N to Z - Golf Dictionary

N

nassau
Bet in which a round of 18 holes is divided into three - front nine,back nine, and full 18.

net score
Score for a hole or round after handicap strokes are deducted.

never up, never in
Annoying saying coined for a putt that finishes short of the hole.

niblick
Old term for a 9-iron.

nine
Half of a course.

19th hole
The clubhouse bar.

0

O.B. (Oscar Bravo, set it free)
Out-of bounds.

off-center hit
Less than a solid strike.

offset
Club with the head set farther behind the shaft than normal.

one-putt
To take only a single putt on a green.

one up
Being one hole ahead in the match score.

open face
Clubface aligned to the right of the target at address, or to the right of its path at impact. Can lead to a shot going to the rightof the target.

open stance
Player sets up with the left foot pulled back, away from the ball.

open up the hole
When your tee shot leaves the best possible angle for the nextshot to the green.

out-of-bounds
Area outside the boundaries of the course, usually marked with whiteposts. When a ball finishes "O.B.," the player must return to the original spot and play another ball under penalty of one stroke. He or she thus loses stroke and distance.

outside
Area on the far side of the ball.

outside in
Swing path followed by the clubhead into the ball from outside the ball target line. (See inside out.)

over the green
Ball hit too far.

overdub
To use a club that will hit the ball too far.

overlapping
A type of grip where the little finger of the right hand lies over theindex finger of the left hand.

P

pairings
Groups of two players.

par
The score a good player would expect to make on a hole or round.

partner
A player on your side.

penal
Difficult.

persimmon
A wood from which many wooden clubs are made.

PGA
Professional Golfers' Association.

Piccolo grip
A very loose hold on the club, especially at the top of the backswing.

pigeon
An opponent you should beat easily.

pin
The pole placed in the hole.

pin-high
See hole high.

pin-placement
The location of the hole on the green.

pitch
A short, high approach shot. Doesn't run much on landing.

pitch and putt
A short course. Or getting down in two strokes from off the green.

pitch-and-run
Varies from a pitch in that it flies lower and runs more.

pitching-niblick
Old term for an 8-iron.

pivot
The body turn during the swing.

plane
The arc of the swing.

playoff
Two or more players play extra holes to break a tie.

play through
What you do when the group in front of you invites you to pass.

plugged lie
When the ball finishes half- buried in the turf or a bunker.

plumb-bob
Lining up a putt with one eye closed and the putter held vertically in front of the face.

pop-up
High, short shot.

pot bunker
Small, steeply faced bunker.

practice green
Place for working on your putting.

preferred lies
Temporary rule that allows you to move the ball to a more favorable position because of wet conditions.

press
You've lost your match, but you want your money back. This new bet takes place over any remaining holes.

private club
A club open to members and their guests only.

Pro-Am
A competition in which professional partners team with amateurs.

professional
A golfer who plays or teaches for his or her livelihood.

pro shop
A place where you sign up to start play and can buy balls, clubs, and so on.

provisional ball
You think your ball may be lost. To save time, you play another from the same spot before searching for the first ball. If the first ball is lost, the second ball is in play

public course
A golf course open to all.

pull
A straight shot that flies to the left of the target.

punch
A shot hit lower with the ball back in the stance and a shorter-than-normal follow- through.

push
A straight shot that flies to the right of the target.

putter
A straight-faced club generally used on the greens.

Q

quail high (stealth, skull, rat-high)
Low.

qualifying school
A place where aspiring professional golfers try to qualify for thePGA and LPGA Tours. A punishing week of pressure golf.The ultimate grind.

quitting
Not hitting through a shot with conviction.

R

rabbit
A beginning player.

rake
Device used to smooth the sand after you leave a bunker.

range
Practice area.

range ball
Generally a low-quality ball used on a driving range.

rap
To hit a putt firmly.

read the green
To assess the path on which a putt must travel to the hole.

regular
A shaft with normal flex.

regulation
Par figures.

release
The point in the downswing where the wrists uncock.

relief
Where you drop a ball that was in a hazard or affected by an obstruction.

reverse overlap
Putting grip in which the little finger of the right hand overlaps the index finger of the left hand.

rhythm
The tempo of your swing.

rim the cup
See lip out.

ringer score
Your best-ever score at each hole on the course.

Road Hole
The 17th hole at St. Andrews ­the hardest hole in the world.

roll
On wooden clubs, the curve on the clubface from the top to the bottom of the face.

rough
Unprepared area of long grass on either side of the fairway.

round
Eighteen holes of golf.

Royal & Ancient Golf Club
The organiza­tion that runs the British Open.

rub of the green
Luck.

run
The roll on the ball after landing.

run up
A type of shot to play when the ground is firm. You bounce the ball onto the green and let it roll to the hole.

S

sandbagger
A golfer who lies about his or her ability/handicap to gain an advantage.

sand trap
A bunker.

sandy
Making par after being in a bunker.

scorecard
Where the length, par, and rating of each hole is recorded. Also, your score.

scoring
The grooves on the clubface.

scramble
To play erratic golf but still score well. Or a game where ateam of, say, four all tee off and then pick the best shot. All then play their balls from that spot; continues witheach set of shots.

scratch play
No handicaps used in this type of game.

scratch player
One with a 0 handicap.

second cut
Second level of rough, higher than first cut. Some courseshave three cuts of rough.

semiprivate
A course with members that is also open to the public.

semirough
Grass in the rough that is not too long, not too short.

setup
See address.

shaft
The part of the club that joins the grip to the head.

shag
To retrieve practice balls.

shag bag
To carry practice balls.

shallow
Narrow clubface. Or a flattish angle of attack into the ball.

shank
Shot struck from the club's hosel; flies far to the right of theintended target.

shooting the lights out
To play very well.

short cut
Cut of grass on the fairway or green.

short game
Shots played on and around the green.

shut
Clubface aligned left at address or impact; looking skyward at the top of the backswing. Results in a shot that goes to the left of the target.

sidehilllie
Ball either above or below your feet.

sidesaddle
Putting style where a player faces the hole while making the stroke.

sink
To make a putt.

sit down (full flaps, pull a hamstring, develop a limp)
A polite request for the ball to stop.

skins
Betting game where the lowest score on a hole wins the pot.If the hole is tied, the money carries over to the next hole.

skull (hit it in the forehead)
See blade or thin.

sky
Ball flies off the top of the clubface - very high and short.

sleeve of balls
Box of three golf balls.

slice
Shot that curves sharply from left to right.

smile
Cut in a bail caused by a mishit.

smother
To hit the ball with a closed clubface, resulting in a horrible,low, hooky shot.

snake
Long putt.

snap hook
Severe hook.

socket
See shank.

sole
Bottom of the clubhead.

sole plate
Piece of metal attached to the bottom of a wooden club.

spade-mashie
Old term for a 6-iron.

spike mark
Mark on the green made by a golf shoe.

spin-out
Legs moving too fast in relation to the upper body on the downswing.

spoon
Old term for a 3-wood.

spot putting
Aiming for a point on the green over which the ball mustrun if it is to go in the hole. .

square
Score of a match is even. Or the clubface and stance are aligned perfectly with the target.

square face
Clubface looking directly at the hole at address/impact.

square grooves
USGA banned them from clubfaces.

St. Andrews
Located in Fife, Scotland, the home of golf.

stableford
Method of scoring by using points rather than strokes.

stance
Position of the feet before the swing.

starter
Person running the order of play (who plays when) from the first tee.

starting time
When you tee off at the first tee.

stick
The pin in the hole.

stiff
A shaft with reduced flex. Or very close to the hole.

stimpmeter
Device used to measure the speed of greens.

stroke
Movement of club with the intent to hit the ball.

stroke hole
Hole at which one either gives or receives a shot, according to the handi­cap of your playing.

stymie
Ball obstructing your route to the hole - now obsolete.

sudden-death
Form of playoff whereby the first player to win a hole wins the match.

superintendent
Person responsible for the upkeep of the course.

surlyn
Material from which most balls are made.

swale
Depression or dip in terrain.

sway
To move excessively to the right on the backswing withoutturning the body.

sweet spot
Perfect point on the clubface with which to strike the ball.

swing plane
Angle at which the club shaft travels around the body during a swing.

swing weight
Measure of a club's weight to its length.

T

takeaway
Early part of the backswing.

tap-in
Very short putt.

tee
Wooden peg on which the ball is set for the first shot on a hole. Also, the area from which that initial shot is hit.

teeing ground
Area in which you must tee your ball, between the tee markers and neither in front of them nor more than two club lengths behind them.

tee it up
To start play.

tempo
The rhythm of your swing.

temporary green
Used in winter to save the permanent green.

Texas wedge
Putter when used from off the green.

that'll play
A kind reference to mediocre shot.

thin
To hit the ball around its equator - don't expect much height.

three-putt
Undesired number of strokes on a green.

through the green
The whole course except hazards, tees, and greens.

Tiger tee
Slang for the back tee.

tight
Narrow fairway.

tight lie
The ball on bare ground or very short grass.

timing
The pace and sequence of movement in your swing.

titanium
Metal used in lightweight shafts and in golf balls.

top
Ball is struck on or above the equator. See thin.

torque
Twisting of the shaft at impact.

tour
Series of tournaments for professionals.

tradesman's entrance
Ball goes in the hole from the rear of the cup.

trajectory
Flight of the ball.

trap
See bunker.

triple bogey
Three over par on one hole. Not good.

turn
To make your way to the back nine holes. Or the rotation of the upper body during the backs wing and forward swing.

twitch
See yips.

U

uncock
See release.

underclub
To take at least one club less than needed for distance.

unplayable lie
You can't hit the ball. One stroke penalty is your reward.

up
Ahead in the match. Or the person next to play. Or reaching the hole with a putt.

up and down
To get the ball into the hole in two strokes from somewhere off the green.

upright
To swing with a steep vertical plan

USGA
United States Golf Association. The ruling body for gg olf in the United States.

U.S. Open
National men's golf champion­ship of America.

U.S.. Women's Open
National women's golf championship of America.

V

Vardon grip
See overlapping.

W

waggle
Movement of the clubhead prior to the swing.

water hazard
Body of water that costs you a shot to leave.

wedge
Lofted club (iron) used for pitching.

whiff
See airball.

whipping
The string around the shaft/head of a wooden club.

whippy
A shaft more flexible than normal.

windcheater
Low drive.

winter rules
See preferred lies.

wood
Material that long clubs used to be made of.

wormburner
Low mishit.

Y

yips
When a golfer misses short putts because of bad nerves, which reduces the afflicted unfortunate to jerky little snatches at the ball, the putterhead seemingly possessing a mind all its own.

Z

oopps... there is no such a thing start with Z!

H to M - Golf Dictionary

H

hacker
Poor player.

half
Tied hole.

half shot
Improvised shot with ordinarily too much club for the distance.

halve
To tie a hole.

ham and egging
When you and partner play well on alternate holes, forming an effective team.
handicap
For example, one whose handicap is 16 is expected to shoot 88 on a par 72 course, or 16 strokes over par.

hanging lie
Your ball is on a slope, lying either above or below your feet.

hardpan
Very firm turf.

hazard
Can be either sand or water. Don't ground your club in hazards - it's against the rules!

head cover
Protection for the clubhead, usually used on woods.

heel
End of the clubhead closest to the shaft.

hickory
Wood from which shafts used to be made.

high side
Area above the hole on a sloping green.

hole
Your ultimate 41'4-inch-wide target.

hole-high
Level with the hole.

hole-in-one
See ace.

hole out
Complete play on hole.

home green
The green on the 18th hole.

honor
When you score lowest on a given hole, thus earning the right to tee up first on the next tee.

hood
Tilting the toe end of the club toward the hole. Lessens the loft on a club, and generally produces a right-to-Left shot.

hook
Shot that curves severely from right to left.

horseshoe
When ball goes around the edge of the cup and "comes back" toward you. Painful!

hosel
Curved area where the clubhead connects with the shaft.

hustler
A golfer who plays for a living. Plays better than he claims to be. Usually leaves your wallet lighter.

I

Impact
Moment when the club strikes the ball.

Impregnable Quadrilateral
The Grand Slam.

improve your lie
To move the ball to make a shot easier. This is illegal unless local rules dictate otherwise.

in play
Within the confines of the course (not out-of-bounds).

into out
Swing path whereby the clubhead moves across the ball-target line from left to right.

in your pocket
After you've picked up the ball! (Generally after you finish a holewithout holing out.)

insert
Plate in the face of wooden clubs.

inside out
Clubhead moves through the impact area on a line to the right ofthe target. Most tour players do this. (See also outside in.)

inside
Area on your side of a line drawn from the ball to the target.

intended line
The path on which you imagine the ball flying from club to target.

interlocking
Type of grip where the little finger of the right hand is entwined with the index finger of the left.

investment cast
Clubs made from a mold.

impediment
Loose debris that you can remove from around your ball as long as the ball doesn't move

J

jail
Slang for when you and your ball are in very deep trouble.

jigger
Old term for a 4-iron. Also a great little pub to the right of the 17th fairway at St. Andrews.

jungle
Slang for heavy rough, or an unpre­pared area of long grass.

K

kick
Another term for bounce.

kill
To hit a long shot.

L

ladies day
Time when course is reserved for those of the female persuasion.

lag
A long putt hit with the intent of leaving the ball close to the cup.

laid off
When the club points to the left of the target at the top of the backswing.

lateral hazard
Water hazard marked by red stakes and usually parallel to the fairway.

lay-up
Conservatively played shot to avoid possible trouble.

leader board
Place where lowest scores in tournament are posted.

leak
Ball drifting to the right during flight.

lie
Where your ball is on the ground. Also, the angle at which the club shaft extends from the head.

lift
What you do before you drop.

line
The path of a shot to the hole.

line up
To stand behind a shot to take aim.

links
A seaside course. Don't expect trees.

lip
Edge of a cup or bunker.

lip-out (cellophane bridge)
Ball touches the edge of the cup but doesn't drop in.

local knowledge
What the members know and you don't.

local rules
Set of rules determined by the members, rules committee, or course professional.

loft
The degree at which a clubface looks upward.

long game
Shots hit with long irons and woods. Also could be John Daly's game.

loop
Slang for "to caddy." Or a round of golf. Or a change in the path of the clubhead during the swing.
low-handicapper
Good player.

low side
Area below the hole on a sloping green.

LPGA
Ladies Professional Golf Association.

M

make
Hole a shot.

makeable
Shot with a good chance of being holed.

mallet
Putter with a wide head.

mark
To indicate the position of the ball with a small, round, flat object, such as a coin, usually on the green.

marker
Small, round object, such as a coin, placed behind the ball toindicate its position when you lift it. Or the person keeping score.

marshal
Person controlling the crowd at a tournament.

mashie
Old term for as-iron.

mashie-niblick
Old term for a 7-iron.

Masters
First major tournament of each calendar year. Always played over the Augusta National course in Georgia. The one tournament I can't go to.

match of cards
Comparing your scorecard to your opponent's to see who won.

match play
Game played between two sides. The side that wins the most holes wins the match.

matched set
Clubs designed to look and feel the same.

medal play
Game played between any number of players. The player with the lowest score wins (can also be called stroke play).

metal wood
Wooden club made of metal.

mid-iron
Old term for a 2-iron.

miniature course
Putting course.

misclub
To use the wrong club for the distance.

misread
To take the wrong line on a putt.

miss the cut
To take too many strokes for the first 36 holes of 72-hole event and be eliminated. I did this once or twice.

mixed foursome
Two men, two women.

model swing
Perfect motion.

mulligan
Second attempt at a shot, usually played on the first tee. This is illegal.

municipal course
A course owned by the local government and thus open to the public. Generally has lower greens fees than a privately owned public course.

The Way I Golfed

There is always something when I walk along a golf course. The feeling of loneliness that I never feel somewhere else. In golf, everybody keeps their have stay add up . I appreciate script somewhere that Bobby Jones on one time penalized himself a stroke because his ball "shuttered" as he was taking a rehearsal go towards the back plus onward . Both the tournament bureaucrat , in addition his opponent, said that they did not watch the ball go in addition that he need not obtain the stroke . Other than Bobby said that it had moved, in addition took the penalty - in addition misplaced the tournament by one stroke . What an enthused survival I would direct if I could clutch myself to the similar tallness of integrity!
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Golf Tips - Top Ways To Cure Your Slice

By: Shakil Zaman
Slicing a golf ball is a common problem faced by many amateur golfers. The problem with slicing a golf shot is that it usually results in a poor shot both in lack of distance and direction. It is important to solve this problem in order to lower your handicap and become a better golfer. Here are some tips to help you get rid of the slice and become a more consistent player.

Tip 1: Keep the right hand passive during the swing
If you are a right handed player then it is important to keep your right hand fairly inactive during the swing. Many new players try to use their strong arm which is usually the right hand to try to force the club through the hitting zone in an effort to hit the ball farther. The problem is that this usually results in casting the club in the downswing which results in an outside to inside club head path that produces a slice golf shot.

Tip 2: Pull the club with the left hand on the downswing
During the downswing it is a good idea to think of yourself pulling the club through the hitting zone. This will help to promote an inside to out club path that results in straighter shots.

Tip 3: Use the correct grip
Make sure the grip you are using squares the club face during the address position. Also be sure that the face of the club is not open or facing to the right of your target but is rather facing directly at the target.

Tip 4: Master the wedge game
Perhaps the best way to learn the game of golf is to learn it from the green back to the tee. If you have trouble hitting your shorter shots such as wedge shots straight then it is almost inevitable that your longer shots will suffer. Spend plenty of time hitting wedge shots from 120 yards and in.

Tip 5: Keep your head down
This is a cliche but it is still important that you do indeed keep your head steady and still during the downswing and let your head come up naturally with your right shoulder as you complete the swing.

Tip 6: Maintain balance
If you find yourself losing balance during or at the end of your swing then make it a point to develop a more controlled swing where you are balanced throughout the swing. Make sure that you end each swing with a balanced pose towards the target.

Tip 7: Slow down your backswing
Most new golfers have a backswing that appears rushed compared to the downswing. You want to maintain a consistent tempo between the backswing and the downswing. It is best to have a slower more deliberate backswing. Conserve your energy for the downswing where power and speed are generated to hit the ball far.

Tip 8: Check your alignment
Poor positioning of your body and feet towards the target can cause a slice to happen. Make sure that your feet are aligned and pointing directly at the target. If you find your feet are pointing to the left of the target then this can cause a slice to occur.

Tip 9: Practice consistently
Sometimes it is necessary to make a commitment to learning the game in order to get better and cure the slice. If you practice often you will find that some of your shots do go straight and eventually you will figure out how to hit straighter shots more often. There are many factors that can cause a slice so getting the pieces of the puzzle together can take time and regular practice. Follow some of these tips to help you hit straighter shots and lower your golf handicap.

Author Resource:-> Shakil is an online researcher, avid golfer and regular contributor to a site on golf tips. Be sure to also visit the section on putting tips to help reduce your handicap.

Article From ArticleSlide.com

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Senior Major Championships

Like women's golf, senior (50-and-over) men's golf does not have a globally agreed set of majors. The list of senior majors on the U.S.-based Champions Tour has changed over the years, but always by expansion; unlike the situation with the LPGA, no senior major has lost its status. The Champions Tour now recognizes five majors: the Senior PGA Championship, the U.S. Senior Open, the Senior British Open, The Tradition and the Senior Players Championship.

Of the five events, the Senior PGA is by far the oldest, having been founded in 1937. The other events all date from the 1980s, when senior golf became a commercial success as the first golf stars of the television era, such as Arnold Palmer and Gary Player, reached the relevant age. The Senior British Open was not recognized as a major by the Champions Tour until 2003. The European Seniors Tour recognizes only the Senior PGA and the two Senior Opens as majors. However, the Champions Tour is arguably more dominant in global senior golf than the U.S. LPGA is in global women's golf. (Wikipedia)

Women's Major Championships

Women's golf does not have a globally agreed set of majors. The list of majors recognized by the dominant women's tour, the LPGA Tour in the U.S., has changed several times over the years, with the last change in 2001. Like the PGA Tour, the (U.S.) LPGA has four majors: the Kraft Nabisco Championship, the LPGA Championship, the U.S. Women's Open and the Women's British Open. Only the last of these is also recognized by the Ladies European Tour. The other event that it recognizes as a major is the Evian Masters, which is not considered a major by the LPGA (but is co-sanctioned as a regular LPGA event). However, the significance of this is limited, as the LPGA is far more dominant in women's golf than the PGA Tour is in mainstream men's golf. For example, the BBC has been known to use the U.S. definition of "women's majors" without qualifying it. Also, the Ladies' Golf Union, the governing body for women's golf in the UK and Republic of Ireland, states on its official website that the Women's British Open is "the only Women’s Major to be played outside the U.S." For many years, the Ladies European Tour tacitly acknowledged the dominance of the LPGA Tour by not scheduling any of its own events to conflict with the three LPGA majors played in the U.S., but that changed in 2008, with the LET scheduling an event opposite the LPGA Championship. The second-richest women's tour, the LPGA of Japan Tour, does not recognize any of the U.S. LPGA or European majors as it has its own set of three majors. However, these events attract little notice outside Japan.

Men's Major Championships

The major championships are the four most prestigious men's tournaments of the year. In chronological order they are: The Masters, the U.S. Open, The Open Championship (referred to in North America as the British Open) and the PGA Championship.

The fields for these events include the top several dozen golfers from all over the world. The Masters has been played at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia since its inception in 1934. It is the only major championship that is played at the same course each year. The U.S. Open and PGA Championship are played at courses around the United States, while The Open Championship is played at courses in the UK.

The number of major championships a player accumulates in his career has an impact on his stature in the sport. Jack Nicklaus is considered to be one of the greatest golfers of all time, largely because he has won a record 18 professional majors, or 20 majors in total if his two U.S. Amateurs are included. Tiger Woods, who may be the only golfer in the foreseeable future likely to challenge Nicklaus's record, has won 14 professional majors (17 total if his three U.S. Amateurs are included), all before the age of 33. (To put this total in perspective, Nicklaus had won 11 professional majors and two U.S. Amateurs by his 33rd birthday, and did not win his 14th professional major until he was 35.) Woods also came closest to winning all four current majors in one season (known as a Grand Slam completed first by Bobby Jones) when he won them consecutively across two seasons: the 2000 U.S. Open, Open Championship, and PGA Championship; and the 2001 Masters. This feat has been frequently called the Tiger Slam.

Prior to the advent of the PGA Championship and The Masters, the four Majors were the U.S. Open, the U.S. Amateur, the Open Championship, and the British Amateur. These are the four that Bobby Jones won in 1930 to become the only player ever to have earned a Grand Slam. (Wikipedia)

Etymology

The word Golf was first mentioned in writing in 1457 on a Scottish statute on forbidden games as gouf, possibly derived from the Scots word goulf (variously spelled) meaning "to strike or cuff". This word may, in turn, be derived from the Dutch word kolf, meaning "bat," or "club," and the Dutch sport of the same name. It is often claimed that the word originated as an acronym for "gentlemen only, ladies forbidden", but this is strictly a false etymology. (Wikipedia).

Golf Definition

Golf is a game in which a player, using many types of clubs including a driver, a putter, and irons, hits a ball into each hole on a golf course in the lowest possible number of strokes. Golf is one of the few ball games that does not use a standardized playing area; rather, the game is played on golf "courses", each one of which has a unique design and typically consists of either 9 or 18 holes. Golf is defined in the Rules of Golf as "playing a ball with a club from the teeing ground into the hole by a stroke or successive strokes in accordance with the Rules."

The first game of golf for which records survive was played at Bruntsfield Links, in Edinburgh, Scotland, in A.D. 1456, recorded in the archives of the Edinburgh Burgess Golfing Society, now The Royal Burgess Golfing Society. The modern game of golf spread from Scotland to England and has now become a worldwide game, with golf courses in the majority of countries.

Golf competition may be played as stroke play, in which the individual with the lowest number of strokes is declared the winner, stableford points play (as devised in 1931 by Dr. Frank Stableford of the Wallasey & Royal Liverpool Golf Clubs), in which the individual with the highest points score is declared the winner or as match play with the winner determined by whichever individual or team posts the lower score on the most individual holes during a complete round. In addition, team events such as fourball have been introduced, and these can be played using either the stroke, stableford or matchplay format. Alternative ways to play golf have also been introduced, such as miniature golf, sholf and disc golf.

Golf has increasingly turned into a spectator game, with several different levels of professional and amateur tours in many regions of the world. People such as Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus, Lorena Ochoa and Annika Sörenstam have become well recognized sports figures across the world. Sponsorship has also become a huge part of the game and players often earn more from their sponsorship contracts than they do from the game itself. (Wikipedia)

D to G - Golf Dictionary

D

dance floor
Slang for green.

dawn patrol
The players who tee off early in the day.

dead
(body bags, cadaver, on the slab, perdition, jail, tag on his toe, wearing stripes, no pulse - you get the idea)
No possible way out of the shot!

deep
High clubface from top to bottom.

deuce
A score of two on a given hole.

dimple
Depression on the cover of a golf ball.

divot
Turf displaced by the clubhead during a swing.

dogleg
Hole on which the fairway curves one way or the other.

dormant
Grass on the course is alive but not actively growing. Also my hair.

dormie
The player who's winning the match in match play -for example, five up with only five holes left, or four up with four left.

double bogey
Score of two over par on a hole.

double eagle
Score of three under par on a hole. Forget it, you,'11probably never get one. See also albatross.

down
Losing.

downhill lie
When your right foot is higher than your left when you address the ball (for right-handed players).

downswing
The part of the swing where the clubhead is moving down, toward the ball.

drop
Procedure by which you put the ball back into play after it's been deemed unplayable.

dub
Bad shot or player.

duck hook (shrimp, mallard, quacker)
Shot curving severely from right to left.

duffer
Bad player.

dying putt
A putt that barely reaches the hole.

DQ'd
Disqualified.

drain
To sink a putt.

draw
Shot that curves from right to left.

drive
Shot from teeing ground other than' par-3 holes.

drive for show, putt for dough
Old saying implying that putting is more important than driving.

driving range
Place where you can go to hit practice balls.

drive the green
When your drive finishes on the putting surface. Can happenon short par-4, or when the brakes go out on your cart.


E

eagle
Score of two under par for a hole.

embedded ball
Portion of the ball is below ground.

erosion
Loss of land through water and wind damage - most common on the coasts.

etiquette
Code of conduct.

explode
To playa ball from a bunker moving a large amount of sand. Or what you do if the ball doesn't get out of the bunker.

extra holes
Played when a match finishes even (is tied).


F


face
The front of a club or bunker.

fade
Shot that curves gently from left to right.

fairway
The prepared surface running from tee to green.

fairway wood
Any wooden club that's not your driver. Nowadays, you say fairway metal because you don't see many wooden clubs anymore.

fat
To strike the ground before the ball.

feather
To put a delicate fade on a shot - don't try it yet!

first cut
Strip of rough at the edge of a fairway.

first off
Golfers beginning their round before everyone else.

flag
Piece of cloth attached to the top of a flagstick.

flagstick
The stick with the flag on top, which indicates the location of the cup.

flange
Projecting piece of clubhead behind the sole (bottom).

flat
Swing that is less upright than normal, and more around the body than up and down.

flub
To hit the ball only a few feet.

flex
The amount of bend in a shaft.

flier
Shot, usually hit from the rough, which travels way too far past the target.

fly the green
To hit a shot that lands beyond the putting surface.

follow-through
The part of the swing after the ball has been struck.

foozle
To make a complete mess of a shot.

Fore!
What to shout when your ball is headed toward another player.

forged irons
Clubs made one by one, without molds.

forward press
Targetward shift of the hands, and perhaps a right knee, just prior to takeaway.

foursome
Depends where you are. In the States, a group of four playing together. In Britain, a match between two teams of two, each hitting one ball alternately.

free drop
Drop for which no penalty stroke is incurred, generally within one club length of where the ball was.

fried egg
When your ball is semi buried in the sand.

fringe
See apron.

frog hair
Slang for apron, fringe, or collar.

front nine
The first half of your round of golf; the second half is the back nine holes.

full swing
Longest swing you make.


G

gallery
Spectators at a tournament.

gimme
A short putt that your opponent doesn't ask you to hit, assuming that you can't possibly miss the shot.

G.I.R
Slang for greens in regulation - greens hit in regulation number of strokes.

glove
Usually worn on the left hand by right-handed players. Helps maintain grip.

Golden Bear
Jack Nicklaus.

golf widow(er)
Your significant other after he or she finds out how much you want to play!

go to school
Watching your partner's putt and learning from it the line and pace that your putt should have.

good-good
Reciprocal concession of short putts. (See gimme.)

grain
Tendency of grass leaves to lie horizontally toward the sun.

Grand Slam
The four major championships: Masters, U.S. Open, British Open, and PGA Championship.

graphite
Lightweight material used to make shafts and clubheads.

Great White Shark
Greg Norman.

green
The shortest-cut grass where you do your putting.

greenies
Bet won by player whose first shot finishes closest to the hole on a par-3.

green jacket
Prize awarded to the winner of the Masters Tournament in Augusta, Georgia.

greens fee
The cost to playa round of golf.

greenside
Close to the green.

greensome
Game in which both players on a team drive off. The better of the two is chosen; then they alternate shots from there.

grip
Piece of rubber/leather on the end of a club. Or your hold on the club.

groove
Scoring along the clubface.

gross score
Actual score shot before a handicap is deducted.

ground the club
The process of placing the club head behind the ball at address, generally touching the bottom of the grass.

ground under repair
Area on the course being worked on by the groundskeeper, generally marked by white lines, from which you may drop your ball without penalty.

gutta percha
Material used to manufacture golf balls in the 19th century.

A to C - Golf Dictionary

A

ace
A hole-in-one. Buy a round of drinks for the house.

address
The positioning of your body in relation to the ball just before starting your swing. And your last conscious thoughtbefore the chaos begins.

airball
Your swing missed the ball! Blame it on an alien's spacecraft radar.
albatross
British term for double eagle, or three under par on one hole.

amateur
Someone who plays for fun - not money. Playing golf for fun?
angle of approach
The degree at which the clubhead moves either downward or upward into the ball. A severe test of agility.

approach
Your shot to the green made from anywhere except the tee.Sounds dangerous; really isn't.

apron
The grass around the edge of a green, longer than the grass on the green but shorter than the grass on the fairway. Or what I wear to barbecue in.

attend
To hold and remove the flags tick as a partner putts, usually from some distance.
away
Term used to describe the ball farthest from the hole and,thus, next to be played.



B

back door
Rear of hole.

back lip
The edge of a bunker (a hazard filled with sand) that's farthestfrom the green.

back nine
The second half of your round of golf; the first half is the front nine holes.

backspin
When the ball hits the green and spins back toward the player. Galleries, or spectators, love backspins.

bunker
Hazard filled with sand; can be referred to as a sand trap.

buried ball/lie
Part of the ball below the surface of the sand in a bunker.

backswing
The part of the swing from the point where the clubheadmoves away from the ball to the point where it starts back down again. I hope that your backswing is smoothand in balance.

baffle
Old name for as-wood.

bailout (hang 'em high)
You hit the shot, for example, well to the right to avoid trouble on the left.

balata
Sap from a tropical tree, used to make covers for balls.

ball at rest
The ball isn't moving. A study in still life.

ball marker
Small, round object, such as a coin, used to indicate the ball's position on the green.

ball retriever
Long pole with a scoop on the end used to collect balls fromwater hazards and other undesirable spots. If the grip on your ball retriever is worn out, get some lessons immediately.

bail washer
Found on many tees; a device for cleaning balls.

banana ball
Shot that curves hugely from left to right (see slice).

bandit
See hustler. Avoid bandits at all costs.

baseball grip
To hold the club with all ten fingers on the grip.

best ball
Game for four players; two teams of two. The low score on each side counts as the team score on each hole.

birdie
Score of one under par on a hole.

bisque
Handicap stroke given by one player to another. Receivermay choose which hole it is applied to.

bite (vampire, bicuspid, overbite)
A spin that makes the ball tend to stop rather than roll when it lands.

blade
Not pretty. The leading edge of the club, rather than the clubface,strikes the ball, resulting in a low shot that tends to travel way too far (see thin or skull). Also a kind of putter or iron.

blast
Aggressive shot from a bunker that displaces a lot of sand.

blind shot
You can't see the spot where you want the ball to land.

block (

H&R Block, Dan Blocker)
Shot that flies straight but to the right of the target (see push).

bogey
Score of one stroke over par on a hole.

borrow
The amount of curve you must allow for a putt on a sloping green. Or what you need to do if you playa hustler.

boundary
Edge, of course; it confines the space/time continuum. Usually marked by white stakes.

brassie
Old name for a 2-wood.

break
See borrow.

British Open
National championship run by Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St.Andrews ­known in Britain as "the Open" because it was the first one.

bulge
The curve across the face of a wooden club.

c

caddie
The person carrying your clubs during your round of golf. The person you fire when you play badly.

caddie-master
Person in charge of caddies.

Calamity Jane
The great Bobby Jones's putter.

carry
The distance between a ball's takeoff and landing.

cart
Motorized vehicle used to transport lazy golfers around the course.

casual water
Water other than a water hazard on the course from which you can lift your ball without penalty.

center-shafted
Putter in which the shaft is joined to the center of the head.

character builder
Short, meaningful putt; can't possibly build character.

charting the course
To pace each hole so that you always know how far you are from the hole.

chili-dip (Hormel, lay the sod over it, pooper scooper)
A mishit chip shot, the clubhead hitting the ground well before it hits the ball.

chip
Very short, low-flying shot to the green.

chip-in
A holed chip.

choke
To play poorly because of self- imposed pressure.

choke down
To hold the club lower on the grip.

chunk
See chili-dip.

cleat
Spike on the sale of a golf shoe.

cleek
Old term for a variety of clubs.

closed face
Clubface pointed to the left of your ultimate target at address or impact. Or clubface pointed skyward at the top of the backswing. Can lead to a shot that goes to the left of the target.

closed stance
Player sets up with the right foot pulled back, away from the ball.

clubhouse
Main building at a golf club.

club length
Distance from the end of the grip to the bottom of the clubhead.

collar
See apron.

come-backer
The putt after the preceding effort finished beyond the hole. Usually gets harder to make the older you get.

compression
The flattening of the ball against the clubface. The faster you swing and the more precisely you hit the ball in themiddle of the clubface, the more fun you have.

concede
To give an opponent a putt, hole, or match.
core
The center of a golf ball.
course rating
The difficulty of a course, measured with some silly formula by the USGA.
cross-handed
Grip with the left hand below the right.
cross wind
Breeze blowing from right to left or from left to right.
cup
Container in the hole that holds the flagstick in place.
cuppy lie
When the ball is in a cup-like depression.
cut
Score that eliminates a percentage of the field (or players) from a tournament. Usually made after 36 holes ofa 72-hole event. I've missed a few in my time.
cut shot
Shot that curves from left to right.

Golf Dumber Module #2: How To Choose Golf Clubs

The most important part of playing a game of golf is choosing the right club. Even if your stroke technique leaves something to be desired, if you choose the right club you can often compensate for this. Once you have achieved a decent level of play, you can consider custom clubs with proper fitting. And even then, go for value rather than show.

There are many things you have to decide on when you are choosing golf clubs, but once you start to see the patterns emerging you will be able to always choose the right one without even thinking about it too much. The rules of golf allow a maximum of 14 clubs in your bag when you are playing a game.Each club is designed for a different purpose and will hit the ball a different distance.

The handicap of a golfer will play a huge role in determining what kinds of clubs he carries. If you usually score around 10 strokes over par, your bag will look significantly different than someone who scores over 100 strokes over par (which, despite sounding ridiculous, is usually fairly standard for those who are new to the game)


There are 3 types of clubs:

- Woods
- The Irons
- Putter


THE WOODS

When golf was first played, the original players used clubs where the club head was made from wood, and this is how the name stuck. With the advent of ever changing technology club heads have changed both in shape and size and are today made from hard metals such as steel or tungsten.

IRONS

The club head is usually made of metal and numbered 1-9. Remember number 1 will hit further than number 9. Also remember that the higher the number the higher the ball will go.

Wedges, such as a pitching wedge or a sand wedge also come in the the iron catagory. A sand wedge is mainly used as the name would suggest to escape from bunkers, and generally wedges are used to get more height on the ball.


PUTTERS

Putters, on which there is very little loft, are generally used on or just off the green when the ground is smooth and firm. There is a vast range of putters available to the golfer giving wide choice of shapes, weights and sizes. In fact there is no right or wrong putter and you should choose whichever give you the best results.


HYBRID/RESCUE CLUBS

The hybrid or rescue club as it has become known is a combination of the wood and iron, and is a big hit with lady golfers. Mostly it is used as a distance club, being more forgiving than a wood off the fairway. It has quickly become a standard part of the range of ladies clubs.

Hybrid clubs or adjustable clubs are also very valuable for beginners who have not yet gotten a grasp on their own playing style. Hybrid golf clubs are somewhere in between woods and irons. They provide accuracy due to their relatively short lengths, and they provide sheer distance with their specially designed heads that are usually very light and hollow. They are very unique and take some getting used to, but if you can try one out at the store before you buy it, you may discover that it adds a whole new element to your game.
All of these golf clubs play a very important part from getting you down the fairway right to the green and into the hole. Without one of them, you would have to use a different club to do something it wasn’t meant to. Therefore you should pay plenty of attention to all of the things that I have stated so far, and you will find that golf becomes a much more enjoyable sport to you


CARE OF CLUBS

Most golfers put head covers on their woods to protect the heads and stop them clanking against each other when on the move. You should dry woods off carefully if they become wet, wiping off any grass, mud or sand which accumulates on the head.

When rubber grips become dirty they can be washed with soap and water. When they become shinny they are ready for a change and this can be done by your local professional.

Golf Dumber Module #1: Introduction

Golf is a great game: sometimes rewarding, often frustrating but highly addictive. Getting started in it is actually not so difficult, and hopefully this article can help you avoid some of the common pitfalls.

The very first steps.
The biggest mistake made by people wanting to start in golf is to rush out and buy a brand new set of shiny and expensive golf clubs. While they are nice to look at you should keep in mind that today's golf equipment comes in great varieties to cater for different golfing types and abilities. Since you're just starting out you do not know which set fits you best. Just imagine the envious looks you get at the driving range when you come with your $2000 set, and the subsequent
laughter when you try and just 'hack away' - not worth the embarrassment!

Once you spend a few hundred or even thousands of dollars on a set that doesn't suit your style you're stuck with it or you have to sell it to somebody else at a loss. If you feel you want your own clubs get a half set. This generally comprises five irons and perhaps two woods and a putter. Usually the irons are the odd numbers 3,5,7,9 and wedge. These clubs are more than enough to get you started. A better alternativel: most driving ranges will have clubs for hire, so you can try out a few different ones.

You can also borrow one or two clubs from a friend. The shortest iron (nine iron) or a wedge are the best clubs to start, practicing with it will give you the feeling of hitting the ball in the air and should be fairly straight forward.

Where to get golf clubs?
Most Pro shops and driving ranges sell second hand clubs. They will also be able to offer you advice and let you try some clubs out. Alternatively, nearly all driving ranges will have clubs for hire if you want to have a go without committing to a set until you get the hang of it. Or ask other people at the driving range, you will soon find out that many have another set of clubs at home because they made the exact same mistakes I mentioned above. Make sure you try before you buy, if they fit (and only if they fit!) you can often get them for a steal. Make use of these opportunities, and also take a look at our website, LearnAboutGolf.com, as to how to choose a club. I again stress that you need to have a basic understanding on which club suits you reasonably well before you buy. DO NOT buy expensive brands at this stage.

"I want to play, I want to play!" As hard as it will be to contain yourself, don't even contemplate going anywhere near a golf course. Golf is technically quite demanding, and without at least some basic training you'll end up with a lot of frustration. You've seen the top players on TV loosing their cool in frustration, imagine how you will feel if not even a single shot goes where you want it to. Besides, the other people having to wait for you will also not be happy. As a beginner at the great game of golf, start off at a driving range, take at least four or five lessons, learn the fundamentals, progress to a 9 hole course and eventually venture out into the great unknown of an 18 hole golf course. Believe me, it will be a lot more fun for you and those around you if you follow this path.

Where to get lessons?
You will meet plenty of people at the range who will teach you the 'innermost secrets' of golf. Fact is that most of them have started playing not long before you. So the answer to the above question is: go to a Professional. As you have seen on TV, even the world's top players have a coach. Tiger Woods, probably the best golfer the world, still takes lessons. Certified Golf Professionals are the only people qualified to teach you how to play the game. Lessons from a Pro will cost you money but will be the best investment you'll ever make. Taking the advise from the 'know-it-all' people at the range will likely screw-up your game at the very early stage, and it will take a long time to correct the faults later. The two places to get golf lessons are at driving ranges and golf clubs. You don't have to be a member of a club to get a lesson from the Pro. You bring in money, so they will be glad to help. The usual cost is about $25-40 per 45 min, but you will get reductions for a block booking. If you are a bit on the budget see if they do group bookings, those are also cheaper than individual lessons.

What else to do?
Books and videos can be invaluable in learning the basics. To build a sound golf swing you will need the three fundamentals: Grip, Stance and Posture. There are some very good books and videos on the market that will help you to establish the three fundamentals. And watch the Pro's on the TV, or better still video them and play back in slow motion, you'll learn a lot this way. Don't get blinded by too much science, you're still a beginner. Stick to Grip, Stance and Posture and you'll be on your way. Take a look at the golf tips and golf lessons on our website, LearnAboutGolf.com, for some advice as well.

Summary

1. Don't waste your money on expensive clubs until you have reached a basic level of competency.
2. Don't go near a Golf Course, again until you have reached a basic level.
3. Get lessons from a qualified professional.
4. Learn the three fundamentals
5. Watch the Pro's.
6. Practice.
7. Learn the rules of golf and the basic golf etiquette .

I hope that this article has been of some help to avoid costly mistakes many people made, including myself. Follow the above basics and you are on your way to all the fun (and frustration) golf can offer.

Enjoy!

About the Author...Frank Peter is the webmaster of learnaboutgolf.com where he offers valuable tips for beginners and intermediates in Golf.

To find more advice, lessons and resources to help you succeed in your game, visit: http://www.learnaboutgolf.com/

When Dumb and Dumberer Swing....

"Stupid game!"- I said to my self, about 5 years ago when I was in college.
This opininon turn into 180 degrees when my new boss ask me to accompanied him hit that tiny white ball on the green field.
My first time on this course was Feb. 4, 2007 and it was cold all over the east coast. It was about 40 degrees when my group teed off at 10am. It was an absolutely a fine experience. Great staff and first tee starter (Rudy) made it easy for us to begin our round. Along the way, we experienced a great layout, well maintained with greens that were frustraiting and fair. Just a beautiful experience from first tee to the 19th hole with the angus beef cheeseburgers. I'll be back!