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

Jack Nicklaus Award
Established in 1990, and administered by the PGA TOUR, the Jack Nicklaus award goes to the PGA Tour Player of the Year, the result of a ballot among the tour players.
Japan Golf Tour
Established in 1973, the Japan Golf Tour is one of the four richest and most prominent mens' tours for professional golfers. It comprises mainly Japanese players, but also attracts several non-Japanese golfers, especially for some of its bigger tournaments. Events on the Japan Golf Tour count for World Golf Ranking points. [Website : www.jgto.org].
JGTO
Established in 1999, JGTO (Japan Golf Tour Organisation) is the coordinating and governing body for the Japan Golf Tour. It also runs a developmental tour for aspiring players, called the Japan Challenge Tour. [Website : www.jgto.org].
jigger (club)
A moderately lofted, shallow-faced, short-shafted iron club that is generally no longer in use. It was used mainly for short approach play to the green and low-running chip shots. With its shallow loft it is sometimes compared to a modern 4-iron, but the jigger was not a club intended for long shots. Also called a "pitching niblick."
Joe Kirkwood Cup
Awarded annually to the winner of the Australian PGA Championship.
John Jacobs Trophy
Awarded annually to the winner of the European Seniors Order of Merit.

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Tournaments

124th US Open: the No.2 Course at Pinehurst once again plays host to this most illustrious championship (June 13-16). Wyndham Clark defends his title, having won at Los Angeles CC in 2023.

79th Women’s US Open: the second women’s major championship of the season gets underway at Lancaster CC in Pennsylvania. It’s the second time the championship has been held here.
(May 30-June 2).

Who's Who

Nelly Korda: won the Mizuho Americas Open (May 16-19) at Liberty National GC, continuing her extraordinary form in LPGA events. This was her sixth win in seven starts in 2024.

Xander Schauffele: recorded his first major championship win, and second record-equalling low score of 62 in a major. Only he, Branden Grace, Rickie Fowler and Shane Lowry have achieved this feat in a men’s major championship.

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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Whistling Straits (Wisconsin, US)

Hamburger GC - Falkenstein, Germany

Littlestone Golf Club (Kent, UK)