
What happens when a golf course closes?
When these clubs and courses close, it impacts the community in several ways. If the property can’t be developed or there is considerable time between closure and development, the property can become an eyesore. The community that all golf courses and clubs become loses its focal point.
What is a golf course term?
If you need the definition of golf course term, we explain terms relating to architecture, maintenance, turfgrasses, course setup and other areas. The grid that appears first includes terms for which we have more in-depth definitions.
How many golf courses have closed in the last 10 years?
I’ve always been intrigued by golf course and club closures. According to the National Golf Foundation, nearly 1,200 courses have closed in the past 10 years (7.4% of the supply) and more than 700 (4.7%) in the past 5 years.
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 are some golf terminology?
Beginner Golf Terms. Birdie: Completing the hole in one less stroke than the par. Bogey: Completing the hole in one more stroke than the par. Double Bogey: Completing the hole in two more strokes than the par (catch the trend?). Eagle: Completing the hole in two fewer strokes than the par.
Why is it called a mulligan?
Theory: 'Mulligan' Is Named After a Golfer Mulligan probably originated when the golf do-over was christened mulligan after the name of a golfer who kept replaying shots. That's the most likely explanation, and according to Occam's Razor the simplest explanation is more likely to be the true one.
What does the term albatross in golf mean?
three under parAlbatross: This term means three under par, but the "double eagle" synonym is simply a continuation of the aviary theme of good scores. The albatross is rare, as is a three under par.
What is golf slang?
Gentlemen Only, Ladies Forbidden.
Why are golf terms birds?
Used to score one under par. It began to be used in 1899 in New Jersey. It turns out that on one game day, three golfers were playing when one of them, on his second stroke, hit a bird in flight with the ball and it landed very, very close to the hole. The teammates said it was a stroke of luck for a 'birdie'.
Why do golfers say 4?
Golfers yell fore to alert other golfers that they may be in danger of getting struck by their ball. You should always yell fore if you're unsure where your ball will land, and it is at risk of hitting a golfer. The term fore likely originated from the term forecaddie, although the exact history is unknown.
What is an ostrich in golf?
Supposedly, this is the name assigned to completing a hole having struck the ball five fewer times than par. In other words, this is what happens when you hole-out a Par 7 with two strokes or shoot a Hole-In-One on a Par Six.
What is a turkey in golf?
Its origin is almost certainly American in nature. In ten-pin bowling, a trio of consecutive strikes is called a turkey, while six in a row is known as a wild, or golden, turkey. It wouldn't be the first time golf has borrowed from another sport to expand its lexicon.
What is a condor in golf terms?
Condor is an unofficial name for a hole score of four strokes fewer than par (four under par, −4). A condor is also known as a double albatross, or a triple eagle. This is the lowest individual hole score ever made, relative to par.
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.
Why do golfers say sit?
Example: “Your approach shot fell short of the green and into the beach.” (aka: “check” or “sit” or “sit down”) The result of backspin when the ball lands on the green. Players yell 'bite' (or 'hold' or 'sit' or 'hit a house') when they want the ball to stop quickly. Most often used on an approach shot.
What is the best shot in golf called?
An ace, commonly known as a hole-in-one, is the best score out there. When you get an ace, that means you get to write a “1” on the scorecard.
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 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.
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 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 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 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 the name of the cup on the green?
Plugged Lie – Occurs when a golf ball sinks into the ground and it is submerged. Easily occurs in wet conditions. Pot – Another name for the cup on the green. Press – Occurs when a second bet is brought up by a golfer during a round, and usually used to hedge their first bet.
What is the longest golf club in the bag?
Golfers have a wide variety of golf equipment. A driver is the longest club in the bag and has a much bigger club head than the rest of your clubs. It's designed to hit the ball the farthest, but is the hardest to control. It's considered a wood. Other woods in your bag may include a 3-wood, 5-wood or 7-wood. They have similar designs to your driver, but can be hit off the ground as well as from a tee. Irons got their name because they were originally made of iron, not wood. But nowadays they are made of steel, iron or graphite.
What does par mean in golf?
There are terms that relate directly to golf when it comes to scoring. Par means the number of shots that golf courses determine it should take to hole the ball.
What is the fairway on a golf course?
Golf courses have a variety of terms to describe different playing conditions. A fairway is where you are supposed to hit your ball from the tee. It is typically the shortest-cut grass on the course beside the green. The green is the portion of grass where the hole is located.
What is a draw shot in golf?
There are many different shots that golfers hit, whether it be on purpose or accidental. A draw is a shot sends the ball from right to left. It ideally will start right of the target and then move back to the left.
Why do golf courses close?
Golf courses, especially member-owned clubs often close simply because the membership or club leadership resist change . There are certain fundamentals few clubs can survive without. Formerly an afterthought, practice facilities are now considered essential by busy potential members with limited time and new golfers.
What happens if a golf course is not developed?
If the property can’t be developed or there is considerable time between closure and development, the property can become an eyesore. As shown in the picture above, even when the property is maintained (not for golf) it’s no longer pretty. The community that all golf courses and clubs become loses its focal point.
What is bump and run golf?
Bump and Run: A pitch shot around the green in which the player hits the ball into a slope to deaden its speed before settling on the green and rolling towards the hole. (The mounds and swales at Pinehurst No. 2 resulted in many players hitting bump and runs shots during the U.S. Open).
What is the motion of the club that takes the club away from the ball?
Backswing: The motion that involves the club and every element of the body in taking the club away from the ball and setting it in position at the top of the backswing from which the club can be delivered to the ball at impact. (John Daly has an unusually long backswing that causes the club to go past parallel at the top of the swing).
What is the force that pulls the clubhead outward and downward?
Centrifugal Force: The action in a rotating body that tends to move mass away from the center. It is the force you feel in the downswing that pulls the clubhead outward and downward, extending the arms and encouraging to take a circular path. (Tiger Woods' swing creates powerful centrifugal force.
What is the backspin of a golf ball?
Backspin: The rotational movement or spin of the ball produced by contact with the clubface. The greater the backspin, the higher the ball will fly and the more it will spin, and therefore stop or even spin backwards on impact with the turf.
What is the definition of compression in golf?
Compression: A measure of the relative hardness of a golf ball ranging from 100 (hardest) to 80 (softest). (Like most powerful players, he preferred a 100-compression ball). Connection: A description of a swing in which all the various body parts work harmoniously to produce a solid, fluid motion.
What is casting in golf?
Casting: An uncocking of the wrists prematurely on the downswing, resulting in a loss of power and control. Also known as "hitting from the top.". (Smith had a tendency to swing at and not through the ball, which caused him to cast the club from the top of the swing).
What is COAM in golf?
Conservation of Angular Momentum (COAM): A law of physics that allows the player to produce large amounts of kinetic energy. As the body shiftsits weight and turns towards the target in the forward swing, the mass (arms and club) is pulled away from the center into an extended position by centrifugal force.
What does it mean when a golfer says they pulled their shot?
Pull – When a golfer says they pulled their shot, it means they hit it to the left. Rangefinder — A laser-based device that measures the distance to the hole. Sandbagging – When a golfer claims to have a handicap that is far higher than their true ability.
What is the most repulsive golf phrase?
Shank — This is the most repulsive of all golf phrases, and you should never utter it aloud. When a golfer makes contact with the hosel of the club, the ball normally goes straight to the right. Short Sided – If your approach shot lands on the side of the green where the pin resides.
What is double bogey in golf?
Double bogey – is a score that is two strokes higher than par. This is the one golf score you should avoid at all costs. Double Bogey is a round breaker! Chunk – When a golfer says, “I chunked it,” it usually signifies that they made contact behind the golf ball and dug too deeply into the ground.
What is a divot in golf?
Divot – The little (or huge) piece of turf that emerges when your club makes contact with the ground. Sometimes a divot isn’t even necessary. Draw — A right-to-left ball flight that is more controlled than a hook. Double Cross -When a golfer intends to hit a fade or a draw but instead hits the exact opposite.
What is the meaning of "birdie" in golf?
This happens only if you make a hole in one on a par 4 or hole out on your second shot on a par 5. Birdie – A score of one stroke under par on a round of golf. A birdie would be a two on a par three or a three on a par four. Block – When a golfer shoots ...
What is another word for utilizing a putter while you are off the green?
Snowman – Of all the golf phrases listed, this is definitely the one you don’t want to be connected with. When you get an 8 on a hole, you make a snowman. Texas Wedge – is another word for utilizing a putter while you are off the green. Some golfers will putt from the fairway, rough, or even the bunker on occasion.
What does "fore" mean in golf?
Fried Egg – When your ball lands in the bunker, it may become buried. It perfectly like a fried egg! Fore – When you hit your ball in the direction of another golfer, you cry “fore” as loudly as you can. You must warn them! Gimme – When your putt is close enough to the hole to be considered a made putt.
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.
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 the famous link course?
Famous links courses include the Old Course at St. Andrews, Carnoustie and Turnberry in Scotland. The Open Championship, or British Open, is always played on links courses. Links golf usually requires golfers to play their balls on a lower trajectory, using the ground to their advantage.
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 does "off the deck" mean in golf?
Off the Deck: A stroke played this way means the golf ball is sitting on the ground, as opposed to a tee. This phrase is typically used when talking about hitting one's driver off the fairway — "hitting driver off the deck.".
What is a golf cart jockey?
Cart Jockey: A golf course employee who greets golfers before the round, offers them help getting their bags onto the golf cart, and/or gives them a lift from the parking lot to the pro shop . After the round, the cart jockey usually greets the golfers again as they leave the 18th green, offers to give their clubs a wipe-down, ...
What is a sunblock golfer?
Sunblock: A golfer who spends a lot of time in bunkers (a k a, at the beach). Sunday Ball: Same as a "lunch ball" - another term for a mulligan (do-over). Tiger Tees: The teeing grounds used in professional tournaments, or the rearmost tees at any golf course. U.S.G.A .:
What is a golf shot with a lot of spin?
Pole Dancer: When your shot into the green hits the flagstick, it's a pole dancer. Popeye: A shot with lots of "spinnage" (lots of spin). Rainmaker: A golf shot with a very high trajectory. Usually applied to pop-ups, skyballs or other mis-hits, but can be applied to a shot played intentionally.
What is the golf club called when you cheat?
Hand Wedge: The "club" a golfer uses when he cheats by picking up the golf ball and tossing it into a better spot. Sometimes called a "hand mashie.". Hangman: A score of 9 on a hole. Because the numeral "9" looks like a person hanging from a noose in the children's fill-in-the-blanks game called Hangman. Sort of.
What is a four jacked golf ball?
Four-Jack: When it takes you four putts to get your ball in the hole, you four-jacked it. 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.
