Golf Glossary

Address: Position taken by a player prior to hitting a shot. According to the USGA Rules of Golf, a player has "addressed" the ball when he has taken his stance and grounded his club. In a hazard a player is considered to have addressed the ball when he has taken his stance.

Ace: A hole-in-one; a score of 1 on any hole.

Aerify: Process of boring small holes, typically less than ¾" in diameter, into a putting green (or the fairway) in order to improve growth. The process is usually done once or twice per year.

Albatross: A double eagle; a score of 3 under par on a hole; examples are a 1 on a par 4 or a 2 on a par 5.

Amateur: Any golfer who plays the game for enjoyment and who does not receive direct monetary compensation due to his or her playing or teaching skills.

Approach: A shot from off the green toward the hole; also the closely-mown grassy area leading up to a green.

Apron: The closely mown area encircling a putting green; also called "fringe."

Arc: The nearly circular curve around the body made by a golf swing.

Army Golf: Slang term given to a player who has directional problems, especially from the tee. One shot will go to the right, one will go left...(left, right, left, right.) Hence the term "army golf."

Australasian Tour: Professional golf circuit for players in Australia and Asia. Similar to the U.S. PGA Tour, but playing courses on the continents of Australia and/or Asia.

Away: The player farther from the hole whose turn it is to play.

Back Nine: The final nine holes of an eighteen hole round.

Ball Mark: Indentation made to the grass/ground on a putting green when a lofted shot lands on the green. Ball marks must be repaired as soon as noticed to properly heal and to maintain a uniform putting surface.

Ballooned: A shot pattern wherein a golf ball accelerates upwards to an unreasonably high trajectory.

Banana Ball: A sliced shot that has a flight pattern shaped liked a banana.

Bent Grass: Type of grass, characterized by thin blades, found on most courses with varying seasonal climates.

Bermuda Grass: Type of grass found on most courses located in warmer or tropical climates. Characterized by thick blades and "grainy" surface.

Best ball: A match in which one player plays against the better ball of two players or the best ball of three players.

Birdie: A score of 1 stroke less than par on a given hole, for example, a score of 3 on a par 4.

Bite: Slang term expressed when a player wants a ball to stop.

Black Numbers: Term applied to over par scores in a tournament.

Blast: A shot made from a bunker that displaces a noticeable amount of sand.

Bogey: A score of 1 over par on a hole, for example a 6 on a par 5.

Borrow: A term, mostly British, referring to how much break will need to be anticipated when lining up a putt.

Break: The amount of curvature of a putt as it rolls on a putting green. The more the green slopes, the greater the break.

Bump and Run: A style of golf shot that is most commonly used on traditional British-style courses. With a bump and run shot the golfers aims well short of the intended target and allows for substantial roll to his shot after its initial landing. The majority of American style courses are designed with "Target" golf shots in mind; ones that allow for higher ball flights and less roll.

Bunker: A bunker is a type of hazard consisting of a prepared area of ground, from which turf or soil has been removed and replaced with sand or the like.

Buried (Lie): The lie of a ball, typically in a sand bunker, in which most of it is below the surface. See also "Fried Egg."

Buy.Com Tour: Male professional golf circuit, new in the year 2000, for players one level below the PGA Tour. The Buy.Com Tour plays events throughout the United States; the better players in a given year earn the right to play on the PGA Tour the next year. Sponsored by Internet site Buy.Com.

Caddie (Caddy): One who carries or tends to a player’s clubs during a round.

Caddie Master: A course employee responsible for managing caddies and assigning them to players as required.

Carry-Double: A caddie employed by two players and who typically carries two bags, one on each shoulder.

Cart Fee: Similar to a greens fee, the fee required to rent a golf cart for either 9 or 18 holes.

Casual Water: Any temporary accumulation of water on the course that is visible before or after the player takes his stance. Water in a hazard is not casual water.

Cat Box: Slang term given to a sand bunker.

Chili-Dip: A shot in which a player hits behind the ball, not moving it very far. May also be referred to as a "fat" shot or a "chunk."

Chip: Any number of short shots, typically played to the green, with a higher lofted club (#7, 8, 9 or wedges.)

Chip-Out: A shot, generally going only a short distance, made from trouble in an attempt to get the ball back in play. Chip-outs are commonly made from trees or similar positions.

Chunk: A shot in which a player hits behind the ball resulting in a more turf being removed than desired. The resulting shot is also much shorter than desired. May also be called a "chili-dip."

Club Pro: See "Golf Professional."

Collar: A closely mown area surrounding the putting green. It may be similar to the green in height (fringe) or it may be higher, similar to rough.

Competitor: A player participating in a stroke play competition.

Country Club: Term typically applied to an upscale (normally private or semi-private) golf club that generally offers other amenities in addition to golf (swimming, tennis, clubhouse, etc.)

Course: The entire area on which a game (or round) of golf is played.

Course Rating: A numerical rating, usually by a recognized organization such as the USGA, that identifies the difficulty of a course. For example, a course rated 72.4 is more difficult than one rated at 68.5. A scratch player should expect to shoot a 68 or 69 on the course rated 68.5.

Cut: Type of shot, played intentionally, which curves from left to right.

Dimple: Depression on a golf ball designed to help get the ball airborne and maintain its accurate flight. Depending upon the number, depth and arrangement of the dimples, ball aerodynamics are greatly influenced.

Divot: Turf removed as a result of contact between the club and the ground. Divots occur as a result of most shots from the fairway or rough.

Dogleg: The design of a golf hole (a par 4 or 5) in which the layout changes direction, usually at the position a drive is designed to land. If the hole changes direction to the right, it is called a "dogleg right"; a direction change left is known as a "dogleg left."

Dormie: The player or side having a lead in a match equal to the number of holes remaining to be played. A player is dormie-two if he is 2 holes ahead with 2 holes remaining to play.

Double Bogey: A score of two over par on a hole.

Double-Cut: Method of mowing putting greens in which the mower cuts in one direction and then cuts again in another direction, creating a fast putting surface. Fairways may be double cut as well.

Double-Eagle: A score of 3 under par on a hole, for example, a 2 on a par 5;also called an "albatross."

Draw: A shot that tends to curve from right to left in the air (assuming a right-handed golfer.) A draw is a controlled shot preferred by many better players.

Drive: The first shot on a hole, played from the teeing ground.

Driving Range: A practice area, either at a course or on its own, where players of all ability levels go to practice their game. A range may be a simple as a large mowed field with hitting areas or may be as elaborate as a facility with target greens and practice putting greens.

Drop Area: An area identified by either paint or chalk in which a player may drop his ball under penalty of one stroke. Drop areas are most often found on holes with water hazards and allow the player relief, with penalty, from the water.

Duck Hook: A shot that starts straight at the target and curves dramatically to the left of target (assuming a right-handed golfer.) One of the most out of control shot types.

Eagle: A score of 2 under par on a hole, for example, a 3 on a par 5.

Etiquette: Accepted code of behavior and dress on the golf course. Examples include quiet while others play, not walking in another’s line of play on the putting green, etc.

European Tour: Professional golf circuit for players in Europe. Similar to the U.S. PGA Tour, but playing courses in Europe.

Even Par: A player’s score that matches the par for the course at any point during a round.

Executive Course: A course with a par of well less than 72, usually between 54 and 68. Executive courses are designed to be played quickly by those (executives) who do not have ample time to play a full 18 hole round on a regulation course.

Explosion: Type of shot played to extricate a ball from a sand bunker. An explosion, also called a blast, is characterized by a player hitting sand while getting his ball out of the bunker.

Fade: Type of shot that generally tends to curve to the right in the air (assuming a right-handed player.) A fade is a controlled shot preferred by many players.

Fairway: Closely mown area onto which the ball is aimed on most holes.

Fat: Shot type in which a player hits behind the ball, resulting in a much shorter shot than normal. Fat shots are often characterized by a player taking an excessive divot.

First Cut: Term given to a section of rough (or higher grass) directly bordering a fairway. The first cut of rough is deemed to be considered "light" rough and may vary from a few yards wide to over 10 yards wide, depending upon the course.

Five-Minute Rule: The amount of time (5 minutes) that the USGA Rules allow a player to look for his ball. A ball not found after 5 minutes after the search for it is begun is considered to be lost.

Flyer (Flier): A shot that flies substantially longer than desired, usually as a result of too much grass between the club face and ball. Flyers are more common from the rough than from the shorter fairway grasses.

Fore: Term yelled toward a group who may be in danger of being hit by an errant shot. The sound of fore is a danger warning to take cover to avoid injury by being struck with a ball.

Four Ball: A type of match in which two players play their better ball against the better ball of two other players.

Foursome: A match in which two players play against two others, with each side playing one ball. "Foursome" is also applied to any group of 4 golfers playing together; though this is not the USGA definition.

Fried Egg: Lie in a sand bunker in which most of the ball is below the surface of the sand. Visually, the ball looks like a "fried egg", hence the term.

Fringe: Area of grass that borders a putting green. The fringe is typically higher than the grass on the green, but lower than the grass on the fairway.

Froghair: Thick, tall grass that borders the fringe on certain courses. The froghair, due to its thickness, is a very difficult area from which to play a controlled shot.

Front Nine: The first nine holes of an eighteen hole round.

Futures Tour: Professional golf circuit for women players, one level away from the LPGA Tour. The top players on the Futures Tour each year gain membership in the LPGA Tour for the following season.

Gallery: Those who attend a golf event for the purpose of watching the tournament.

GHIN: Golf Handicap Information Network. The USGA system used by a majority of golf courses in the U.S. to calculate handicaps.

Gimme: A shot, usually on the green, but that may be anywhere on the course, that is conceded by a player’s opponent. Gimmees are usually applied to short putts that are almost certain to be holed.

Golf Club: A golf course, either public or private, dedicated solely to golf. There are no pools, tennis courts, etc. at a golf club. Also, the piece of equipment used to hit a golf ball.

Golf Professional: A career in golf dedicated to helping others to enjoy the game. This may be accomplished in a number ways: giving lessons, managing operations, running events, etc. (See "Professional Golfer.")

Gorse: Very thick grass and/or shrubs from which it may be impossible to play a shot. Gorse is common on European seaside courses.

Grain: Direction of growth of blades of grass. Particularly noticeable on putting greens, the grain will have an influence on the direction and speed of the ball as it rolls.

Greenkeeper: The person responsible for the condition, care and maintenance of the golf course. He or she may also be called the " greens’ superintendent."

Greens Fee: Fee charged to play a golf course.

Ground Under Repair (GUR): A marked area (usually by paint, chalk or roping) of the course from which a player may move his ball without penalty prior to playing his next shot. Common reasons for GUR to be marked are new constructions, damaged water lines, etc.

Hack(er): Slang, derogatory term given to a player of lesser ability.

Handicap: The number assigned to a player’s ability level, as related to the number of strokes over or under par a player is expected to play. The lower the handicap, the better the player. A player’s handicap is deducted from his gross score to establish his net score. (See "Gross" and "Net.")

Hanging Lie: A ball resting on a uphill slope.

Hardpan: Term given to an area of the golf course (not bunkers or hazards) on which no grass is growing. Shots from hardpan are among the most difficult as it requires a high level of skill to get the club under the ball from such lies.

Heel: The part of the club head closest to the hosel. If a shot is struck there, it is said to be "heeled."

Hogan Tour: Now-defunct professional golf circuit for male players one level below the PGA Tour. The Hogan Tour, sponsored by the Ben Hogan Company, evolved into the Nike Tour and then into the Buy.Com Tour.

Home and Home Match: A type of competition in which contestants play one round at one home course and the second at the other. Generally used in country club versus country club competition.

Home Green: The 18th green, or any other designated as the last to be played.

Hook: Type of shot, for a right-handed golfer, that often starts to the right of the target and curves dramatically to the left, usually ending much more left of target than desired. A hook is normally considered to be a non-desirable shot.

Honor: The player who hits first on a hole is said to have the "Honor". The honor is gained by having the lowest score on the most recently played hole.

Hooters Tour: Professional golf circuit, sponsored by the Hooters restaurant chain, for male players a few levels below the PGA Tour. The Hooters Tour schedules events throughout the U.S. each year.

Hoseled Shot: A shanked shot (see "Shank" and "Pitch Out") that results in a ball flight directly to the right as a result of the ball being struck on the hosel.

Initiation: Fee paid, up-front, prior to joining a private club. An initiation fee may vary between a few hundred dollars to nearly $100,000 at some of the most elite clubs in the world.

In Jail: Term used when faced with a difficult shot with little option for hitting towards the green.

Inside-Out: Swing path in which the player’s club, on the downswing, crosses under its path on the backswing, ending up directed more to the right of target than desired. Inside-Out swings typically result in either pushes, draws or hooks, depending on the position of the club face at impact.

Invitational: Type of tournament in which contestants must be invited in order to play. The most recognizable invitational event in the world is the Masters Tournament held each spring in Augusta, Georgia.

Junior Golfer: A golfer 16 years of age and under is considered to be a junior golfer

Knife: Slang term applied to a #1 iron due to its lack of loft.

Knock-Down: Shot, intentionally played to keep a ball low in the wind. By reducing the length of a backswing and playing the ball back in the stance, a knock-down shot is played.

Lateral: Type of water hazard, defined by red boundary stakes, that often runs parallel to the line of play on a hole. The penalty for hitting into a lateral hazard is one stroke. The term "lateral" may also describe a "Shank". (See "Shank.")

Leaf-Rule: A rule, not recognized by the USGA, in which players agree that if a ball is lost in leaves, it is not treated as a lost ball (stroke and distance penalty.) This "rule" is common in certain climates (and times of the year) in which trees lose their leaves and make finding balls difficult.

Lie: The position of a ball on the ground at any point on the course. A ball in the fairway will typically be considered to have a "good" lie, one in high rough grass will be labeled as a "bad" lie.

Links: Specifically the label given to golf courses constructed in which the 1^st hole begins at the clubhouse and the 18^th ends there, with no holes except those returning to the clubhouse. Links courses are often built near water. Links is also a generic slang term given to any golf course having 18 holes.

Lip: The edge (or rim) of the hole.

Lip Out: A ball as it is rolling on a putting green, that hits the edge of the hole and does not go in.

Lob Shot: A high, soft shot, generally played near the green with a high-lofted wedge of some type (i.e., a lob wedge.)

Lost Ball: A ball is considered to be lost if it cannot be located or identified after 5 minutes of searching for it.

Low Riser: Slang term given to a shot, intentionally played, that starts low and ends at a "normal" trajectory. Generally a player must have some degree of skill to play these shots.

LPGA (Ladies Professional Golfer’s Association): Governing organization of females making their living in golf-related endeavors. The LPGA issues guidelines and accreditation to its members depending upon their individual positions in the game.

Major (Championship): One of four of the most prestigious professional golf tournaments in the world for male golfers. Played every year, the Majors include the Masters, the U.S. Open, the British Open and the PGA. For female players, the Majors include the U.S. Open, The MacDonald’s LPGA, the DuMaurier and the Dinah Shore.

Marker: A person who records a fellow competitor’s score in stroke play. Also, a coin or similar object used to indicate the location of a competitor’s ball on a putting green. "Marker" is also the term used to identify the boundaries of the teeing area.

Marshall: A volunteer, usually at professional tournaments, who job it is to keep the members of the gallery under control so that players can easily play shots, walk from tee to green, and so on.

Match Play: Type of competition, typically among 2 individuals or two teams, in which the score is kept by the number of holes won and lost. The winner of a match play competition is the side who wins the most holes. A match play score may look like this: "3 and 2". This indicates the winning team was three holes up (ahead) with only two to play. "5 and 4" indicates 5 up with 4 to play, and so on.

Medalist: The golfer with the lowest score in the qualifying round of a tournament.

Medal Play: Type of competition in which the lowest total score (number of strokes) wins. The same as stroke play.

Mixed Foursome: Two men and two women.

Mulligan: An "agreement" that allows a player to take another shot after a particularly "bad" shot. Mulligans are common on the first tee during friendly matches, but are disallowed under all Rules of Golf.

Municipal Course: Type of golf course, usually city or county managed, allowing play by the public, subject to tee time availability.

Muni: abbreviated form of "municipal course"

Nassau: One of the most common games, a Nassau consists of a given bet for the front nine, a given bet for the back nine and a total bet for the overall game.

Nike Tour: Now-defunct professional golf circuit, sponsored by Nike, for male players one level below the PGA Tour. Now known as the Buy.Com Tour.

OB: See Out of Bounds.

Open: Type of tournament that is open to anyone who qualifies. Both professional golfers and amateurs may play in open competitions provided they meet certain qualifying criteria.

Out of Bounds: Any area encountered during a round of golf from which play is prohibited. Typically, but not always, out of bounds (OB) is off normal course property. The penalty for OB is stroke and distance. The player must return to the spot where the original ball was played, hit another shot from there and add a penalty stroke to his score.

Outside Agency: A term given to something not part of the match. A dog or bird would be examples.

Outside-In: Swing path in which the player’s club, on the downswing, crosses over its path on the backswing, ending up directed more to the left of target than desired. Outside-In swings typically result in either pulls, fades or slices, depending on the position of the club face at impact.

Over Par: Term given to the number of strokes a player’s score is over the par for the number of holes played. For example, if a player shoots a score of 40 on 9 holes whose par is 36, he is said to be "4 over."

Par: Expected score on a given hole based on its length and difficulty. Par 3 holes tend to be less than 225 yards in length, par 4’s range from less than 300 to over 450 yards, and most par 5’s tend to be longer than 480 yards.

Par 3 Course: A short golf course comprised of all par 3 holes. Par 3 courses are good learning courses for beginners and help better players to improve their short games.

Par 3, 4 or 5: (See "Par.")

Partner: A player who is teamed with another player on the same side of a match.

Path: The imaginary line formed by the arc of a player’s swing. (See "Square", "Inside-Out" and "Outside-In".)

Penalty: Stroke(s) assessed when a ball is hit into a specific area either on (water hazard) or off (out of bounds) the course. Penalties may also be assessed for specific violations as defined in the United States Golf Association’s Rules of Golf.

PGA (Professional Golfer’s Association): Governing organization of males making their living in golf-related endeavors. The PGA issues guidelines and accreditation to its members depending upon their individual positions in the game.

PGA & LPGA Tour: Golf organizations for male and female professional golfers respectively, that are responsible for the management of a series of events throughout the world in which members play for monetary remuneration.

Pitch Out: Slang term for a "shanked" shot. That is, a ball struck on the hosel of the head resulting in a straight right ball flight.

Play Through: A situation in which a faster group is permitted to play a hole on which a slower group is playing. The slower group typically stands out of the way of the faster group, who is said to have "played through."

Playoff: In the event of a tie at the end of any competition, continuing play to determine the winner. The playoff may be sudden death, a specified number of holes or an entire 18-hole round.

Pot Bunker: A small, but very deep bunker, usually filled with sand.

Power Fade: A shot, generally from the tee, that combines the control of a left to right fade with the power and distance of a pull. A highly effective shot that is difficult to master. The preferred pattern of Ben Hogan and others.

Private course: Type of course requiring a membership to play. Guests may play private courses for a fee at specific times, often accompanied by a member of the club

Professional Golfer: An individual who earns a living based upon his or her skill at playing the game. (See "Golf Professional.")

Provisional Ball: A ball that is played, usually in an effort to speed up play, as a potential replacement for a ball that may be lost or out of bounds. For example, a player hits his ball toward an out of bounds area, but is not sure the ball is out of bounds. He states the intention to hit a provisional (so he does not have to take time to return to the position from where he hit the original shot) in case the ball is out of bounds. If the original is out of bounds, the provisional becomes the ball in play, with penalty strokes added.

Public Course: A course open to play for all golfers, subject to time availability.

Pull: A shot that tends to go to the left of the intended target, in a straight path (assuming a right-handed player.) A pulled does not curve, but flies straight.

Punch: A shot, played intentionally low, to avoid wind, trees or other obstacles. The shot is played with a short backswing with the ball positioned rearward in the stance.

Punch-Out: Low shot played from trees designed to get the ball back into play.

Push: A shot that tends to go to the right of the intended target, in a straight path (assuming a right-handed player.) A pushed does not curve, but flies straight.

Putting Green: The area of the hole being played that is specifically mowed for putting. The term "Putting Green" may also refer to a practice putting area, usually near the clubhouse.

Quail High: A low shot, either hit accidentally or perhaps on purpose to bore into the wind or beneath limbs.

Range: A practice facility; see "Driving Range."

Range Ball: Type of ball used at a driving range facility. The balls may be used balls or may be specially made, difficult-to-cut balls purchased by upscale ranges for durability. Usually range balls are marked in some way; typically by a red stripe and/or name encircling the ball.

Ranger: A golf course employee whose duty it is to keep the pace of play at an acceptable time. A ranger typically drives the course in a motorized cart, identified in some way (flag, sign, etc.), encouraging slow groups to speed up or to allow other groups to play through.

Red Numbers: Term given to under par scores in a tournament.

Relief: Under the Rules of Golf, moving (either placing or dropping) a ball in order to make a normal stroke at it. Relief may be with or without penalty depending upon the situation. Common items from which relief is taken are trees, water and obstructions.

Resort: Type of golf course catering to the guests of the resort with which it is associated. Resort courses may sell limited memberships and may allow public play at specific times.

Rider: Slang term, usually applied to a beginner’s shot, in which that shot has been hit far enough that the player has to ride in a cart (rather than walk) to hit the next shot. Somewhat of a derogatory term applied to the skill of a beginner.

Rolled: Term given to a shot that does not get airborne and simply rolls along the ground.

Rough: Type of grass, bordering fairways, that is higher and generally more coarse than the grass in the fairway. Rough may also be present near green, tees and bunkers depending upon the particular course; it may vary in height from one are on the course to another and from course to course as well. (See "First Cut" and "Second Cut.")

Round: Term applied to a typical round of golf, generally 18 holes, but sometimes 9.

Royal and Ancient: One of the two governing bodies of golf, along with the USGA. Often called the "R & A", it is headquartered in St. Andrews, Scotland.

Rub of the Green: A term given to a ball affected in some way by an outside agency (See "Outside Agency.") A rub of the green occurs if a ball is headed out of bounds and hits an animal, deflecting it back in to play.

Run-Up Shot: An intentionally low shot designed to roll on to the green, usually played with a lower lofted iron such a #6 iron or lower.

Sand Trap: Term given to a bunker filled with sand.

Sandbagger: A golfer who consistently plays to a score better than his handicap indicates that he should.

Scramble: Term given to a type of game, played as a team, in which all players play from one position. For example, a team of 4 players all hit drives. The next shot is played, again by all 4 players, from the position of the best drive. Play continues in this manner until the ball is holed. Scramble is also a term applied to a player who often hits his ball in trouble, but typically recovers very well, with a "good" score.

Scratch: A handicap of 0, indicative of a highly skilled player.

Scotch Foursome: A type of competition wherein partners alternate hitting the same ball.

Scull: see "Skull"

Second Cut: Term applied to a section of rough (or higher grass) that borders the first cut (See First Cut) of rough. The second cut is farther from the fairway and is generally more severe than the first cut.

Semi-Private: Type of golf club in which memberships are sold, but that allows public play during specific time periods.

Senior Golfer: Any golfer 50 years of age or older is considered to be a senior golfer.

Shank: A shot that is struck in the hosel area of the golf club. The resulting ball flight is generally straight to the right. A shank may also be called a "hoseled shot", a "pitch out" or a "lateral."

Shotgun Start: When competitors all begin play simultaneously from different tees around the course. The starter used a shotgun blast to announce the start. An air horn is now generally used.

Skins: Type of match play game in which each hole is worth a given amount of points or money. Points or money is often "carried over" in the event of ties, making all subsequent holes potentially worth considerably more.

Sky: Term give to a shot, usually with a wood, that goes much higher and shorter than desired. A "skied" shot is often hit on or near the top of the club.

Skull: To strike the top of the ball with an upwards, glancing blow. Similar to "hitting it thin". Sometimes spelled "scull" as in the glancing motion of an oar that makes improper contact with the water.

Slice: A shot that tends to start to the left of the target and curve to the right of the target, most often more that the player desires (assuming a right-handed player.) A slice is the most common shot among amateur golfers.

Slope (Index): Mathematical formula used to compare the difficulty of one course to the next. It takes into account length, hazards, terrain, etc. A course with a slope rating of 150 will be far more difficult than one sloped at 100. Slope ratings allow fair matches between members from clubs of varying difficulty.

Smother: To bring the clubface down and over the ball when hitting a shot causing the ball to be poorly struck.

Snake: A long putt; one that is usually holed from a long distance.

Snap hook: A shot that starts quickly to the left and angles sharply downwards and further to the left generally producing a very short and undesirable result.

Snipe hook: Similar to "Snap Hook" The ball dips and dies quickly to the left.

Sod: A chunk of turf from the course. Commonly referred to as a "divot. (See "Divot.")

Soft Spikes: Generic term given to the plastic type of spikes required on many courses. These softer spikes are believed to do less damage to the course, especially to the greens. (See "Spikes.")

Spikes: Metal implements on the bottom of golf shoes designed to aid in traction. Spikes are approximately ½" in length. "Spikes" may also be a slang term used for golf shoes themselves.

St. Andrews: Considered to be the "home" of golf, St. Andrews is the location of Europe’s rules-making body, the R & A, as well as being the location of one of the most famous courses (St. Andrews) in all of golf.

Stableford: Type of competition in which points are awarded in relation to a fixed score on each hole. For example, a par may receive 0 points, a birdie, 2 points, and eagle 5 points, a bogey –1, and so on. Points are established for each individual competition.

Stake It: Slang term used to indicate a player hits the ball close to the hole.

Stance: Position of the feet prior to making a shot. A player placing his feet in position to make a stroke is said to have taken his stance.

Stoney It: Slang term used to indicate a player hits the ball close to the hole.

Stimp: Term given to the speed of a green after measurement with a specialized piece of equipment (Stimpmeter.) The higher the Stimp reading, the faster the green. Most courses rate at between 6 and 9 on the Stimp Scale; pro tournament venues may rate at over 12.

Stimpmeter: Apparatus used to measure the speed of a green. It is basically an angled metal piece from which a ball is rolled onto a flat area of the green. Depending upon how far the ball rolls, a "Stimp" reading is determined. The farther the ball rolls, the higher the Stimp reading and the faster the green.

Stroke: The forward movement of the club made with the intent of hitting the ball.

Stroke and Distance: Penalty assessed for a ball hit out of bounds or for a lost ball. It involves going back to the spot of the original ball, hitting another ball from there and adding a penalty shot to the score.

Stroke Play: Type of competition, also known as medal play, in which the lowest total score (number of strokes) wins.

Stymie: A situation, commonly on a putting green, in which one player’s ball is directly in the line of another’s. The Rules allow for the ball in the line to be marked and moved, allowing the player farther from the hole to play without obstruction. Stymie is also the generic term given to a situation when any object is between the player and the hole, blocking the normal play toward the hole.

Sudden Death: A type of playoff among tied individuals or teams at the completion of a competition. As soon as a team or individual makes the highest score on a hole, they are eliminated from play.

Summer Rules: Term given to standard USGA Rules’ play. When playing "summer rules", courses are generally in their best shape (in the summer); the ball must be played as it lies except on tees and greens.

Super Senior: A senior PGA Tour player who has reached the age of 60.

Supination: A term made popular by Ben Hogan referring to the rotation and angling of the right wrist during the golf swing.

Sweet Swing: Term given to a player who swings at the ball in a skilled manner. A golfer who makes a smooth swing is considered to be a "sweet swinger."

Tap In: A short putt; to hole a short putt.

Target Golf: 1.) A style of golf played on the preponderance of American tournament courses where the golfer is required to hit a high, lofted, approach shot that allows for very little roll to the ball after it lands. This is in contradiction to "Bump and Run" style golf found commonly on British-style, traditional courses.2.) A type of golf competition played at practice ranges wherein golfers compete while shooting to specific targets.

Tee: The wooden or plastic implement on which a ball is placed prior to the play of the first shot on a hole. The term "Tee" may also be used to describe the Teeing Ground."

Tee Marker: Wooden, metal or other material objects between which the ball is teed prior to playing a hole. There may be several sets of tee markers on each hole, each designed to identify the tees suggested for a particular ability group. For example, black tee markers may indicate the longest, most difficult (pro) tees, blue tees are for low handicap players, white tees are for average player, gold tees are for seniors and red tees are for ladies.

Tee Time: Specific time slot allotted for play on a given day. Tee times are assigned by the golf course, usually in 8-10 minute intervals, and are acquired by calling or signing up in advance of when play is desired.

Teeing Ground: The area where the play of a hole starts. It is defined by a pair of markers between which play begins.

Texas Wedge: 1.) Slang term given to a putter. The term evolved due to players in Texas, among other dry areas, using a putter to run the ball up to the greens due to the hard ground. 2.) Also a marketing term used by some manufacturers in association with giant, over sized, sand wedges meaning "Texas-sized".

Third Cut: A section of rough, generally found on tournament courses that borders the second cut (See "Second Cut.") The third cut is very severe and may not be found on all but the most difficult courses.

Three Ball Match: A match play situation in which three players play against one another, each playing his own ball. Each player is playing two separate matches.

Threesome: Type of match in which one player plays against two, with each side playing one ball. The term threesome is often mis-applied (according to the Rules of Golf) to a group of three golfers playing in the same group.

Through the Green: A Term given to all areas of the course, except for the teeing ground, putting green and hazards.

Toe: The end of the club head most far away from the shaft. Also the term used when a player hits the ball on that area of the club, usually resulting in a shorter shot than desired as well as one going to the right of the intended target, i.e., a "toed" shot (assuming a right-handed golfer.)

Top: Shot that does not get airborne as a result of a player hitting the top of the ball. A "top" is most often a result of a player moving his head and not looking at the ball.

Topdress: Fertilizer, soil and sand mix applied to greens after they are aerified in order to provide nutrients to the green.

Track: The term given to the layout of a golf course; for example, that was a "good" track. Also term given to a putt as it rolls toward the hole; for example, a putt that is heading for the hole is "tracking."

Trap: Generic term given to a bunker that contains sand. Also called a sand trap.

Triple Bogey: A score of three over par on a hole.

Turn: The halfway point of an 18 hole round. A player "makes the turn" after playing #9 and heading to #10 tee.

Under Par: Term given to stokes a player has taken relative to what hole he is playing. If a player has played the front 9 in 34 strokes and par is 36, he is said to be "2 under."

Unplayable Lie: A ball hit into a position that does not allow a player to hit it is considered to be in an unplayable lie. Examples are balls hit under pine trees, balls hit into rocky areas, etc.

Up and Down: Also termed "Up and In", the situation in which a player misses the green and then makes one chip and one putt to achieve his score.

Waggle: Pre-shot movement in which a golfer moves the club back away from the ball a time or two, usually to relieve tension.

Waiting List: The number and ranking of individuals waiting to join a private club that has a full membership at the time. Waiting lists at some private clubs can be many years.

Waste Area: An area on a golf course that is similar to a sand trap, but is not declared an official hazard. It is generally not maintained or raked and is often comprised of sea shells or pebbles.

Water Hazard: The term applied to any relatively permanent and open area of water (sea, lake, pond, etc.) anywhere on the course. The penalty for hitting your ball into a water hazard is one stroke.

Whiff: Term applied to the situation when a player has swung at the ball and missed completely.

Whins: A British term for extremely heavy areas of rough.

Wind Cheater: A shot that flies low into the wind in an effort to achieve less wind resistance and greater distance.

Worm Burner: A poor shot characterized by the ball not getting airborne and simply rolling fast along the ground.

"X" Factor: Applies to the differential between hip angle and shoulder angle during a golfer's backswing.

Yardage Marker: An object that indicates how far a specific location id from the hole. Yardage markers are often found at 200, 150, 100 and 50 yard intervals from the green. The markers may be trees or bushes along the sides of the fairway or rough or may be plastic, cement or similar objects sunk in the ground in the center of the fairways.

Yips: The condition, either mental or physical, in which a golfer cannot seem to make short putts, or may not even be able to get them close. A short putt that is missed badly is said to be "yipped."