Saturday, November 9, 2013

Dictionary of Golf Terms: Y - Golf Terms

Yardage ChartA printed card detailing the layout and yardage of each hole on the course.
Yardage RatingThe stroke index of the hole, Index 18 being the easiest on the course, 1 the most difficult.
YipsTo miss simple putts because of nerves.
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Dictionary of Golf Terms: W - Golf Terms

WaggleThe movement of the club head as the golfer prepares to swing.
Water HazardPonds, lakes, rivers or ditches on the course, always marked by yellow or blue posts.
Water holeA hole where the approach necessitates hitting the ball over a water hazard.
WedgeA metal club designed to give loft rather than distance. Used for high shots into the green.
WhiffMissing the ball during a swing.
WhinsHeavy Rough.
WhippingThe straps used to re-inforce the join between the club head and shaft.
WhippyA shaft with greater than normal flex.
Winter GreenA temporary green used in winter to protect the permanent green.
Winter RulesLocal rules which apply during the winter season only.
WoodClubs used for long range shots. Traditionally made with wooden head they are now mostly made with metal alloy heads.
WoodieWhen the ball hits any part of a tree and the golfer still completes the hole with a par.
Worm BurnerA shot which rolls along the ground.
Wrong BallAny ball which a golfer plays that is not the ball they began the hole with or which was brought into play after losing their original.

Dictionary of Golf Terms : T - Terms

TakeawayWhen the clubhead is moved back from the ball at the start of a swing.
TeeA small peg stuck into the ground on which a golf ball is placed. Also area where golfers play first stroke of any given hole.
Tee MarkerBoundary on the tee behind which a drive must be made. The ball must be placed onto the tee within two club lengths of the tee marker.
Tee TimeScheduled start time.
Teeing groundArea from which players start each hole.
TempoThe speed of a golfer's swing.
Temporary greenA green used when the normal green is under repair or when the club wish to preserve the permanent green.
Tending the FlagTo hold the flagstick such that a player may aim for it and then remove it as the balls approaches.
Texas wedgeName given to putter when used anywhere other than the green.
Thin ShotTo strike the ball above it's centre causing it to skip and bounce along the ground rather than rise through the air.
ThreadTo coax the ball through a tight gap.
Three ballA group of three golfers playing their own ball.
Three JackTo three putt a green.
ThreesomeA group of three golfers.
Through the GreenAny part of the course which is not 'out of bounds' except the tees, greens and hazards.
Tiger teeThe tees used in a pro competition.
Tight fairwayA Fairway (the cut grass area between tee and green) that is only a few yards across.
TipInstruction on how a ball should be played. Only partners and caddies may be consulted without penalty.
ToeThat part of the club head at the opposite end to the heel.
TopTo strike the ball above it's centre causing it to skip and bounce along the ground rather than rise through the air.
TorqueHow far a shaft twists during a swing.
TourA series of tournaments over a season.
TournamentAn organised competition for both amateurs and professionals.
Tournament ScoreYour gross score for each round added together.
Track ironOld fashioned club with metal head used to lift balls from tracks and carriageways.
TrapSand or grass hazard.
TrolleyA two wheeled device used to aid the carrying of a golf bag around the course.
Trouble shotHaving to play a ball that is in deep rough, behind on object (such as a bush or tree) or from a bad lie.
TurnThe midway point on a golf course, the end of the 9th hole.
Two Piece BallA ball made from a core of rubber, metal or other wrapped in strands of rubber encased in a surlyn or balata shell.
TwosomeA group of two golfers.

Dictionary of Golf Terms: S Golf Terms


Sand TrapA sand bunker.
Sand WedgeAn iron club designed to lift balls out of sand hazards.
SandyWhen a golfer still makes their par after escaping from a sand hazard.
SclaffWhen the club strikes the ground well behind the ball.
ScoopTo scoop the ball into the air rather than loft it.
ScorecardThe card on which a golfer records his score during play.
Scotch foursomeWhere players play in teams of two taking alternate shots. Each hole is started alternatively as well.
ScrambleTeam competition where players play from the position of the best ball of a team member after every stroke or drive.
ScratchA player without handicap meaning that he can complete the course on par.
Scratch PlayerA golfer who does not require a handicap, such as a professional.
Second BallSituation in which a player is obliged to play with two balls because of a question over the legality of the first ball which cannot be settled by a referee or other members of the group. The player's score is that for whichever ball is deemed legal at a post match adjudication.
Selective Perimeter WeightingEqual weight over the toe and heel of the club head.
Semi-Private CourseA club with members but also allows non-members to pay and play.
SetThe number of golf clubs carried (maximum is 14).
ShaftThat part of the club between the head and the grip.
Shag BagA bag used to store balls whilst practising.
ShaggingTo collect balls from a practice area.
ShankTo strike the ball with the part of the club head where the heel is joined to the shaft.
Short GameChipping, Pitching and Putting.
ShotAn attempt to hit the ball.
Shotgun StartTournament in which the field start from different holes at the same time rather than queuing up at the first tee.
Sidehill lieWhen the ball comes to rest on a slope.
SingleAn unaccompanied golfer.
Sink a puttTo hit the ball into the hole.
SitExpression aimed at the ball to encourage it to stop rolling.
Sit DownA term which the golfer says to the ball to encourage it to land or stop rolling.
SkullHitting the ball above it's centre, thus making it fly very low to the ground.
SkyWhen the club head only just strikes the very bottom of the ball causing it to fly straight up into the area. Normally happens when the ball is on a tee or in the rough.
SliceTo induce too much backspin onto the ball causing it to travel through the air following inside to out swing. Opposite is Hook.
SmileColloquialism for a lacerated golf ball; a cut in the ball is normally caused by a thinned shot.
SnakeA long putt which travels over the undulations of the green.
Snap HookTo severely hook the ball.
SnipeTo hook the ball such that it drops quickly.
SoleThe underside of the club head.
Sole plateThe metal underside of a wood's club head.
Speed of PlayThe time it takes to play an 18 hole ground.
Spike MarkA tuft of grass caused by spiked shoes.
Spike WrenchInstrument used to remove spikes from golf shoes.
SpoonAnother name for a 3 wood.
Square stanceWhen your left and right feet are level and at right angles to the ball when you take your stance.
StablefordPoint scoring competition. One point for a bogey, two points for a par, three for a birdie, four for an eagle and five for an albatross.
StanceTo place your feet in preparation for a swing .
Standard Scratch ScoreThe score a scratch golfer should get when playing a course in normal conditions.
StarterAn official who determines where and when golfers tee off.
StickThe pole in the centre of the green with a flag attached.
StimpMeterAn instrument used to measure the speed of a green by applying a known force to the ball and measuring the distance travelled.
Stipulated RoundTo play the number of holes of the course determined by the committee during competition.
StonyWhen a ball comes to rest near the flagstick.
Straight FlightA ball travelling in a straight line during flight.
StrokeAn attempt to hit the ball. The stroke starts on a players downswing.
Stroke CountersGadget to keep track of strokes.
Stroke HoleA hole where in match play an opponent receives a shot. It is determined by the stroke index of the hole.
Stroke IndexAn assessment of a holes difficulty used to award shots during strokeplay / matchplay conditions.
Stroke PlayWhere the winner of a match or competition is the player who used the least number of strokes (after handicap deduction) to complete the course.
StymieWhen an object such as a tree lies between a player's ball and the green.
Sudden DeathWhere additional holes are played after a tie. The winner is the first player to win a hole outright.
Summer RulesThe normal local rules of the course apply (i.e. allowances made for the winter weather are removed).
SurlynTear resistant plastic outer of modern golf balls (by DuPont Corp).
SwaleA depression in the terrain.
Sweet SpotThe preferred spot on the club face with which to strike the ball.
SwingThe action of hitting the ball.
Swing weightA measure of a club's weight.