It can refer to the hole in the ground on the putting green; to the whole hole, from tee to green; or, used as a verb, "hole" or "to hole" means to get the golf ball into the hole on the green. That's the object of the game. If you "hole a putt," you have made your putt — rolled it into the cup. 'Hole' Defined in the Rule Book
What is halve a hole in golf?
Halve a Hole – Occurs in match play when the two golfers tie on a hole. Handicap – This is a numerical system based on past results that measures the potential and level of a golfer’s skills. It allows players of different skills and abilities to compete on a relatively even footing. Hank – Opposite to the dreaded shank.
What does it mean to hole out on a golf course?
Hole Out – A term that happens when a golfer shoots the ball into the hole from off of the green. Home course – This is the club/course to which the player is a member and houses their handicap. Honors – The person with the best score on the previous hole has the honors of teeing off first on the next hole.
What is the most difficult hole in golf?
Each hole is assigned a level of difficulty from one to 18, so the most difficult hole is the No. 1 handicap hole, the second most difficult is No. 2 and so on up to 18. When playing a match, the golfer with the higher handicap receives handicap strokes equal to the difference between his handicap and that of his opponent.
How are handicap holes determined on a golf course?
The players then consult the course scorecard to determine the first seven handicap holes. The system is applicable to both the front and back nines. For example, a player receiving a shot on the first handicap hole may get it on the front nine and the second hole may fall on the back nine, and so on.
How do golf holes work?
Holes are generally assigned par values between three and five, which includes a regulation number of strokes to reach the green based on the average distance a proficient golfer hits the ball, and two putts.
Why is it called hole out?
Hole-out as a noun refers to any shot that results in the ball winding up in the hole. As such, every final stroke on a given golf hole is a hole-out, since your play of a hole isn't over until the ball rests in the cup.
Is a hole in one a good thing?
While well known outside golf and often requiring a well hit shot and significant power, holes in one need also a significant element of luck. As such, they are more common and considered less impressive than other hole accomplishments such as completing a par 5 in two shots (an albatross).
What happens when you get a hole in one in golf?
If a golfer is lucky enough to strike a hole in one, he will celebrate properly after his round is over, by buying a round of drinks for everyone in the club, at the bar at that particular time. This unofficial rule is almost always followed and normally, the golfer is thrilled to fulfil this obligation.
What is the first shot in golf called?
The first stroke, usually a pitch, a bunker shot or a chip, gets the ball 'up' onto the green, and the subsequent putt gets the ball 'down' into the hole. A variation is called “up and in”.
What is the best shot in golf called?
An ace, commonly known as a hole-in-one, is the best score out there.
How many hole in ones does Tiger Woods have?
Woods has 20 holes-in-one, although, perhaps surprisingly, only three of those came on the PGA Tour. Even more strangely, those came in three successive years, way back in the 1990s. The first of Woods' PGA Tour aces came in the 1996 Greater Milwaukee Open in his debut appearance as a professional.
Are there any pro golfers without a hole-in-one?
After all Rory McIlroy has done in his still-young career, it is surprising to learn that he has never had a hole-in-one as a tournament professional.
What is the lowest golf score ever?
The lowest officially recorded round is 55 by Rhein Gibson (12 birdies and two eagles on a par 71) on May 12, 2012 at River Oaks Golf Club in Edmond, Oklahoma. This score is recognized by the Guinness World Records.
What if an animal takes your golf ball?
If your ball is moved by an outside influence, such as an animal or a spectator, there is no penalty to anyone and the ball must be replaced. If your ball is moved by a natural force, such as wind, water, or gravity, you will usually play the ball from its new location without penalty.
What is the longest hole in one ever recorded?
517 yardA condor was scored without cutting over a dogleg by Mike Crean at Green Valley Ranch Golf Club in Denver, Colorado, in 2002, when he holed his drive at the 517 yard par-5 9th. This is the longest hole-in-one on record.
Why do you pay for drinks after a hole in one?
Buying drinks after a hole-in-one is the golfer's way of repaying it to the golf gods. The final theory about this hole in one tradition is that it keeps golfers honest during the round and may prevent them from lying about their historic shot.
What's a hole out?
A hole out is basically any golfing shot that finishes with the ball ending up in the cup, (or resting against the flag with any part of the ball below the surface of the putting green.) It's the last shot that a golfer plays on any given hole.
What does out mean in golf?
Out refers to the front nine (the first nine holes of the golf course) and in refers to the back nine (the last nine holes of the course).
What does holed up mean?
Definition of hole up intransitive verb. : to hide out in or as if in a hole or cave. transitive verb. : to place in or as if in a refuge or hiding place.
Why do you need to do a hole in golf?
Purpose. Conceding a hole in golf helps speed up the game. Once a player realizes he has little or no chance of winning a hole in match or "skins" play, he has the opportunity to stop play and acknowledge as much. For instance, if one player is on the green in three shots, while another has hit four shots but is in the woods, ...
What does "conceded a hole" mean?
By Clint Hale. Conceding a hole is sometimes a part of match play, as seen here during Solheim Cup Play. To concede can mean multiple things. In golf, it typically means only one thing, particularly as it pertains to match and "skins" play.
What is the meaning of "skins" in golf?
In "skins" play, meanwhile, a group of players (typically four) squares off in the hopes of winning holes , or "skins," with the victor recording the most skins. In both forms of play, once a player realizes he or she has no shot of winning a hole, rather than play it out, they concede the hole in order to expedite play.
What is a hole concession?
Hole concessions are most typically found in match or "skins" play. The former features players competing against one another, attempting to win more holes over the course of 18 holes than their opponents.
What is a concession in golf?
Conceding Putts. Another common concession in golf is to concede short putts. In casual foursomes, short putts are often conceded out of courtesy and to expedite play, whether the outcome of a match could be affected or not. But short putts are often conceded in professional play, too.
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 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 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 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.
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 the most difficult hole in golf?
Each hole is assigned a level of difficulty from one to 18, so the most difficult hole is the No. 1 handicap hole, the second most difficult is No. 2 and so on up to 18. When playing a match, the golfer with the higher handicap receives handicap strokes equal to the difference between his handicap and that of his opponent.
What is the USGA's use of handicap?
Equitable Handicap Use. The USGA recommends that the handicap committee review the course to determine where handicap strokes should be allocated for men and women. The USGA encourages the committee to use common sense in an effort to equalize the allocation of strokes to make them most available where a higher handicap player would need ...
Can you have multiple strokes on a handicap hole?
It is possible for a player to be awarded multiple strokes on a handicap hole. For example, if a player with a handicap of six is paired with a player with a handicap of 25, the difference is 19 strokes.
Why is the placement of the lower indexed holes important?
This is because in many matches, where the handicap difference is minimal, the placing of the lower indexed holes is of vital importance. An effort is generally made to ensure the first 6 should not be allocated to adjacent holes, and the first and last holes are often not given a stroke index below 9. Then length should be considered.
What happens if you play off 6 and make a triple bogey at the hole with stroke index 15
If you play off 6 and make a triple bogey at the hole with stroke index 15, clause 19 will reduce your score to a double bogey (for handicap purposes). However, if you had made a triple bogey at the hole with stroke index 1, you would have received a shot: the triple would have already been reduced to a double bogey so a clause 19 alteration ...
What is a Golf Handicap?
Ok, let’s get straight down to business. As an amateur player, a golf handicap allows you to play golf against any other player, any skill level, on any course, and have a reasonable chance of competing against each other.
Why Does the Handicap System Exist?
Ok, while a handicap is an indicator of how ‘good’ a golfer is, it wasn’t designed to be used purely as a tool to measure excellence.
How to Get a Golf Handicap
If you are brand new to the game, don’t worry about getting a golf handicap just yet. Just work on your technique and enjoy your game. There’s nothing that kills enthusiasm more than putting pressure on yourself.
How to Calculate Golf Handicap (as of 2020 onwards)
As of 2020, the rules and formula regarding how handicaps were calculated changed slightly along with the introduction of the World Handicap System (WHS). The good news is that this system has already been adopted by the USGA!
Golf Handicap FAQ
A ‘playing handicap’ is a variable total number of strokes you are allowed on a specific course on a specific day, say for a competition or in match play. The playing handicap is based on a percentage of your course handicap. It is devised by multiplying your course handicap by an ‘allowance’.
Final Thoughts
When it comes to golf handicaps, there is quite a lot to think about. The rules have changed recently to make them much more standard across the world.