit of measurement recording the forward motion
of the club head made with the intent to hit the ball whether contact
is made or not.
Stroke Play - A competition in which the total number of strokes
for one round, or a pre-determined number of rounds, determines the
winner.
Stymie - An old term used when an opponent's ball is in the
line of the other player's putt. The term is used these days to refer
to a tree or object in the path of an intended shot.
Sudden Death - When in a match or stroke competition the score
is tied after completing the round, play continues until one player
wins a hole.
Summer Rules - Ordinary play according the Rules of Golf. No
improving of lies are allowed under Summer Rules. In contrast to Winter
Rules where the ball can be played with preferred lies
Supination - The rotation of the wrist so that the palm of
the hand faces upward.
Surlyn - Material from which most golf balls are made of.
Swale - A moderate contoured depression or dip in the terrain
on a hole.
Sweet spot - The center of the face of the club. The best place
to hit the ball on your club.
Swing - The action of stroking the ball.
Swing Weight - a measurement reflecting the weight distribution
of a golf club around a fixed fulcrum point.
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T
Takeaway - The start of the backswing.
Tap in - A very short putt.
Tee - A disposable wooden peg to place the ball on during your
tee shot or first shot from the tee area
Tee box - The area from which the ball is hit on the first
shot of a hole.
Tee off - To hit or play a tee shot.
Tee up - To place the ball on the tee.
Tee-shot - A shot played from a tee.
Teeing Ground - The "teeing ground" is the start place for
the hole to be played. It is a rectangular area two club-lengths in
depth, the front and the sides of which are defined by the outside
limits of two tee-markers. A ball is outside the teeing ground when
all of it lies outside the teeing ground.
Tempo - the rhythm of your swing
Temporary green - A green used in the winter to save the permanent
green or when a green is under repair.
Tend the pin - To hold the flagstick while another player putts.
Texas wedge - nickname for a putter when being used off the
green
Thin - A ball is hit thin when it is hit above center with
the clubhead traveling on too high a line.
Thread - To direct the ball through a narrow opening.
Three ball - Three players playing against each other with
each playing their own ball.
Three-iron - An iron club. Also called a mid-mashie.
Three-putt - To take three putts on a green.
Three-quarter shot - Less than a full shot. A shot made with
a reduced swing. Threesome - A match in which two players play
the same ball and alternate strokes and play against a single player.-
Three players playing a round together.
Three-wood - A wooden club. Also known as a spoon.
Through the Green - "Through the green" is the whole area of
the course except; The teeing ground and putting green of the hole
being played; and all hazards on the course.
Titiamum - A lightweight material used to make shafts and clubheads.
Tight fairway - A narrow fairway.
Toe - The part of the club farthest from where in joins the
shaft.
Toed in - A clubhead having a prominent toe with a slightly
turned-in face.
Top - To hit the ball above its center causing it to roll or
hop rather than rise off the faiway.
Topspin - The forward rotation of a ball in motion.
Touch - Accuracy, especially in pitching, chipping and putting.
Touch shot - A very delicate shot.
Tour - A series of tournaments for professionals.
Tour pro - A professional golfer who primarily competes in
tournaments.
Tournament - A stroke or match play competition which a number
of golfers compete.
Torque - the twisting of a shaft that occurs as the club is
swung and impacts the ball.
Trajectory - The flight path of the ball. i.e the shape and
height of a balls flight in relation to its direction.
Trap - same as sand trap or hazard
Triple eagle - A four-under par shot or a hole-in-one on a
par 5
Trouble shot - A shot with a bad lie in the rough, bunker or
behind a tree
Turn - completing the ninth hole and heading for the tenth
hole starting the back 9
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U
Uncock - To straighten the wrists in the downswing.
Underclubbing - Hitting a shot with a club that does not give
the needed distance to the target area.
Underspin - Same as backspin.
Unplayable lie - A lie in which the ball is impossible to play.
Up - A shot reaching at least as far as the hole.OR A specified
number of strokes you are ahead of your opponent in match play.
Up and down - Getting out of trouble with one shot and holing
your next putt.
Upright swing - A swing that carries the club head more directly
backward and upward from the ball. Swinging the club on a more verticle
plane
U.S.G.A. - United States Golf Association. USGA
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V
Vardon grip - An overlapping grip.
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W
Waggle - Movement of the club behind or over the ball at address
prior to swinging. Keeping the club in motion makes for a smoother
takeaway
Water Hazard - A "water hazard" is any sea, lake pond, river,
ditch, surface drainage ditch or other open water course (whether
or not containing water) and anything of a similar nature. All ground
or water within the margin of a water hazard is part of the water
hazard. The margin of a water hazard extends vertically upwards and
downwards. Stakes and the lines defining the margins of water hazards
are in the hazards. Such stakes are obstructions. A ball is in a water
hazard when it lies in or any part of it touches the water hazard.
Water hazards (other than lateral water hazards) should be defined
by yellow stakes or lines. The Committee may make a Local Rule prohibiting
play from an environmentally-sensitive area which has been defined
as a water hazard.
Water club - Obsolete club that was designed for playing the
ball from a water hazard.
Water hole - A hole with water, such as a stream or lake,
that forces the players to shoot over it.
Wedge - An iron used for short shots that has a high-loft,
with at least 48 degrees - a pitching wedge or sand wedge.
Whiff - To swing and miss the ball completely.
Whipping - the threading around the neck of a wooden club
Winter Rules - Seasonal allowances for improving the lie of
the ball on the fairway due to poor course conditions
Wood - A club, made of either wood or metal, that has a large
head and is used for shots requiring greater distance.
Wormburner - A ball hit that hugs the ground.
Wrong Ball - A "wrong ball" is any ball other than the player's:
a. Ball in play, b. Provisional ball, or c. Second ball played under
Rule 3-3 or Rule 20-7b in stroke play. X -out - XXX marking used by
golf ball companies to cross out a logo on a ball that did not pass
inspection. These balls are sometimes sold as "seconds" at a lower
cost to the consumer.
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Y
Yardage rating - The rating of the difficulty in playing a
hole based on yardage only.
Yips - during putting a nervous yank of the hands during the
stroke
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Z
Zone - a golfer who is playing great is sometimes said to be
in a zone
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"Compiled by Dan Kilbank LPPO - ottawagolf.com"
Welcome to the “games of golf”
These games are
for all golfers, regardless of skills and handicap, to help them further
enjoy their precious moments on the links. It details games that can
be played by all players as a single, a twosome, threesome or foursome.
Not only will you have fun in competition with your friends, you can
learn much about your own game that may surprise you. Golf is meant
to be a fun and relaxing sport, so spice it up with some side competitions.
NASSAU
Nassau is without question the most popular game in golf. The game
is either played in a match or stroke format. Nassau is a three point,
with a one point being awarded for winning the front nine and one point
for winning the total eighteen. However, some play two points for the
total eighteen. In other cases the points are agreed upon prior to beginning
the game.
Nassaus can be played between two individuals or as a team in foursomes.
There are a number of variations to the standard game of Nassau.
- It’s not uncommon to put a higher value on the full eighteen. As
an example, if the front nine and back nine were played for 2 points
each, then the full eighteen would be worth 4 points.
- Usually, tied holes are thrown out. However, one exciting variations
of the standard Nassau game is to “push” tied holes. Yes, just like
the televised skin games, if a hole is tied it carries over until
a player or team wins a hole and thus wins the tied holes before that.
This version can really test the nerves, but can be very exciting.
SKINS
Skins is one of the most exciting games of golf and most popular among
amateurs and pros alike. It can be played with two, three or four players
(four usually means more money). Each hole (or skin) is assigned a point
value or dollar value. Some play the game with a higher point value
for par 5’s and a lower point value for par 3’s.
A player wins a skin if he or she wins the hole outright. In the case
of a tie for low ball, the skin is carried over to the next hole. Players
are handicapped off the golfer with the lowest handicap.
An interesting and possibly expensive variation to the game
is to double the value of the skin when won with a birdie.
LOW BALL OR LOW BALL/LOW TOTAL
Low ball is one of the simplest games of golf. It can be played in
a two-golfer match or a foursome. Players agree on the value of each
point before the match.
If a player has the lowest score on a hole, he or she is awarded one
point. Points are added at the end of the match.
Low ball/low total is a variation in foursome play. Two points are
awarded on each hole, one point for low ball, and one point for low
total for the partners with the lowest aggregate total on each hole.
Players play off the lowest handicap golfer.
ROUND ROBINS
This foursome game is one of the most popular. It is ideal for groups
of different natural ability since each player is paired at some point
in the match with every other player. It’s also a great way to meet
new people, thus more playing partners.
The same game consists of three 6-hole matches. Partners are chosen
by tossing balls on the first tee or by pairing the longest and shortest
drives. On the seventh and fourteenth holes the partners switch so that
each player is teamed up with the other members of the group at some
point in the game.
Points are won by the team with the low ball, and /or low total for
the two partners.
A common variation is to award a point to the other team B if a player
on Team A has the high score on the hole.
To add a little excitement, play what’s known as a blind robin. Partners
are not picked until the 19th hole.
SIX POINT GAME
This is an interesting game for threesomes.
Six points are awarded on each hole:
Clear low ball is awarded four points.
- Clear second low earns two points.
- Tie for second low ball gets one point for each player.
- Two tie for low ball awarded three points for each player.
- All tie for low ball gets two points for each player.
DEFENDER
…another popular game for threesomes.
Each player defends three consecutive holes.
The order is chosen prior to the game. After all players have defended,
the rotation is then repeated. Each player, therefore, defends six holes.
The defender wins a point each time they beat their opponent score on
their three holes.
ON THE PERCH
The order on the first tee is decided in the usual way.
The player with the honour is “on the perch” until either of the players
wins a hole. The winner of the hole is now “on the perch.”
A point is awarded if the player “on the perch” beats the better ball
of the other two.
NINE
Each hole is worth nine points.
* Outright winner earns five points.
* Runner-up gets three points.
* Loser gets one point.
* Two tie for low ball – four points.
* Two tie for runner-up – two points each.
* Three-way tie – three points each.
At the end of the round, the points are totaled and the difference
calculated.
PHANTOM PRO
Also know as “par for the partner.”
This game is played like a round robin with an imaginary partner who
shoots par on every hole. High handicappers can play a variation of
this game where the phantom pro scores bogey on every hole.
SCOTCH
Known in some parts of the world as Chicago or five points, Scotch
is a five point per hole game with a number of possible variations.
- Two points for low ball.
- One point for low total.
- One point for natural birdies.
- One point for ‘Greenies”
“Greenies are awarded to the player who hits the green in regulation
and is closest to the hole. Some play a variation where the greenie
is lost if the player three putts. In that case, the greenie is awarded
to the player second closest to the hole.
If one player wins all five points on a hole, points awarded are doubled.
Ten points are won.
At the end of the round, the points are totaled and the player with
the most points wins.
VEGAS SHOOT-OUT
This foursome game can be a lot of fun and is very exciting. The game
is played in three hole increments, with ties carrying over to the next
hole. At the end of each hole players total their individual score,
the player with the highest score is eliminated, the other three move
on to the next hole. This goes on until one player is remaining. The
last man/women standing wins the shoot-out.
WOLF
Wolf is a game of strategy played widely throughout the world.
The order of play is decided on the first tee, either by tossing a
tee or the longest drive. Player one is the wolf on the first hole.
Player two is the wolf on the second hole. The wolf rotates on every
hole. Each player is the wolf four times, with the 17th and
18th played in normal rotation or decided by the longest
drive.
After everyone has driven, the wolf picks a partner for the hole and
the hole is played as a low ball match. If the hole is tied, no points
are scored. If the wolf or his/her partner wins, the low ball they win
the point.
The wolf has the option of not selecting a partner and playing the
hole alone. For example, if all other players hit a poor tee shots,
out-of-bounds, into water hazards, etcetera…The lone wolf can win three
points by going it alone.
If one player ties the wolf no points are scored. If the wolf loses
the hole to any one player, he or she loses three points, one to each
opponent.
Variations
The wolf must choose or pass on a partner immediately after each tee
shot. If the second in rotation hits into the rough, the wolf can pass
and hope that the third and fourth player hits a decent tee shot.
A second variation comes into play on par 3’s. If a player is a wolf,
he or she has the option of going for wolf (playing alone) immediately
after his/her shot but before anyone else has hit. If he/she passes,
the wolf must pick a partner after all four have hit.
A third variation is to double the stakes on the lone wolf holes. The
player who is picked can dump the original wolf and go it alone. This
game can be a lot of fun.
BINGO, BANGO, BONGO
This is the oldest of golf’s fun games.
Three points are awarded on each hole:
- One point (Bingo) for the first golfer on the green.
- One point (Bango) for the nearest to pin once all golfers are on
the green.
- One point (Bongo) for the first in the hole or the longest putt
sunk.
Players are not allowed to putt out to score the bongo point. Players
hit in order, that is, the farthest from the hole putts first.
Variations of the game include a doubling of the points awarded if
one player wins all three points on one hole and a tripling of the points
awarded if all points are won with a natural birdie.
BONG
Bong is a game of skill that will quickly point out a player’s weakness.
In this games, the player with the least points wins.
| Situation |
Value |
| |
|
| Hitting into a bunker |
1 point |
| Hitting into the water |
1 point |
| Leaving a shot in the bunker |
2 points |
| Out of bounds |
2 points |
| Lost ball |
2 points |
| Three putt |
3 points |
| Leaving two shots in the bunker |
3 points |
| Whiffing |
4 points |
| Bongo is a great way to highlight areas of your game
that need improving. |
TRASH
Trash is a series of side games with a million variations. Listed below
are a few of the more common ones. Most get a point. The game can be
played with any number of players.
| Situation |
Value |
| |
|
| Hole in one or double eagle |
100 points |
| Eagle |
50 points |
| Greenie |
Hitting the green in regulation without hitting the
fairway |
| Arnie |
Making par after hitting the green in regulation without hitting
the fairway
|
| Tiger |
Hitting the longest driver on the fairway |
| Sandie |
Up and down from a bunker onto the green |
| Birdie |
Playing one under par |
| Polie |
Either sinking a putt longer than the flagstick or
hitting an approach shot within the length of the flagstick |
| Fish |
Making par after hitting into a water hazard. |
| Chi-Chi |
Making par after missing both the fairway and green in Regulation
|
| Hogan |
Making par or better after hitting the fairway and green in
Regulation
|
| Snakie |
Three putting (minus one point) |
| Double Snakie |
Four putting (minus two points) |
SNAKE
Snake is a first rate putting game that adds a tremendous amount of
fun to a round of golf.
The first player to three putt is said to hold the snake. The player
passes the snake to the next player who three putts.
Whomever holds the snake at the 9th or 18th loses.
This game can lead to unbelievable pressure shots on the last few holes.
RABBIT
On the first hole, the rabbit is “on the loose”. The first player to
win a hole outright is said to hold the rabbit. If a second player wins
a hole outright, the rabbit is on the loose again. The player who holds
the rabbit on the 9th or 18th wins.
PRESSES
Presses are side games. Designed to allow players or teams who are
losing to get back into a match. Usually a team must be two points down
in a match before pressing their opponents.
The original game continues, but a second match is started with a press.
For example, if a player is two down on the seventh tee and presses
the ninth, essentially a new three-hole match is started. If a player
wins two of the next three holes, he or she wins the press. Usually
a ninth hole and 18th hole press is automatic.
From K-Net Golf presents “Games of Golf”, visit at www.knetgolf.com
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