Term used for a hole-in-one.

Technical term used for preparing to play the ball. You have addressed the ball when you have taken your stance and adopted the position from which you will strike the ball.

Occurs when a player intends to hit the ball but misses it completely.

British term for a score of three under the par for a hole. In the US it is known as a double eagle

Established in 1972, the ALPG (Australian Ladies Professional Golf) is the governing body for womens' professional golf in Australia and coordinates the ALPG Tour. The organisation started out in 1972 as the LPGAA (Ladies Professional Golf Association of Australia) and launched a tour for professional women golfers in 1973. The name change to ALPG came in 1991. [Website : alpgtour.com].

Club design that attempts to eliminate the possibility of striking the ball with the hosel

Shot played to the green from the fairway or rough

In January 2004 the tournament playing professionals of Asia formed a new player representative body named the Asian Tour to ensure control over the development of professional tournament golf in Asia. The Asian Tour's principal role is the sanctioning, management, marketing, technical administration, development and promotion of professional golf tournaments in the region. [Website : asiantour.com].

See PGA Tour of Australasia.

second set of nine holes on an 18 hole golf course

A small headed, steeply lofted wooden club, no longer in use, which was developed from the baffing spoon. The modern equivalent would be the number four wood.

Natural or synthetic compound used to make the cover for top standard golf balls. Its soft, elastic qualities produce a high spin rate and it is favoured by tournament players.

Type of fine-leafed grass that produces an ideal surface for putting greens. It is, however, difficult to maintain in hot climates

A match involving four players in teams of two, in which each player plays his/her own ball. The scoring format can be either Match Play, Strokeplay or Stableford. The best score (better ball) of the two players in one team is counted against the better ball of the two players in the other team.

Term used for a score of one under the par for a hole

A shot in which the player cannot see the intended target for that shot (e.g. over a hill, behind a line of trees or out of a deep bunker).

Term used for a score of one over the par for a hole

A strong metal powder often added during the construction of graphite shafts to provide added strength at the hosel end

A slope or other irregularity found on a golf course. Usually used in connection with the putting green, when describing the amount a putt will deviate from a straight line due to the slope of the green.

This club was fitted with a brass sole plate. The term also applied to various lofted wooden clubs in the 1880s and 1890s. The modern equivalent would be the number two wood.

American term for the amount a putt will deviate from a straight line due to the slope of the green. The term in Britain is borrow

Designed to reduce the chances of striking the ball on the heel or toe of the club, the bulger had a convex face. Popular in the late nineteenth century, now obsolete

A hollow in the ground, which occurs naturally or is designed into the course, and is usually filled with sand (or other similar material). Also possible to have grass bunkers, which usually contain grass of a slightly longer length than fairway grass.

Established in 1988, the Byron Nelson Award is presented annually by the PGA TOUR . The winner is the PGA TOUR player who has the lowest average score per round, over a minimum of 50 rounds. (See Tournaments section - by Tournament - US PGA Tour Byron Nelson Award). See also Vardon Trophy, a similar low average award, but made by the PGA of America for a minimum of 60 rounds.

A caddie (also commonly spelt caddy) carries the clubs for a player during a round of golf. The caddie may assist and give advice to the player, but he/she cannot play the ball for the player at any time. Caddie comes from the French "cadet", i.e. a young man, including those who would be available for brief hire as messengers. It is said that Mary Queen of Scots used her sea-faring cadets to carry her golf clubs when she played, and it was in Scotland the word cadet was corrupted to caddie.

Distance between the point from which a ball is played to the point where it lands. When the ball is hit over water or a bunker, it is said to "carry" the hazard.

A temporary accumulation of water (from rain or water leakage) that appears when the player takes his/her stance. Relief can be taken from casual water, i.e. the ball can be moved to a place which is not affected by casual water.

See European Challenge Tour

Established in 1989, and run by the PGA TOUR, the Champions Tour is the leading US-based tour for senior professional golfers, aged 50 and over. The Champions Tour provides a season-long tour with events played predominantly in the USA. Known as the Seniors PGA Tour until 2002. Most of the tournaments are played over 54 rather than 72 holes. [Website : pgatour.com].

Established in 2001, the Charles Schwab Cup is a season-long, points-based competition to determine the Champions Tour's leading player. During the Champions Tour season, points are awarded to top-10 finishers based on the players' winnings (every $1,000 translates into one Ch Schwab Cup point). Double-points are awarded at the five senior Majors and treble at the season-ending Ch Schwab Cup Championship in October. The Ch Schwab Cup Championship is contested by the 30 players who hold the highest number of points prior to the Championship. The Ch Schwab Cup winner is the player with the season's highest points tally at the conclusion of the Championship. A first prize of a £1,000,000 annuity is presented to the Ch Schwab Cup winner (and often donated to charity - a precedent set by the first winner, Allen Doyle).

Low running shot normally played from near the edge of the green towards the hole.

Club with a relatively straight face used for playing the low chip from just off the green.

The Claret Jug, arguably the most famous and sought after trophy in golf, is presented to the winner of the Open Championship (one of the four Mens' Majors). The trophy was first presented in 1872 and was designed by Mackay Cunningham & Co. of Edinburgh. The earliest Open Championship winners were not presented with the Claret Jug, but with a red Moroccan leather belt. The belt was retained by Young Tom Morris after winning his third consecutive Open in 1870. The Open was not played in 1871. In 1872 it was Young Tom Morris who lifted the Claret Jug for the first time, on the occasion of his fourth straight Open Championship win. (See our Tournaments section > by Tournament > The Open).

Term of Scottish origin to describe an iron club of roughly the equivalent modern 2-iron; although there were variations including short cleeks, driving cleeks and putting cleeks

See Spikes.

See Spikes.

Grass often regarded as a weed, with long creeping roots

An excellent scoring format for a game involving three players. Six points are available on each hole : four to the player with the lowest net score, two points for the second lowest net score. Points are shared for equal scores on a hole. Sometimes known as "Split Six".

Bunker lying across the line of the fairway

Presented to the winner of the two-yearly match between two teams of women amateur golfers representing the USA and Europe. (See Tournaments section in Encyclopedia).

To miss the cut is to fail to score low enough, usually over the first 36 holes of a 72 hole tournament, to qualify for the final two rounds.

Shot that makes the ball spin in a clockwise direction resulting in a left to right bending flight. It can either be deliberate or a mistake

A term some golfers use to describe the putting green. "On the dance floor but a long way from the band !" is sometimes heard for shots that land on the green, but a long way from the pin.

Piece of turf removed by the club head when a shot is played

Hole that changes direction to the left or right, normally in the landing area for the tee shot

Term used in match play for the situation when a player is leading by as many holes as are left to play and therefore cannot be beaten

Term used for a score of two shots over par for any particular hole.

US Term for three under the par for a hole. In Britain this score is known as an albatross

Single putting surface shared by two holes, usually coming from opposite directions. They are a relic of the early days of golf when courses where played out and back over the same ground.

A flight path of the ball in which the ball curves gently right-to-left for a right-handed player, or left-to-right for a left-handed player.

The first shot hit from the tee-box

Either of the two longest hitting wooden clubs formerly in use: the play club or the grass club (or grassed driver). The modern day club is the longest hitting wooden club, the number one wood.

Any of various iron clubs, no longer in use, that were used for various shots through the green.ÿ The alternative would be the number one iron.

Presented to the winner of the two-yearly match between two teams of mens professionals, one representing Asia, the other Japan. Each team comprises 12 players. (See Tournaments section in Encyclopedia).

Term that denotes a score of two under the par for a hole.

See : World Amateur Team Ch'ships.

See : World Amateur Team Ch'ships

Established in 1987, and run by the PGA European Tour, this is the second-tier mens' tour in Europe for professional golfers. The Challenge Tour provides a stepping-stone and proving ground for aspiring hopefuls to the full PGA European Tour. With a season-long schedule of events mainly in Europe, but also some further afield, the Challenge Tour is a fully established part of the professional golf game in Europe. [Website : europeantour.com].

Established in 1989, and run by the PGA European Tour, this is the leading mens' tour in Europe for professional golfers aged 50 and above. The Seniors Tour provides a season-long tour for professional golfers with events played mainly in Europe and farther afield. [Website : europeantour.com].

Established in 1972, the PGA European Tour is the top level mens' tour in Europe for professional golfers. It was created following the appointment of John Jacobs to the post of Tournament Director-General of the PGA in October 1971. The 1972 Spanish Open was effectively the Tour's first event, with 1972 marking the introduction of the first official European Tour Order of Merit. The PGA European Tour also runs the European Seniors Tour and European Challenge Tour. [Website : europeantour.com].

A type of shot in which the ball tends to curve gently from left to right, for a righthanded player, in flight. For a lefthander, a fade would go right-to-left.

Area of closely mown turf between tee and green, which has as its boundary either longer grass known as semi-rough or completely uncut grass called rough

An early golf ball made by filling a leather pouch with boiled feathers. It was highly susceptible to damage and began to go out of use in the mid-1880's after the introduction of the cheaper guttie ball.

The PGA TOUR Policy Board recently approved structural changes in the FedExCup for 2009 and made several adjustments to strengthen the drama and excitement in the Playoffs, particularly as it relates to ensuring THE TOUR Championship is the dramatic conclusion to the FedExCup.

Following changes have been implemented :
1. The Playoffs Reset will be moved from its current position prior to the beginning of the Playoffs, to occur prior to the beginning of THE TOUR Championship. Therefore, points earned in the Regular Season will carry through the first three Playoff events.
2. All Playoff events will award points equal to five times a Regular Season event.
3. The reset prior to THE TOUR Championship will be calibrated so that all 30 seeds will have a mathematical chance to win the FedExCup, with the top half of the field having a good chance. Further, any of the top five seeds would win the FedExCup with a TOUR Championship victory.
There are three other minor changes :
1. Points awarded during Regular Season events will be recalibrated so that the winner receives 500 points, rather than 4,500.
2. Certain Regular Season events -- the Masters, THE PLAYERS Championship, U.S. Open, Open Championship, PGA Championship and World Golf Championships will receive bonus points similar to last year (10 percent for majors and five percent for WGCs), but with a small additional bonus to the winners of those events (an additional 10 percent for majors winners and five percent for WGC winners).
3. Field sizes in the Playoffs will be 125 at The Barclays, 100 at Deutsche Bank Championship, 70 at the BMW Championship and 30 at THE TOUR Championship.

In summary, the 2009 FedExCup structure will work like this :
1. Players compete throughout the year, beginning with the Mercedes Benz Championship (Jan. 8-11) and concluding with the Wyndham Championship (Aug. 20-23) for FedExCup points in each Regular Season event. In most events, the winner receives 500 points.
2. At the start of the Playoffs, the top 125 points-earners in the Regular Season compete at The Barclays, with points values quintupled. Points earned in the first three Playoff events are added to points earned throughout the Regular Season.
3. The top 100 points-earners following The Barclays will be eligible to play the Deutsche Bank Championship, and similarly, the top 70 points-earners following that event will be eligible for the BMW Championship.
4. Following the conclusion of the BMW Championship, points will be reset for the top 30 points-earners to that time. The relevant factors regarding the reset are that:
? All 30 players in THE TOUR Championship have a chance to win the FedExCup, possibly depending on how other players finish
? The top 10 seeds have an excellent chance to win the FedExCup if they win THE TOUR Championship
? The top 5 seeds control their own destiny, in the sense that a victory at THE TOUR Championship will guarantee winning the FedExCup and collecting the single largest individual prize in world sport, $10 million.

A fine-leafed, deep-rooting species of grass common on seaside links and heath land courses in the British Isles, tolerant to drought conditions and providing an ideal surface for putting greens

A stick with a flag to mark the location of the hole on the greens. Also called "Pin"

Backswing in which the plane is more horizontal than vertical. This is often regarded as a fault., but many fine players have had flat swings, including Ben Hogan

The word that should be shouted by all golfers who suspect their ball might be in danger of hitting other players or spectators on the golf course.

A match involving four players in teams of two, in which each player plays his own ball. The scoring format can be either Match Play, Strokeplay or Stableford. Usually, the best score (better ball) of the two players in one team is counted against the better ball of the two players in the other team, hence the term Fourball Better Ball. A variation from Better Ball is to count the Aggregate score of the team versus the aggregate of the other team, i.e. Fourball Agggregate.

A match involving four players in teams of two, in which each team plays only one ball by alternate strokes. The scoring format can be either Match Play, Strokeplay or Stableford. At the start of play each team decides which player will play the first tee-shot, after which they alternate the tee shot on each hole.

A variation on foursome. Each player plays his own ball from the tee, then plays his partner's ball for the second shot. The team then choose the best placed ball and play that one to complete the hole.

A variation on foursome. Each player plays his/her own ball from the tee and also plays his/her second shot. The team then choose the best placed ball to complete the hole.

A variation on foursome. Each player plays his/her own ball from the tee. The team then choose the best placed ball to complete the hole.

Ball dropped without penalty away from an immovable obstruction, or in other circumstances in accordance with the Rules of Golf

First nine holes on an 18 hole golf course. The second nine holes are known as the back nine

Presented to the winner of the WGC Championship (sponsored by American Express). (See Tournaments section in Encyclopedia).

Presented to the winner of the annual 2-day match between two teams of mens professionals, one representing the Ryder Cup countries (Europe / USA), the other a Rest of World team. Inaugural year - 2006. Each team comprises 8 players. (See Tournaments section in Encyclopedia).

Carbon based substance that when bonded in layers produces an exceptionally strong but very light material ideal for golf-club shafts and increasingly also employed in the manufacture of club heads

Name given collectively to three outstanding British professionals who were active before the First World War: James Braid, J.H. Taylor and Harry Vardon

Area of closely mown grass specially prepared for putting, into which is cut the hole. It is separated from the fairway by the "apron", a fridge of grass longer than the green but shorter than the fairway. Originally the term "green" was used for a whole course.

Presented to the winner of The Masters (one of the four Mens' Majors), a tradition that dates back to 1949. This tournament is played annually at Augusta National. (See Tournaments section in Encyclopedia).

The actual number of shots taken by a player or team, before any handicap allowance is deducted.

A part of the golf course where the ground or surface has been temporarily taken out of play. The designated area is usually marked by stakes or a painted line, and relief is taken by the player from this marked area (i.e. the ball is moved and then played from a point outside the marked area).

Ball introduced in 1848, made of gutta percha, a rubber like substance obtained from the latex of a species of Malaysian tree.

In a Match Play competition, a hole is "halved" if each player scores the same number of strokes (nett) at that hole.

The handicap system allows players of different standards to compete against each other on a theoretically equal standing. The system is usually based on the average scores of a player set against a standard score for their home course. When players play in handicap competitions, they receive extra strokes or have strokes deducted, depending on their handicap, which enables the calculation of their nett score for that competition.

Awarded to the European PGA Tour Caddie of the Year (from 2006).

Awared to the European PGA Tour's leading money winner, who heads the Order of Merit at the end of each season. (See Tournaments section in Encyclopedia).

Name of the first rubber-core ball, which was invented in 1898 by Coburn Haskell.

A feature on a golf course which makes the playing of a shot from the hazard more difficult. The two principal hazards which occur naturally, or are designed into golf courses, are sand bunkers and water hazards.

A defining characteristic of golf is putting the ball into a hole in the ground. The 4.25 inch (108 mm) diameter hole, made mandatory by the R&A in 1893 and used throughout the world today, was based on the hole-cutting machine used at Musselburgh Links (The Old Course) and invented by Musselburgh man Robert Gray.

A golf hole is the general term used to describe the playing area between the teeing-ground and, at the other end of the hole, the putting green. The vast majority of golf courses comprise 18 holes, but 9 and even 12 hole courses are also commonly found.

A shot from the tee that finishes in the hole

A golf course usually found in popular holiday locations (e.g. seaside resorts) and designed with the full range of players and golfing abilities in mind (e.g. suitable for family golf). Such courses will not usually contain the more penal elements of tougher championship golf courses.

A term used to indicate which player or team has the "honour" to tee off first from the teeing ground on any particular hole.

A golf shot that curves sharply to the left, caused by the application of counter-clockwise spin to the ball, either deliberately or unintentionally.

Socket on an iron-headed club that serves to connect the iron club head to the shaft.

Method of of gripping the handle of the club in which the little finger of the right hand intertwines with the forefinger of the left hand. It is usually favoured by players with small hands or short fingers to maintain a firm grip.

The International Federation of PGA Tours is a forum bringing together the main mens' professional golf tours. There are currently six members : European Tour, US PGA Tour, Asian Tour, Japan Tour, PGA Tour of Australasia, Sunshine Tour (Southern Africa). These Tours co-sanction the Official World Golf Rankings.

Established in 1990, and administered by the PGA TOUR, the Jack Nicklaus award goes to the PGA Tour Player of the Year, the result of a ballot among the tour players.

Established in 1973, the Japan Golf Tour is one of the four richest and most prominent mens' tours for professional golfers. It comprises mainly Japanese players, but also attracts several non-Japanese golfers, especially for some of its bigger tournaments. Events on the Japan Golf Tour count for World Golf Ranking points. [Website : www.jgto.org].

Established in 1999, JGTO (Japan Golf Tour Organisation) is the coordinating and governing body for the Japan Golf Tour. It also runs a developmental tour for aspiring players, called the Japan Challenge Tour. [Website : www.jgto.org].

A moderately lofted, shallow-faced, short-shafted iron club, no longer in use, that was used especially for approaching. It was a club used for chip shots, not dissimilar to the modern day

Awarded annually to the winner of the Australian PGA Championship.

Awarded annually to the winner of the European Seniors Order of Merit.

Established in 1978, the KLPGA (Korea Ladies Professional Golf Association) is the governing body for womens' professional golf in Korea. It coordinates the KLPGA Tour, one of the leading womens' tours in Asia. [Website : www.klpga.org].

Fine species of grass indigenous to South Africa. It is less than ideal on golf courses because it is extremely difficult to play on.

See LPGA.

See LAGT.

See ALPG Tour.

See LET.

See LPGA of Japan.

See KLPGA.

Established in 2005, the LAGT (Ladies Asian Golf Tour), coordinates a growing number of womens' professional golf tournaments in Asia. It operates separately from the Japan, Korea and Australia womens' tours. The LAGT's first and only event in 2005 was the Phuket Thailand Ladies Masters. Events in 2006 and 2007 saw the tour expand to India, Malaysia and China. [Website : www.lagt.org].

A lateral water hazard is usually marked by red stakes, and occurs when it is difficult to take relief by dropping a ball behind the hazard, as with a normal water hazard. As such, there are more options available for taking relief from a lateral water hazard.

The legends Tour is an official tour of the US LPGA, which coordinates professional golf for US-based women golfers aged 45 and above. [Website : thelegendstour.com].

Established in 1979, the LET (Ladies European Tour) is the coordinating body for the leading womens' professional golf tour in Europe. In 1978 the WPGA (Women's Professional Golf Association) was formed as a division of the PGA (UK & Ireland). A womens' professional tour was established the following year. In 1988 the tour members decided to become independent from the PGA, and created the WPGET (Women Professional Golfers' European Tour). In 1998 the Tour changed its name to European LPGA and then in July 2000 to LET (Ladies European Tour). Most players on the tour are European, with the largest non-European contingent coming from Australia. [Website : ladieseuropeantour.com].

Presented to the winner of the annual 3-day match between two teams of women professionals, one representing Asia, the other an International team (non-Asian). Inaugural year - 2005. Each team comprises 12 players. (See Tournaments section in Encyclopedia).

Founded in 1893, the LGU is the governing body for ladies' amateur golf in Great Britain and Ireland. [Website : www.lgu.org].

Situation in which a ball finishes after completion of a stroke. The lie can vary from good to bad, depending on how far the ball has settled down in the grass or, in the case of a bunker, in the sand.

Usually understood to mean a stretch of seaside land used for playing golf - such land being on an undulating sandy soil base and only fit for animal grazing (and golf courses !). Links land is usually low-lying, with sand dunes supporting fine, salt-resistant grasses. The word probably derives from the fact that links land links the foreshore and agricultural land further back from the sea.

A ball that hits the edge of the hole but that does not fall into the hole.

Angle of slope of a face of a club away from the vertical. The loft increases with the number of the iron, giving a higher flight trajectory and less distance.

Early club with a loft equivalent to a modern five or 6 iron and used to strike the ball on a high trajectory. Also called a lofting iron, it superseded the wooden baffy for approach shots to the green.

An iron club for hitting long-range shots, usually understood to mean the 1, 2, 3 and 4-irons. As distinct from mid irons (5, 6 and 7-irons) and short irons (numbers 8 and 9). Long-irons have the least amount of loft of the irons and are often regarded as the most difficult irons to master.

Established in 1962, the Louise Suggs Award, is presented to the (US) LPGA Rookie of the Year. The winner is the highest-placed, first-season Tour player, determined using a points system that reflects performance in tournaments during the full Tour season.

Established in 1950, the LPGA (Ladies Professional Golf Association) is more than just the governing body for the top-level womens' US-based professional golf tour. The organization has grown to become a non-profit organization involved in every facet of golf. The LPGA Tour and the Teaching & Club Professional membership is the backbone of the LPGA, while the Association also devotes considerable time to its charitable activities, tournaments, junior and women's programs, and The LPGA Foundation. [Website : lpga.com].

The LPGA of Japan is the governing body for womens' professional golf in Japan. It coordinates the LPGA of Japan Tour, one of the leading womens' tours in Asia. [Website : lpga.or.jp].

Established in 1966, the LPGA Player of the Year is awarded annually by the (US) LPGA. The winner is the highest-placed LPGA tour player determined by a points system, based on top-10 finishes during the tour season (with double-points for Majors and the season-ending ADT Championship).

Established in 2006, the (US) LPGA Playoffs is a year-long competitive structure that includes a "regular season" that splits the LPGA schedule into two halves. 15 players from each half qualify for the season-ending ADT Championship, determined by a performance-based points system in each half of the season. Two additional "wild card" players make up the 32-player field for the ADT Championship. The starting line-up for the ADT Championship / LPGA Playoffs is cut to 16 players after two rounds, then to 8 after round three, for a final round shootout for the Playoff's first prize of $1,000,000, the biggest prize in women's golf. The LPGA Playoffs 2006 were the first-ever playoff system for professional golf.

Presented to the winner of the World Match Play Championship, played annually at the Wentworth Club, England. (See Tournaments section in Encyclopedia).

A lofted iron club, no longer in use, introduced about 1880 and used for pitching with backspin. The modern equivalent would be the number five iron. J.H Taylor was the first acknowledge master of the mashie.

An iron club no longer in use, somewhat less lofted than a mashie, that was used for driving and for full shots through the green.ÿ The alternative name for the number four iron.

An iron club, no longer in use, having a loft between those of a mashie and a niblick, used for pitching.ÿ The modern day equivalent would be the number six or number seven iron.

The Masters Trophy, presented to the winner of The Masters major championship, was introduced in 1961 and depicts the Augusta National clubhouse. The trophy was made in England and consists of over 900 separate pieces of silver. The trophy rests on a pedestal, on which a band of silver is engraved with the name of the winners and runners-up. In 1993, a sterling silver replica of the trophy was first awarded to the champion (Bernhard Langer), together with the Gold Medal.

Form of competition in which the number of holes won or lost rather than the number of strokes taken determines the winner. The alternative is stroke play.

See PGA TOUR.

See Asian Tour.

See PGA Tour of Australia.

See European Tour.

See Japan Golf Tour.

See Sunshine Tour.

An iron club for hitting mid-range shots, usually applied to the 5, 6 and 7-irons. As distinct from long-irons (numbers 1 thru' 4) and short irons (numbers 8 and 9).

The alternative name would be the number three iron.

Foursome in which each team is made up of one male and one female.

Although not recognised in the rules of golf, a mulligan is sometimes agreed as an option between players, whereby an unsatisfactory first tee-shot can be replayed.

A game between two players or teams where one point is scored for the outcome of the front-nine holes, one point for the back-nine and one point for the overall 18 holes.

Established in 1990, the Nationwide Tour is run by the PGA TOUR as its second-tier tour for US-based professional golfers. It provides a high-quality, season long proving ground and stepping-stone for potential US PGA TOUR stars. Staged mostly in medium sized markets, alumni include Ernie Els, Tom Lehman, David Duval, John Daly, Jim Furyk and David Toms. [Website : pgatour.com].

A short headed steeply lofted wooden club, no longer in use, used for playing out of ruts and tight lies. The alternative name for the number nine iron.

American expression to describe the number of strokes or the position of a player behind the leader of a tournament - for instance, "two strokes of the pace"

1754 - Royal & Ancient Golf Club, St Andrews, Scotland.

1766 - Royal Blackheath, London, England

1829 - Royal Calcutta, India.

1856 - Pau GC, France.

1857 - Lahore Gymkhana Club, Pakistan.

1868 - Manchester Club, Jamaica.

1872 - Jakarta GC, Indonesia.

1873 - Royal Montreal, Canada

1879 - Royal Colombo, Sri Lanka

1881 - Royal Belfast, N. Ireland

1885 - Roma GC, Italy.

1885 - Royal Cape, Cape Town, South Africa.

1885 - Nairobi GC, Kenya.

1888 - Tenby GC, South Wales.

1888 - Royal Antwerp, Belgium.

1888 - St Andrews GC, New York, USA.

1888 - Perak Taiping, Malaysia.

1889 - Royal Hong Kong, China.

1889 - Lomas GC, Buenes Aires, Argentina.

1890 - Oporto GC, Portugal.

1890 - Royal Bangkok, Thailand

1891 - Royal Melbourne, Australia.

1891 - Las Palmas GC, Gran Canaria, Spain.

1891 - Christchurch GC, South Island, New Zealand.

1891 - Samedan GC, St Moritz, Switzerland.

1893 - Wiesbadener GC, Wiesbaden, Germany.

1893 - Haagsche GC, Den Haag, Netherlands.

1895 - Istanbul GC, Turkey.

1896 - Bulawayo GC, Zimbabwe.

1897 - Puebla GC, Mexico.

1898 - Kopenhamns GK, Copenhagen, Denmark.

1901 - Sao Paolo GC, Brazil.

1901 - Vienna GC, Austria.

1902 - Goteborgs GK, Sweden.

1902 - Chiapata GC, Zambia.

1903 - Kobe GC, Japan.

1904 - Karlovy Vary GC, Czech Republic.

1924 - Oslo GC, Norway.

1929 - Helsingfors GK, Finland.

1934 - Reykjavik GK, Iceland.

1986 - Hot Springs GC, China

1988 - Tumba GC, Moscow, Russia.

Many of the world's leading golf Tours (generally non-US tours) run a season-long player ranking (called Order of Merit) based on the highest to lowest money-winners on the appropriate Tour. At the end of the season the player who has won the most prize-money on the Tour (and in any other qualifying events) is declared the Order of Merit winner. If not called an Order of Merit, these rankings are usually referred to as Leading Money Winner rankings (generally the case in the USA). Some Orders of Merit were previously determined on a points system, with points given for tournament placings during the season. However, nowadays most are based on prize-money won.

Out of Bounds (often abbreviated to O.B.) is ground not deemed to be part of the course, normally (but not always) lying outside the course boundaries. Usually defined by white stakes. Play is prohibited from these areas and a penalty is incurred if the ball is hit out of bounds.

Error caused by selecting a club that sends the ball farther than the intended distance.

Estimated standard score for a hole., based on the length of the hole and on the number of strokes a first-class player would expect to take to complete it in normal conditions.

Presented annually to the winner of the Women's Australian Open.

Established in 1901, the PGA (Professional Golfers' Association) represents the interests of club and teaching professionals in Great Britain and Ireland. As the first such Association, it is officially "the PGA", but PGA (GB & Ireland) is useful to differentiate it from the many other PGAs that were subsequently established around the world. Within the PGA, a separate Tournament Division was created in 1971, which launched the European Tour in 1972. In 1984 the PGA European Tour became an independent organisation. The Association, based at The Belfry, includes among its present activities, the training and examination of assistant professionals, continuing education of its members, the organisation of golf tournaments for its members and coordination of the Ryder Cup (together with the PGA of America). [Website : pga.info].

See European Tour.

Established in 1916, the Professional Golfers' Association of America is the representative body for club and teaching professionals in the US. The association coordinates approximately 40 tournaments a year, including some top level competitions : US PGA Championship (a mens' Major), US Snr PGA Championship (a seniors' Major), the PGA Grand Slam of Golf (for the winners of the four Majors) and the Ryder Cup Matches (in cooperation with the PGA European Tour). The PGA TOUR, which operates the main US professional golf tours, separated from the PGA of America in 1968. The LPGA is a separate organisation for women professional golfers. [ Website : pga.com].

Established in 1948, this award is made by the PGA of America. Since 1982 the winner has been determined using a points system based on tournament wins, money list position and scoring average. There is a separate PGA Tour Player of the Year Award, called the Jack Nicklaus Award, which is made by the PGA TOUR. It is usually the case that the same player wins both awards in the same season.

The top level US-based mens' tour for professional golfers, and the world's richest golf tour. The "formal" beginning of the PGA TOUR came in late 1968, when the "Tournament Players Division" split from the PGA of America and hired Joseph Dey as its first commissioner. However, a US-based "tour" can be traced back to the 1930's, when coast-to-coast tournaments provided plenty of playing opportunities for US-based professional golfers. The modern-day PGA TOUR also runs the Nationwide Tour and Champions Tour. [Website : pgatour.com].

See Champions Tour

See Nationwide Tour

Following the completion of the PGA TOUR's FedExCup playoffs, a Fall Series of seven tournaments is played to finalize the following year's eligibility for playing on the Tour. With 30 of the 125 available places going to the FedExCup top 30 players, the Fall Series sorts out the remaining 95 places based on final season earnings.

See FedExCup.

The PGA Tour of Australasia is the sanctioning organisation for top level professional tournament golf in Australasia. The Tour encompasses tournament golf in Australia, New Zealand and into Asia. [Website : pgatour.com.au].

The flagstick on the green marking where the hole is located.

A ball that stops level with the pin is said to be "pin high". It could be a ball on the green, in a greenside bunker or even off the green, but in relation to where it was hit, the ball stops level with the pin.

Lofted shot to a green with little run at the end of its flight

An indentation on the putting surface (the green) made by a golf ball landing on that spot. It is the responsibility of the golfer making the pitch mark, to repair it with a pitch-mark repairer.

Old term for a driving club in common use up to the latter part of the nineteenth century, roughly equivalent to driver or 2-wood.

A ball which lands and remains embedded in its own pitch mark.

Small, round and deep bunker commonly found on traditional British links course.

A "temporary preferred lie" local rule can be instigated allowing the movement of a ball by up to six inches from specific areas of the course, e.g. on fairways during winter play.

Presented to the winner of the two-yearly match between two teams of mens professionals representing the USA and the Internationals. The Internationals comprise the best non-US and non-European professionals. Each team comprises 12 players. (See Tournaments section in Encyclopedia).

Form of the game in which a professional player forms a team with amateur players.

The flat-faced club designed for use on the putting green.

The Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews. Among its main functions is the organisation of The Open Championship, British Amateur Championship and several other top level competitions in the UK. It is also the governing body on the rules of golf (a responsibility in which it collaborates with the USGA - United States Golf Association). [Website : www.randa.org].

The Race to Dubai replaces the European Tour's season long Order of Merit as of the 2009 season. The top 60 Tour players at the end of the 53-tournament season will vie for a US$10 million prize fund at the season ending Dubai World Championship. The Dubai World Championship will carry a first prize of US$1,666,660 and a 5-year European Tour Card exemption. The Tour's leading money-winner at the conclusion of the Dubai World Championship will receive a bonus of US$2 million, plus the iconic Harry Vardon Trophy, plus a 7-year European Tour Card exemption. In The Race to Dubai the players will be ranked according to their earnings from all events on the Tour, including Majors and WGC events.

A golf course usually found as part of a golf resort hotel. The course is often designed with the full range of players and golfing abilities in mind, and will often (though not always) lack the more penal elements of tougher golf courses.

A sand bunker where the front wall is built by laying sods of turf one on top of another, which creates distinctive horizontal lines in the bunker face. The term is related to "revetment", i.e. a barricade or retaining wall of earth or sand bags.

A newcomer to the professional golf Tour

Area of unmown grass alongside the fairway that punishes an off line shot.

The golf ball that revolutionised the game at the turn of the twentieth century. Also known as the Haskell ball.

Short grassy slopes around the putting greens designed to allow the ball to run off the green, down the slope and probably into an awaiting hazard, e.g. longer grass, water hazard or sand bunker.

Presented to the winner of the two-yearly match between two teams of mens professionals representing the USA and Europe. Each team comprises 12 players, who play a combination of foursomes, four balls and singles spread over three days of competition. (See our Tournaments section > by Tournament > Ryder Cup). The trophy itself is a mere 17 inches tall, and was designed by Mappin & Webb of London.

A hollow in the ground, which occurs naturally or is designed into the course, and is filled with sand.

Extremely lofted club, also known as a "sand iron" with a wide flange designed for playing from bunkers . US player Gene Sarazen is credited with its invention.

See European Seniors Tour; Champions Tour.

A mishit in which the golf ball is struck by the hosel of the club.

Play within 100 yards (90m) of the green, especially chipping, pitching, bunker shots and putting.

An iron club for hitting shorter-range approach shots to a green or lay-up area, usually understood to mean the 8 and 9 irons. As distinct from long irons (usually 1,2,3, and 4 irons) and mid irons (5, 6 and 7-irons). Short-irons have the most amount of loft of the irons, although less loft than pitching, utility and sand wedges.

A way to start a tournament in which all groups of players tee off simultaneously from different holes.

A signature golf course (e.g. a Gary Player Signature Course) will have been designed with the close personal involvement of the "signature" designer. For "non-signature" courses, the designer may have developed the course design plans on a "desk-top" basis, without even having visited the site. Alternatively the plans may have been developed by others, then looked-over and improved by the named designer.

Established in 1960, the Sir Henry Cotton Award is presented to the European mens' Rookie of the Year. The winner is selected by a panel comprising the PGA European Tour, the R&A and the Association of Golf Writers, and is usually the highest-placed, first-season player on the European Tour's Order of Merit. The Award predates the founding of the PGA European Tour in 1972.

In a skins game scoring is conducted by the holes won. If a hole is not won, then the value or points from that hole carry forward to the next hole, and so on. The player who wins the hole is said to win the "skin," and whatever that skin is worth (for that holes and any prior holes which were not won outright).

Shot carrying considerable clockwise spin that consequently curves violently to the right.

Presented to the winner of the two-yearly match between two teams of womens professional golfers representing the USA and Europe. Each team comprises 12 players. (See Tournaments section in Encyclopedia).

See Sunshine Tour.

A deep-faced iron club, no longer in use, some what more lofted than a mashie. The modern equivalent would be the number six iron.

Screwed into the underside of golf shoes, these devices give golfers the necessary grip while playing shots. Also known as cleets or studs (or coggs in Ireland). Originally made of metal, many golf clubs nowadays insist on players wearing "soft spikes" made of plastic.

The traditional name for a lofted fairway wood the equivalent of the modern 3-wood.

A scoring system developed by Dr Frank Stableford, which has become very popular for club competitions in Europe. A player's net score for each hole attracts a certain number of points : par = 2 pts; one under par = 3 pts; 2 under = 4 pts; 3 under = 5 pts; one over par = 1 pt; 2 over = 0 pts. Variations on this points per hole scoring system are to be found in games such as Denver and Murphy.

The total score that a scratch handicap golfer (i.e. 0 hcp) is expected to make over a specific 18-hole golf course.

The device used to measure the stimp (i.e. speed) of a putting green.

Awarded annually to the winner of the men's Australian Open Championship.

The term used for the penalty associated with a lost ball or hitting the ball out of bounds. The player is required to re-play his/her shot from where it was last played. A penalty of one shot is added to the player's score, and he/she loses the distance the original shot travelled.

Used to indicate the relative difficulty of the holes on a golf course, and as a basis for determining where a player receives strokes based on his/her handicap. The lower the stroke index number, the harder the hole is deemed to be.

Form of competition in which the number of strokes a player takes to complete a round is compared with the other players' scores for a round. Stroke play has largely supplanted match play in professional tournament golf.

See Spikes.

The stymie was outlawed from golf in 1951. It was a situation in which one players' ball blocked the route of another player's ball to the hole, on a putting green. To reach the hole the stymied player was required to play over the top of the obstructing ball.

More commonly used name for the Southern Africa Tour. The Tour's principal role is the sanctioning, management, marketing, technical administration, development and promotion of professional golf tournaments in the region of Southern Africa. [Website : sunshinetour.com].

Small undulations of the ground around the green, with grass usually cut to fairway length, and designed to deflect the path of the ball (in roller-coaster fashion) to the right or left, as well as up or downhill. Swales can occur naturally or be designed into the course.

The wooden or plastic peg used to tee the ball up above the ground, to assist the execution of the "tee-shot".

The closely mown and level ground from which each golf hole starts (also known as the teeing ground). In the early days, and still to be found on many golf courses to this day, the exact point at which you hit your drive or tee-shot was marked by a box.

The time at which a particular game of golf is scheduled to start.

A team game for 3 or 4 players. All players tee-off and then select the best drive. All players in the team then play their next shot from the position of the best drive. They all then play subsequent shots from the best "team" position. There are many variations on the Texas Scramble format including : Ambrose Scramble, Idaho Scramble and Delaney Scramble.

The Royal Trophy is presented to the winning team in an annual (sometimes two-yearly) competition between two teams of mens professionals representing Asia and Europe. Each team comprises 8 players, who play a combination of foursomes, four balls and singles spread over three days of competition. (See our Tournaments section > by Tournament > The Royal Trophy). The Royal Trophy was first played in 2006.

A shot in which the clubhead strikes the ball too high and results in a low, often slicing shot.

Match Play competition in which three players play each other and each plays his or her own ball.

A match involving three players where two players play against one. Each team plays only one ball, the two-person team taking alternate shots. The scoring format can be either Match Play, Strokeplay or Stableford. At the start of play the two-person team decides which player will play the first tee-shot, after which they alternate the tee shot on each hole.

Presented to the winner of the annual match between two teams of mens professionals representing the USA and the Rest of the World (the teams must each include six players aged 40 - 49 and six players aged over 50). (See Tournaments section in Encyclopedia).

United States Ladies Professional Golfers' Association.

See LPGA.

See PGA of America

See PGA TOUR.

The United States Golf Association is the governing body for golf in the USA and Mexico. Among its main functions are the organisation of the US Open, US Women's Open, US Seniors Open, and several other top level competitions in the USA. It is also the governing body on the rules of golf in the USA (a responsibility in which it collaborates with the R&A Golf Club of St Andrews). [Website : www.usga.org].

Method of holding the handle of the club in which the little finger of the right hand overlaps the forefinger of the left. Popularised but not invented by Harry Vardon

Established in 1937, the Vardon Trophy is awarded annually by the PGA of America. The winner is the PGA TOUR player who has the lowest average score per round, over a minimum of 60 rounds. (See Tournaments section - by Tournament - US PGA Vardon Trophy). See also Byron Nelson Award, a similar low average award, but made by the PGA TOUR for a minimum of 50 rounds.

Established in 1953, The Vare Trophy is awarded annually by the LPGA (of America). The winner is the LPGA tour player who has the lowest average score per round, during the season. The Trophy was named in honour of Glenna Collett-Vare, one of the LPGA's outstanding former players.

Presented to the winner of the two-yearly match between two teams of mens amateur golfers representing the USA and Great Britain & Ireland. (See Tournaments section in Encyclopaedia).

Presented annually to the winner of the WGC Match Play (currently sponsored by Accenture). (See Tournaments section in Encyclopedia).

Presented to the champion golfer of the USPGA Championship (one of the four mens' Majors). (See Tournaments section in Encyclopedia). The trophy is named after department store owner Rodman Wanamaker who provided the trophy and the initial purse of $2,580.

See : World Amateur Team Championships

Areas of water on the course, usually defined by yellow stakes.

The start of the US PGA Tour season which sees the first eight or so tour events played in Hawaii, California and Arizona. A prize is awarded for the best performance in the "swing" (currently sponsored by Allianz).

Where2Golf.com is an important golfing resource that no serious golfer can afford to overlook. If you like to travel and want to experience the best that the world of golf has to offer, Where2Golf.com is here for you.

Term used widely in Scotland for bushes (usually gorse bushes) found on the golf course.

Waxed thread used to bind the area where the shaft meets the club head. Modern techniques have made this practice redundant.

With the aim of promoting friendship and sportsmanship through golf, the World Amateur Team Championships are organised by the International Golf Federation, which is the recognised International Federation for Golf for the IOC (International Olympic Committee). At the biennial WATC, 3-person teams, containing many of the world's best amateur golfers, come together to compete for the Eisenhower Trophy (men) and Espirito Santo Trophy (women). During their amateur days, many of the world's top players have competed in WAT Championships, not least Jack Nicklaus, Annika Sorenstam, Tiger Woods, Nancy Lopez, Phil Mickelson, Se Ri Pak, Luke Donald, Karrie Webb, Trevor Immelman and many more of the world's best players.

A rolling world golf Order of Merit, which is determined by players accumulating points from tournaments organised by members of the International Federation of PGA Tours, i.e. European Tour, US PGA Tour, Asian Tour, Japan Tour, PGA Tour of Australasia, Sunshine Tour (Southern Africa). These Tours co-sanction the Official World Golf Rankings. World Golf Ranking points are also awarded for top finishes on three other tours : Canadian Tour, Challenge Tour, Nationwide Tour.