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Match-play and stroke-play:
There are two principal types of play match-play and stroke-play. In
match-play the match is decided by the number of holes won or lost. At
the end of each hole the player with the lowest score, after his
handicap has been deducted, is the winner. Stroke-play is different.
Your score at each hole is important, and it is your aggregate score
at the end of the pre-determined number of holes that determines the
winner. You must hole out on every green and 'gimmies' are not allowed
in stroke-play. The ball, once played from the tee, must be played as
it lies On the green. Once your ball is on the putting green you must
not interfere with the line of putt, and furthermore must not impede
or interfere with your opponent's line of putt.
Handicapping: Handicapping remains the most vague concept for non
golfer. A player's handicap is basically the average number of strokes
that he takes to go round the golf course over the Standard Scratch
Score, or normal par for the course, under usual stroke-play
conditions. The maximum handicap for men is 28 strokes and for women
36. Obviously, the more ability a player has, the lower his handicap
will be.The responsibility of fixing a player's handicap rests with
his club. He must be an amateur player and a member of a club
affiliated to the Council of National Golf Unions. After a player has
submitted three scorecards, the handicap committee will fix a handicap
according to an average of the player made during each of his three
rounds.
Birdie: Any hole played out in one stroke under the regulated par
score is a birdie. A par-4 hole played in three shots is an example
and is described as a 'birdie 3'.
Bunker: A "bunker" is a hazard consisting of a prepared
area of ground often a hollow, from which turf or soil has been
removed and replaced with sand or the like. Grass-covered ground
bordering or within a bunker is not part of the bunker. The margin of
a bunker extends vertically downwards, but not upwards. A ball is in a
bunker when it lies in or any part of it touches the bunker.
Caddie: A "caddie" is one who carries or handles a
player's clubs during play and otherwise assists him accordance with
the Rules.
Course: The "course" is the whole area within which play
is permitted
Flagstick: The "flagstick" is a movable straight indicator,
with or without bunting or other material attached, centered in the
hole to show its position. It shall be circular in
cross-section.
Hazards: A "hazard" is any bunker or water hazard.
Hole: The "hole" shall be 4 1/4 inches (108mm) in diameter and at
least 4 inches (100mm) deep. If a lining is used, it shall be sunk at
least 1 inch (25 mm) below the putting green surface unless the nature
of the soil makes it impracticable to do so; its outer diameter shall
not exceed 4 1/4 inches (108mm).
Holed: A ball is "holed" when it is at rest within the
circumference of the hole and all of it is below the level of the lip
of the hole.
More
Golf Terms
Honor: The side entitled to play first from the teeing ground is said to have
the "honor."
Line of Play: The "line of play" is the direction which the
player wishes his ball to take after a stroke, plus a reasonable
distance on either side of the intended direction. The line of play
extends vertically upwards from the ground, but does not extend beyond
the hole.
Line of Putt: The "line of putt" is the line which the player
wishes his ball to take after a stroke on the putting green. Except
with respect to Rule 16-1e, the line of putt includes a reasonable
distance on either side of the intended line. The line of putt does
not extend beyond the hole.
Marker: A "marker" is one who is appointed by the
Committee to record a competitor's score in stroke play. He may be a
fellow-competitor. He is not a referee.
Net score: Your score at the end of the round after deducting your
handicap. If you are a 24-handicap player and complete a round in 97
then your net score is 73.
Nineteenth hole: The common expression for the clubhouse bar!
Par: The par of a hole is the number of shots a good golfer would be
expected to take to complete the hole. The par of each hole is decided
by its length alone and not by its difficulty. The following lengths
are used to define the par of a hole in Britain:
Par-3: Under 251yd (229m).
Par-4: 251yd (229m) to 475yd (434m).
Par-5: 476yd (435m) and over.
Pin high: If a ball lands on the green adjacent to the flag, but to
the right or left of it, it is said to be pin high.
Pitch: A shot played, normally with a wedge, when close to the green.
Putting:The art of hitting the ball on the green with the putter is
known as putting.
Penalty Stroke: A "penalty stroke" is one added to the score of
a player or side under certain Rules. In a threesome or foursome,
penalty strokes do not affect the order of play.
Round: A round of golf normally consists of eighteen holes which
must be played in the correct numerical sequence.
Run: After a ball finishes bouncing it will run on a for a while before
coming to rest. This is known as the run of the ball.
Teeing Ground: Tee off within two club-lengths behind the front edges of
the tee-markers. If you tee off outside this area, in match play there
is no penalty but your opponent may require you to replay the stroke.
In stroke play you incur a two-stroke penalty and must then play from
within the proper area.
Hole: The "hole" shall be 4 1/4 inches (108mm) in diameter and
at least 4 inches (100mm) deep. If a lining is used, it shall be sunk
at least 1 inch (25 mm) below the putting green surface unless the
nature of the soil makes it impracticable to do so; its outer diameter
shall not exceed 4 1/4 inches (108mm).
Holed: A ball is "holed" when it is at rest within the
circumference of the hole and all of it is below the level of the lip
of the hole.
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