Meaning of Golf Words - Par, Bogey, Birdie, Eagle, Albatross - Scottish Golf History Bogey to Blow-Up There is quite a history behind the golfing terms bogey, par, birdie, eagle and albatross. Bogey and par were central to the development of handicapping, pioneered by the LGU . The modern meaning of three of the terms - bogey, birdie and eagle - comes from their use in USA. Bogey Par Birdie Eagle Albatross Bogey "Bogey" was the first stroke system, developed in England at the end of the 19th Century. The full history is given in Robert Browning's History of Golf 1955 . In 1890 Mr Hugh Rotherham Secretary of the Coventry Golf Club conceived the idea of standardising the number of shots at each hole that a good golfer should take, which he called the 'ground score.' Great Yarmouth where term Bogey was first coined Dr Browne, Secretary of the Great Yarmouth Club, adopted the idea, and, with the assent of the club's golfers, this style of competition was introduced there for use in match play.

During one competition Mr CA Wellman (possibly Major Charles Wellman) exclaimed to Dr Browne that, "This player of yours is a regular Bogey man". This was probably a reference to the eponymous subject of an Edwardian music hall song "Hush! Hush! Hush! Here Comes the Bogey Man", which was popular at that time. So at Yarmouth and elsewhere the ground score became known as the bogey score. A 'bogle' was a Scottish goblin as far back as the 16th Century and a Bogey-man was a widely used term for a goblin or devil. Golfers of the time considered they were playing a Mister Bogey when measuring themselves against the bogey score. This allowed the introduction of bogey competitions, which we would call handicap competitions or stablefords. On 2nd January 1892, The Field reported that 'a novelty was introduced in the shape of a bogey tournament for a prize. ...

Fourteen couples started but the bogey defeated them all.' In 1892, Colonel Seely-Vidal, the Hon Secretary of the United Servic es Club at Gosport, also worked out the 'bogey' for his course. The United Club was a services club and all the members had a military rank. They could not measure themselves against a 'Mister' Bogey or have him as a member, so 'he' was given the honorary rank of Colonel. Thus the term 'Colonel Bogey' was born. Later, in the middle of 20th century, bogey was used as the term of one above par. Par Par is derived from the stock exchange term that a stock may be above or below its normal or 'par' figure. In 1870, Mr AH Doleman, a golf writer, asked the golf professionals David Strath and James Anderson, what score would win 'The Belt', then the winning trophy for 'The Open', at Prestwick, where it was first held annually from 1861 to 1870. Strath and Anderson said that perfect play should produce a score of 49 for Prestwick's twelve holes.

Mr Doleman called this 'par' for Prestwick and subsequently Young Tom Morris won with a score of two strokes 'over par' for the three rounds of 36 holes. Tom Morris Jnr Youngest Open Winner Although the first noted use of the word "par" in golf was in Britain and predates the bogey, today's rating system does not and the par standard was not further developed until later. It was the Ladies Golf Association, who, from 1893, began to develop a national handicapping system for women . It was largely in place by the end of the Century. The Men's association, founded in 1894, followed suit a few year's later. In 1911, the United States Golf Association (Men) of the day laid down the following very modern distances for determining par: Up to 225 yards Over 601 yards Par 6 As golf developed, scores were coming down, but many old British courses did not adjust their courses or their bogey scores, which meant good golfers and all the professionals were achieving lower than a bogey score.

This meant the US had an up-to-date national standard of distances for holes, while the British bogey ratings were determined by each club and were no longer appropriate for professionals. The Americans began referring to one over par as a bogey, much to the British chagrin. By 1914, British golf magazines were agitating for a ratings system similar to the US. However the Great War 1914-18 intervened and it was not until 1925 that a Golf Unions' Joint Advisory Committee of the British Isles was formed to assign Standard Scratch Scores (SSS), to golf courses in Great Britain and Ireland. Today, this committee is known as the Council of National Golf Unions (CONGU). It is the Golf Unions of each country (and not the Royal and Ancient) who determine pars and handicaps. Birdie "Birdie", meaning a score of one stroke under Par, comes from the early 20th century American slang term "bird", meaning anything excellent.

The September 1911 edition of Maclean Magazine described a golf shot as - '"bird" straight down the course, about two hundred and fifteen yards.' The Country Club in Atlantic City lay claim to the first use of the word 'birdie' itself, as mentioned on the USGA website. In 1962 the US greenkeepers' magazine reported a conversation with A B Smith. He recounted that, in 1898/9, he and his brother, William P Smith, and their friend, George A Crump, who later built Pine Valley, were playing the par-four second hole at Atlantic City, when Ab Smith's second shot went within inches of the hole. Smith said "That was a bird of shot" and claimed he should get double money if he won with one under par, which was agreed. He duly holed his putt to win with one under par and the three of them thereafter referred to such a score as a "birdie". The Atlantic City Club date the event to 1903.

The First Birdie Hole, Courtesy of Atlantic City County Club By 1913, the term had crossed the Atlantic and Bernard Darwin writing in the September 1913 issue of Country Life of a visit to the USA said "It takes a day or two for the English onlooker to understand that ... a 'birdie' is a hole done in a stroke under par." Eagle White tailed Sea Eagle, courtesy of RSPB "Eagle", a score of two under par for a given hole, was clearly the extension of the theme of birds for good scores from a " birdie ". It would be natural for American golfers to think of the eagle, which is their national symbol and the term seems to have developed only shortly after the 'birdie'. Ab Smith ( see Birdie above ) said that his group referred to two under as an 'eagle'. By 1919 the term was being introduced to Britain, as when Mr H D Gaunt's explained the use of 'birdie' and 'eagle' that he met in Canada .

For many years, eagle was always introduced as American terms, as in 1922 when Cecil (Cecilia) Leitch described a putt for a 3 on a par-5 hole as 'securing what is known in American golfing parlance as an "eagle"' (Golf XII 1922 p 202). Albatross Albatross is the term for three under par and is a continuation of the birdie and eagle theme, but is in fact a British term. Ab Smith said his group used the phrase 'double eagle' for three under ( see Birdie above ), which is still the term most Americans and the name for their Double Eagle Club (membership by invitation only). Three under par is a very rare score and an albatross is a very rare bird. The exact origin is unclear but the first known reference in 1929 indicates that it had been in use for some time before then. John G Ridland, who scored an 'albatross' in India in 1934 , theorized that it was the introduction of steel shafted clubs in 1920s which made this score achievable enough to necessitate a name for it.

Durban Country Club 18th Hole site of first recorded albatross, a hole-in-one on 271 yard par-4 The first ‘albatross’ score reported as such in the press is from South Africa when E E Wooler scored a hole-in-one in the summer of 1931 on the 18th hole of the Durban Country Club which is a par-4. It cost £40 in drinks but, had he known that he was making history, he would not have minded. More details of the first albatrosses, are given in The Albatross has Landed in News section. The Whaup and Double Bogeys No standard terms for 2 or 3 or more over Par have emerged. They are just double and triple Bogeys. Depending upon how good you are, anything over 7, 8 or 9 will be a ‘Blow-up’ or a ‘Disaster’. Joyce Wethered once suggested that a hole-in-one should be called a Curlew, known in Scottish as a 'Whaup', which, though fitting, did not catch on.

It seems that golfing terms came into popular use in much the same way as you find new words being invented and used on the Internet. If they sound good, people start using them. What we do not hear about are all the terms, such as beantops , that never made it because they did not catch on. Only the future can tell which of the terms that we invent will still be being used in a hundred years time. Scottish Golf History Under par - definition of Under par by The Free Dictionary Under par - definition of Under par by The Free Dictionary (pär) n. 1. An amount or level considered to be average; a standard: performing up to par; did not yet feel up to par. 2. An equality of status, level, or value; equal footing: a local product on a par with the best foreign makes. 3. The established value of a monetary unit expressed in terms of a monetary unit of another country using the same metal standard. 4. See par value . 5. Sports The number of golf strokes considered necessary to complete a hole or course in expert play. tr.v. parred, par·ring, pars Sports To score par on (a hole or course) in golf. adj. 1.

Equal to the standard; normal: a solid, par performance. 2. Of or relating to monetary face value. Idiom: par for the course Usual; typical: Unfortunately, such short-sightedness is par for the course these days. [From Latin pār, equal, that which is equal; see perə-2 in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] par (pɑː) n 1. an accepted level or standard, such as an average (esp in the phrase up to par) 2. a state of equality (esp in the phrase on a par with) 3. (Banking & Finance) finance the established value of the unit of one national currency in terms of the unit of another where both are based on the same metal standard 4. (Stock Exchange) commerce a. See par value b. the condition of equality between the current market value of a share, bond, etc, and its face value (the nominal par). This equality is indicated by at par, while above (or below) par indicates that the market value is above (or below) face value 5.

(Golf) golf an estimated standard score for a hole or course that a good player should make: par for the course was 72. 6. below par under par not feeling or performing as well as normal 7. par for the course an expected or normal occurrence or situation adj 9. (Stock Exchange) (usually prenominal) commerce of or relating to par: par value. [C17: from Latin pār equal, on a level; see peer1] par (pɑr) n., adj., v. parred, par•ring. n. 1. an equality in value or standing; a level of equality: gains on a par with losses. 2. an average or normal amount, degree, condition, etc.: to feel below par. 3. the number of golf strokes set as a standard for a specific hole or a complete course. 4. a. the value of the monetary unit of one country in terms of that of another, based on the same metal. b. the face value, original price, or principal of a note, stock, or bond. adj. 6. Golf. to equal par on (a hole or course).

Idioms: par for the course, exactly what one might expect; typical. [1615–25; < Latin: equal] var. of para- 1 before a vowel: parenchyma. par. 4. parish. par double eagle - Three strokes under par on a single golf hole. Also known as an albatross. par - Latin, literally "equal, equality." double bogey - Two strokes over par on a golf hole. birdie - The golf term birdie is a diminutive of bird, "first-rate thing," as it is one stroke under par for a hole. par Estimated standard score for a hole or course based on the ability of a first-class player. ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend: Noun 1.

par - (golf) the standard number of strokes set for each hole on a golf course, or for the entire course; "a par-5 hole"; "par for this course is 72" 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 score - a number that expresses the accomplishment of a team or an individual in a game or contest; "the score was 7 to 0" 2. par - a state of being essentially equal or equivalent; equally balanced; "on a par with the best" status , position - the relative position or standing of things or especially persons in a society; "he had the status of a minor"; "the novel attained the status of a classic"; "atheists do not enjoy a favorable position in American life" egalite , egality - social and political equality; "egality represents an extreme leveling of society" tie - equality of score in a contest Verb 1.

par - make a score (on a hole) equal to par 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 rack up , score , tally , hit - gain points in a game; "The home team scored many times"; "He hit a home run"; "He hit .300 in the past season" par above par excellent , outstanding , superior , exceptional , first-rate (informal) Their performance was way above par for an amateur production. below or under par 2. unwell , sick , poorly (informal), unwell , funny (informal), crook (Austral. & N.Z. informal), queer , unfit , unhealthy , queasy , out of sorts (informal), dicky (Brit. informal), off colour (chiefly Brit.), under the weather (informal), off form , indisposed , not yourself, green about the gills If you have been feeling below par for a while, consult your doctor.

on a par with equal to , the same as, much the same as, well-matched with Parts of the city are on a par with New York for street crime. up to par satisfactory , acceptable , good enough , adequate , up to scratch (informal), passable , up to the mark The service is not up to par here. par noun 1. Something, as a type, number, quantity, or degree, that represents a midpoint between extremes on a scale of valuation: ne toks geras kaip paprastainominalinė kainanormalus lygisparitetasžemiau nominalo nominālvērtībanormāls līmenisnormālstāvoklis to be at par → estar a la par 2. (Golf) → par m two over par → dos sobre par five under par → cinco bajo par 3.

(fig) to be on a par with sth/sb → estar en pie de igualdad con algo/algn to place sth on a par with → parangonar or equiparar algo con to be under or below par (= ill) → sentirse mal , estar indispuesto to not be up to par → ser inferior a la calidad normal that's par for the course → eso es lo más normal B. CPD par value N (Fin) → valor m a la par par 2 ABBR (Press) =paragraph → párr.

par at par → au pair par value (= state of equality) to be on a par with → être comparable à to put sth on a par with sth → mettre qch sur le même pied que qch (= normal standard) to be below par [performance] → laisser à désirer to be above par [performance, event] → être au-dessus de la moyenne to be par for the course (= be normal) → n'avoir rien d'exceptionnel (GOLF) → par m under par → au-dessous du par over par → au-dessus du par par n (Fin) → Nennwert m; to be above/below par → über/unter pari or dem Nennwert stehen ; at par → zum Nennwert , al pari to be on a par with somebody/something → sich mit jdm / etw messen können; this objection is on a par with Harry’s → dieser Einwand liegt auf der gleichen Ebene wie Harrys; he’s nowhere near on a par with her → er kann ihr nicht das Wasser reichen ; culturally, the two countries are on a par or can be put on a par → in kultureller Hinsicht sind die beiden Länder miteinander

 vergleichbar ; this puts him on a par with the champion → dadurch hat er mit dem Meister gleichgezogen ; an above-par performance → eine überdurchschnittliche Leistung below par (fig) → unter Niveau ; I’m feeling physically/mentally below or under par → ich fühle mich körperlich / seelisch nicht auf der Höhe ; I’m not feeling quite up to par today → ich bin heute nicht ganz auf dem Damm (inf) → or Posten (inf) (Golf) → Par nt; par three → Par 3; a par-five hole → ein Par -5- Loch nt; to go round in six under/over par → sechs Schläge unter/über Par spielen ; that’s par for the course for him (fig inf) → das kann man von ihm erwarten par , para abbr of paragraph → Abschn.

par a. (equality of value) → parità , pari f (Fin) (of shares) → valore m nominale to be on a par with sb/sth → essere allo stesso livello di qn/qc at/above/below par (Fin) → alla/sopra la/sotto la pari b. (average) to feel below or under or not up to par (ill) → non essere or non sentirsi in forma that's par for the course (fig) → è normale to be above/below par (gen) (Golf) → essere al di sopra/al di sotto della norma par (paː) noun the normal level, standard, value etc.

waarde, vlak القيمة العاديّه нормално състояние paridade normál, průměr der Nennwert pari το κανονικό επίπεδο, το στάνταρτ valor medio; par võrdsus, samaväärsus ارزش اسمی normaalitaso au pair ממוצע सम मूल्य, अंकित मूल्य jednaka vrijednost, paritet névérték tingkat normal eðlilegt ástand; meðallag parità , pari 標準 평균, 표준 normalus lygis, nominalinė kaina/vertė, paritetas normālstāvoklis; normāls līmenis; nominālvērtība tara gemiddelde niveau, waarde pari , kurs norma دپيسو او نورو شيانو ټاكلي ارزښت نرخ، انډولتوب paridade paritate нормальное состояние normál, priemer normala, povprečje norma det

 normala, medeltal เกณฑ์ eş değerlilik 同等，(股票等)票面價值 рівність معمول کي سطح، معيار mức trung bình 同等，（股票等）票面价值 below par / not up to par not up to the usual standard.

Your work is not up to par this week.

nie goed genoeg nie أقَل من القيمة أو السِّعر الأصْلي посредствен abaixo do normal podprůměrný nicht entsprechen dårligere end normalt κάτω από το συνηθισμένο por debajo del valor medio/por debajo del nivel indicado alla tavalist taset کمتر از حد معمول normaalia heikompi taso médiocre מִתַחַת לָרָמָה הַרגִילָה अवमूल्य पर, बट्टे से, औसत से कम iznad, ispod nominale átlagon aluli di bawah standar undir venjulegu ástandi/eðlilegri getu insufficiente 標準以下の 표준 이하의 ne toks geras kaip paprastai, žemiau nominalo zem parastā līmeņa, sliktāks kā parasti tdk seba

ik yg biasa ondermaats ikke helt på høyden , under pari poniżej poziomu د عادی حد نه لیږ abaixo do normal mediocru ниже нормы podpriemerný podpovprečen ispod ili iznad norme under det vanliga måttet ต่ำกว่าเกณฑ์ her zamanki düzeyin altında 在標準以下 поганий جو معيار کے مطابق نہ ہو không đạt mức trung bình 在标准以下 on a par with equal to.

As a writer he is on a par with the great novelists.

goed genoeg, van dieselfde gehalte مُساوٍ равен em pé de igualdade com na úrovni ebenbürtig på niveau med ισότιμος , ισάξιος με al mismo nivel que samaväärne برابر با کسی یا چیزی tasavertainen au niveau de בְאוֹתָה רָמָה שֶׁל- के बराबर समझना jednak, dorastao egy szinten van sederajat jafngildur alla pari con ～と同様で (~ 와) 동등하다 lygus, lygiavertis līdzvērtīgs setanding op één lijn met på høyde/linje med na równi z له يو چا يا شى سره برابر em pé de igualdade com la nivelul наравне na úrovni enakovreden biti jednak likställd (jämbördig) med เท่ากับ ...-e

 eşit, başa baş 同...等價 нарівні; на паритетних засадах مساوي tương đương với 同...等价 Golf Today's A to Z of Golf: The 'Condor' - four under par for a hole A-Z of Golf The 'Condor' - four under par for a hole Scoring a condor is the rarest event in golf.

This is normally a hole in one at a par five (a two at a par six would also count, but this has never been done). Only four condors have ever been recorded: The first occurred in 1962, when Larry Bruce drove into the hole over a stand of trees on the 480-yard dogleg right par-5 fifth hole at Hope Country Club in Arkansas, USA. Another condor was achieved by "cutting the corner" of a dogleg par-5 by Shaun Lynch at Teign Valley Golf Club in Christow, England, in 1995, on the 496-yard 17th. Lynch aimed straight at the green with a 3-iron, clearing a 20-foot-high hedge and hitting a downslope on the other side, which allowed his ball to roll down to the green and into the hole. A 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 longest hole in one on record, although it was of course aided by the altitude and thin air of 'mile-high' Denver. The most recent condor was achieved in Australia by 16 year old Jack Bartlett on the 467 metre par-5 17th at Royal Wentworth Falls Country Club, NSW, Australia, on November 3, 2007. None of the above Condor's were made during an official tour and neither were they played on a professionally accredited course, not that their feats are devalued in anyway shape or form. You don't have to be a mathematical genius to understand that a Condor is a rare occurrence. To give you an idea of odds, it has been estimated a hole-in-one can reach up to 1 in 12,500 for an amateur player, while a double eagle has been assigned odds that have ranged between 1 in 1 million, and 1 in 16 million. The odds of scoring a Condor have not been officially worked out but you can imagine they are significantly higher than the double-eagle.

A select number of online bookmakers , have in the past offered odds on double-eagles during championship events, not condors however. Clearly if you choose to place a condor bet with any bookmaker, make sure to get odds of at least above 1 million to one! A condor is also known as a triple-eagle or a double-albatross, although these terms are, of course, mathematically incorrect. There is no other explanation for the name 'condor' apart from its continuation of the 'bird' theme in naming under-par scores, and the size of the bird becoming bigger as the score gets lower (birdie - eagle - albatross - condor). October 2008 Basic Golf Terms Basic Golf Terms Just the basic golf terms Basic Golf Terms These are just the basic golf terms, if you want the complete list of terms you can go to the Golf Dictionary section. Approach - The shot a player takes from the fairway to the green. Away - Describes the ball that lies farthest from the cup when two or more golfers are playing. The away ball is always the first one played on each turn.

Birdie - Scored by a player who sinks the ball in the cup one stroke under par for that hole. For example, if a player takes four strokes to put the ball in the cup on a par five, he or she gets a birdie. Bogey - When the number of strokes it takes to sink the ball in a hole exceeds the par by one. On a par three hole, a score of four is called a bogey, and the golfer scores one over par on that hole. A double bogey is two over par and a triple bogey is three over par. Break - The slope of the green between the “lie” of the ball and the cup. Caddie - The person who carries a golfer’s bag around the golf course. Chip Shot - A shot used on a short approach, in which the ball is popped up in the air in such a manner as to have it roll toward the pin when it lands on the green. Club Face - The surface area of the club head used for striking the ball. Cup (or the Hole) - The round hole on each green (4 1/4” diameter).

Divot - The clump of grass dug up from under the ball on fairway iron shots. Dog Leg - Any golf hole where the fairway bends either left or right toward the green - like a dog’s leg. Drive - Term describing a golfer’s first stroke from the tee box on every hole. Drop Ball - If a ball lands in a water hazard, is lost, or needs to be repositioned in its lie on the course, the golfer takes a drop ball. From an outstretched hand, the golfer drops the ball on the course in a position no closer to the hole than where the original ball landed. Eagle - When a golfer is two strokes under par for a given hole. On a par four, for example, if a player hits his or her second shot into the hole, the player gets a score of two and it counts as an eagle. A Double Eagle (or Albatross) is when a golfer is three strokes under par on a single hole. It is quite rare. Fairway - The long stretch of neatly trimmed grass that runs between the tee box and the green.

Flagstick (“Pin” or “Stick”) - The pole (with flag) that stands in the cup on each green. The pin is a marker at which players shoot when approaching or aiming for the green. The flag is usually removed when players begin putting. “Fore!” - A warning shouted by players who fear a hit golf ball may strike another person on the course. Fringe - The thin strip of slightly longer grass (compared to the grass on the green) that separates the surrounding rough from the green. Green (or Putting Surface) - The short grassy surface where the cup is located. Hacker - A slang term which describes someone who is not very good at golf. Handicap - A rating system reflecting the average number of strokes above par a player normally scores in one round of golf. It is a method of equalizing competition by allowing a certain number of strokes to a golfer competing against a more skillful player. The handicap is computed from a golfer's previous scores. Hazards - Obstacles strategically placed on a golf course to make play on each hole more difficult. Sand traps, water, and trees are all considered hazards.

Hole-in-one (or Ace) - This rare score occurs when the golfer's tee shot goes into the hole.. Most hole-in-one shots occur on the shorter par three holes. Hook (or Draw) - Occurs when a golf ball starts straight, but then hooks left while in flight. (For right-handed golfers.) Lie - The position in which the ball lies on the course after a stroke. Players may not move or lift their ball in any way that may improve their lie - except if the ball rests on an obstruction or in a spot where a stroke is not playable, and a drop ball is required. Links - A term originally describing seaside golf courses, now used to describe golf courses in general. Loft - The angle of incline on a club face. Mulligan - Used only in casual play (never in tournaments), it is when players permit each other one free shot per round without incurring a “penalty stroke.” Obstructions - Any path, road, or foreign object on a golf course. A golfer is permitted to move a ball from an obstructed lie using a drop ball. In this instance no penalty stroke is incurred by the golfer.

Par - The number of strokes per hole it should take a player to sink the ball in the cup. Holes measuring up to 250 yards are called par threes; from 251 to 475 yards are par fours; and any hole above 475 yards is considered a par five. Penalty Stroke - If a golf ball lands in water; rests in a lie where it cannot be played; is lost; or goes out-of-bounds; a one stroke penalty is incurred by the golfer. The golfer must replay another ball near the original spot where the ball was hit or near to where the ball was lost or went out of play. Pitch Shot - A short approach shot similar to a chip, except that the ball is struck in such a way as to cause it to spin backward when it lands on the green. Provisional Ball - When a golf ball is presumed lost, a second (replacement) ball is allowed to be played from where the first ball was struck at the expense of a penalty stroke. If the original ball is found, the provisional ball is picked up. Rough - The taller grass that lines the fairways and greens on each hole. A Round - Playing eighteen holes of golf.

Sand Trap (or Bunker) - Sand-filled pits on fairways and next to greens that are placed as hazards on a course. Slice (or Fade) - The opposite of a hook. It is when the ball starts straight in flight then fades considerably to the right. (For right-handed golfers.) Tee - The small stick used to hold the ball off the ground on drives. A tee may only be used when in the tee box. Tee Box - The area at the start of each hole from where players drive the ball. Water Hazard - A pond or stream. If a ball lands in water and is unable to be played, the golfer takes a penalty stroke. What Is the Meaning of Albatross in Golf? | Golfsmith What Is the Meaning of Albatross in Golf? What Is the Meaning of Albatross in Golf? by William McCoy Gene Sarazen was the first professional golfer to score an albatross in a modern major tournament. Matthew Stockman/Getty Images Sport/Getty Images More Articles Fun Games to Play in a Scramble Golf Tournament In golf, an albatross is something that most golfers will never have the fortune to make.

This scoring term, which represents three strokes under par on a single hole, is extremely difficult to achieve. Several professional golfers have scored an albatross in a tour event, but the list remains relatively short compared with the number of holes collectively played by all the golfers in PGA Tour and LPGA Tour history. Overview Scoring an albatross on a given hole requires that you are playing on a par-5 hole. If you were to hole out three shots below par on a par-4, this accomplishment would technically be called a hole-in-one rather than an albatross. On a par-5 hole, you would need to sink your second shot to achieve an albatross. This feat likely would require precision and luck with a second shot that most likely is 200 or more yards from the green. Notable Albatrosses PGA Tour legend Gene Sarazen was the first professional golfer to record an albatross in one of golf's four modern major events, and he did so when the stakes were high. Sarazen earned this rare score on the par-5 15th hole of the 1935 Masters, which forced a tie for the lead and a subsequent playoff that he won.

Other pro golfers, including Jack Nicklaus, Shaun Micheel and Joey Sindelar, have scored albatrosses in their careers. A notable, recent albatross and belongs to Nicholas Thompson, who achieved the feat at the 2009 Fry.com Open. After making an albatross on the par-5 11th hole, he made a hole-in-one on the par-3 13th hole. The back-to-back albatross and hole-in-one is an extremely rare occurrence in the game. Odds The National Hole in One Association, which tracks holes-in-one and sets odds for the feat, states that an albatross is less likely than an elusive hole-in-one. The association sets a golfer's odds of making a hole-in-one at 12,700 to 1 or, for a professional, 3,700 to 1. The odds of achieving an albatross, meanwhile, are set at 6 million to 1. Considerations One of the factors that makes scoring an albatross even more difficult is that most golf courses only provide golfers with two to five opportunities to achieve the feat.

Because it's only possible on a par-5 hole, this limits your chances of an albatross to the number of par-5 holes on the course. Although you have a chance to make a 1-under-par birdie or even a 2-under-par eagle on any hole on any given course, the albatross remains highly elusive. HOT PRODUCTS ON Golfsmith.com Golf Terms Subscribe Golf Terms Ever wonder what all those golf terms mean? What’s a bogey? What is all this talk about the back side? How much does a free drop cost? Unless you know the answers to these questions, you had better read up here. We’ve tried to make it a little easier for you and even inserted a couple of funnies too. We’ve researched our massive memories (that is the 1st funny!) and come up with a whole bunch of golf terms to assist you on the course and in the clubhouse. That’s right, you can be that guy who knows all the cool things to say… read on! ACE – This is a term used when a golfer makes a hole in one! In other words, the tee shot is hit and it goes into the hole – how about that!

ADDRESS – Contrary to popular belief, this is not where the mailman delivers to but it is the position of one’s body taken just before the golfer hits the ball. You will often hear the term “addressing the ball” which means the golfer is standing there preparing to hit the ball. ALBATROSS – An old British name for a double eagle. What’s that you say, two eagles? No, it means you scored 3 under par on a single hole! In other words, you scored a 2 on a par 5 hole. It’s a very good score and doesn’t happen very often. APPROACH – This is a short or medium iron which is played into the green. Often referred to as an “approach shot”. APRON – The closely cut area just around the edge of the green. Often referred to as the “Fringe”. BACKSPIN – This is a reverse spin, which causes the ball to stop very quickly on the green. BACKSWING – The backward part of the swing starting from the ground and going back over the top of the golfer’s head. BAIL OUT – A shot played to the “safe” part of the course.

For example if the flag is right next to the water and the golfer intentionally shoots away from the flag to avoid the water – thus “bailing out” BALL MARKER – A token or small coin which is placed directly just behind the ball in order to mark the position of the ball on the green. This is usually done to allow another player who is farther away to putt without hitting any other balls. BALL RETRIEVER – A long pole with a scoop on the end of it used to get balls out of water hazards. BALL WASHER – Come on, this one is self explanatory. These are found all over the golf course usually at the tee boxes. They clean and wash your ball. BANANA BALL – A slice that curves in a banana like shape from left to right (for right-handed golfers). BASEBALL GRIP – Holding the golf club like one would hold a baseball bat. All 10 fingers are on the grip. BEACH – An expression for sandtrap. (i.e. I’m in the beach) BENT GRASS – Type of grass which is found in mostly in northern climates. BERMUDA GRASS – Now think about this one for just a minute.

This is a type of grass found mostly in southern climates, as it is tougher and more resilient to harsh sunlight. Kind of like you would find in… that’s right Bermuda! You are a genius! BIRDIE – A score of 1 under par for a hole. (i.e. a score of 3 on a par 4 hole) BITE – A term used for the action of the backspin on the ball stopping it very quickly on the green. BOGEY – A score of 1 over par on a hole. (i.e. a score of 5 on a par 4 hole) BUNKER – Another name for a sandtrap. CADDIE – A person who carries a player’s clubs during play and offers assistance in accordance with the rules. CARRY – The distance in the air that a ball must travel before it hits the ground. (i.e. you need 160 yards to carry the water means you need to hit the ball 160 yards in the air to clear the water) CASUAL WATER – No this is not water dressed in blue jeans and T-shirt but rather any temporary puddles of water on the course which are not supposed to be there, like say for instance after a rainstorm.

There is no penalty for a player to move his ball out of casual water. CHIP SHOT – A short approach shot with a low trajectory usually hit from close to the green. CHIP IN – This happens when you hit a chip shot (see above) into the cup. (Note: this is usually good!) CHOKE – This word has two meanings. One is to grip lower on the club than normal (you may hear the term “choke down” on the club) The other definition in golf (and most other sports) means to collapse under pressure (i.e. he “choked” under the pressure of the Master’s). CHOP – To hit the ball with a hacking motion or the word immediately after “pork”. CLUBHEAD – The hitting area of the golf club. CLUBHOUSE – The main building at the golf course where players usually go to have refreshments and tell about their 2 under par round (note: at times, you can actually see their noses grow!) COURSE RATING – The difficulty of a course. Usually the higher the course rating the harder it is. CUP – The thing in the hole that holds the flagstick.

DEUCE – Hmmm, now lets see, if an ace is a hole in one, then a deuce must be a hole in two! That’s right Sherlock! It is a score of 2 on a hole! DIMPLE – The small round indentations on the golf ball. A lot of really smart guys (some call them scientists) got together and figured out how many dimples would help the ball fly straight and true. DIVOT – A piece of ground that is taken up by the club after hitting the ball. A good golfer ALWAYS replaces his divots and tamps them back down so they will grow back again! DOGLEG – This is one of two things. It is either one of four things that Rover walks on or it is a hole that goes straight for a while then has a bend (or “dogleg”) to the left or right. You decide which fits here! DOUBLE BOGEY – A score of two over par for one hole. These are not very good! DOUBLE EAGLE – NO, this is NOT two eagles, but it is a good score for one hole! In fact it is an excellent score for one hole – three under par for one hole! (i.e.

a two on a par five!) This is also referred to as an “albatross”. DOWNHILL LIE – The ball is on the downslope of a hill. When a right handed player addresses the ball his right foot will be higher than his left foot. DRAIN – To make a putt (“drain it”). DRAW SHOT – This is when a right handed player hits a controlled hook, which goes from right to left. DRIVE – This is the term which means your tee shot. It is also usually the way you get to the golf course. DRIVER – This is the club known as the 1 wood. It is usually the club that hits the ball the farthest. It is also a person that very rich people have to haul them around. DROP – This is a way that you get the ball back in play after hitting a shot into the water or out of bounds. This also happens to waitresses when they carry too many plates. DUB – A poorly hit shot. I “dubbed” that shot. DUFFER – One who hits a lot of bad shots. Can also be called a “hacker”.

EAGLE – This is a bird in real life, but in golf it means a score of 2 under par on a hole. (I.e. a score of 3 on a par 5 hole) FACE – This is what you see when you look in the mirror and it is also the part of the clubhead that makes contact with the ball. FADE – This is a shot (for a right-handed golfer) which curves gradually from left to right. FAIRWAY – This is the area on the golf course which lies directly between the tee box and the green and is cut really short and maintained really nice. You want to hit from this area if at all possible. FAT SHOT – This is a shot which is not good. The club hits the ground behind the ball and results in a poorly struck shot that usually doesn’t go very far. FLAGSTICK – Come’on, you gotta know this one. FLUB – See dub above. FOLLOW-THROUGH – The continuation of the golf swing to the end. FORE – This is spelled differently than the number 4. This is the term yelled when one hits a shot toward another person on the golf course to alert him/her of impending doom from being hit by the ball.

FOURSOME – A term given to a group of… come’on how many do you think players? (hint: 4!) FREE DROP – A drop that you don’t have to pay for, really that is correct, you get to drop the ball and don’t have to add a stroke to your score. This can happen when there is casual water on the course or ground under repair. FRINGE – The closely cut area just around the edge of the green. FRONT SIDE – The first nine holes is usually referred to as the “front side”. GIMME – A term for a putt that is close enough to the cup that it will certainly be made so the other player says “it’s a gimme” and the player doesn’t have to putt it. However, he does need to add this stroke to his score! GRAIN – This is the direction that the grass on the green is growing. A golf ball will roll faster with the grain and slower against it. GREEN – This is a color and also the term used to describe the putting surface on the golf course. GRIP – This refers to either the part of the shaft by which the club is held by the golfer or the manner in which the golfer holds the club.

(i.e. an overlapping grip) GROSS – The total number of strokes a player takes on his round. GROUNDING THE CLUB – Placing the clubhead on the ground behind the ball at address position. GROUND UNDER REPAIR – An area on the golf course that is being repaired. Golfers are able to take a “free drop” if their ball ends up in ground under repair. HACKER – A golfer who is not very skilled. Same as a duffer. HANDICAP – The number of strokes a player may deduct from his actual (or gross) score to adjust his score to that of a scratch golfer. HAZARD – A hazard is any sand trap, lake, pond, bunker, etc. that may cause problems on the golf course. It is normally a good idea to avoid a hazard on the golf course. HEEL – What you tell your dog to do when walking him/her OR the part of the clubhead nearest the shaft. HOLE – A 4 inch round receptacle on the green that you try to get your ball into. HOLE HIGH – An approach shot which is even with the hole but off to one side. HOLE-IN-ONE – See ACE above.

HOLE OUT – the process of a player completing the hole. HONOR – the privilege of hitting first on the next tee. The “honor” is gained by having the lowest score on the preceding hole. HOOK – To hit the ball and have it curve gradually from right to left (for right-handed golfers). HOSEL – The hollow part of the clubhead that the shaft fits into. INTERLOCKING GRIP – A type of grip where the little finger of the lower hand is interlocked with the index finger of the upper hand. IRON – A club with a metal head which is not a wood! JAIL – A golfer’s term for a ball hit into a lot of trees which makes it very difficult to hit your ball out of…”in jail” JUNGLE – A golfers term for heavy rough or in the woods. (i.e. in the jungle) KICK – A golfer’s term for bounce. (I got a bad kick means I got a bad bounce) LAG – To putt the ball with the intention of leaving it short of the hole so that the golfer is able to have a very easy putt on the next shot. LATERAL HAZARD – Any hazard that runs parallel to the fairway.

LIE – This is what you tell your wife when she asks if you went to work and you really went golfing OR it is the position that the ball ends up when it comes to rest on the ground. LINKS – Another word for a golf course. This originally meant a seaside course. LIP – The top rim of the cup or what you have two of on your face. LOB SHOT – A shot that goes straight up in the air and stops very quickly on the green. LOCAL RULES – A set of rules for a particular golf course as determined by that course. LOFT – This is an apartment in England OR it is the angle of the clubface from vertical. MATCH PLAY – This is a form of competition by holes. Each hole is worth one point no matter how many strokes one player beats another by. MEDAL PLAY – This is a form of competition decided by the overall number of strokes. This may also be referred to as stroke play. MULLIGAN – An extra shot which your opponent MAY allow you to take if you hit a really bad first shot. NOTE: this is NOT the way we suggest to play golf. MUNICIPAL COURSE – A public course which is owned by a local government agency.

NASSAU – A form of competition which breaks down the play into front nine, back nine and overall 18 holes. A point is allowed for each nine and the total 18. NINETEENTH HOLE – Another term for the clubhouse or in particular the bar at the clubhouse. This is Waggle’s favorite hole! OFFSET – A club with the head slightly behind (or offset) the shaft. OUT-OF-BOUNDS – The area outside of the golf course limits in which play is prohibited. If you hit the ball out of bounds you must hit again from the same spot and take a penalty stroke. OVERCLUBBING – Using a club that will hit the ball farther than necessary. PAR – The number of stokes that is recommended to take to complete a hole (or 18 holes). PENALTY STROKE – An additional stroke which is added to a golfer’s score for a rules violation, going out of bounds, losing a ball, or various other situations. PIN – This is the flagstick or the pole that is in the cup. PITCH – A short high arcing shot that lands on the green and usually stops quickly.

PITCH AND RUN – Same as a pitch but hit with a lesser lofted club which causes it to roll farther. PIVOT – The rotation of the shoulders, waist, and pelvis during the golf swing. PLAYING THROUGH – The process of slower players in front of faster players allowing the faster players to move ahead of the slower group. PREFERRED LIE – A lie that may be improved by a player. PRO SHOP – The golf course shop operated by the golf pro. PROVISIONAL BALL – An additional ball which is hit in case the first ball can not be found. If the first ball is found, it is played. If the first ball is not found, the provisional must be played and the player is assessed a penalty stroke. PULL – A ball that is pulled (or hit) to the left of the target (for right handers). PUNCH THE GREENS – No we’re not mad and hitting the greens… this is another way to say the greens are being aerified. PUSH – A ball that is pushed (or hit) to the right of the target (for right handers). PUTT – A shot that rolls on the green hit with the putter.

PUTTER – The club with a flat face used to putt. Often called the “flat stick” PUTTING GREEN – The surface area around the hole that is specially prepared for putting. RANGE – This is the area where you go to practice. It usually has many stations to hit practice shots. READING THE GREEN – Determining which way the putt will curve based upon the slope of the green. ROUGH – Long grass area adjacent to the fairway. Normally you try to avoid the rough. ROUND – Complete 18 holes of golf. (i.e. a round of golf is the playing of 18 holes) RUN – The distance the ball will travel along the ground after it lands. SANDBAGGER – This is a golfer who purposely tells others that he is a worse golfer than he really is in order to gain an edge in competition. SAND TRAP – The common name for a sand hazard. These are areas that are filled with sand and should be avoided. SAND WEDGE – An iron normally used to hit the ball out of the sand. It can also be used on short pitch shots. SANDY – A player makes a sandy when he hits a shot out of the sand and sinks the following putt.

SCRATCH GOLFER – A player who has a handicap of 0. This player will theoretically shoot even par or better every time out. SHORT GAME – The part of the game made up of chipping, putting and other shots around the green. SHOTGUN START – A method of starting play where players go to every tee box on the golf course and hit their tee shots at the same time. Sometimes a horn is sounded to start play. SIDE – This is a term, which is interchangeable with the word “nine” as in front side which means the front nine or front nine holes. Now if you are really smart, you can also figure out that the back side is the back nine or last nine holes! SIDEHILL LIE – This refers to a lie when the ball is resting on a slope and the golfer’s feet are either above or below the ball. SLICE – This is either a piece of bread or a shot struck by a golfer which curves pretty severely from left to right (for a right handed golfer). SLOPE RATING – USGA term that represents the difficulty of a course for bogey golfers relative to the USGA Course Rating (which represents the difficulty for scratch golfers).

The higher the slope, the more difficult the course plays for bogey golfers. Slope ratings range from 55 to 155 and 113 is considered average. SNAKE – An award 🙁 given to a player in a friendly game when the player three putts. Whoever has the snake at the end of the round usually ‘gets’ to treat the other players to a beverage. STARTER – The person who is responsible for sending the groups of players off the first tee. Usually the starter is located somewhere close to the first hole. STIMPMETER – This is a device which is used to calibrate the speed of the greens. Often referred to as ‘stimp’. A reading of 5 to 11 is the normal range with 5 being slow and 11 being extremely (PGA) fast! STONY – You just stuck it next to the pin… congratulations on the stony. This is the shot you wiggle and grunt to try and make it go in because you hit it so close to the hole.

STROKE – This is often used in the following context, “how many STROKES are you giving me” which means how many shots or additional swings are you giving me to even out the match. It can also be the term used for the actual process of swinging the club through the ball. SUDDEN DEATH – This is a method of breaking a tied match by playing extra holes. The first player to win a hole is the winner. SUMMER RULES – Ordinary rules according to the rulebook. SWEET SPOT – The center point on the face of the club. When you hit it here it feels really good! TAKEAWAY – This is what a golfer does when he starts the backswing. TEE – This is the wooden (usually) peg which is used to hold the ball up for driving. It is also the term for the area where play begins on a particular hole (i.e. the third tee is where the third hole starts) TEXAS WEDGE – The term for the putter when it is used from off the green. THREESOME – Hmmm… now if you think about this you might just get it. Hint: it refers to three players playing in the same group.

TIGHT FAIRWAY – A narrow fairway with not much area on either side to miss. TOE – This is a term for what you have on your feet OR it refers to the part of the club farthest from where it joins the shaft. TRAJECTORY – The flight path of the ball. If it goes way up in the air it is referred to a high trajectory. TURN – To start the back nine holes. To “make the turn” means you have finished the 1st nine holes and are “turning” to the 2nd nine. UNDERCLUBBING – Using a club that does not provide enough distance to hit the ball to the intended target. UNPLAYABLE LIE – A lie from which the ball can not be hit. (i.e. it is up against a tree and the player can not hit it) WAGGLE – The movement of the clubhead just prior to the player taking a swing. WEDGE – An iron with a high loft used for short shots requiring a high trajectory. WHIFF – Swinging and missing the ball. WINTER RULES – Local golf rules that permit the player to improve the lie of the ball in the fairway.

There may be additional winter rules allowed depending on the golf course condition. WOOD – A club (either wood or metal) which is used for shots requiring a lot of distance. WORMBURNER – A shot which skims very low along the ground. Thus killing any worms that may be poking their heads up. Golf Lingo | Golf for Cause - Tempe, AZ Golf Lingo Glossary Ace: A hole-in-one. Hitting the ball into the hole in one stroke. Albatross: A score of three less than par — as you can imagine, a very rare occurrence! You'll also hear "double eagle." It's the same thing as an albatross. Apron: The shorter grass directly in front of the green. All square: When the score is tied in match play. Away: The ball that's farthest away from the hole, as in "you're away." The player farthest away typically hits first. Back tees: The farthest set of tees from the hole on each hole, also referred to as "the tips." Ball marker: A coin-sized object, typically round, used to mark the position of a player's ball on the green.

Ball mark: A small indentation on the surface of a green resulting from the impact of a golf ball. Beach: Slang term for a sand bunker. Best ball: A format of play typically used in tournaments, in which the team score for each hole is the "best score" of at least one of the players in a foursome. Birdie: A score of one less than par. Bite: A ball with lots of backspin is said to "bite," since it stays pretty close to where it landed or even spins back toward the player. Sometimes a player will shout (pray) for a ball to bite if it looks like it's going past the hole. (A humorous way of doing this is to shout, "Grow teeth!") Bogey: A score of one over par. Bracket: To take additional clubs — one higher and one lower — than the club you believe you need to hit a certain shot. This means you'll be prepared for a situation different from what you originally expected, so it's generally a good idea. Bunker: A concave area containing sand or the like, considered a hazard. Casual water: An accumulation of water on the golf course that is not part of a water hazard.

Generally, you encounter casual water after heavy rains. The player is allowed to move the ball without penalty. Chipping: A low-trajectory, short golf shot typically made from just off the green. Cup: The four inch deep, 4.5 inch diameter hole on the green. Dance floor: Slang term for the green. Deep: A flagstick or hole that is located toward the back of the green. Divot: The small chunk of turf that is dislodged when a clubhead strikes the ground as a player hits the ball. Divot repair tool: A small metal or plastic tool with a prong(s), used to repair ball marks on the green. Double bogey: A score of two over par. Generally shortened to "a double." Drained: Slang term for having sunk a putt. Draw: A golf shot in which the ball gradually moves right to left (for a right-handed golfer). Drive: The first shot taken at the teeing ground at each hole — even if you don't hit it with a Driver. Driver: The longest club (and the one with the biggest head), used for tee shots as it's designed to hit the ball the farthest. Duff: A bad shot.

Duck hook: When a right-handed player strikes the ball such that it curves sharply from right to left and stays low to the ground. Eagle: A score of two under par. Etiquette: The rules governing a golfer's behavior. Executive course: A golf course that is shorter and has a lower par than regular golf courses. Consisting of mostly par 3 holes, it is designed to be played quickly by skilled golfers and to be welcoming for beginner golfers and juniors. Fade: A golf shot in which the ball gradually moves left to right (for a right-handed golfer). Sometimes called "a cut shot." Fairway: The center, short-mown portion of a golf hole in between the teeing ground and the green. Fat: A shot in which the club hits the ground (more so than intended) prior to striking the ball. Sometimes also called "thick" or "chunked." First tee: Where a round of golf play begins. Flyer: A ball, usually hit from the rough, that goes much farther than intended. Fly the green: A shot that goes over the green. Fore: A warning shouted when the ball is heading toward a person.

Forward tees: The teeing ground located closest to the green. Fringe: The short grass surrounding the green that is kept slightly longer than the grass on the green. Get up: A phrase shouted at a ball that looks like it's going to land short of the target. If it looks like it's going to land in a difficult spot (perhaps water or a bunker), you'd say "get over." Gimme: A putt that is so close to the hole that it's assumed that the player will make it. You can only have a "gimme" in casual, non-tournament play or in match play. An old-fashioned term for this is "in the leather," a reference to the ball being closer to the hole than the length of a putter from the putter's face to the bottom of its grip. Green Fee: The cost to play a round of golf. (This usually includes the cost of the golf cart rental and practice balls.) Grounding: Setting the heel of the golf club on the ground, however briefly. Handicap: A numerical representation of a golfer's playing ability. Honors: The right to tee off first based on having the best score on the last hole or being furthest away from the hole.

Hook: When a right-handed player strikes the ball such that it curves sharply from right to left. Hot: A shot that goes faster or farther than intended. Lie: The position or location of the golf ball while in play. Lip: The edge of the hole. If your ball hits the lip but doesn't go in the hole, then you have "lipped out." Loft: The degree or angle of the face of the club. Match play: A format of golf in which the goal is to win individual holes rather than tallying the total of all of the strokes. Modified scramble: Also known as a shamble or Texas scramble, a golf format in which the players select the best shot off the tee, move all balls to that spot, and play individual stroke play for the rest of the hole. Mulligan: In casual play only, a "do-over" shot made to replace a poorly hit shot, taken without counting the stroke toward the score. Nineteenth (19th) hole: A golf course's restaurant or lounge. OB: Out of bounds. Out of bounds: The area outside the course where play is not allowed, most often marked by white stakes.

Pin: The flagstick standing inside the cup on the green. Also known as "the stick." Pitching: A high-trajectory golf shot made near the green, intended to land softly with a minimum amount of roll. Playing through: What takes place when one group of golfers passes through another group of slower playing golfers, ending up ahead of the slower group. Provisional ball: A second ball that is played in the event that the first ball is or may be lost or out of bounds. If the first ball is found and is playable, the provisional ball is picked up. If the first ball isn't playable (if it's lost or out of bounds), the provisional ball is played and penalty strokes apply. Hitting the provisional ball when in doubt about whether a shot went out of bounds often speeds up the pace of play. Pull cart: Used by golfers who prefer to walk but don't wish to carry their golf bags. Punching the greens: Aerating the greens by pulling small plugs (1/4" - 3/4" diameter) or using poking with small tines that leave the appearance of a pattern of "punched" holes in the turf.

Pure: A well-struck shot, often used as a verb. "She pured her shot!" Putting: The golf stroke used to roll the ball on the green. Ranger: The golf course staff member who provides player assistance on the golf course and who is responsible for keeping the overall pace of play. Ready golf: Players hit when ready in order to speed up or maintain pace of play. Regulation, In: When a player's ball is on the green in one shot on a par 3 hole; 2 shots on a par 4; or 3 shots on a par 5. Rough: The long grass bordering the fairway. On some courses, there is a "first cut" of shorter rough and a "second cut" of heavier, longer rough. Sand bunker: A bunker filled with sand. Sand trap: Slang for "sand bunker". "Trap" is not defined in the "Rules of Golf." Sandy: Hitting the ball out of a sand bunker and hitting (usually putting) the ball into the cup on the very next shot. Scramble: Probably the most popular format for charity golf tournament play. Each player in the foursome hits, then the group selects the best shot.

Each player hits from that spot and the process continues until the ball is holed out. Shank: Be aware, this is a word you should *not* use on the golf course — it's considered bad luck and is therefore a breach of etiquette. However, you should still know what it is: a very poor shot that hits the hosel of the clubhead and "squirts" errantly off to the side. It's sometimes called a "lateral." Shotgun start: When golfers are sent to every hole so that play begins for everyone at the same time. Sit: A term shouted at the ball to encourage it to stick very close to where it lands. This is similar to "bite." Skull: A mishit golf stroke in which contact is made above the equator of the ball, resulting in a line-drive trajectory. Slice: When a right-handed player strikes the ball such that it curves sharply from left to right. Smoked: A term describing a well-hit long shot, particularly a drive. Snowman: A darkly humorous reference to scoring an 8 on a hole. Solheim Cup: A biennial women's golf tournament in which teams from Europe and the United States compete against each other.

It is named after Karsten Solheim (Ping Golf). Starter: A golf associate who provides golfers at the first tee with any special information they will need during play and maintains the appropriate amount of time between groups of players starting off the first tee Sticks: When referred to in the plural, "sticks" means golf clubs (as opposed to the flagstick). For example, "I'm buying a new set of sticks this season." A putter is sometimes colloquially called a "flat-stick," due to its lack of loft. Stroke play: A golf format in which the objective is to finish the game using the fewest total shots. Sweet spot: The center of the clubface, which will produce the longest shot from a given club. Tap-in: A very short putt. Tee box: The area on a golf hole where the ball is first struck, also known as the "teeing ground." Although you hear "tee box" a lot, "teeing ground" or "tee" are the preferred terms. Tees: Pieces of golf equipment used to raise the ball on the teeing ground for a player's first stroke on the hole. Usually made of wood, plastic or earth-friendly composite material.

Thin: A shot that strikes near the center of the ball, typically causing a low trajectory. Sometimes also called "skinny." The tips: The farthest teeing ground from the green, usually demarcated by blue, black or gold tee markers. Also called the "championship tees" or the "back tees." The turn: The halfway point in a round of golf. Up and down: Chipping or pitching the ball onto the green and putting it into the hole on the very next shot. Woods: A type of golf club with a round head, usually made out of wood, metal or composite materials. The most common woods include the Driver, 3-wood and 5-wood. Worm burner: A golf shot (not a putt) in which the ball never rises off the ground. Yips: The inability to make short putts due to nervousness and lack of a smooth putting stroke. Zone: When you're playing well, you're said to be "in the zone." Sometimes described as "playing lights out." © 2017 Golf for Cause, LLC | 1050 N. 52nd St.

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Question: In golf, what is the term for "three strokes under par"?
Answer: Albatross