The PGA Tourist Golf Glossary

The Letter "T" - Make sure of that Tap-in and you might get a Turkey - it is nearly Christmas...

2009-12-07T15:12:00.003Z

Tap-in
a ball that has come to rest very close to the hole, leaving only a very short putt to be played. Often recreational golfers will "concede" tap-ins to each other to save time.
PGAT says - Make them putt them, they might do this... But then they'll make you hit them too...
Target-line
the straight line from the ball to its intended target, also extended backward past the golfer's rear foot.
PGAT says - That dotted line that you imagine the ball following before you hit the shot, you know, the one that it never follows...
Tee (piece of equipment)
a small peg - made of wood or plastic - placed in the teeing ground, upon which the golf ball may be placed prior to the first stroke on a hole.
PGAT says -A friend of mine heard that if the tee peg bounces out backwards, you've hit a good shot. He judged each of his tee shots by this rule, regardless of whether it landed in a hedge or not. He's a crap golfer...
Teeing ground
The area from which you hit your drive or tee shot. The teeing ground for a particular set of tees is two club lengths in depth. The ball must be teed between the markers, called tees, that define the teeing ground's width, and no further back than its depth. Tees are colored, but there is no standard for colors. The "teeing ground" refers to one set of tees. Most courses have at least three sets of tees, some have more than twice that many. The areas where tee markers are placed are called "tee boxes."
PGAT says -The flat well trimmed areas of the course which have no wee holes to pop a ball into. If you spot they do have a wee hole then you're probably hitting the ball in the wrong direction.
Tempo
the smooth change of the speed of a player's swing from first movement to ballstrike. Ernie Els's tempo is the envy of many professionals.
PGAT says - It's all about rhythm baby, that's the key. And it's true, many professionals do envy Ernies tempo - doctors, lawyers, teachers, exotic dancers - all sorts of professionals.
Ten finger grip
grip style with all ten fingers on the club. Also known as the Baseball grip.
PGAT says - Well, if it's called a baseball grip and you're playing golf, don't you think you might be better to try, I don't know, some sort of golf grip maybe? Some people can get away with it, most are absolutely rubbish. It may feel weird at first, but learn the Vardon grip and you won't regret it.
Thin shot
a poor shot where the clubhead strikes too high on the ball. When taken to an extreme but still at or below the centerline of the ball it is known "blading" the ball.
PGAT says - You've topped it and it goes scooting along the ground, making you look daft as a brush.
Through line
When putting, the imaginary path that a ball would travel on should the putted ball go past the hole. Usually observed by PGA players and knowledgeable golfers when retrieving or marking a ball around the hole.
PGAT says - That dotted line that you imagine the ball would follow before you hit the shot, you know, the one that it never follows... much like the target line...
Through the green
The entire area of the golf course, except for the teeing ground and the green of the hole that is being played. Through the green includes all hazards on the course.[1]
PGAT says - These are exceptionally frustrating, half the time you're struggling to shift the ball forward ten yards, then you connect and it looks great in the air but it keeps sailing over. So next time you try no to hit it so hard and it dribbles forward, about ten yards...
Tips
The championship tees on a golf course are known as "the tips."
PGAT says - Also pieces of advice dispensed by every person to ever touch a golf club, whether they have a clue about what they're talking about or not...
Topped
an errant shot where the clubhead strikes on top of the ball, causing the ball to roll or bounce rather than fly.
PGAT says -Just remember, when this happens, say "I thought a low running shot might be a better idea here, keep it out of the wind". This works less well when, a)there is no wind b) it was your tee shot on a par 5 c)there was a water hazard between you and the green
Turkey
Three consecutive birdies during one round of golf.
PGAT says - I've never understood the ornithological basis of all these golf terms... Which came first, this or three strikes in bowling? Answers on a postcard please...

The Letter "S" - Sandbaggers beware, I'll swing for you...

2009-12-03T11:28:00.003Z

Sandbagger
a golfer that carries a higher official handicap than his skills indicate, eg, carries an eight, plays to a two. Sandbaggers usually artificially inflate their handicaps with the intent of winning bets on the course, a practice that most golfers consider cheating. Also known as a bandit.
PGAT says - There are a multitude of four letter terms for these people, too many to list here.
Sand Save
when a player gets up and down from a greenside sand bunker, regardless of score on the hole. Sand Save percentage is a player statistic kept by the PGA Tour.
PGAT says -
Sand Trap
a greenside sand filled bunker as opposed to a grass or waste bunker.
PGAT says - Hopefully your golf club uses sand traps, not waste bunkers - money making initiatives by entrepreneurial diversifying golf course owners, who rent out their hazards for landfill.
Sand Wedge
a lofted club designed especially for playing out of a bunker. The modern sand wedge was invented by Gene Sarazen.
PGAT says - Isn't that kick ass, "Yes I was looking for a better way to play out of bunkers so I invented the sand iron" - You rock Gene Sarazen. Wasn't he in KISS too...
Sandy (or Sandie)
a score of par or better that includes a bunker shot. Sandies are counted as points in some social golf games.
PGAT says - Also the name of the Scot who shall ne'er captain the Ryder Cup, despite really, really wanting to...
Scotch foursomes
In scotch foursomes teams of 2 players compete against each other. Players alternate hitting the same ball. The first player tees off, the second player hits the second shot, the first player hits the third shot, and so on until the ball is holed. To this point, the definition of ‘scotch foursomes’ is the same as that of ordinary ‘foursomes’; however, players do not alternate hitting tee shots as they would in foursomes. If Player A teed off on the first hole and Player B holed the final putt, Player B would not tee off at the second, meaning that Player A could, in theory, play every tee shot on the round. The team with the lowest score wins the hole.
PGAT says -Not to be confused with the unofficial form of Scotch Foursomes, which involves the use of hip flasks.
Scramble
when a player misses the green in regulation, but still makes par or better on a hole. Scrambling percentage is a player statistic kept by the PGA Tour. Also a two or four man format, similar to Best Ball, except in a scramble, each player strikes a shot, the best shot is selected, then all players play from that selected position.
PGAT says -Making the best of a bad situation - absoultely essential in the game of Golf.
Scratch golfer
a player's whose handicap equals zero.
PGAT says -Don't be fooled though, zero ain't the best you can acheive - Rory McIlroy was on -4 by the time he went pro...
Shamble
a format, similar to a scramble, where every player hits from the tee, the best tee-shot is selected, and each player holes-out from the selected tee-shot.
PGAT says - Handy in a group where only one of you can drive for toffee
Shank
a severe mishot in which the golf ball is struck by the hosel of the club. On a shank, a player has managed to strike the ball with a part of the club other than the clubface. A shanked shot will scoot a short distance, often out to the right, or might be severely sliced or hooked.
PGAT says - It really does happen to the best of us
"The Shanks"
a condition in which a golfer suddenly cannot stop shanking the ball; novice and experienced golfers can be affected.
PGAT says - Notably, Ian Poulter seems to get afflicted wth mild cases of the shanks, it's been his undoing at a couple of majors now...
Shrimp
a severe hook, named because it resembles the shape of a shrimp.
PGAT says - It depends which side the shrimp is lying on surely....
Shooting your age
A round of 18 holes where a given player has a score equal to, or less than, a player's age. For example, an eighty-year-old man who scores an 80 has shot his age.
PGAT says - I reckon Tom Watson'll do it in a few years time... Who's the oldest buy to do it?
That would be 103-year-old Arthur Thompson of Victoria, British Columbia. Thompson was playing the Uplands Golf Club in Victoria when he accomplished the feat in 1972. Gary Player will surely beat that when he gets to 104...
Shoot your (my) temperature
usually an uncomplimentary term meaning to shoot a score of 98.
PGAT says - I once shot my temperature - in celcius! Oh yeah, that's right I'm that good! I did have an extremely high temperature that day mind...
Short game
Shots that take place on or near the green. Putting, chipping, pitching, and greenside bunker play are all aspects of the short game.
PGAT says -The bit that most people overlook as it's less fun than ripping a drive - it's guaranteed to have the biggest effect on your score though...
Skin
a skins game pits players in a type of match play in which each hole has a set value (usually in money or points). The player who wins the hole is said to win the "skin," and whatever that skin is worth. Skins games may be more dramatic than standard match play if it is agreed by the players that holes are not halved. Then, when any two players tie on a given hole, the value of that hole is carried over and added to the value of the following hole. The more ties, the greater the value of the skin and the bigger the eventual payoff.
PGAT says - Freddie Couples is know as Mr Skins - which sounds a bit creepy but it's due to his dominance of the Skins game
Slice
a poor shot that, for a right-handed golfer, curves sharply from the left to the right. A shot that follows the same direction but to a lesser degree is referred to as a 'fade' or a 'cut' and is often intentional. The curved shape of the flight of the ball is a result of sideways spin. For that reason "slice" does not refer to a putt which "breaks".
PGAT says -
Slope Rating
Slope Rating is a number, from 55 to 155, used to determine the level of difficulty of a golf course for a bogey golfer. An "average" course has a slope rating of 113.
PGAT says -
Snap Hook
a severe hook that usually goes directly left as well as curving from right to left. Also known by the somewhat redundant term "Pull-Hook".
PGAT says -
Snowman
To score an eight on a hole. So-named because an eight (8) looks similar to the body of a snowman.
PGAT says - You can get away with a snowman, it's when you start hitting legs eleven and two fa ducks that it's time to really worry
Sit
Telling the ball to drop softly, and not roll after landing.
PGAT says - Once the ball has left the club face you have absolutely no control over it any more, talking to it then is pointless. But talking to it before you hit it, that might just work - so make sure to threaten it good and proper before you take your shot. Work it into your routine and then just enjoy watching it fly.
Society
An organised group of golfers, usually not affiliated to any individual golf course. Members are often drawn from the same workplace, profession, alma mater or other association.
PGAT says -This is not a golf term... it's a sociological one.
Span
Move your marker when in the way of another persons line of putt.
PGAT says - Move it back mind, it's not a cheeky opportunity to get a few inches closer to the hole.
Speed
a term used to describe the pace of a putt. Proper 'speed' of a putt will either hole the putt or leave it about 18 inches beyond the cup.
PGAT says -Christ if I need to explain that if the balls going too fast int might not drop in the hole... Oh, I see, you didn't know that did you. That's right, forgive me, you're reading a Golf Glossary, you big eejit.
Sprachle
play badly, Scottish term.
PGAT says - I'm Irish, I'm pretty good on Scottish slang too, never heard of this as a golfing term. I have heard it used as a term for falling down though...
Stableford Scoring System
a scoring system using points, where the winner accumulates the highest number of points over the course of a round. Stableford points are awarded as 1 point for one stroke over a fixed score, perhaps par, on a hole; 2 points for the fixed score; 3 points for one stroke under the fixed score; 4 points for two strokes under the fixed score; etc. There are "modified" Stableford scoring techniques, like that used in the International Tournament on the PGA Tour, which award points (or loss of points) for various scores over or under a fixed score. See full article at Stableford* Stroke Play: see Medal Play
PGAT says -much better when it steps up the rewards for birdies and eagles, gets people to attack
Stymie
To block another player's putting path to the hole with one's own ball. Now an anachronism since the rules of golf permit marking the spot of the ball on the green, thus allowing the other player to putt into the hole without obstruction.
PGAT says - Aye, now you just Span. Putting terms we learnt earlier to good use there, that's edumacation...
Sweet-spot
The location on the clubface where the optimal ball-striking results are achieved. The closer the ball is struck to he sweet-spot, the higher the Power transfer ratio will be.
PGAT says - That's why your irons have cavity backs and your drivers head may resemble a frying pan - to increase the size of the sweet spot so you just might hit it!
Swing
The movement a golf player makes with his/her club to hit the ball. A golf swing is made up of a series of complex mechanical body movements. A perfect golf swing is regarded as the "holy grail" of the sport, and there are many approaches as to how to achieve "perfection".
PGAT says - Some people do strive for swing perfection, others less so. Yes Jim Furyk, I'm thinking of you....

The Letter "R" - Finding yourself still in Range on the cartpath, you pray for the rub of the green as you reach for the Rutter... You find rough....

2009-11-13T12:14:00.005Z

Range Finder
a measuring device used to determine one's relative distance to an object. In golf, they are most commonly used to find out how far a player is from the hole.
PGAT says - A commonly used colloquial term for a hopelessly overhit shot i.e. "I know I went 50 yards over the green, I was just hitting a range finder"
Release
the point in the downswing at which the wrists uncock. A late release (creating "lag") is one of the keys to a powerful swing.
PGAT says - Not the point at which you let go of the club, an important thing to bear in mind when coaching beginners liable to throw their club into the middle of the driving range
Rough
the grass that borders the fairway, usually taller and coarser than the fairway.
PGAT says - Usually? It's a pretty crap course that has fairways kept longer than the rough - I guess maybe Bizzaro would build a course that way, but only if Superman golfed.
Rub of the Green
occurs when the ball is deflected or stopped by a third party/object, e.g. if a ball is going out of bounds and is deflected in bounds by hitting a spectator or a tree.
PGAT says - This is when things happen unintentionally to improve what would have been a bad shot. Of course you could always attempt when in a sticky place to hit a shot off a tree to your advantag but in no circumstances does the PGA Tourist condone the use of specators as objects to ping balls off - thats Actual Bodily Harm, potentially Manslaughter
Rutter
a small headed niblick for hitting the ball from a cart track.
PGAT says - See "Mashie Niblick". I have to question whether its worth having a club in your bag specifically designed to hit the ball from cart paths.

The Letter "Q" - Time for school...

2009-11-02T11:58:00.003Z

Q-School
"Qualifying School", a term used for the qualifying tournament on several major professional tours, such as the PGA Tour, European Tour, or LPGA Tour. Q-School is a multi-stage tournament (four for the PGA Tour, three for the European Tour, two for the LPGA) that culminates in a week-long tournament in which a specified number of top finishers (25 plus ties in the PGA Tour, 30 plus ties in the European Tour, and exactly 20 in the LPGA) earn their "Tour Cards", qualifying them for the following year's tour. The final tournament is six rounds (108 holes) for men and five rounds (90 holes) for women.

PGAT says - Also the training establishment for the inventors and suppliers of gadgets for the secret service agents of MI6 -particular training involves the development of weapons or gizmos which will prove to be of particular use on the particular mission the agent is now on with little or no prior knowlegdge of the situations he or she may face.

The Letter "P" - At lightning pace to take par with your putter

2009-10-26T12:09:00.004Z

Pace
the speed at which a putt must be struck to get to the hole. Pace and break are the two components of green-reading.

PGAT says - One half of the excellent comedy duo "Hale and Pace". No one knows which one is which, not even their mothers.

Par
(apocryphally an abbreviation for "professional average result"), standard score for a hole (defined by its length) or a course (sum of all the holes' pars).

PGAT says- Yes, this is not the "backronym" quoted above, no. Par derives from the word "parfait" which as well as being a delicious food also means perfect. Par was originally thought to be the perfect score, the best one could possibly acheive. This was in a simpler time before Bobby Jones invented the birdie. (see birdie)

PGA
any Professional Golfers' Association, especially the Professional Golfers' Association of America.
PGAT says- Not sure why it's especially an american term, it means the same in English as in American but it can also stand for

Parliamentarians for Global Action, an international parliamentary group that engage in a range of action-oriented initiatives.
Peoples' Global Action, a worldwide co-ordination of radical social movements
Personnel Group of America (see), a company in Charlotte, North Carolina, USA, providing information technology consulting and custom software development services
Potato Growers of Alberta, a farmer's trade association in Alberta, Canada
Producers Guild of America, an organization representing television producers, film producers and New media producers in USA
3-Phosphoglyceric acid (or glycerate 3-phosphate), a сhemical substance that is a metabolic intermediate in both glycolysis and the Calvin cycle
Polyglutamic acid, a polymer of the glutamic acid (one of proteinogenic amino acids)
Polyglycolic acid, another name for polyglycolide
Propylene glycol alginate (E405), an emulsifier, stabilizer, and thickener used in food products
Prostaglandin of the A type

amongst other things....

Pin
Slang for "flagstick"."
PGAT says- Another gangster youth term to slip into golfing parlance - it's a slippery slope

Pin-high
Refers to a ball on the green that is positioned along an imaginary horizontal line through the hole and across the width of the green.
PGAT says-Only good if it's roughly "On-Line" as well. Being pin high 100 yards to the right is no big acheivement

Pitch
a short shot (typically from within 50 yards), usually played with a higher lofted club and made using a less than full swing, that is intended to flight the ball towards a target (usually the hole) with greater accuracy than a full iron shot.
PGAT says- the source of the slang phrase "That's pitchin'!", meaning very good, as in "Geoffrey what a wonderful shot - that's pitchin!"

Pitch mark
another term for a divot on the green caused when a ball lands. Players must repair their pitch marks, usually with a tee or a divot tool.
PGAT says- just don't dig a big hole trying to repair one, leaving the greens like a scene from Caddyshack

Plugged Lie
a bad lie where the ball is at least half-buried. Also known as a "buried lie" or in a bunker a "fried egg".
PGAT says- also see B****** lie, F***ing lie, C*** of a lie etc.

Plunk
a lie where the ball is on the lip of a lake or other water hazard.
PGAT says- These lies have the ability to make even seasoned golfers look like twats.

Also see the less common Ker-plunk, where your ball lies teetering on a mesh of coloured plastic straws, making the stance a serious issue

Pop-up
a poor tee shot where the top of the clubhead strikes under the ball, causing it to go straight up in the air. In addition to being bad shots, pop-ups frequently leave white scuff-marks on the top of the clubhead, or dents in persimmon clubs. Also known as "sky shots".
PGAT says- A shot even complete novices can master in no time, which will stay with them forever...

Pre-shot routine
is the steps an experienced player goes through to get ready for his or her shot. It usually involves taking practice swings and visualizing the intended shot.
PGAT says- Fair enough if you're Nick Faldo or Paddy H, but if you're 16 over already, the 5 minute ritual can wear a bit thin for your mates - just get on with it and go find it in the bushes

Pro
a professional is a golfer or person who plays or teaches golf for financial reward, may work as a touring pro in professional competitions, or as a teaching pro (also called a club pro).
PGAT says- the opposite of a con, someone who teaches golf for financial reward but hasn't a clue what they're talking about, also known as deceptacons

Pull
a poor shot played severely to the left; as opposed to hooks, which curve from right to left, a pulled shot goes directly left.
PGAT says- that's right George, that was a pull, that was not just bad, that was SEVERELY bad

Punch shot
a shot played with a very low trajectory, usually to avoid interference from tree branches when a player is hitting from the woods. Similar to the knock-down, it can also be used to avoid high winds.
PGAT says- Watch Tiger play the 18th at Augusta, his second shot will usually be a fine example of a punch shot through the trees.

Push
a shot played severely to the right; as opposed to slices, which curve from left to right, a pushed shot goes directly right. Similar to the "block". Also, term used in match play where neither competitor wins the hole.
PGAT says- Oh George, first a pull, now a push, that is also severely bad...

Putt
a shot played on the green, usually with a putter.
PGAT says- If it's not with a putter then can it truly be called a putt? answers on a postcard please...

Putting green
a green usually found close to the club house used for warm up and to practice putting.
PGAT says- The flat bit with the really short grass and a hole - where dreams of greatness are shattered

Putter
a special golf club with a very low loft that makes the ball roll.

PGAT says- the wee dabber - it's got the heaviest head so if theres burglars about, this baby will do the most damage, your three wood'll only sting him and then snap, the putter puts him down, every time...

The Letter "O" - Mentioning the spot on his Open Face was deemed taboo, completely Out of Bounds

2009-07-21T13:59:00.003+01:00

Open Face
When (in relation to the target line) the clubface is angled away from the player's body, ie angled right for right-handed players.
PGAT says - The face a player pulls when absorbed in concentration during the Open, or an expression for their state of mind e.g. "Tom Watsons Open face never waivered until the 72nd hole". Padraig 2008 - a fine example of an Open Face with that tongue sticking out thing he does.
Open Stance
When a player's front foot is drawn backwards further from the target line. Used to fade the ball or to prevent a hook.
PGAT says - Again, the particularly masculine stance adopted by a man who has or is just about to win the Open
Outward nine
refers to the first nine holes, so named as links golf courses were set up where the first nine holes went "out" away from the clubhouse.
PGAT says - your time to make up for some of the awful shots you play when you're tired on the back nine
Out-of-bounds
the area designated as being outside the boundaries of the course. When a shot lands "O.B.", the player "loses stroke and distance," meaning that he/she must hit another shot from the original spot and is assessed a one-stroke penalty. Out-of-bounds areas are usually indicated by white posts.
PGAT says - for the likes of us, thsi is where we feel most at home on the golf course. We know our place...

The Letter "N" - Not a lot of N's in golf it seems....

2009-07-16T16:51:00.001+01:00

Nassau
a type of bet between golfers that is essentially three separate bets. Money is wagered on the best score in the front 9, back 9, and total 18 holes.
PGAT says - The perfect opportunity for you to loose three bets in the one round of golf

The letter "M" - Taking a Mulligan when your Mashie Niblick's gone wrong

2009-07-15T14:14:00.005+01:00

Mashie Niblick
Term used for a 6/7 iron in the early 1900s.
PGAT says - The numbers "6" and "7" had not yet been invented in the 1900's
Matchplay
a form of golf play where players or teams compete against each other on a hole-by-hole basis.
PGAT says - a la the Ryder Cup
Medal play
style of scoring in which the player with the fewest strokes wins. Most professional tournaments are medal play. Also known as "stroke play".
PGAT says - You wouldn't be the first to be disappointed that they don't hand out medals in Medal Play
Member's bounce
any favorable bounce of the golf ball that improves what initially appeared to be an errant shot.
PGAT says - Cause those canny old members know the right places to dink the ball off
MGA
Mediocre Golfers' Association.
PGAT says - The least exclusive club in Golf, you're probably already a card carrying member
Mis-read
A mis-read is to incorrectly discern the correct line of a putt.
PGAT says - Something to shout at your caddy about
Mulligan
A do-over, or replay of the shot, without counting the shot as a stroke and without assessing any penalties that might apply. It is not allowed by the rules and not practiced in tournaments, but is common in casual rounds in some countries, especially the United States.
PGAT says - You don't get these in the UK - it's just not cricket...

The Letter "L" - Lagging up close to a Loose impediment

2009-07-06T16:37:00.002+01:00

Lag
a long putt designed to simply get the ball close to the hole. Or, in the downswing, how far the clubhead "lags" behind the hands prior to release.
PGAT says - The long putt which makes you look good but sets up the tiddler you're going to miss and break your heart with
Lay-up
choosing to hit a shot shorter than you are capable of in order to avoid a hazard or to position the ball in a certain spot. For example, on a par 5, on the second shot, instead of going for the green and being under GIR, a player may lay-up which he hits his second shot short of the green and then hits his 3rd shot on the green and gets GIR.
PGAT says - code for being a wuss - you've seen Tin Cup, be a man, go for the green!
Lie
the ground that the ball is resting on. "Good lies" include the fairway and the green, while bunkers, pine straw, and the rough are examples of "bad lies". Also, the angle between the center of the shaft and the sole. Incorrect "lie angle" calibration will result in toe-first or heel-first contact with the ground when swinging the club.
PGAT says - This is where all those shots on the driving range go out the window, unles you've taken your own thick clump of grass to practise out of, in which case you're a dedicated person...
Line
the expected path of the ball to the hole, particularly on putts. "Stepping in a player's line" on the green is considered a major golf faux pas.
PGAT says - for an eaxmple of stepping on someones line see the end of the 1999 Ryder cup
Links
a course on the ocean, usually devoid of trees and therefore windy. Many courses in the United Kingdom are links.
PGAT says - The Open courses are links courses (don't call it the British Open, a fairy dies every time you do...). They don't don't suit Phil Mickelson one bit
Loft
the angle between the club's shaft and the club's face.
PGAT says - where you store the christmas decorations - no, right, I remember, the more loft you have the higher the ball flight
Loose impediment
A small natural item, which is not fixed or growing, solidly embedded, or stuck to the ball. Players can generally move them away but if they move their ball while doing so, there is a one-stroke penalty.
PGAT says - just be careful that the small twig you're trying to move away from your ball isn't connected to a large stick directly beneath it!

The Letter "K" - Knock down your opponent by applying a few Kelly Rules if you want to be a cheeky so and so...

2008-10-09T15:07:00.002+01:00

Knock-down

a type of shot designed to have a very low trajectory, usually employed to combat strong winds.

PGAT says – You play it nice and low so the wind can’t take as much effect – this is not the same as you just catching the top of the ball and sending the ball piddling along the ground...

Kelly rule

Applying a Kelly rule occurs when a player adapts or interprets the Rules of Golf to gain advantage in a given situation on the course which would otherwise be to his or her disadvantage.

PGAT says – You can get up to these kinds of shenanigans, but as Golfers will tell you, "that's just not cricket". I presume it comes from Ned Kelly, i.e. you're being a bit of a bandit

The Letter "I" - Take a good Interlocking grip on your Iron and enjoy the Inward nine

2008-10-09T14:18:00.002+01:00

Interlocking grip

grip style where (for right-handed players) the pinkie finger of the right hand is hooked around the index finger of the left.

PGAT says – The best way to grip the club. There are good players who don’t use it but they are the exceptions which prove the rule. It might feel weird at first but stick with it. It keeps both arms perfectly in synch and linked.

Inward nine

the back nine holes, so named because older links courses were designed to come back "in" toward the clubhouse after going out on the front nine.

PGAT says – The way great courses should be, taking you way out into the wilderness and then you play your way back to the clubhouse, so you can’t just have a sneaky nine holes and decide to bugger off home

Iron

a club with a flat-faced solid metal head generally numbered from 1 to 9 indicating increasing loft

PGAT says – Umm, “generally”. Are there 7.5 irons out there that I haven’t heard of? Or a 6¾ iron. If there is, I want one!

The Letter "H" - Mostly Golfing Handicaps, like Hazards, Hooks and hitting it off the Hosel

2008-10-09T14:08:00.005+01:00

Handicap

A calculation that makes all golfers equal on the playing surface.

PGAT says – It mean us crap players get given some extra shots each round. It’s the average of how much worse you are than good players each round.

Handsy

a term used to describe a player with too much wrist movement in their putting stroke causing inconsistent putts.

PGAT says – You got to keep your hands out of your putting stroke, think of them as clamps to hold the putter, and move from your shoulders, not your wrists. Then laugh as your mates keep missing with their rubbish wristy “handsy” action…

Hardpan

a lie consisting of very hard turf.

PGAT says – The sort of ground that sends judders up you arms when you hit it.

Hazard

any bunker or permanent water including any ground marked as part of that water hazard. Special rules apply when playing from a hazard.

PGAT says – These are to be avoided, unfortunately, you have to be able to control where you hit your ball to avoid them.

Hole

a hole in the ground which is called the cup. 4.25 inches in diameter.

PGAT says – That wee thing you want to plop your ball into…

Hole In One (Ace)

getting the ball directly into the cup with one shot.

PGAT says –

Hook

a poor shot that, for a right-handed golfer, curves sharply to the left (may occasionally be played intentionally but is difficult to control). Hooks are often called the "better player's miss", thanks to the fact that many of the game's greatest players (Ben Hogan, for instance) have been plagued by the hook at one time or another in their careers.

PGAT says – So, if you’re going to have a problem with your game, make sure it’s hooking the ball, than you can say “It’s the problem of the better players, I’m just like Ben Hogan”…

Hosel

the crooked area where the clubhead connects to the shaft. Hitting the ball off the hosel is known as a shank.

PGAT says – The ball shoots off way right and you look like an inept fool. Ian Poulter likes to do this quite a lot, well he probably doesn’t like to do it, but he sure does it a lot.

The Letter "G" - What, no definition for Golf? Gimme, Gimme, Gimme a Golden Ferret...

2008-10-08T22:33:00.006+01:00

Gimme

a shot that the other players agree can count automatically without actually being played (under the tacit assumption that the putt would not have been missed). "Gimmes" are not allowed by the rules in stroke play, but this is often practiced in casual matches. However, in match play, either player may formally concede a stroke, a hole, or the entire match at any time, and this may not be refused or withdrawn. A player in match play will generally concede a tap-in or other short putt by his or her opponent.

PGAT says – Gimmes are usually a nice thing to give, but then there’s another side, where early on in a match, a player may be given lots of short putts, even if they may be missable, meaning the player may lose his feel for the greens and then miss crucial putts later in the match. So early generosity may in fact be a cunning ploy…

Goldie Bounce

when the ball strikes a tree deep in the rough and bounces out onto the fairway.

PGAT says – Sometimes these bounces can be unusually good, sometimes they come when a tree isn’t even anywhere near - Goldie kicks may be more accurate…

Golf club

the equipment used to strike the ball; driver, iron, wedge, or putter
PGAT says – That thing you’re flinging around when you play golf

Green or Putting Green

the area of specially prepared grass around the hole, where putts are played
PGAT says – The parts of the course that have had a nice close shave and have a hole in them for you to put the ball in. If there’s no hole on it, then you’ve hit it onto a tee box.

Greensome

is a variation of foursomes, where each side consists of 2 players. Both players play one tee-shot each from every tee. A choice is then made as to which is the more favourable of the 2 ball positions, the other ball being picked up. Thereafter the players play alternate shots. So if A's tee-shot is selected, the playing order from the tee will be A-B-A-B etc until the ball is holed out. If player B's tee-shot is selected, the playing order will be B-A-B-A etc. The team with the lowest score wins the hole.

PGAT says – This is a useful game to suggest if only one of you can drive the ball well, then the good driver gets to hit at every hole and you can play his ball each time.

Green in regulation (GIR)

a green is considered hit "in regulation" if any part of the ball is touching the putting surface and the number of strokes taken is 2 fewer than par, i.e. with the first stroke on a par-3 hole, second stroke on a par-4, or third stroke on a par-5. Greens in Regulation percentage is a statistic kept by the PGA Tour.

PGAT says – It’s a good indicator as to how a player’s going if you look at their GIR stats, but if they’re holing chips from off the green then it may not matter that much…

Grounding the club

to place the clubface behind the ball on the ground at address. Grounding the club is prohibited in bunkers or when playing from any marked hazard.

PGAT says – Remember if your club touches the ground in a bunker or hazard it costs you a shot, so if you fall over in a bunker, make sure you keep your club off the ground, just make sure you land on your back, club raised. Like a sniper keeping his rifle dry.

Ground Under Repair (GUR)

An area of the golf course that is being repaired. A free drop is allowed if the ball lands in an area marked "GUR"

PGAT says – You get a free drop, that’s GURRRRREATTT!!!

Golden Ferret

Term used to describe holing out from a greenside bunker.

PGAT says – A great little term for what is usually a great little shot as the ball scootles into the hole from the sand like a spanked ferret.

The Letter "F" - The most common four letter word used in golf, is not listed here... I heard Tiger Woods say it a few times, the naughty f***er

2008-09-30T13:29:00.009+01:00

Fade

a shot that, for a right-handed golfer, curves slightly to the right; often played intentionally by skilled golfers. An overdone fade usually becomes a slice.

PGAT says - Like drawing the ball, fading the ball is only to be thought about when you've mastered striking the ball straight. If you do try to do it, you likely will hit a slice...

Fairway

the area of the course between the tee and the green that is well-maintained allowing a good lie for the ball

PGAT says - It's the short grass, the bit you want to be on.

Fat shot

a poor shot in which the club is slowed by catching too much grass or soil, resulting in a short and slow ball flight.

PGAT says - Basically, when your clubhead gets a bit stuck in the mud. Not to be confused with "Phat Shot" which some more "hip" members of your golf club may use to compliment you. Not a likely occurence though...

Flier

a type of lie where the ball is in the rough and grass is likely to become trapped between the ball and the clubface at the moment of impact. Flier lies often result in "flier shots", which have little or no spin (due to the blades of grass blocking the grooves on the clubface) and travel much farther than intended.

PGAT says - What's happening here is the ball doesn't get a chance to roll up the clubface, thus no spin is imparted and the ball has a slightly lower trajectory which makes it travel further. Not much you can do about it so it's a good excuse to use when you hit a crap shot....

Flop shot

a short shot, played with an open stance and an open clubface, designed to travel very high in the air and land softly on the green. The flop shot is useful when players do not have "much green to work with", but should only be attempted on the best of lies. Phil Mickelson is a master of the flop shot.

PGAT says - He may be a master of it, but does he have to prove it by playing it every bloody time he's off the green? It's the main reason Mickelson will never win the Open, unless he changes his game. It's a tricky shot to get right, chances are you'll catch the ball with the leading edge and it will ping straight forward. Leave it to Phil...

For the Car Bounce

Any ball that is advanced toward the green by virtue of the ball striking a cartpath, or highway running alongside a fairway, and remains or returns in bounds.

PGAT says - Why does this phrase exist, it's a jammy b****** bounce!

Fore

"Fore!" is shouted as a warning when it appears a ball may possibly hit other players or spectators.

PGAT says - For God's sake, shout it, don't do a muffled little fore into your jacket, someones gonna get a ball in their face, that's frickin sore. If you hit someone and they didn't hear a shout, it's only right you let them take potshots at you until they get you. That's Judge Judy Justice...

Fourball

In matchplay, a contest between two sides each consisting of a pair of players, where every individual plays their own ball throughout. On every hole, the lower of the two partner's scores counts and is matched against the opposition's score. (Fourballs are the opening matches played on the Friday and Saturday mornings of the Ryder Cup.) In strokeplay, a fourball competition is played between several teams each consisting of 2 players, where for every hole the lower of the two partner's scores counts toward the team's 18 hole total. The term ‘fourball’ is often used informally to describe any group of 4 players on the course.

PGAT says - WIkipedia is wrong, it's the captain's choice as to whether the Fourballs are played first; Paul Azinger chose to play them second. Stupid Wikipedia, making more work for me...

Foursomes

In matchplay, a contest between two sides each consisting of a pair of players, where the 2 partners hit alternate shots on ONE ball. The first player tees off, the second player hits the second shot, the first player hits the third shot, and so on until the ball is holed. Also partners alternate their tee shots, so that one member of each team will always tee-off on the odd holes and the other will tee off on the even holes. (Foursomes are the afternoon matches played on the Friday and Saturday of the Ryder Cup). In strokeplay, a foursome competition is played between several teams each consisting of a pair of players, where partners play alternate shots until the SINGLE ball is holed. The term ‘foursome’ is often incorrectly used to describe any group of 4 players on the course.

PGAT says -See fourballs, the afternoon thing isn't automatically true. This is the more sophistciated format as you need to keep the one ball in play at all times - Fourballs you have two chances, Foursomes you only have one...

Front nine

Holes 1 through 9 on a golf course.

PGAT says - I have nothing to add on this...

Funnies

terms used during a game to describe various achievements, both positive and negative. They differ from traditional expressions such a birdie, eagle, etc. in that they do not necessarily refer to strict scores, but to unusual events which may happen in the course of a game. Their main use is to add interest to informal matchplay games as they enable players to win something regardless of the overall outcome of the match. They are frequently associated with gambling because money, usually small stakes, changes hands depending on which funnies occur.

PGAT says -This is another gambling term, I'm sure none of my clean living readers would be involved in such a thing....

The Letter "E" - Eagles and Explosions, that's it? There are only two E-words in golf? Suits me.

2008-09-29T19:16:00.004+01:00

Eagle: a hole played in two strokes under par.
PGAT says - I made one of these once, I hit a hopeful shot at the green, on a par four, with a six iron, just off the fairway, pretty much unsighted, using a tree behind as a target to aim at. I heard it land but couldn't find it when i got up there. I was looking in the rough when a woman called over to say it had gone in the hole. It took me a good two holes to realise it was an Eagle, people like me don't do that sort of thing. By that time the moment was gone, I was back to my usual diet of double bogeys...
Explosion: a bunker shot that sends the ball, and accompanying sand, (hopefully) onto the green. Also known as a "blast".

PGAT says - the shot that Ernie Els always plays right after the commentator says "Now, to Els the in the bunker, he's probably the best in the world at these little shots". They usually go in. He's some sort of South African bunker wizard, awesome.

The Letter "D" - Rising from the Dead, to finish with a nice long Drive, avoiding Dogballs as you go

2008-09-29T17:43:00.006+01:00

Dead: TV-broadcaster slang for a shot in which there is no favorable outcome possible. Variations include "Get the body bags!" A favorite of Gary McCord.
PGAT says - Ah sweet McCord, I might have to start a list of him and Feherty's ramblings, along with those of the king of golfing mutterings, Peter Alliss.
Dimple: the round indentations on the golf ball cover which are scientifically designed to enable the ball to make a steady and true flight.
PGAT says - this innovation came about when early players realised their old, dented scuffed balls flew better than shiny new ones. They are one of the many things that ball makers can subtly change to make you spend more money on their products. They know we're suckers for a new dimple pattern.
Divot: the chunk of grass (either fairway or rough) displaced when club is swung. The indentation on the green caused by the ball on an approach shot is called a pitch mark or ball mark, not a divot.
PGAT says - you should put your divots back in the hole you've made, be a nice golfer. If you land in a divot that was made previously by some other hacker, it is not okay to kick the ball out of it. Karma will sort that person out for you.
Dogballs: scoring an 'eight' on any single golf hole. The origin of the term is in reference to what the number 'eight' looks like on its side.
PGAT says - I'm learning all the time that I do this, this list is full of profane Americanisms it seems, I'd never heard of this term before. I'm not sure, do you say "He shot a dogball on the ninth" or "He shot Dogballs on the ninth", I'm thinking the latter, as a single "dogball" looks nothing like the number eight on it's side. This should not be confused with the term "Dog's bollocks" which is a term meaning the best, as in "He was the Dog's bollocks".

Dogleg: a left or right bend in the fairway.
PGAT says - Holes where you have to navigate your ball around a corner to get at the green.
Dog licence: A defeat in matchplay by the margin of 7&6. Named because the cost of a dog licence in the United Kingdom before decimalisation in 1971 was seven shillings and sixpence (written 7/6, 37½p in new money), commonly known as seven and six.
PGAT says - Ah, a term not made in America but here in good old blighty. A few too many dogballs on your doglegs would be a quick way to obtaining a dog licence
Dormie: in match play, a player is dormie when leading by as many holes as there are holes left to play (i.e. 4 up with four holes to play is called "dormie 4"). The player who is down must then win every remaining hole to save the match and force its continuation into extra holes (if a winner must be determined) or halve the match (in a team competition such as the Ryder Cup).
PGAT says - Dormie is a terrifying word for either player, it means if you're behind you've got a hell of a task to get anything from the match, if you're ahead you realise that you will look like a right plonker if you don't win. Like when Monty won the last four holes to get a half off Mark Calcavecchia in the Ryder Cup in his first singles match.
Double Bogey: a hole played two strokes over par.
PGAT says - It's a terrible score for a pro, an alright one for you.
Double Cross: a shot whereby a player intends for a slice and hits a hook, or conversely, intends to play a draw and hits a slice. So called because the player has aimed left (in the case of a slice) and compounds this with hitting a hook, which moves left as well.
PGAT says - This is where professionals who are getting a little bit too clever in trying to get out of some trouble, leave themselves looking like a complete tool.
Double Eagle (or Albatross): a hole played three strokes under par.
PGAT says - I really am thinking of starting a petition on this, to get the term "Double Eagle" banished from the game. If you are American, don't say it, say Albatross, it's a far better name. Besides, it's not a double eagle, that would be four under par, can't you people multiply by two?
Downswing: the motion of swinging a club from the top of the swing to the point of impact.
PGAT says - the part where you'll get nervous and try to correct somthing and royally cock it up.
Draw: a shot that, for a right-handed golfer, curves slightly to the left; often played intentionally by skilled golfers. An overdone draw usually becomes a hook.
PGAT says - Not to be worried about by the likes of you, worry about getting the thing into the air and going straight - then you can start thinking about "shaping" the ball.
Drive: the first shot of each hole, made from an area called the tee box, usually done with a driver (a type of golf club)
PGAT says - The first opportunity you get to mess up each hole. It's the greatest feeling in the world when you catch one right though - the reason you'll keep coming back to punish yourself each week, cause sometimes you hit a sweet drive and think, "I could be good at this". What misguided fools we are.

The Letter "C" - from Caddies to Cut-shots, via Calcutta on a golf Cart

2008-09-14T12:51:00.005+01:00

Caddie: a person paid to carry a player's clubs and offer advice. Players are responsible for the actions of their caddies.
PGAT says- They get 10% of professionals winnings, which means Tiger's caddie Steve Williams is the richest "sportsman" ever to come from New Zealand. They will be blamed for all that goes wrong.
Calcutta: a wager, typically in support of one team to win a tournament. In a Calcutta golfers bid, auction style, on the team (or golfer) who they think will win the tournament (you can bid on your own team or yourself). All the money raised through the auction goes into an auction pool. At the end of the tournament, those who bet on the winning team (or golfer) that won the tournament receives a pre-determined payout from the auction pool.
PGAT says - I'm not sure why this is in here, or why that particular type of bet is called a Calcutta, but what I do know is, you should bet on Tiger...
Carry: how far the ball travels through the air. Contrasted with "run."
PGAT says - You need to know how far you will carry the ball when hitting over a hazard, unless you can skim the ball over water, which I'm willing to bet you can't.
Cart: the four-wheeled electrical or gas-powered vehicle for use in transporting players and their equipment from hole to hole. Also, a hand-pulled (2-wheel) or hand-pushed (3-wheel) cart for carrying a bag of clubs, also available in powered versions controlled by remote.
PGAT says - The first one is the preserve of rich Americans. Golf is supposed to be a good walk spoiled not a buggy drive spoiled, get out and walk you lazy bums. And if you use a cart, make sure you're pulling it yourself unless you are an old woman or have a medical condition, don't be a wuss.
Casual water: any temporary standing water visible after a player has taken his stance. Snow and ice can also be taken as casual water, as well as water that overflows the banks of existing water hazards.
PGAT says - this is the laidback carefree H2O, not the sharp-dressed suit and tie business water. If you're playing when it's snowing, you need to get your head seen to. Catching your club on frozen ground is a handy way to break a wrist or two.
Chip: a short shot (typically played from very close to and around the green), that is intended to travel through the air over a very short distance and roll the remainder of the way to the hole.
PGAT says - Probably the trickiest thing in golf to learn to do well, invariably you will become locked in a cycle of hitting it too hard and the next too soft until you work it out. Look out for plonkers trying the chipping with a driver trick, to just pop it an inch in the air onto the green, they always muck it up.
Chunk: a swing that results in the clubhead hitting the ground several inches before the ball, resulting in a large chunk of ground being taken as a divot. Also called a "fat" shot, or "chili-dipping".
PGAT says - It happens, it hurts, it makes you look dumb. what a great game...
Clone: an umbrella term for generic brand golf clubs.
PGAT says - See Dolly the sheep
Closed Face: when (in relation to the target-line) the clubface is angled toward the player's body, ie angled left for right-handed players.
PGAT says - "I don't get it, it keeps pinging straight". The response to a statement like this is to bellow, "OPEN YOUR FACE" and enjoy their confusion. It the face isn't straight at impact it's not going to go straight now is it?
Closed Stance: when a player's front foot is set closer to the target-line. Used to draw the ball or to prevent a slice.
PGAT says - Just worry about getting everything straight and true before you start messing with your stance. When you can hit it over 200 yards, then you might start thinking about drawing the ball.
Club: a tool for the player to hit the ball. A player is allowed to carry up to 14 clubs while playing.
PGAT says - Them long metal thingummy-bobbers. I call them "Golf Stick-Bats"
Clubface: the surface of the club head which is designed to strike the golf ball. Players should strive to hit the ball with the center of the clubface to maximize distance and accuracy.
PGAT says - This is the bit of the club with the grooves on it. Hit the ball with this side, in the middle. Using the reverse side isn't a great idea. You'll be asked to leave, so make sure you know what it is before you start.
Clubhouse: this is where play begins and ends. The clubhouse is also your source for information about local rules, the conditions of the course, upcoming events and other essential information for the avid golfer. Normally, you can also purchase balls, clubs, clothes, and other golfing equipment at the clubhouse.
PGAT says - Nice clubhouses may be like what is described above. In my experience, most will smell of mucky, mouldy forgotten old Golf shoes and is where they take your money off you.
Come-backer: a putt required after the previous putt went past the hole.
PGAT says- Come-backer just sounds rude to me... say return putt.
Compression: the measurement for expressing the hardness of a golf ball, normally 90 compression. Harder balls (100 compression) are intended for players with faster swings but may also be useful in windy conditions.
PGAT says- Trust me, your swing isn't fast enough to use 100 compression, it's just not...
Condor: a four-under par shot, a hole-in-one on a par 5 . This has occurred on a hole with a heavy dogleg, hard ground, and no trees. Might also be called "a triple eagle".
PGAT says - Not sure what the odds are for this, but they will be quite large I would think, really quite large. Again, Condor is an awesome name, like Albatross, don't call it a "triple eagle", that's crap. Stoopid Americans with their rubbish terms...
Course: a designated area of land on which golf is played through a normal succession from hole #1 to the last hole.
PGAT says - Where you will play the majority of your golf, it's safer for all concerned.
Cross-handed: putting (and, occasionally, full-swing) grip in which the hands are placed in positions opposite that of the conventional grip. For right-handed golfers, a cross-handed grip would place the left hand below the right. Also known as the "left-hand low" grip, it has been known to help players combat the yips.
PGAT says - this is what players do as a last resort when their normal putting action has gone to pot. Sometimes it really works. Don't do it on a full swing. My brother does, no matter how many times I show him how much it cuts down on your rotation and control. Silly git. Learn the proper way, it'll be so much better in the long run.
Cut or the cut: after the first two rounds of a stroke play tournament, a select number of players will have earned the right to play the rest of the tournament for a chance to win the championship, by having a score at or lower than this number. The cut is usually a fixed number of players (e.g. 70), plus anyone tied for that place. In some tournaments, anyone within a fixed number of strokes (e.g. 10) of the leader are also included in the cut. Those missing the cut earn no official money for the tournament.
PGAT says - Seperating the wheat from the chaff, the men from the boys, the cream from the sour milk etc.
Cut Shot: same as a fade, a cut curves from left to right (for a right-handed player), but is generally higher in trajectory and more controlled than a standard fade. The "high cut" is a staple among PGA Tour players.
PGAT says- One of those shots you see professionals hit and realise just how much better they are than you.

The Letter "B" - Taking a ride up the Back nine til it's time to say Bye, with a few Birdies and Bogeys along the way.

2008-08-22T16:47:00.006+01:00

Back nine: the last nine holes of an 18 hole golf course. Playing the back nine is called "heading in."
PGAT says- your opportunity to make up for for your awful front nine.
Backspin: a reverse spin inevitably placed on any ball that becomes airborne. The spin causes the ball to climb and land softly on the green.
PGAT says- Something every golfer likes to see,unless they get to much and the it spins right off the green. Sod's law dictates this will happen most of the time...
Backswing: The backward part of the swing starting from the ground and going back behind the head.
PGAT says- The bit where you get to think about all the things that could go wrong when you bring the club back through, just before you make one of those nightmares come true.
Ball: a small sphere used in playing golf, which is intended to be struck by a club and travel in the general direction of the green for a particular hole, if one is playing on a regulation golf course.
PGAT says- If you have to look up the word ball in a golf glossary, you must be thinking of another sport
Ball-marker: a token or a small coin used to spot the ball's position on the green prior to lifting it.
PGAT says- An essential tool, if it looks like your ball is about to roll back down a slope if the wind catches it, get it marked, sharpish, like Gary Player always did.
Ball-washer: a device found on many tees for cleaning golf balls.
PGAT says- don't use them. On most courses they are full of dirty stagnant water; you'll lift your ball out and it will leave your hands stinking to high heaven for a week.
Banana-ball: A slice that curves to the right in the shape of a banana. An extreme slice.
PGAT says - A common result of too much thinking on your back swing, see above
Bandit: British version of the term Sandbagger (see below).
PGAT says- A dirty cheat trickster who takes bets based on a higher handicap than what he should be playing off. Basically, a guy who says, I should have a head start because I'm crap, when he's not. It could apply to women, but they are rarely competitive enough to sink so low. Scummy cheaters.
Bare Lie: When the ball lies directly on hard ground without any grass to buoy the ball up - i.e. where there is no grass creating a gap between ball and the ground. Applicable when practicing off hard mats.
PGAT says- makes it slightly more likely for your to make a rubbish contact and jar your wrists from striking the ground, which can be very painful.
Baseball grip: grip style with all ten fingers on the club. Also known as the "Ten-Finger Grip".
PGAT says- The preferred choice of some but it can leave more room for you to muck up your swing as your hands aren't locked together like they are in the more standard Vardon Grip. If you do it, you should probably practice another grip, you'll probably get better.
Best ball: where a single player plays a match against a team consisting of either two or three players.
PGAT says - a good way to have a match against a clearly better player, surely between two of you, one will score well on each hole, right?
Birdie: a hole played one stroke under par.
PGAT says - The sweetest thing you'll ever get in golf, unless you're lucky enough to get an eagle, but that will probably be a fluke.
Bite: heavy backspin applied to a ball that causes it to stop quickly instead of rolling when it lands.
PGAT says- That thing that professionals get when the ball stops dead, where your ball would go rolling on.
Blade: term used to describe one type of iron made by forging the metal rather than from a cast mold. Also, describes a shot struck "thinly" with an iron in the middle of the golf ball.
PGAT says- Also, a film where Wesley Snipes is a day walking Vampire who kills vampires. Kris Kristofferson is cracking in it...
Blast: a bunker shot that sends the ball, and accompanying sand, (hopefully) onto the green. Also known as a "explosion".
PGAT says- Also what will be shouted by a player when he just moves it a yard further into the bunker, if he's watching his language that is...
Blind: a shot that does not allow the golfer to see where the ball will land, such as onto an elevated green from below.
PGAT says- means you'll have to wait that bit longer to find out just how bad your shot turned out.
Block: a shot played severely to the right; as opposed to slices, which curve from left to right, a blocked shot goes directly right. Similar to the "push".
PGAT says- If your doing this all the time, aim way left, you are guaranteed to suddenly start hitting it straight, until you try aiming straight again...
Bogey: a hole played one stroke over par.
PGAT says- for us mere mortals it's as good as a par, at least it's not a double bogey, that's what I always say...
Bounce: technically, the measure of the angle from the front edge of a club's sole to the point that rests on the ground when addressing the ball.
PGAT says- Sand wedges have big bounces, to help them move through the sand, which means you are more likely to catch the ball with the leading edge from the fairway, and send the ball scuttling flat on the ground. You'll remember this when you see your ball scuttling flat on the ground...
Break: the amount of lateral slope one must account for on a putt. In the United Kingdom, it is known as "borrow".
PGAT says- it looks like it breaks to the left, it goes straight. It looks like it goes straight, it breaks to the left. The reason golf is so bloody infuriating but ultimately rewarding when you guess it right. Or left as the case may be.
Bullarding: Playing consistently above your regular handicap or regularly failing to achieve in competition play. It is the opposite of Sandbagging (see Sandbagger, below).
PGAT says - unfortunate people who think they're still as good as they used to be, crushing their own tiny spirits every week until they can admit they've got worse at the game.
Bump and run: a low-trajectory shot that is intended to get the ball rolling along the fairway and up onto the green. Similar to a chip shot, but played from a greater distance.
PGAT says- If anyone has Phil Mickelson's address, send this description to him, tell him it's a shot that's handy in the Open, I doubt he'll listen. He loves his flop shot too much.
Bunker: A depression in bare ground that is usually covered with sand. Also called a "sand trap". It is considered a hazard under the Rules of Golf.
PGAT says- Don't see it as a hazard, see it as a nice change of scenery, you were fed up with that boring old grass, the sand's where the fun is!
Bunker, Greenside: A bunker next to a green. See bunker (golf)

PGAT says- If your name is Ernie Els, a greenside bunker is a a lovely place to be. For the rest of us mortals, its "a nice change of scenery"(see above).

Bunker, Fairway: A bunker located on the fairway. See bunker (golf)
PGAT says- fortunately you probably don't hit it far enough to reach them so you won't run into too many.
Bye: a short game played over the remaining holes when the main match finishes early because one player or team has won by a large margin. It serves the joint purpose of adding some competitive meaning to the rest of the holes and also for the losing side to attempt to regain some of the pride lost as a result of their humiliation in the main match. It is usual for the loser of the bye to buy the first drinks in the 19th hole afterwards. In this respect it is an almost direct equivalent to a beer match in cricket.
PGAT says- You've just been thrashed, there's nine holes left, so you let him have the fun of thrashing you again so you can have the pleasure of buying him a drink. Tap water will do the bugger, you're the one who'll need a drink!

The Letter "A" - From an Ace in the hole in one, to Attending the Flagstick for your mate...

2008-08-18T13:23:00.004+01:00

Ace: when a player hits the ball directly from the tee into the cup with one shot. Also called a hole in one.
PGAT says- Almost always a bad shot which got lucky and dropped right in the hole, otherwise it would have gone miles past, your jammy mate will get five in his life, all when playing you
Address: The act of taking a stance and placing the clubhead behind the ball. If the ball moves once a player has addressed the ball, there is a one-stroke penalty.
PGAT says - The first bit of the swing that everyone gets wrong, convinced they're aiming straight when the whole world can see they're aiming for water.
Aggregate: Refers to a score made over more than one round of play, or by two or more players playing as partners.
PGAT says - the sum of some rounds
Aim: Generally, the direction in which your target lies and the direction you intend for your ball to go.
PGAT says - The thing you're trying to acheive each time you swing a club, but never quite succeed
Air shot: an attempt to strike the ball where the player fails to make contact. Counted as a stroke. See also Whiff.
PGAT says - The event where you get punished for looking like a complete tit, a cruel sport...
Albatross: a hole played three strokes under par.
PGAT says - An awesome name for a very rare event, never use the american term "double Eagle", it's not a double eagle, that would be four under par, come on America, two plus two is....?
Alignment: The position of a player's body relative to the target line of the ball.
PGAT says - You won't hit it straight if you nipples ain't in line, this is why Brandt Snedeker's prominent nipples are such a boon.
All Square: in match play, a match is all square' (tied) when both players or teams have won the same number of holes.
PGAT says - This is the target of any American Ryder Cup player and a shameful one for a European.
Ambrose: A system of team play whereby each player takes a tee shot, after which the most favourable ball position is chosen. All the team's players then take a shot from this new position, and so on. (Also known as a Texas Scramble)
PGAT says - A useful system if your mate can hit it 300 yards...
Angle of Approach: The angle at which the club head strikes the ball. This affects the trajectory the ball will travel and spin.
PGAT says - Far too technical for anyone reading this to comprehend, or for anyone writing this to say something witty about
Approach Shot: A shot intended to land the ball on the green.
PGAT says - The road to hell is pathed with these intentions, the road to embarressing shots rolling back to your feet too
Apron: The grass surface on the perimeter of the green that separates it from the fairway. Also known as froghair.
PGAT says - Froghair? I've never had the need to make reference to the "Apron", are you telling me someone has gone to the bother of making up another name for it? And that name was froghair?
Attend (the Flagstick): When a player holds and removes the flagstick for another player.
PGAT says - This is a job for caddies, don't be holding it for your mate, how the hell will you beat him if you're giving him aid? That said, it gives you the excuse to stand in their eyeline and make the appropriate abrupt motion at the crucial moment...