What words are used in golf?
The Golf Terms You Need to Know
- Par. Par is a standard number of shots in which golfers are expected to finish a hole. ...
- Tee Box. A tee box is located at the start of every golf hole, marking the only time on a hole that golfers are permitted to use a tee ...
- Green. ...
- Fairway. ...
- Rough. ...
- Putt. ...
- Birdie, Eagle, and Albatross. ...
- Bogey. ...
- Bunker. ...
- Up and Down, Scrambling, and Sand Save. ...
What is the meaning behind the term 'golf'?
Golf - Meaning of Word Golf. A common misconception is that the word GOLF is an acronym for Gentlemen Only Ladies Forbidden. This is a 20th century joke and definitely not true. It is now generally accepted that the 'golf' is derived from an old word meaning 'club', though this in turn may have older cognate roots dating back to ancient times.
What does golf stand for?
What Does Golf Stand For. The essence of the given name Golf stands for power, practicality, ambition, success, inspiration and discipline. Advertisement. What Does Golf Mean? You have the capacity to change the world for the better and be remembered as a great person.
What are the terms used in golf?
Golf Terms Explained – A Complete A to Z of Common Golfing Terms and Sayings
- A. Ace – Otherwise known as a hole in one an ace is when the ball finds the hole from the tee in a single stoke.
- B. Back Nine – This refers to the last 9 holes of a typical 18 hole course, also known as heading in. ...
- C. Cat Box – Another name for a bunker. ...
- D. Dance Floor – The Green. ...
- E. ...
- F. ...
- G. ...
- H. ...
- I. ...
- J. ...
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What is the meaning behind the word 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.
Where did golf originally come from?
ScotlandGolf originated from a game played on the eastern coast of Scotland, in an area close to the royal capital of Edinburgh. In those early days players would attempt to hit a pebble over sand dunes and around tracks using a bent stick or club.
Why do they shout 4 in golf?
It Is Derived from the Word 'Forecaddie' What is this? Forecaddies were in charge of watching the golf balls and indicating where the golf balls landed. To let the forecaddie know when the ball was being struck, the golfers would yell out forecaddie. Eventually, the caddie part was dropped, leaving just the fore.
What is Wikipedia golf?
Golf is a club-and-ball sport in which players use various clubs to hit balls into a series of holes on a course in as few strokes as possible. Golf. A golfer in the finishing position after hitting a tee shot. Highest governing body.
Why is golf named after birds?
A Bogey means one over par. Birdie: In the 19th century, the term "bird" was the equivalent of "cool" or "excellent" - golf scholars believe this is where the term came from. An Atlantic City, New Jersey, course claims that the term originated there in 1903. The meaning being a score of one under par.
Does golf stand for gentlemen only?
A common misconception is that the word GOLF is an acronym for Gentlemen Only Ladies Forbidden. This is a 20th century joke and definitely not true. It is now generally accepted that the 'golf' is derived from an old word meaning 'club', though this in turn may have older cognate roots dating back to ancient times.
Why do pro golfers take their glove off to putt?
Golfers take off their glove when they are putting because they want to have a better feel. The golf glove is used to help give players a better grip and more control when they are swinging a club at a fast speed.
Why do golfers wear gloves on one hand?
The main reason golfers wear a glove is because of the added grip. If you're a right-handed golfer you'll wear a glove on your left hand. The reason golfers only wear one glove is that you won't get any added benefit from wearing two.
What are 5 rules of golf?
What are the most important rules in golf?A player must play the ball as it lies.There is a maximum number of clubs allowed in a player's bag during play.A player must tee up their ball behind the tee markers.Unplayable lies cause a one stroke penalty.In competitive play, advice is not allowed.More items...
Who came up with golf?
Charles Blair MacDonald, who attended St. Andrews University and learned the game at the St. Andrews Golf Links, is considered the father of American golf course architects. In 1893, MacDonald built the Chicago Golf Club, which was the country's first 18-hole course.
What was golf originally called in the US?
kolfIn December 1650, the settlers of Fort Orange (near present-day Albany, New York) played the first recorded round of kolf (golf) in America. The Dutch settlers played kolf year round.
Is golf a game or a sport?
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.
Who invented the game of golf?
John and Elizabeth Reed are credited with popularizing golf in the United States. John Reed founded the St. Andrew's Club (one of the founding clubs in the USGA) in Yonkers, New York in 1888.
What was golf originally called in the US?
kolfIn December 1650, the settlers of Fort Orange (near present-day Albany, New York) played the first recorded round of kolf (golf) in America. The Dutch settlers played kolf year round.
Why does golf have 18 holes?
Andrews formalized the rules and stated, “One round of the Links, or 18 holes is reckoned a match, unless otherwise stipulated.” Legend has it that the reason for 18 holes is that a bottle of whiskey contained the same number of shots as holes on a course, thus providing just enough drink for a shot on each hole.
Who invented golf clubs?
The first record of commissioned golf clubs was by King James IV of Scotland, who hired William Mayne, a bow-maker, to craft him a set of clubs and made him the Royal Club Maker.
Where did golf originate?
The modern game of golf is generally considered to be a Scottish invention. A spokesman for The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews, one of the oldest Scottish golf organisations, said "Stick and ball games have been around for many centuries, but golf as we know it today, played over 18 holes, clearly originated in Scotland." The word golf, or in Scots gowf [gʌuf], is usually thought to be a Scots alteration of Dutch " colf " or " colve " meaning " stick, " club ", " bat ", itself related to the Proto-Germanic language *kulth- as found in Old Norse kolfr meaning " bell clapper", and the German Kolben meaning " mace or club". The Dutch term Kolven refers to a related sport where the lowest number of strokes needed to hit a ball with a mallet into a hole determines the winner; according to the "Le grand dictionnaire françois-flamen" printed 1643 is stated the Dutch term to Flemish: "Kolf, zest Kolve; Kolfdrager, Sergeant; Kolf, Kolp, Goulfe."
When was golf invented?
A golf-like game is, apocryphally, recorded as taking place on February 26, 1297, in Loenen aan de Vecht, where the Dutch played a game with a stick and leather ball. The winner was whoever hit the ball with the fewest strokes into a target several hundred yards away. Some scholars argue that this game of putting a small ball in a hole in ...
How fast can a golf ball go?
These standards were later followed by a USGA regulation stating that the initial velocity of any golf ball cannot exceed 250 feet per second.
How did golf evolve?
The evolution of golf can be explained by the development of the equipment used to play the game. Some of the most notable advancements in the game of golf have come from the development of the golf ball. The golf ball took on many different forms before the 1930s when the United States Golf Association (USGA) set standards for weight and size. These standards were later followed by a USGA regulation stating that the initial velocity of any golf ball cannot exceed 250 feet per second. Since this time, the golf ball has continued to develop and impact the way the game is played.
What are the factors that contributed to the evolution of golf?
Another notable factor in the evolution of golf has been the development of golf clubs. The earliest golf clubs were made of wood that was readily available in the area.
What is the oldest golf course in Europe?
The Royal Calcutta Golf Club (1829), the Mauritius Gymkhana Club (1844) and the club at Pau (1856) in south western France are notable reminders of these excursions and are the oldest golf clubs outside of the British Isles. The Pau Golf Club is the oldest in continental Europe.
How many golf courses were built in Japan in 2009?
The 1987 Resort Law that reduced protection on agricultural land and forest preserves created a further boom in course construction and by 2009 there were over 2,400 courses. The popularity of golf in Japan also caused many golf resorts to be created across the Pacific Rim.
Where did the word "golf" come from?
It is now generally accepted that the 'golf' is derived from an old word meaning 'club', though this in turn may have older cognate roots dating back to ancient times. The first documented mention of the word 'golf' is in Edinburgh on 6th March 1457, when King James II banned 'ye golf', in an attempt to encourage archery practice, ...
What is the most common word for golf?
The first documented reference is spelt 'golf', but most people believe the old word 'gowfe' was the most common term, pronounced 'gouf'. Certainly, the word 'gouf' is found extensively in written texts, long after 'golf' was the acknowledged game.
What is the golf course called in Scotland?
The Loudoun Gowf Club maintains the tradition of this terminology. In Gaelic the word is 'goilf' and a golf course is 'raon goilf' or 'cùrsa goilf'. Some claim 'golf' is a purely Scottish term, derived from Scots words 'golf', 'golfand' and 'golfing', which mean 'to strike' as in 'to cuff' or 'to drive forward with violence'.
What does "colf" mean in golf?
Golf, colf, kolf and chole are all presumed to have originally meant 'club' and are associated with the Middle High German word for club, 'kolbe', (Der Kolben), and the Dutch word 'kolven' for the game of modern kolf. The history in the Rules of Thistle Golf Club documented this origin as far back as 1824. It is important to note that the word ...
When was golf invented?
On balance, however, it more likely that the 'golf' examples date to 1460 and the full details are discussed here.
Where was the first golf hole in Scotland?
Aberdeen Queens Links - site of first golf hole in Scotland- with Broad Hill on left. Most golf clubs in 16th and 17th century were made by bowers (bow-makers) whose skills made them ideally suited to the job. The names of very few of them have down to us. Recently two more 17th century club makers were found.
Who was the first person to use the word "Baculus" in golf?
In 1636, David Wedderburn, a Latin master in Aberdeen, used the word 'Baculus', which is Latin for 'club' as the title for his 'Vocabula', listing Latin terms for golf, which supports this derivation. The Vocabula gives us the first unambiguous mention of the golf hole in Scotland.
How do you play a 3 player golf game?
Players begin all playing against one another until one player wins a hole outright by posting a better score than all other playing partners on a hole. That player is then 1 up versus all of their combined playing partners who now form a team against the player leading and try to get the match back to all-square. In a 3 player game, after someone goes 1-up, the match then takes the form of the leading player versus the scores of the other two players.
What is it called when a player leads by as many holes as there are holes left to play?
For example, four up with four holes to play is called "dormie-four".
What is a scramble in football?
A system of team play whereby each player takes a tee shot, after which the most favorable 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)
What is a dormie in golf?
A possible occurrence in match play when a player or team converts a lead into a victory without passing through dormie, a guaranteed minimum of a tie at the end of regulation play—for example, converting an 8-hole lead with nine to play into a 9-hole lead with eight to play, or converting a 1-hole lead with two to play into a 2-hole lead with one to play.
What is a clubhouse on a golf course?
A building on a golf course providing facilities for golfers, typically including changing rooms, bar, restaurant, offices for club officials and noticeboards with information about local rules, the conditions of the course, upcoming events etc. A clubhouse may incorporate a pro shop and dormie house. The clubhouse is normally located adjacent to the first and final holes of the course.
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.
What is an artisan golf club?
Typically artisan members had limited playing rights, could not enter the clubhouse, had no vote on the management of the club, played in separate competitions from the main membership and had to perform unpaid maintenance of the course. Often an artisan club was a separate organisation that had negotiated use of a course with a private members club. Some artisan organisations have survived to this day.
What does the word "golf" mean?
There is some debate about the exact lineage of the word "golf.". But the most commonly accepted etymology—the one endorsed by the British Golf Museum and United States Golf Association—is this: The medieval Dutch word "kolf" or "kolve" meant "club.".
Where did golf originate?
And, the Chinese claim a 1,000-year-old game called chuiwan is the real origin of golf, Regardless, of its true origin, the game as it is played today developed in Scotland.
Why is golf considered a myth?
There's a reason for that: The discriminatory history of golf gives the myth a veneer of believability. After all, for long parts of its history, golf was a sport dominated by men and rarely played by women, even though one of the most famous early golfers, Mary, Queen of Scots, was a woman.
Can women play golf?
In fact, golf clubs that do not allow female members or restrict women's access to the course and clubhouse facilities still exist today.
Is golf an acronym?
That's a common old wives' tale. Or, in this case, more likely an old husbands' tale. "Golf" is not an acronym for " gentlemen only, ladies forbidden," and never was.
Where is the World Golf Tour?
It is played virtually on actual golf courses located in the United States, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Canada and Mexico, using a patented 3D photorealistic georeferencing technology. Players can play with their family or friends, join a foursome, ...
How many players can play virtual golf?
Players can choose and compete in a variety of virtual golf courses with up to four players at a time, play individually or enter into a skills challenge or in tournaments for prizes.
What are the rules of golf?
Rules of golf. The rules of golf consist of a standard set of regulations and procedures by which the sport of golf should be played. They are jointly written and administered by The R&A (which spun off from The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews in 2004) and the United States Golf Association (USGA).
When were the first rules of golf invented?
The earliest surviving written rules of golf were produced by the Gentlemen Golfers of Leith on March 7 , 1744, for a tournament played on April 2. They were entitled "Articles and Laws in Playing at Golf" and consisted of 13 rules.
What are the rules for golf for disabled golfers?
Rules governing golfers with disabilities who play in accordance with A Modification of the Rules of Golf for Golfers with Disabilities as published by the R&A and USGA. Through the course of 2020, the USGA and R&A devised World Handicap System came into effect, replacing the many different handicapping systems in use around the world.
How often are the rules of golf published?
The Rules of Golf and the Rules of Amateur Status is published every four years by the governing bodies of golf (R&A/USGA) to define how the game is to be played. The Rules have been published jointly in this manner since 1952, although the code was not completely uniform until 2000 (with mostly minor revisions to Appendix I). Before 2012 the USGA and R&A presented the same content differently in separate editions. The same content is now published in a uniform fashion with similar formatting and covers — the only differences are now some spelling and their logos. The Rules Committee of The R&A, which was spun off from The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews in 2004, has responsibility for upkeep and application of the rules worldwide except in the United States and Mexico, which are the responsibility of the United States Golf Association (USGA).
What is the rule for disqualifying a player in golf?
While none of these guidelines are enforced by penalty in and of themselves, the course authorities or other local "committee" may, under Rule 33-7, disqualify any player who acts in serious breach of etiquette, thereby violating the "spirit of the game".
What were the rules before golf?
Before the rules of golf were standardised golf clubs commonly had their own set of rules, which while broadly the same had subtle differences, such as allowing for the removal of loose impediments, e.g. leaves and small stones.
What is the code of conduct in golf?
In addition to the rules, golf adheres to a code of conduct known as etiquette, which generally means playing the game with due respect for the golf course and other players. Eti quette is often seen as being as important to the sport as the rules themselves.
What is a big dog in golf?
Big Dog – A Driver. Bite – A term used by golfers for a golf ball to stop rolling. Bladed Shot – A chip shot from just off the green purposely hit with the bottom of the club. Played often from when the ball rests against the collar of the green. Runs like a putt.
What is a fat shot in golf?
The specifics and colors can vary from course to course. Fat – A fat shot is when the club strikes the ground before the ball.
What is a baseball grip?
Baseball Grip – A type of grip that resembles a baseball bat grip. Others might call it a 10-finger grip. Below the Hole – A term that refers to a putt where the hole is at a higher elevation than the ball. Big Dog – A Driver. Bite – A term used by golfers for a golf ball to stop rolling.
Why is backspin important in golf?
It is important for distance and accuracy. Backspin – Spin is very important in most aspects golf and you will often come across the term when comparing clubs or in golfing instructions. Simply put, more backspin will give you a high ball with a fair amount of control.
What is an ace in golf?
Ace – Otherwise known as a hole in one an ace is when the ball finds the hole from the tee in a single stoke. It is the dream of many golfers.
What is a local rule in golf?
Local Rule – Specific rule or rules that are not mainstream and only for that particular golf course. Long – A term for a golfer who hits the ball far (Dustin Johnson). Long Game – Refers to hitting long irons, woods, hybrids, and driver. Lob Wedge – A type of wedge that is usually in the 60 to 64-degree range.
What is the back nine of a golf course?
Back Nine – This refers to the last 9 holes of a typical 18 hole course, also known as heading in. Backswing – As the term suggests, this is simply the action taking when swinging back before striking the golf ball. It is important for distance and accuracy.
Overview
Origins
A golf-like game is, apocryphally, recorded as taking place on February 26, 1297, in Loenen aan de Vecht, where the Dutch played a game with a stick and leather ball. The winner was whoever hit the ball with the fewest strokes into a target several hundred yards away. Some scholars argue that this game of putting a small ball in a hole in the ground using golf clubs was also played in 17th-cent…
Spread
In 1603 James VI of Scotland succeeded to the throne of England. His son, the Prince of Wales and his courtiers played golf at Blackheath, London, from which the Royal Blackheath Golf Club traces its origins. There is evidence that Scottish soldiers, expatriates and immigrants took the game to British colonies and elsewhere during the 18th and early 19th centuries. In the early 1770s, the firs…
Golf course evolution
Golf courses have not always had eighteen holes. The St Andrews Links occupy a narrow strip of land along the sea. As early as the 15th century, golfers at St Andrews established a trench through the undulating terrain, playing to holes whose locations were dictated by topography. The course that emerged featured eleven holes, laid out end to end from the clubhouse to the far end of the property. One played the holes out, turned around, and played the holes in, for a total of 22 holes…
Equipment development
The evolution of golf can be explained by the development of the equipment used to play the game. Some of the most notable advancements in the game of golf have come from the development of the golf ball. The golf ball took on many different forms before the 1930s when the United States Golf Association (USGA) set standards for weight and size. These standards were later followed by a USGA regulation stating that the initial velocity of any golf ball cannot e…
Etymology
The word golf was first mentioned in writing in 1457 on a Scottish statute on forbidden games as gouf, possibly derived from the Scots word goulf (variously spelled) meaning "to strike or cuff". This word may, in turn, be derived from the Dutch word kolf, meaning "bat" or "club", and the Dutch sport of the same name.
The Dutch term Kolf and the Flemish term Kolven refers to a related sport where the lowest num…
Museums
The history of golf is preserved and represented at several golf museums around the world, notably the British Golf Museum in the town of St Andrews in Fife, Scotland, which is the home of The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews, and the United States Golf Association Museum, located alongside the United States Golf Association headquarters in Far Hills, New Jersey.
The World Golf Hall of Fame in St. Augustine, Florida, also presents a history of the sport, as doe…
See also
• Timeline of golf history (1353–1850)
• Timeline of golf history (1851–1945)
• Timeline of golf history (1945–1999)
• Timeline of golf (2000–present)