Dictionary of Golf Terms: P - Golf Terms

Pairings	Two player groups.
Par	The number of shots a low handicapper should take for a hole or round. The hole par is measured by the number of shots needed to reach the green plus two for the putting. The round par is calculated by adding all the hole par's together.
Partner	Players on the same side in the same group or match.
Penalty Stroke	A stroke added to a player's score due to a rule infringement, taking relief from a hazard or an unplayable lie.
Perimeter Weighting	The weight of the club head is centred in the middle, thus increasing the sweet spot (an area of the club that when hit gives you the most distance).
Persimmon	Wood imported from the USA to make club heads for drivers.
PGA	Professional Golfers Association.
Pin	The pole in the centre of the green with a flag attached.
Pin High	Means that the ball has landed on the green level with the hole as you are looking at it.
Pitch	To the ball is hit high into the air onto the green using a lofted club.
Pitch and Run	To pitch the ball onto the green using a club which enables the ball to roll on impact.
Pitch Mark	The indentation left by a ball on the green after it has landed.
Pitching Wedge	An iron with a club face angel of 48 to 50 degrees. Used to hit a high shot.
Pivot	The rotation of the body during a swing.
Playclub	Old fashioned club used for driving similar to today's woods.
Playing Handicap	The handicap used in a competition.
Playing Through	To allow golfers in the game behind play passed you while you stand to one side.
Plugged Ball	A ball that when it lands remains in it's own pitch mark.
Plumb Bob	Holding the putter in a vertical position and using it as a sight to determine the Line of Putt.
Plus Handicap	The number of shots added to a golfers score at the end of their round.
Pop up	A high shot over a very short distance.
Pot bunker	A small yet deep sand bunker.
Preferred Lie	Play in which a golfer may move his ball to the nearest point of relief not nearer the hole. When playing under winter rules, a player may replace their ball on the fairway within 6 inches of where it came to rest, not nearer the hole.
Press	Increasing an already agreed bet on the result of a match once it has started.
Pro Shop	Shop at golf club where golfing equipment may be purchased.
Pro-Am	A tournament where a professional is partnered by an amateur.
Professional	One who receives monetary remuneration for playing golf.
Provisional Ball	The playing of a second ball from the same place as the first because the player is unsure of what may have happened to the first ball (i.e. it may be lost).
Pull	When the ball flies in an inward direction after being stuck. Not the same as draw/hook as these are shots affected by spin.
Pull Cart	A two wheeled device used to aid the carrying of a golf bag around the course.
Punch Shot	Where the ball is struck on the down-stroke of a partial swing resulting in a short low shot; typically used to hit the ball out of rough or to keep the ball below the wind.
Push	When the ball flies in an outward direction after being stuck. Not the same as fade/slice as these are shots affected by spin.
Putt	Act of hitting golf ball on the green.
Putter	Club mainly used on green for striking the ball.
Putting Green	The area of short grass surrounding the hole way the ball is hit using a putter. © Copyright 1995-2013 WorldGolf.com