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
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.
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 on an alternate shot basis (starting with the player whose ball was not selected to complete the hole).
A variation on foursome (also known as Pinehurst or American foursomes). Each player plays his/her own ball from the tee, then plays his/her partner's ball for the second shot. The team then choose the best placed ball and play that one on an alternate shot basis to complete the hole. Named after Dick Chapman, a leading American amateur player, who developed the system in 1947 and popularised it at his home club, Pinehurst.
Tournament of Champions: the PGA Tour’s calendar-year starts, as it has done since 1999, with this iconic event in Hawaii. The field is drawn from players who won a PGA Tour event in 2022, or were amongst the top 30 in last year’s FedEx Cup final standings (Jan 6-9).
Desert Swing: the European (DP World) Tour launches into 2023 with three events in its UAE “Desert Swing”. Up first is the Abu Dhabi Championship (Jan 19-22), followed by the Dubai Desert Classic (Jan 26-29) and the Ras Al Kaimah Championship (Feb 2-5).
Kathy Whitworth: the end of 2022 saw the passing of LPGA Tour legend Kathy Whitworth. Her 88 LPGA Tour victories is more than achieved by any other golfer on either the LPGA or PGA Tours. Amongst her victories were six major championship titles.
Barry Lane: the golfing world was also saddened by the passing of Barry Lane, one of the European Tour and European Senior Tours most popular players. Enjoying success on both Tours, Lane was know for his excellent ball-striking and amiable personality.
Marco Simone Golf & Country Club: With a clubhouse that might befit a Roman Emperor, and a golf course to match, you can be sure of a memorable outing at Rome's most talked about golf facility.
Jim Fazio's original layout was much changed to create a modern Ryder Cup course ... now one of the Eternal City's (and Italy's) most revered.
Costa’s "Cruise & Golf" allows golfers and their families to combine a unique golfing experience with the relaxation and fun of a cruise on board Costa Smeralda. Golf enthusiasts are offered a choice from 23 top-quality golf clubs; their chosen courses are played during the ship’s port calls in Italy, France and Spain. While the golfers are driving the fairways, accompanying non-golfers are able to enjoy the amenities and activities on-board, or explore wonderful places on day excursions organised by Costa. Read more ...
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