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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

    dance floor
    Used by some golfers to describe the putting green. "On the dance floor but a long way from the band!" is sometimes heard for shots that land on the green, but a long way from the pin.
    day ticket
    The charge levied by some golf clubs that allows a player to use their facilities and play their course throughout a whole day.
    Desert Swing
    Three back-to-back golf tournaments that are played in the first two months of the European Tour season. The three events are held in the Middle East, and comprise the Abu Dhabu Golf Championship, Qatar Masters and Dubai Desert Classic.
    Devil Ball
    Also known as Money Ball, Pink Ball, Pink Lady, Yellow Ball and Lone Ranger. There are many variations of this team competition format, played by 3 or 4 person teams. On each hole, one player must play the "devil ball"; his/her score is combined with the one best score from among the other golfers, giving the team score for that hole. The "devil ball" rotates from hole to hole, so that in a four person team each golfer is in the spotlight every fourth hole. (See also "Yellow Ball").
    dimple
    The indentations on the surface of a golf ball that affect the way the ball flies.
    divot
    Piece of turf removed by the club head when a shot is played.
    dogleg
    Hole that changes direction to the left or right, normally in the landing area for the tee shot
    Donald Ross Award (ASGCA)
    The Donald Ross Award is presented annually by the American Society of Golf Course Architects (ASGCA), to an individual who has made significant and lasting contributions to the profession of golf course architecture. First awarded in 1976 to golf architecture pioneer Robert Trent Jones, the honor continues to this day as one of the most prestigious in golf.
    Don A. Rossi Award (GCBAA)

    The Don A. Rossi Award is presented annually by the Golf Course Builders Association of America (GCBAA), in memory of the late Don A. Rossi, former executive director of the National Golf Foundation and executive director of the Golf Course Builders Association of America. The award is given to individuals who have made significant contributions to the game of golf and its growth and who have inspired others by their example.

    dormie
    The situation in a match play when a player is leading by as many holes as are left to play and therefore cannot be beaten, e.g. The player is "two up with two holes to play," or "five up with five to play." Also spelt dormy.
    Dormy House
    Overnight accommodation provided by a golf club that is typically within or adjacent to the main Clubhouse.
    double bogey
    A score of two shots over par for any particular hole.
    double eagle
    U.S. term for a score of three under the par for a hole, e.g. a two scored on a par-5 hole. In Britain and many other countries this score is known as an albatross.
    double green
    A single putting surface that is shared by two holes, usually coming from different directions. They are a relic of the early days of golf when courses where played out and back over the same ground.
    down
    The amount by which a player trails behind his/her opponent in a match play event. If your opponent has won two more holes than you, you will be "two down" in the match at that point.
    downhill lie
    A situation where the ball comes to rest on a slope facing downhill. When you take your stance your front foot will be below the level of your back foot.
    downswing
    The part of the golf swing that involves bringing the clubhead back down from the top of the swing to strike the ball. It is preceded by the backswing, which brings the club from the address position to the top of the swing.
    draw
    Description of the ball's flight path, where it curves gently right-to-left for a right-handed player, or left-to-right for a left-handed player. The opposite of a fade.
    drive
    The first shot that is hit on a golf hole, which is played from the teeing ground.
    driver

    The driver is a standard golf club carried by most golfers and is designed to hit the ball the farthest. It is the club with the largest head, the longest shaft (with the exception of long-handle putters) and the least amount of loft (again, excepting putters). It is alo referred to as the No. 1-wood (or 1-metal), and more colloquially as the big timber, big dog or big stick. The driver is the most commonly used club for tee shots on par-4s and par-5s, where the ball is teed up. Generally only low handicap and professional players have the ability to hit the driver from a fairway.

    driving iron
    A 1 or 2-iron used to give distance from the tee rather than height.
    driving range
    An area close to the golf course that is set aside for practice. Driving ranges can also be purpose built and multi-tiered to allow golfers to practice away from the golf course.
    drop
    A drop is the act of bringing a ball back into play after hitting the last shot out of bounds or into a water hazard (penalty drop) or after taking relief in certain circumstances (a free drop). The ball is dropped from an outstretched arm held at shoulder height.
    duff
    To duff a shot means to hit the ground behind the ball, resulting in a shot that travels much less far than intended. Also known as hitting the ball fat, a chunk or a sclaff.
    Dynasty Cup
    Presented to the winner of the two-yearly match between two teams of mens professionals, one representing Asia, the other Japan. Each team comprises 12 players. (See Tournaments section in Encyclopedia).

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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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