Golf dictionary
Our golf dictionary covers the main terms used in golf. The first step in demystifying the game is to understand the language and terminology that golfers commonly use.
Term
Definition
This annual competition is played between college/university golfers representing the USA and an International team representing the rest of the world. From its establishment in 1997 as the Palmer Cup, until 2002 it was contested between teams representing the USA and GB&I. From 2003 until 2017, a European team competed against the USA; from 2018 onward an International (RoW) team replaced the European team. Originally played between two eight-man teams, it is now an event played between 12 men and 12 women per team.
An "Arnold Palmer" is a popular non-alcoholic drink in the United States, which combines iced tea with non-fizzy lemonade. An alcoholic version of the drink, in which vodka is added, is commonly referred to as a "John Daly".
This popular competition format rewards players with a point for three things on each hole played: the first player in the group onto the green (Bingo); the closest to the hole once all the balls are on the green (Bango), and the first to hole out (Bongo). At the end of the round the player with the most points wins. During the game the players' respective scores, rather than the points they win, determine who has the honour at the next hole ... this is important on the par-3s, as the golfer with the honour gets the first crack at the Bingo point. This format can be played alongside more conventional stroke play and match play formats.
The driver is a standard golf club carried by most golfers and is designed to hit the ball the farthest. It is the club with the largest head, the longest shaft (with the exception of long-handle putters) and the least amount of loft (again, excepting putters). It is alo referred to as the No. 1-wood (or 1-metal), and more colloquially as the big timber, big dog or big stick. The driver is the most commonly used club for tee shots on par-4s and par-5s, where the ball is teed up. Generally only low handicap and professional players have the ability to hit the driver from a fairway.
Some of the most common playing formats used in golf competitions (separately defined in this Dictionary) are: better-ball (also known as best ball); four-ball (and its variations); foursome (and its variations); scramble (and its variations); Bingo Bango Bongo; Devil Ball (or Yellow Ball); Flag tournaments; Nines (or Sixes); Strings; Skins, and Wolf.
The most important scoring formats used in golf competitions (separately defined in this Dictionary) are: match play and stroke play; stableford and modified stableford, and Par and Bogey.
Between 1920 and 1935 the Rivermead Challenge Cup was presented to the winner of the Canadian Open Championship. The Cup was originally commissioned by Rivermead GC, where the 1920 championship was held. After the introduction of the Seagram Gold Cup in 1936, the Rivermead Cup became the trophy awarded to the lowest scoring Canadian professional in the Canadian Open.
Between 1936 and 1970 the Seagram Gold Cup was presented to the winner of the Canadian Open Championship by the tournament's then sponsor Seagram Company.
Zoysia is a type of grass native to parts of Asia and Australasia, and named after the Austrian botanist Karl von Zois. Zoysiagrass can withstand wide variations in temperature, sunlight and water, making it a widely used grass for lawns in temperate climates, not least on the fairways and teeing areas of golf courses.
Tournaments:
LPGA Tour Championship: the CME Group Tour Championship brings the curtain down on the LPGA Tour’s 2020 season at Tiburón Golf Club in Florida (Dec 17-20).
Race to Dubai: the European Tour’s season-long Order of Merit comes to its conclusion in the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai (Dec 10-13).
Who's Who:
Peter Alliss: accomplished player, Ryder Cup star, course designer, writer, humourist and commentator, this legend of the game will be greatly missed by his legions of followers … golfers and armchair golf enthusiasts alike.
Angela Stanford: major championship winner and Solheim Cup star, records an impressive win in her home state of Texas in the Volunteers of America Classic.
Traigh Golf Course (pronounced "try", and meaning "beach" in Gaelic): You'll find this nine-hole seaside gem on the scenic coast road (as opposed to the more inland and quicker A830) between Arisaig and Morar. Although not on the well-beaten path of Scotland's "trophy" courses, if you are passing through this area, it's a must play.
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Cullen Links Golf Club: "immensely scenic", "quirky as golf can get", "short!", "hugely enjoyable" ... Cullen Links attracts as wide a variety of comments as it lays down golfing challenges. Shoehorned into this 4,600 yard treasure trove are ten par-3s, seven par-4s and a good-length par-5. Here you'll find all the seaside scenery a golfer could ask for, and a lot more besides. Read More...
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