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    Glossary of golf terms

    Our golf dictionary covers the main terms used in golf. The first step in demystifying the game is to understand the language and terminology that golfers commonly use.

    Term

    Definition

    Accumulator
    In this team competition format, play is generally in 3 or 4 person teams. Assuming three-person teams: for the first six holes the best score of the three counts towards the team total (each player must contribute at least one score). For the second six holes, the best two scores count. For the last six holes all three scores must be taken. The team with the best points tally or lowest number of strokes wins.
    ace
    A hole-in-one.
    action
    Backspin on the ball, also referred to as "bite" or "zip".
    addressing the ball
    A player is said to have addressed the ball when the he/she has taken his/her stance and adopted the position from which the backswing is started.
    advice
    The provision of instructions or help on how to play a shot. In competition only a player's partner or caddy can give advice without penalty.
    aeration
    [See Hollow tining].
    air shot
    Occurs when a player intends to hit the ball but misses it completely.
    albatross
    British term for a score of three under the par for a hole, e.g. a two scored on a par-5 hole. In the US it is known as a double eagle.
    Alfred S. Bourne Trophy
    Presented annually to the winner of the US Senior PGA Championship.
    ALPG Tour

    See: WPGA Tour Aus

    alternate shot
    See "foursome".
    amateur
    A golfer who does not receive money for playing the game, i.e. this applies to the vast majority of people who play the game.
    anti-shank
    Golf club design that attempts to eliminate the possibility of striking the ball with the hosel of the club.
    approach
    Shot played to the green from the fairway or rough
    apron
    The short grass surrounding the green, which separates it from the fairway.
    Arnies
    A type of side bet in golf, which provides a pre-determined reward to any player who makes a par without having their ball on the fairway during the playing of a hole.
    Arnold Palmer Award
    Presented each year to the leading money-winner on the US PGA Champions Tour.
    Arnold Palmer Cup

    This annual competition is played between college/university golfers representing the USA and an International team representing the rest of the world. From its establishment in 1997 as the Palmer Cup, until 2002 it was contested between teams representing the USA and GB&I. From 2003 until 2017, a European team competed against the USA; from 2018 onward an International (RoW) team replaced the European team. Originally played between two eight-man teams, it is now an event played between 12 men and 12 women per team.

    Arnold Palmer (drink)

    An "Arnold Palmer" is a popular non-alcoholic drink in the United States, which combines iced tea with non-fizzy lemonade. An alcoholic version of the drink, in which vodka is added, is commonly referred to as a "John Daly".

    ASGCA
    American Society of Golf Course Architects
    Asian Tour
    In January 2004 the tournament playing professionals of Asia formed a new player representative body named the Asian Tour to ensure control over the development of professional tournament golf in Asia. The Asian Tour's principal role is the sanctioning, management, marketing, technical administration, development and promotion of professional golf tournaments in the region. [Website: asiantour.com].
    attend the flag
    To hold the flagstick while another player makes a putt towards the hole.
    Australasian Tour

    See PGA Tour of Australasia.

    away
    The away ball is that which lies furthest from the hole when more than one golfer is playing; it is usually played first

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      Tournaments

      Chevron Championship: Carlton Woods near Houston in Texas provides the stage for the first women’s major championship of 2025, where Nelly Korda defends her title. (April 24-27).

      Soudal Open: successor to the Belgian Open, the Soudal Open takes place on the quiet, wooded North course of Rinkven Golfclub. Belgian stars Thomas Pieters and Nicolas Colsaerts will be vying for top honours. (May 22-25).

      Who's Who

      Rory McIlroy: with his 2025 win in The Masters, Rory joined the pantheon of golfing greats who have achieved a career Grand Slam of men’s majors ... Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods are the only others in this select band.

      Bernhard Langer: he may have played in his last Masters Tournament, but the 67-year-old German will be trying to extend his own record, and win a 13th senior major title at the 36th Regions Tradition. (May 15-18).

      Marco Simone Golf & Country Club

      Marco Simone Golf & Country Club: With a clubhouse that might befit a Roman Emperor, and a golf course to match, you can be sure of a memorable outing at Rome's most talked about golf facility.

      Jim Fazio's original layout was much changed to create a modern Ryder Cup course ... now one of the Eternal City's (and Italy's) most revered.

      Prince's Golf Club, Kent (UK)

      Here at Prince’s Golf Club you'll find 27 excellent holes of links golf. Just over the fence and sharing similar terrain is Royal St George’s; but Prince’s is far from overshadowed by its venerable neighbour. The three nine-hole loops at Prince's, laid out over gently undulating terrain, are sure to bring a smile of satisfaction to all lovers of links golf.

      Stay&Play at Prince's: excellent onsite Lodge accommodation available

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      Bethpage State Park (New York) host of the Ryder Cup 2025

      Whistling Straits (Wisconsin, US)

      TPC Louisiana host of the Zurich Classic of New Orleans

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