
The golf game most commonly called Dots or Garbage is a popular game played by a group of golfers. The game is essentially a collection of side bets, the specifics of which are entirely up to the group, that can be played concurrently with just about any type of scoring format in which all members of the group are playing their own golf ball.
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What is “golf slang”?
The putting green beckons, you call your caddie, and off you go to tee for a par. You had a great swing and you are elated. Well, that’s the magic of the game―The Game of Golf. There are innumerable terms and phrases included in golf jargon, which everyone from Tiger Woods to Phil Mickelson to Jyoti Randhawa to any amateur golfer needs to ...
What is a club in golf called?
Also known as Stroke Play. Medal Play is the most basic format for golf tournaments. Contestants simply play 18 holes and prizes go to players with the best gross scores and net scores. Use handicaps from 80-100% - preferably on the lower side to prevent sandbagging. Medal Play is the most serious and least forgiving tournament format (no gimmies!), so it's …
What are the different types of golf terms?
7 rows · A. “A” Game: A golfer’s best game which is executed on a regular basis. Ace: Hitting the ball ...
Can you learn golfing terminology?
The golf game most commonly called Dots or Garbage is a popular game played by a group of golfers. The game is essentially a collection of side bets, the specifics of which are entirely up to the group, that can be played concurrently with just about any type of scoring format in which all members of the group are playing their own golf ball.

What are golf games called?
Two players (or two teams) play each hole as a separate contest against each other in what is called match play. The party with the lower score wins that hole, or if the scores of both players or teams are equal the hole is "halved" (or tied). The game is won by the party that wins more holes than the other.
What is a game of golf?
Golf is an individual sport played by hitting a ball with a club from a tee into a hole. The object is to get the ball into the hole with the least number of swings or strokes of the club. Golf is a hugely popular sport that is enjoyed by people of all ages.
What do you call a good golf game?
A. “A” Game: A golfer's best game which is executed on a regular basis. Ace: Hitting the ball into the hole in one swing of the club.
What is a round of golf called?
1. round of golf - the activity of playing 18 holes of golf; "a round of golf takes about 4 hours" round. golf, golf game - a game played on a large open course with 9 or 18 holes; the object is use as few strokes as possible in playing all the holes. Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection.
Why is it called golf?
The word 'golf' is not an acronym for anything. Rather, it derives linguistically from the Dutch word 'kolf' or 'kolve,' meaning quite simply 'club. ' In the Scottish dialect of the late 14th or early 15th century, the Dutch term became 'goff' or 'gouff,' and only later in the 16th century 'golf. '
Is golf a sport or a game?
Golf, although not requiring brutal strength, is a sport. Golf is a legitimate sport because it is highly competitive, requires mental capacity, and demands physical extortion and muscle use. A big part of any sport, especially golf, is being competitive. Golf is seen as just a game, but golfers are highly competitive.Mar 11, 2019
What is a golf team called?
Golf club (i) An implement used by a player to hit a golf ball. A player is allowed to carry up to fourteen (14) clubs during a round of golf. (ii) An organized group of golfers, usually owning or managing a golf course.
What is slang for playing golf?
Golf Slang: the Lingo Used on the CourseDew SweeperHit It, AliceSandbaggerDufferHosel RocketSnowmanFlatstickKPTexas WedgeFoot WedgeLoopThe TipsGimmieMulliganWormburner1 more row•Feb 13, 2020
What does Cart Golf mean?
Cart golf. Term for when two golfers riding in the same golf cart repeatedly hit the ball in the same direction (usually into the rough). An efficient but not necessarily pleasant way to play golf.
What is a golf coach called?
The PGA's career designations include “Head Golf Professional,” who gives lessons and supervises golf instruction at a course, driving range or other golf facility. A “Teaching Professional” may give lessons, supervise other instructors or teach their fellow pros how to give lessons, according to the PGA.
What is a short golf shot called?
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.
What is a wolf in golf?
Also called "Wolfman", Wolf is a three-player game. The golfer with the middle-distance drive, regardless of where it lands, is the "wolf". His opponents are the "hunters". The wolf must match twice his net score on the hole against the combined net scores of the hunters.
What is medal play in golf?
Also known as Stroke Play. Medal Play is the most basic format for golf tournaments. Contestants simply play 18 holes and prizes go to players with the best gross scores and net scores. Use handicaps from 80-100% - preferably on the lower side to prevent sandbagging.
What is a pick up stick?
Pick Up Sticks requires some strategy other than just playing good golf. It's also quite entertaining. For each hole a player loses (play is match play), he may take one club in his opponent's bag out of play. The opponent may reclaim his clubs one at a time, in any order he wants, as he loses holes back.
What is scramble golf?
Scramble. In a Scramble, each foursome is a team competing against all other foursomes. Each player in the group drives off the tee, then all four golfers play their second shorts from the best-driven ball. All then play their third shots from the best second ball, and so on.
What does scruffy mean in golf?
A player hitting an awful tee shot may call a "Scruffy," which lets him bet a unit against all the other players that he can make par (gross). The other players must agree to the bet. A player may call a Scruffy after a good tee shot as well. If it's a difficult hole, his opponents might still be wise to take the bet.
What is a Scotch Foursome?
Scotch Foursome -a.k.a. Alternative Shot. Scotch Foursomes are the most popular gambling format in Great Britain, where it's simply called a "Foursome.". To play, pairs alternate shots from tee to green until the ball is in the hole, although one player should drive all the even holes and the other the odd.
How many strokes does a 15 handicapper get in a flag tournament?
So, a 15-handicapper on a par-72 course gets 82 strokes. He then plays 82 shots and stops, planting a flag on the spot where his 82nd shot landed.
What does "double eagle" mean in golf?
Albatross (aka Double Eagle): This means a score of three strokes under Par, which as you can imagine is very rare. All square: Tied score in match play. Army Golf: Like a marching rhythm: Left-right-left, in the game of golf it means hitting the ball out of bounds to the left then to the right the next time.
What is a barkie in golf?
Barkies: Hitting the golf ball at trees and obtaining a good score despite it. Beach: Term used for a sand bunker. Birdie: A score of one less than par. Bite: If a ball has lots of backspin it is said to “bite” because it stays close to where it landed or may spin back toward the player.
How does golf work?
How The Game Works. Golf is played on specially-designed course consisting of a series of numbered holes. Some holes are short, just two or three hundred metres, while others are longer, up to five or six hundred metres. Each hole has a tee-off area, or tee box, from which the first shot is played.
What are the majors in golf?
They are The Masters, the U.S. Open, The Open Championship (also called The British Open) and the PGA Championship.
What is the oldest golf course in the world?
One of the oldest and most important organizations in the history of golf is the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews (R&A) in Scotland, founded in 1754. The club's course had nine holes, and players would go around twice to complete a full round.
Where did golf originate?
History. The first recorded game of golf was played at Bruntsfield Links, in Edinburgh, Scotland , in A.D. 1456, and until recently most historians believed the game originated in Scotland in the 11th century. But new evidence suggests a game very similar to golf was played in China during the Song Dynasty (A.D. 960-1279).
Who is the most successful golfer of all time?
Tiger Woods. Eldrick "Tiger" Woods (right, teaching a boy how to hold a golf club) is one of the most successful golfers of all time. Born in 1975 to an African-American father and a Thai mother, Tiger played golf from the age of two.
What does par mean in golf?
For each hole, a number known as par indicates the number of shots a very good player would normally take to complete the hole. Short holes are usually "par 3", medium-length holes are "par 4", while longer holes are "par 5". If a player completes a hole in one shot less than par, they have made a birdie.
How many holes are there in golf?
Most golf courses have eighteen holes, though some only have nine. Players use one of several clubs to hit the ball towards the green, and then into the cup. Players carry up to fourteen clubs in a golf bag, or they have a caddie carry them.
What is the S word for a golf shot?
A “ shank ”, commonly known as “The S Word” is another nightmare among all golfers, even pros! A shank is shot that is hit off the neck or heel of the golf club which promotes it to shoot right immediately.
What is an eagle in golf?
Eagles are more common than the previous two golf terms but still rare for most amateur golfers. An eagle is two shots below par. So if you’re playing a par-5, you score a 3 on the hole. These are most common on Par 5’s as golfers can hit on in two shots and make a putt for eagle.
How many pars are there in golf?
Each hole has a “par” that is assigned to it based on difficulty and length. Holes are either a par-3, par-4, and par-5. On most traditional courses, there are four par-3’s, ten par-4’s and four par-5s. But some courses have six of each par or different combination as well.
What does "bogey" mean in golf?
Bogey. A bogey” is used when a golfer finishes the hole one above par. If you hear golfers say “I shoot bogey golf”, they are referring to averaging a bogey per hole. This would mean that they shoot a 90 on a par 72 golf course.
What is the fairway on a golf course?
The fairway (commonly known as “the short stuff”)describes the shorter-mown area of a course between the tee box and the green. This is where you ideally want your tee shot to land.
What is the rough in golf?
Rough. The rough on a golf course is the longest grass that surrounds the fairway and green. If you hit a shot into the rough it usually results in a tougher next shot. Depending on the golf course you are playing, the rough length can vary greatly.
What is a link in golf?
Links. Links is a common golf term that can be used in a variety of ways . You might hear the term “links golf” which refers to old-school type courses that are found in Europe. Links golf courses are usually flat and have bigger greens than most US courses.
What is a golf club?
Golf club (i) An implement used by a player to hit a golf ball. A player is allowed to carry up to fourteen (14) clubs during a round of golf. (ii) An organized group of golfers, usually owning or managing a golf course. (iii) The entirety of a golf facility, including course, club-house, pro-shop, practice areas etc.
What is a caddy in golf?
It is considered a hazard under the Rules of Golf. [C] Caddy or Caddie A person, often paid, who carries a player’s clubs and offers advice. Players are responsible for the actions of their caddies. Players cannot receive advice from anyone other than their caddy or partner.
What is the back nine called?
Playing the back nine is called “heading in”. Backswing The backward part of the swing starting from the ground and going back behind the head. Ball-marker A token or a small coin used to spot the ball’s position on the green prior to lifting it. Ball-washer A device found on many tee boxes for cleaning golf balls.
How many clubs can a golfer carry?
A player is allowed to carry up to fourteen (14) clubs during a round of golf. (ii) An organized group of golfers, usually owning or managing a golf course. (iii) The entirety of a golf facility, including course, club-house, pro-shop, practice areas etc. Clubhead The part of a club that used to strike the ball.
How many tees are there on a golf course?
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”. Tips The championship tees on a golf course are known as “the tips”. At Silverstone, the tips would be our set of silver tees.
What is casual water?
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. You may take relief from casual water no nearer to the hole according to the rules of golf.
What is a short shot in golf?
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.
What is golf slang?
Golf slang is a colorful part of the game, and golf slang terms can be universally used or be specific to a very small region. Small groups of golfers might even develop their own terms, unique to their rounds.
What is a back door putt?
Back-door putt: A putt that catches the edge of the hole, spins around to the back of the hole, and falls into the cup off that back edge of the hole. Barkie: A bet won by a golf who makes par on a hole after his golf ball hit a tree. Also called a "woody" or "woodie" (and sometimes spelled "barky").
What is a fried egg?
Fried Egg: A golf ball that has plugged, or buried, in a sand bunker, so that the top of the ball resembles the yolk in a fried egg. Frog Hair: The fringe around a putting green. Goat Track: Poorly maintained golf course with rough conditions.
What is an abominable snowman?
Abominable Snowman: A score of 9 (even worse than an 8, which is called a snowman) on a hole. Aircraft Carrier: A long, flat, rectangular teeing ground, one that is usually elevated a few feet above the level of the surrounding turf and that includes all the tees for that hole.
What is dawn patrol?
Dawn Patrol: Golfers or groups of golfers who prefer to play as early as possible in the morning - right at the crack of dawn if possible. Golfers who make up the dawn patrol are the first ones to get on the course. In that vein, dawn patrol is the same as "dew sweepers.".
Who is Brent Kelley?
Brent Kelley is an award-winning sports journalist and golf expert with over 30 years in print and online journalism. Golf slang is a colorful part of the game, and golf slang terms can be universally used or be specific to a very small region.
What is a scramble in golf?
Definition: The Scramble is one of the primary forms of tournament play for golf associations, charity events and the like. A scramble is usually played with 4-person teams, but 2-person scrambles are popular, too. At a 2-person scramble, handicaps are usually ...
What is the best ball in golf?
Definition: Along with the scramble, “best ball” is one of the most popular golf tournament formats. Best ball can be played using 2-, 3- or 4-person teams. Each player on the team plays his or her own golf ball throughout the round, and on each hole the low score – or “best ball” – of the group serves as the team score.
What is Bingo Bango Bongo?
This is one of the most popular formats for golf association tournaments and league tournaments. Bingo Bang o Bongo rewards players for three things on each hole: being the first player in the group to get onto the green; being closest to the hole once all group members are on the green; and being the first player in the cup.
What is the most common tournament format?
1. Scramble . The Scramble is probably the most-common format for team tournaments. It can be played by 2-, 3- or 4-person teams, and involves choosing the one best shot following every stroke, with each team member then playing again from that one spot. Variants include the Texas Scramble, Florida Scramble and Ambrose.
What is a 2 person best ball?
A 2-person best ball match play competition is also known as Four Ball. “Best ball” can also refer to a competition in which a single player plays match play against a 2- or 3-person team playing best ball. That variation is good for a low-handicapper taking on a team of higher handicappers. 3. Alternate Shot.
What is an alternate shot?
Alternate Shot. Alternate Shot is a format for 2-person teams and is sometimes called Foursomes. The two players on a team alternate hitting shots, playing the same ball. Odds and Evens and Scotch Foursomes are other versions of Alternate Shot.
What is the Chapman system?
5. Chapman (Pinehurst) When the Chapman System (a k a Pinehurst System) is the format for a tournament, it means that 2-person teams will be competing. Chapman is really a melding of several formats into one.

History
How The Game Works
- Golf is played on specially-designed course consisting of a series of numbered holes. Some holes are short, just two or three hundred metres, while others are longer, up to five or six hundred metres. Each hole has a tee-off area, or tee box, from which the first shot is played. Then a long fairway with short grass leads to a small area of very sho...
Tours and Tournaments
- As recreational golf became a popular hobby, professional golf became big business. Television broadcasts of major tournaments attract millions of viewers worldwide, and professional golfers play for millions of dollars in prize-money in hundreds of tournaments held all over the world. The biggest prize-money is offered in tournaments which are part of major tours such as the Europe…
Famous Players
- Annika Sorenstam
Annika Sorenstam, born near Stockholm in Sweden in 1970, is one of the greatest female golfers of all time. She won a record 8 Player of the Year awards between 1995 and 2005. Annika (at right, after playing a wood shot) has also won over 70 LPGA tournaments and nearly 20 other int… - Tiger Woods
Eldrick "Tiger" Woods (right, teaching a boy how to hold a golf club) is one of the most successful golfers of all time. Born in 1975 to an African-American father and a Thai mother, Tiger played golf from the age of two. As a boy he was the best young golfer in the world, winning the Junior Worl…