
What does it mean to play the golf ball “up” or “down”?
Playing it “Up” or “Down” – Playing the ball down means that you have to hit your shot no matter what the lie is. In certain situations golfers are allowed to play the ball “up” meaning they can improve the lie.
What does pick up the ball mean in golf?
Pick Up – In order to speed up the game, depending on the format, some players pick up their ball after a number of strokes and do not complete the hole. Pin – An informal term for the flagstick. Pin High – When a golf ball is on the same elevation as the pin or hole on the green.
What does one up mean in golf?
If a golfer is up by one hole he is referred to as one up and if he is up two holes it is referred to as two up and so on and so forth. What Does Dormie Mean In Golf? The term dormie in golf happens in match play when your lead over the other team is the same as the number of holes remaining.
What is up and down grip in golf?
Up and Down – A popular golf term used to describe one chip and one putt. Vardon grip – This is a popular grip style in which, with right-handed players, the right pinky sits on top of the left index finger.

What does it mean to play up and down in golf?
What Does The Phrase 'Up And Down' In Golf Mean? The term up and down in golf means to get up on the green and then getting the subsequent putt down into the hole from wherever the ball is currently lying on the course by taking only a single shot for each part of this equation.
What are some golf phrases?
19 Different Golf Sayings For Good LuckGood Luck.Enjoy The 19th Hole.Hit 'Em Long And Straight.May The Fores Be With You.Play Well.Swing Easy.Only Birdies.Have A Great Round.More items...•
Is a chip in an up and down?
The player chips up and misses the putt. This is an unsuccessful up and down. A player plays a par-4 hole and hits the tee shot behind a tree and needs to chip out sideways. This results in a missed green in regulation.
What does up and in mean in golf?
To get 'up and down' in golf requires a player to put the ball into the hole in 2 strokes or less from anywhere their ball is resting around the green. The first stroke, a 'chip' or 'bunker' shot, will get the ball 'up' onto the green and the following putt will put the ball 'down' into the hole.
What do you call a poor golfer?
"Duffer" is a term golfers apply to poor golfers — those among us who score the highest. The term is descriptive if applied to higher-handicappers and recreational golfers, but will be insulting if misapplied to a good golfer. "Duffer" and "hacker" are synonymous, although hacker is the slightly more negative term.
How do you praise a golfer?
The right way to praise your golf-loving kids And the good news is that in golf that's actually pretty easy. “You're such a fantastic putter!” becomes “You work so hard on reading greens.” “You always hit your driver so well!” becomes “It's interesting that you took two practice swings before that drive.”
What does 3 up mean in golf?
If you have won six holes and your opponent three, then you are leading 3-up, and your opponent is trailing 3-down. Essentially, match play scoring tells golfers and spectators not how many holes each golfer has won, but how many more holes than his opponent the golfer in the lead has won.
What is a sand save in golf?
A sand save in golf is defined as: “The percent of time it takes a player to get the ball 'up and down' from a greenside bunker, regardless of score”.
What does 4 up mean in golf?
If you are 4 Up, it means you have won 4 holes more than your opponent. If you are 2 Down, then your opponent has won 2 holes more than you. The match is over when a player has won more holes than there are holes remaining.
What counts as an up and down?
The golf term "up and down" refers to the act of taking just two strokes to get your golf ball into the hole when your ball is resting around the green or in a greenside bunker. If you accomplish that, then you've achieved an "up and down."
What does up and down?
The definition of up-and-down is a person or thing that goes upward and then downward. An example of up-and-down is the direction an elevator goes. An example of up-and-down is a person who changes quickly from happy to sad. An example of up-and-down is a person standing straight.
How often do pros get up and down?
Pros only get up and down from the sand 50% of the time. Pros average 15 feet from 100 yards in the fairway. Pros only hit it on the green half the time from 150 yards in the rough. Pros only make 20% of putts from 20 feet.
What does "up and down" mean in golf?
An ‘up and down’ measures a player’s ability to get the ball into the hole in 2 strokes from around the green. ‘Around the green’ is however not a defined term itself but practically means anywhere within 30 yards of the hole. So if your ball lands anywhere within 30 yards of the hole, but not on the green, and you subsequently get ...
How far does a golf ball go up and down?
So if your ball lands anywhere within 30 yards of the hole, but not on the green, and you subsequently get the ball into the hole in 2 strokes or less you will be said to have got ‘up and down’. This is slightly different to ‘scrambling’ which has a set definition.
What is an up and down PGA?
An ‘up and down’ itself does not have the requirement that the player has to make par or better which ‘scrambling’ does. ‘Sand saves’ are another specific type of ‘up and down’. This is defined as follows by the European and PGA Tours: “The percentage (%) of time a player was able to get ‘up and down’ once in a greenside bunker ...
What is the best shot in golf?
The best shot in golf is unofficially named a ‘condor’. It might also be called a ‘triple eagle’. It is an extremely rare, almost impossible, score on an individual hole of 4 under par. As of 2012 only four accepted condors had been recorded all involving a hole in one on a par 5 hole.
What is the first stroke of a golf shot?
The first stroke, a ‘chip’ or ‘bunker’ shot, will get the ball ‘up’ onto the green and the following putt will put the ball ‘down’ into the hole. As with a lot of things in golf though, once you learn one term you will find there are another 2 or 3 similar ones which come up in conversation. And the term ‘up and down’ is no exception.
Why is it important to hit a poor short game?
But the impact of a poor short game is more critical simply because there are less chances to make up it. After a poor chip you will probably only have one more chance with your next putt to make amends. Hit a poor putt and your chances of recovering are the lowest of all the shots you will play.
What does it mean when a golf putt rolls around the cup?
Lip Out – When your putt rolls around the edge of the cup causing it to change directions. This is terribly frustrating because that means you almost made the putt! Slice – This is probably the most popular of golf terms as it relates to a player’s swing. A slice is occurs when a golfer puts excessive curve on the ball.
What does "pull" mean in golf?
Pull – When a golfer says they pull their shot, they have hit it directly to the left. Albatross – Another word for double eagle, or when scoring three under on a hole. This only occurs if you were to make a hole in one on a par 4, or hole out on your second shot in a par 5.
What does it mean when a golfer says "I chunked it"?
Chunk – When a golfer says “I chunked it” that usually means that they made contact behind the golf ball, and their club had dug into the ground too deeply. Also could be referred to as hitting it fat. Greenie – If you are playing a gambling format like Nassau usually groups will make side bets.
What is double cross in golf?
Double Cross – When a golfer intends to hit a fade, or a draw but does the complete opposite. For example, if a golfer wanted to hit a fade and then ends up hooking it. Instead of the ball flying from left to right, it goes from right to left. Gimme – When your putt is close enough to the hole that it is considered to be made.
What is a divot in golf?
Divot – The small piece (sometimes large) of turf that comes out when your club makes contact with the ground. Sometimes you don’t even need to take a divot. Flyer – When your ball is in the rough, but propped up a bit then you might have a “flyer” lie. This will cause the ball to travel farther than it normally does.
What is a slice in golf?
A slice is occurs when a golfer puts excessive curve on the ball. For a right-handed golfer, they have sliced it if the ball is moving excessively from left to right. Hook – For a right-handed golfer a hook occurs when the ball travels from right to left, but in a much more exaggerated path.
What is a snowman in golf?
A snowman is when you score an 8 on a hole. Worm Burner – When you strike a shot that barely gets off the ground and just rolls. Ace – Another word for a hole-in-one. Fore – The word you shout as loud as you can when you hit your ball in the direction of another golfer. You need to warn them!
What does "three up" mean in golf?
If the score reads three up for one golfer that means that the golfer that is three up has won three more holes than his opponent. As we stated earlier in matchplay the game keeps score of how many holes you have one relative ...
What does AS mean in golf?
The term AS in golf refers to the scoring in a round of match play. When the scoreboard reads AS that means “all square”, this means the totals of holes won by either team is equal so the golfers are currently tied. In match play golf you keep score of the amount of holes you have won relative to your competition.
What does it mean to win in match play 2 and 1?
What does it mean to win in match play 2&1. If you win matchplay two and one that means you had a lead of two holes coming into the last hole. Since the other golfer cannot reach your score the game is concluded. You win the game with a final score of 2 And 1.
What does "six and five" mean in golf?
Six and five is another confusing term of match play golf. This means that one golfer had a lead of six holes with only five holes remaining to play. Since this lead is insurmountable the match is conceded with a score of six and five. This is referring to the gap in score and the number of holes remaining.
How far from the pin do you shoot a hole in golf?
This is more often done with holes in match play. Say a golfer sticks his tee shot three feet from the pin and you happen to shoot yours into a water hazard. You may want to concede the hole as there is almost no possible way you come out with a win on that hole.
What does it mean to play half a hole in golf?
To half a hole in match play simply means to tie on the hole and receive half a point. If you only playing with two golfers than half a hole doesn’t have a large effect on the game. As neither player gains ground on the other.
Can you split a golf match and call it a draw?
This means it can only occur when golfers can split the match and call it a draw. Otherwise, you would continue to play in playoff holes. Therefore, giving a shot for the golfer that was behind to win meaning that it is not in-fact a dormie.
What is a handicap in golf?
Handicap: A handicap is a measurement of the average number of strokes over par a particular golfer makes during a round on an average golf course. So, a person with a handicap of 15 is expected to shoot a score of 87 on a par-72 golf course of average difficulty. A 5-handicapper is expected to shoot a 77 on the same course.
What is a bogey in golf?
A bogey? Let’s start simply with the golf terms “par”, “birdie” and “bogey”. All three of these golf terms refer to scoring. “Par” represents the number of strokes an expert golfer is expected to make on the hole or course. Every golf hole has a “par” assigned to it. Most holes are either a par 3, par 4, or par 5.
What is even par in golf?
If a golfer makes two pars to start a round, he is “even par” for the round. If a player opens with two birdies, he is “two under” for the round. If a player makes two bogeys to start a round, he is “two over.”. Similarly, if a player makes a birdie on the 1st hole and follows it with a bogey on No. 2, he is “even par.”.
What is scratch golf?
Scratch: A “scratch” golfer is a golfer with a handicap of 0. These expert golfers are expected to shoot even par or better on most golf courses. Yips: A condition in which a muscle spasm or mental block prevents you from performing a simple golf task. Most often it’s associated with putting.
How many strokes does it take to get a par 4?
On a par 4, an expert golfer is expected to take 4 strokes to get his ball in the hole. If you make a 4 on a par 4, you have just tallied a “par”. “Birdie” and “bogey” are simple once you understand the concept of par. A player makes a “birdie” when he uses one fewer strokes than the par of the hole.
What is a mulligan in golf?
A mulligan is a golf term that only applies to recreational golfers. Sometimes (and sometimes often) amateur players will hit a poor drive on the 1st hole, whether it is due to nerves or failing to warm up properly.
What is a forecaddie in golf?
Some think it comes from the golf term “forecaddie”, which is a person that stands in a forward position on each golf hole to pinpoint where the players’ balls go. “Forecaddies” are often in the line of fire and need to be warned when a ball is flying toward them.
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.
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 green in regulation?
Green in Regulation – Occurs when the golf ball is on the green and the player is putting for a birdie or better. Green Fee – The cost of playing a round of golf at a certain golf course. Grip – There are a number of different grips golfers use to hold the club.
