The document provides an overview of the history and origins of golf, including key terminology. It discusses how golf likely originated from early Dutch and Scottish games played with clubs. The earliest known reference to golf dates back to 1457 in Scotland. By the 16th century, golf was being played at St. Andrews, which became known as the "metropolis of golfing". The document also examines the origins and meanings of common golf terms like bogey, par, birdie, eagle, albatross, fore, caddie, handicap and more. It traces how standards like 18 holes per course became standardized over time.

1. The Game of Golf

2. GOLF – THE GAME, HISTORY, ORIGINS AND TERMINOLOGY:
GOLF INTRODUCTION: THE GAME:
A game in which a player using special clubs attempts to sink a small ball with as few strokes as possible
into each of the 9 or 18 successive holes on an outdoor course. A hole includes (1) a teeing area, a clearing
from which the ball is initially driven toward the actual hole, or cup; (2) a fairway, a long, closely mowed,
and often angled lane; (3) a putting green, a smooth grassy area containing the hole; and (4) often one or
more natural or artificial hazards (such as bunkers). Each hole has associated with it a par, or score
standard, usually from par 3 to par 5. The origins of the game are difficult to ascertain, although evidence
now suggests that early forms of golf were played in the Netherlands first and then in Scotland. Golf
developed in Scotland — the courses were originally fields of grass that sheep had clipped short in their
characteristic grazing style. Golf balls were originally made of wood; wood was replaced in the 17th
century by boiled feathers stuffed in a leather cover, in the 19th century by gutta-percha, and in the 20th
century by hard rubber. Clubs, limited in number to 14, are known by the traditional names of "irons"
(primarily for mid-range to short shots) and "woods" (primarily for longer shots); today irons are more
likely made of stainless steel, and the heads of woods are usually made of metal such as steel or titanium.
Why is it called GOLF? THE HISTORY AND ORIGINS:
As far as we know, there is no definite answer as to why the game of golf is so called. The term seems to
have originated from the old Scots words golve, gowl or gouf and is possibly borrowed from medieval
Dutch (colf being club and “spel metten colven” being game (played) with club - this was a Dutch game
resembling golf). As time has passed, the name has remained and been refined to golf, as we know it
today.
When did golf begin?
The earliest known reference to golf dates to 1457, when King James II of Scotland banned golf and
football on the grounds that they where keeping his subjects from their archery practice. The ban was
repeated in 1471 by James III and in 1491 by James IV for the same reason.
When did golf in St. Andrews begin?
The first surviving written reference to golf in St. Andrews is contained in Archbishop Hamilton’s Charter
of 1552. This reserves the right of the people of St. Andrews to use the linksland “for golff, futball,
schuteing and all gamis”. As early as 1691, the town had become known as the “metropolis of golfing”.

3. What is the Royal & Ancient Golf Club?
The Royal & Ancient Golf Club is located in St. Andrews, Scotland and holds a unique position in golf;
established in 1754 and commonly referred to as “THE HOME OF GOLF”; the club evolved through two
and a half centuries as the leading authority in the world game.
As a separate entity the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews remains as a private golf club with a
world-wide membership of 2,400.
What is The R & A?
The R & A is golf’s governing body and responsible for administering the rules of golf and the organization
and administration of The Open Championship. The R & A takes its name from the Royal and Ancient Golf
Club of St. Andrews and focuses on the governance of the game; authority for administration of the Rules
was accepted by The R & A in 1897 and since 1952 it has jointly issued the rules with the United States
Golf Association.
What are the Rules of Golf?
The Rules of Golf are standardized procedures according to which the game of golf should be played; the
Rules of Golf are published every two years by the governing bodies of the game (R&A / USGA) to define
how the game is to be played. The Rules have been published jointly in this manner since 1952; The Rules
Committee of The R&A, which was spun off from The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews in 2004,
has responsibility for upkeep and application of the rules worldwide except in the United States and
Mexico, which are the responsibility of the United States Golf Association (USGA).
What is The Open Championship?
The Open Championship or simply The Open (often referred to as the British Open outside the UK), is the
oldest of the four major championships in professional golf. It is the only major held outside the USA.
The event takes place every year on one of nine historic links courses in Scotland or England (the event
has been held once in Northern Ireland but Royal Portrush is no longer on the Open rota). Uniquely
among the four Major championships, the Open features a four hole playoff for all golfers tied at the end

4. of regulation play, with the playoff continuing into sudden death holes if players remain tied after four
holes.
What are the MAJORS?
The Major Golf Championships are the four most prestigious tournaments of the year; in chronological
order they are: - The Masters; The United States Open (US Open); The Open Championship; and The PGA
Championship (Professional Golfers Association).
What is Golf Etiquette?
The game of golf is no ordinary game; all sports have rules and these rules are necessary, but not all
games have etiquettes; golf does. Golf etiquettes are not rules, they are mere manners or certain types of
behavior golfers should observe when playing the game; practices designed to make the game safer and
more enjoyable!
What does LINKS mean?
A golf links is a stretch of land near the coast characterised by undulating terrain, often associated with
dunes, infertile sandy soil and indigenous grasses such as marram, sea lyme and the fescues and bents
which, when properly managed, produce the fine textured, tight turf for which links are famed.
The course rota used for The Open Championship is made up of Links golf courses; Turnberry being one
such course and venue of The Open Championship on several occasions; 1977, 1986, 1994 and 2009.

5. Why are there 18 holes on a golf course?
Initially, there was no standard number of holes on a golf course; St Andrews for example had 22 holes
until about 1764 when 4 were merged to make an 18 hole course. As far as we can establish, there is no
specific date for when 18 holes became the standard number of holes on a course. In 1858, The R&A
(Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews) issued new rules for its members; Rule 1 stated:
“One round of the Links or 18 holes is reckoned a match unless otherwise stipulated”.
We can only presume that, as many clubs looked to The R&A for advice, this was slowly adopted
throughout Britain. By the 1870s, therefore, more courses had 18 holes and a round of golf was being
accepted as consisting of 18 holes.
Why is BOGEY so called?
The meaning of the term has changed over the years; it is now most commonly used to denote a score of
one stroke over par, but was originally the target score that a good amateur should achieve on a given
course; in the same way par became associated with the target score for professionals; for a while the
two terms were interchangeable until par became the standard term.
What does PAR mean?
The dictionary definition of the word par is usual or average; it is therefore clear why it was adopted by
golfers to mean the standard score in strokes for each hole of a given course achieved by an accomplished
player.
And BIRDIE, EAGLE and ALBATROSS!
As with many terms used in golf, the exact origins are not known; the term birdie seems to have been
accepted into common usage over a period of time. The term appears to have originated from the phrase
"a bird of a shot." In US slang a bird was used to exclaim that something was wonderful or excellent.
When used by golfers it may have implied that the ball "flew like a bird." The term seems to have been in
use by the 1910s.
The terms eagle and albatross where coined as an analogy with birdie; as the score under par increases so
does the size and rarity of the bird; eagle is two under par and an albatross refers to 3 stokes under par.
Why do golfers shout FORE!
As is often the situation with questions about the origins of golfing terms, there really isn't a definite
answer. It seems that the term “fore” has some relation to the forecaddie. The forecaddie was a person
employed to go ahead of players to mark the lie of balls in play. It may be that over time, the word
forecaddie was shortened when yelled as a warning to this person and the word has remained in use
since. In 1881, Robert Forgan in his book, The Golfer's Handbook, makes the following reference "...shouts
"Fore!" to give the alarm to anyone in his way." indicating that the term has been used for a long time.

6. Why are CADDIES so called?
This word has a number of possible origins. It may have derived from the French word cadet which means
youngest. Traditionally the youngest son of the family would join the army, and the word became
associated with army cadets. The word was borrowed into most European languages. In 18th century
Scotland, particularity Edinburgh, there were men who hired themselves out as odd-job men and
messengers. As many of them had previously been in the army they became known as caddies meaning
“gentlemen freelancers or non-commissioned officers” in distinction from a regularly employed private
servant.
What is a HANDICAP?
A handicap is a numerical measure of an amateur golfer's playing ability. It is used to calculate a net score
from the number of strokes actually played, thus allowing players of different proficiency to play against
each other on somewhat equal terms without the better players dominating the game. The higher the
handicap of a player, the poorer the player is relative to those with lower handicaps.

7. GOLF TERMINOLOGY A -- Z
Term Definition
Address The act of setting the body and club up to the ball when preparing to hit a shot.
Aiming The act of aligning the clubface to the target.
Alignment The position of the body in relation to the initial target.
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.
Baseball Grip A grip in which all ten fingers are placed on the grip of the club.
Birdie A score of one-under par on a hole.
Bogey A score of one-over par on a hole.
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.
Bunker A hollow comprised of sand or grass or both that exists as an obstacle and, in some
cases, a hazard.
Caddie A person hired to carry clubs and provide other assistance.
Carry The distance a ball will fly in the air, usually to carry a hazard or safely reach a target.
Cart Path Usually a black top, concrete or dirt path that connects the tee box to the green.
Chip A chip is a very short shot used when the ball is close to the green but not on the green.
The intention of the chip is to make the ball roll low to the ground and go in or near the
hole.
Chip and Run A low-running shot played around the greens where the ball spends more time on the
ground than in the air.
Club Face The actual part of the club you want to hit the ball on. This is the flat part of the club
head (which may be at an angle).
Club Head The part of the club you hit the ball with.
Divot The turf displaced from the ground when the club strikes the ball on a descending path.
Double Bogey A score of two-over-par on a hole.
Double Eagle A score of three-under-par on a hole.
Downswing The swing forward from the top of the backswing.
Draw A shot that flies slightly from right to left for right-handed players.
Driver A "driver" is typically the longest club in the bag. It is intended to advance the ball as far
as possible.
Driving Range Another term for a practice area. Also known as a golf range, practice range or learning
centre.

8. Eagle A score of two-under-par on a hole.
Explosion A shot played from a sand bunker, usually when the ball has buried or settled down
into the sand.
Fade A shot that flies slightly from left to right.
Fairway Wood Sometimes now called a fairway metal since the club heads are now made from metal.
The fairway wood is typically a rounded club and looks a bit like a smaller version of a
driver. They often come numbered 3, 5, 7 and 9.
Fat Shot A description of a shot when the club head strikes the turf behind the ball, resulting in
poor contact and a shot that comes up well short of the target.
First Swing The “First Swing” program is a “Program in a Box” lesson program specifically designed
to introduce the non-golfer to the game of golf in a non-threatening, non-intimidating
way.
Flop Shot A shot played with a very high trajectory from near to the green with the ball landing
softly.
Fluffy Lie A lie in which the ball rests atop the longish grass. This can be a tricky lie because the
tendency is to swing the club head under the ball, reducing the distance it carries.
Follow-through That part of the swing that occurs after the ball has been struck.
Fried Egg The slang term for a buried lie in the sand.
Golf Range A facility where people can practice their full swings and, in some cases, their short
games.
Grain The direction which the blades of grass grow, which is of primary importance on the
greens (particularly Bermuda grass greens) as this can effect how much and in which
direction a putt breaks.
Green The green is a large closely mown area where the flag and hole are located.
Green keeper An older, outdated term for the course superintendent.
Grip The placing and positioning of the hands on the club. The various types include the
Vardon or overlapping, the interlocking and the 10-finger or baseball grip. (The Vardon
grip is the most popular grip today.)
Grip
(Equipment)
That part of the golf club where the hands are placed.
Group Lesson A teaching session in which several pupils work with one or more PGA Professionals.
This type of lesson is particularly effective for beginners, especially juniors.
Heel The part of the club head nearest the hosel. A shot hit off the heel is said to be
“heeled.”
Hook A shot that curves sharply from right to left for right-handed players.
Hosel The part of the club connecting the shaft to the club head.
Hybrid Club This type of club is new in the last few years and is a cross between an iron and a
fairway wood. Hybrids usually replace longer irons (3, 4, irons) or fairway woods.
Impact The moment in the swing when the club strikes the ball.

9. Iron Irons are typically the thinnest club heads in your bag. A typical player's bag may have
numerous irons numbered 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and/or P. Clubs with smaller numbers
have less loft (point more horizontal, less "up in the air") and are longer.
Lag A shot (usually a pitch, chip or putt) designed to finish short of the target.
Learning
Center
A complete practice and instruction facility, which may or may not be on the site of a
golf course.
Lie As it relates to the ball, the position of the ball when it has come to rest. As it relates to
the club, it is the angle of the sole of the club relative to the shaft.
Line The intended path of the ball usually referred to in the context of putting.
Line of Flight The actual path of the ball.
Link Up 2 Golf Link Up 2 Golf is a group lesson program covering all you need to know to start playing
the game. The program includes eight hours of on-course group instruction over a 4- to
5-week period on etiquette, speed of play and proper behavior.
Links The term for a course built on linksland, which is land reclaimed from the ocean. It is
not just another term for a golf course.
Lob Shot A short, high shot, usually played with a wedge, designed to land softly.
Loft The degree of angle on the clubface, with the least loft on a putter and the most on a
sand wedge.
Looking Up The act of prematurely lifting your head to follow the flight of the ball, which also raises
the swing center and can result in erratic ball striking.
Mulligan The custom of hitting a second ball—without penalty—on a hole, usually the first tee.
Off-Green
Putting
When a player elects to putt from off the green rather than chip.
Over club To pick the wrong club, usually for an approach shot, causing the ball to go over the
green.
Pace The speed of the golf swing or the speed of the greens
Par The score an accomplished player is expected to make on a hole, a three, four or five.
Pinch Shot A shot played around the green in which a player strikes the ball with a crisp, clean
descending blow.
Pitch-and-Run A shot from around the green, usually with a middle or short iron, where the ball
carries in the air for a short distance before running towards the hole.
Plugged Lie The condition when the ball comes to rest in its own pitch mark, usually in a bunker or
soft turf.
Plumb-bob A method many players use to help them determine the amount a putt will break.
When you position yourself behind the ball and hold the putter vertically so it covers
the ball, the shaft of the putter indicates how much the ball will break.
Practice Green Area maintained like an actual 'green', but is not part of the golf course. Golfers use the
practice green to warm up before playing.
Pre-Shot The actions a player takes from the time he selects a club until he begins the swing.

10. Routine
Private Lesson Generally speaking, when a PGA Professional gives a lesson to a single pupil.
Punch Shot A low-flying shot played with an abbreviated backswing and finish. The key to the shot
is having the hands slightly ahead of the club head at impact, which reduces the
effective loft of the club.
Putt A putt is a very short swing taken with the putter that is intended to move a ball that is
on or near the green into the hole.
Putter The putter is the club in your bag that has a completely flat side and a flat base. Putters
come in all shapes and sizes. Putters are intended to roll the ball along the ground and
are typically used when on or near the green.
Reading the
Green (or Putt)
The entire process involved in judging the break and path of a putt.
Release The act of freely returning the club head squarely to the ball at impact, producing a
powerful shot.
Rhythm The coordination of movement during the golf swing or putting stroke.
Scorecard The scorecard tells you the length of each hole from each tee box as well as the "par"
rating for the hole. Golfers keep track of their score on these cards.
Scramble To recover from trouble or a popular form of team play in which the team members
pick the ball in the best position and everyone plays from that spot.
Setup The process of addressing the ball, so that the club and body are properly aimed and
aligned.
Shaft The thing that connects the grip and the club head. Typically made of metal or graphite.
Shank When the ball is struck on the hosel of the club, usually sending it shooting off to the
right.
Shape To curve a shot to fit the situation. The word is also used to describe the flight of the
ball. (The usual shape of his shots was a fade.)
Short Game Those shots played on and around the green, including putting, chipping and pitching,
and bunker shots.
Sky A high, short shot caused by the club head striking the underside of the ball. Also
known as a "pop-up."
Slice A ball that curves from left to right to a greater degree than a fade.
Sole When referring to equipment, it is the bottom of a club. When referring to the swing, it
is the point when the sole of the club touches the ground at address.
Square A term frequently used in golf. It can be used to describe a stance or to describe
contact with the ball. It can also refer to the status of a match (they were all-square
(tied) at the turn.)
Stance The position of the feet at address.
Stroke Play Also known as medal play, it is a form of competition based on the cumulative number
of strokes taken, either over one round or several.

11. Swaying An exaggerated lateral movement of the body on either the backswing, forward swing,
or both, which results in inconsistent shot making.
Sweet Spot The point on the clubface where, if it is struck with an object, the clubface will not
torque or twist to either side.
Swing Plane An imaginary surface that describes the path and angle of the club during the swing.
Takeaway The movement of the club at the start of the backswing.
Target Line An imaginary (often visualized) line drawn behind and through the ball to the point a
player is aiming. If the player is planning to curve the ball, this point is the initial – not
the ultimate – target.
Tee Box The area where players tee off to start a hole.
Tee Time A "tee time" is the time your group is assigned to begin play. This is the time the group
should be on the tee ready to play rather than the time you should arrive at the golf
course.
Tempo The speed of the swing (not necessarily the club head speed.)
Texas Wedge A term describing a shot played with a putter from well off the green. It is a good shot
for players who lack confidence in their chipping and pitching, or in extremely windy
conditions.
Three-Quarter
Shot
A shot played with a shortened backswing and lessened arm speed.
Timing The sequence of motions within the golf swing.
Toed Shot Any shot hit off the toe of the club.
Topped Shot A low, bouncing shot caused by the bottom of the club striking the top half of the ball.
Touch A player’s sense of feel, generally around the greens.
Visualization A mental image of a swing or shot or even an entire round.
Wedge A "wedge" is a special type of iron used for hitting the shortest shots in golf. This club
usually has an "S", "W", "L", or a number such as 55, 56, or 60 on it.
Whiff A complete miss. Also known as an "air ball."
Yips A condition, generally believed to be psychological, which causes a player to lose
control of his hands and club. In Great Britain, the condition is referred to as the
"Twitches."

12. On-course terminology and definitions!
• Bunker: A bunker is a hazard area which is filled with sand in his usually sited near the green or
on the fairway.
• Fairway: The fairway is the entire in-bounds distance which runs from the tee to the green and
which is kept neatly trimmed.
• Green: The green area is a closely mowed area on which the hole is situated. It is also referred to
as the putting surface.
• Flagstick: The flagstick is the flagged pole that rests inside the cup to mark the position of the
hole on each green.
• Fringe: The fringe is a collar of grass which surrounds the green in which the length of this grass
is typically shorter than that of the fairway but longer than the green itself.
• Teeing Box: The teeing box is the starting point for each hole. It is a rectangular area of ground
two club lengths in depth the front and sides of which are defined by two tee-markers.
• Putting Green: The putting green is all of the ground surrounding the hole being played which is
specially prepared for putting or otherwise defined as such by the Committee. A ball is said to be
on the putting green when any part of the ball touches the putting green.
• Front Nine: The first half, or first 9 nines holes, of an 18-hole course
• Back Nine: The second half, or last 9 nines holes, of an 18-hole course.
• Driving Range: A driving range is an off-course facility which is designed to allow golfers to
practice their swing. Driving ranges has individual 'booth-like' areas from which you can practice
hitting balls as long and as far as you want. In some cases driving ranges also have areas for you
to practice your short game.
• Dogleg: A 'dogleg' refers to the curved pathway (right or left) from the tee to the cup.
• Collar: The collar, which is similar to a fringe, is the strip of grass which runs around the green
and which is usually longer in length than the grass on the putting surface.
• Grain: The grain refers to the direction in which the grass on the green is growing.
• Hazard: Hazards are area of the golf course (typically sand and water) which are designed to
make life difficult for players.
• Hole: The hole (or cup) is the ultimate target for the golf ball on each hole.
• Divot: A divot is a small piece of turf which is removed by your golf club when you hit a ball.
Divots should be repaired (replaced) as a matter of basic golf course etiquette.
• Water Hazard: A water hazard is any sea, lake, pond, river, ditch, surface drainage ditch or other
open water course (whether or not it contains water) and anything of a similar nature on the
course.
• Out-of-Bounds: This is the area which is outside of the course and which is often marked with
white stakes.
• Ground under Repair: Ground under repair refers to any part of the course marked as such by
order of the Committee. All of the ground (and any tree, bush, grass or other growing thing)
within the ground under repair are deemed to be part of the ground under repair. Ground under
repair includes such things as material piled for removal or a hole made by a green keeper. Grass
cuttings and other similar material left on the course which has been abandoned and which it is
not intended to remove are not considered to be ground under repair unless so marked.
• Cup: The cup is simply another word the hole in the green which is the ultimate target for the
golf ball.

13. Forward Tee Cart Path
Signature/Member Tee
Tournament Tee Water Hazard Fairway Bunker Green
Championship Tee Rough
Equipment Terminology!
• Ball Mark Repair Tool: A fork-shaped tool which is used to fix marks made when your ball lands
on the green.
• Ball Marker: Any small flat object which is used to mark the position of your ball when it is on the
green.
• Iron: An iron is a club which uses a metallic blade for the club head. Most golfers carry in the
region of 8-10 irons which range from a number 2 iron to a sand wedge. Each club is designed to
provide a different degree of loft on the ball. These clubs are normally used on the fairway, rough
or bunker.
• Driver: The driver is the longest club in your golf bag and is the club which gives you greater
distance than any other golf club. It used normally in the Tee Box
• Putter: A putter is a short-shafted club with a straight face for putting. Putters are used on the
green and sometimes used on the fringe as well.
• Ball: Golf balls are made of solid compressed synthetic rubber with hundreds of surface
indentations which aid in the flight of the ball. Balls are mainly white in colour and 42.67mm in
diameter.
• Glove: A glove is generally worn by a right-handed golfer on the left hand, and by a left-handed
golfer on the right hand, to improve the grip. Gloves can be made from synthetic or leather.
• Tee: A tee is simply a device which is designed to raise the ball off the ground. Tees are only
used in the tee box area. Tees are normally 50mm to 70mm long and made from wood of plastic.
Equipment: Golf clubs and when each is used!
• Putter: used on the green
• Lob Wedges: used around approach and fringe of green. Lob wedges provide the most loft on a
shot.
• Sand Wedges: used to hit a shot with higher and shorter trajectory than a pitching wedge and
lower and longer trajectory than a lob wedge. Sand wedges are used mainly when hitting a shot
out of the sand.
• Pitching Wedge: used to hit a shot with higher and shorter trajectory than a 9-iron and a lower
and longer trajectory than a sand wedge. Shots normally carry 80 – 130yards

14. • Irons 9 to 1: Irons are golf clubs with a flat angled face and a shorter shaft than a wood, designed
for shots approaching the green or from more difficult lies such as the rough, through or over
trees, irons hit the ball on varying trajectories and different distances from one iron to the other.
• Woods: Woods are long-distance clubs, meant to drive the ball a great distance down the
fairway towards the hole. They generally have a large head and a long shaft for maximum club
speed. Woods are distinguished between ‘Drivers’ and ‘Fairway Woods’
• Drivers: are the longest, lowest-lofted woods and have the longest range of any club in a golfer's
bag. It is designed to be hit off a tee for the first shot of long-yardage holes.
• Fairway Woods: are higher-number woods and designed for shots played from off the turf of the
fairway that still require long distance, such as the second shot of a par-5 or a long par-4 hole.
They have two important features: a high loft and a shallow face height which allows a player to
hit a ball from the ground, providing greater distance for such shots
• Hybrid: a hybrid is a mixture between a wood and an iron club. A hybrid is usually used for long
shots out of the rough.
Golf equipment brands:
The major golf club equipment manufacturers include the following: -
• Taylor Made
• Titleist
• Nike
• Ping
• Callaway
• Mizuno
• Macgregor
• Wilson
• Cobra