Glossary of terms - part 2. For recreational golfers

The purpose of last weeks article was to bring

to your attention how important it is to know

and understand the Glossary of Terms for the

game of golf in order to both enjoy and play

the game with more confidence. As you will

recall, last week we only had space for; “Terms

for the Golf Course” and “Terms for the Golf

Swing”. I also informed you that I would not

be be surprised if only 40-50% of beginners

and recreational golfers would be able to pass

a test about a basic Glossary of Terms for

golf. Understanding the Terms for Golf will

absolutely be a benefit to you, not only at the

golf course but at home, the office, parties, etc.

because of the favorable impression you will

make with your family, friends, associates

and yes...even with strangers. Last week I

challenged all amateur and elite golfers to send

my last two articles to at least “3” golfers they

know to help them gain more knowledge and

have more fun playing.

Continued from last week...

Terms For Scoring

* Albatross - A score that is “3” strokes under par

for a hole.

Example: When playing a Par 5...the 2nd shot goes

in the hole...the score is “2”...”3” strokes under par

* Eagle - A score that is “2” strokes under par for

the hole.

Example: When playing a Par 4...the 2nd shot goes

in the hole...the score is “2”...”2” strokes under par

* Birdie - A score that is “1” stroke under par for the

hole.

Example: When playing a Par 3...the 2nd shot goes

in the hole...the score is “2”...”1” stroke under par

* Par - A score that is “equal” to par for the hole.

Example: When playing a Par 4...the 4th shot goes

in the hole...the score is “4”...”par” for the hole

* Bogey - A score that is “1” stroke over par for the

hole.

Example: When playing a Par 5...the “6” shot goes

in the hole...the score is “6”...”1” stroke over par

* Double Bogey - A score that is “2” strokes over par

for the hole.

Example: When playing a Par 3...the “5” shot goes

in the hole...the score is “5”...”2” strokes over par

* Triple Bogey - A score that is “3” strokes over par

for the hole.

Example: When playing a Par 4...the 7th shot goes

in the hole...the score is “7”...”3” strokes over par

* Hole-In-One (Ace) (rare) - When playing a Par 3 or

4...the 1st shot goes in the hole...the score is “1”...

Hole-in-One

The odds of an average golfer making a

Hole-in-One are 12,500 to 1..A Tour player -

3,000 to 1...A low handicapper - 5,000 to 1...

Two players from the same foursome making

an ace are 17 million to 1...A player making two

Holes-in-One in a round is - 67 million to 1.

* Condor (very rare) - Hitting a tee shot in

the hole on a Par 5...the score is “1”...Condor

There have been “5” recorded Condors in

history...467yds...480yds...496yds...517yds...

and 667yds on a Par 6 (only one for a Par 6).

Terms For Beginners

* Gimme Putt - When the ball on the green

is so close to the hole, your playing partners

say, “that’s good” and don’t require you to finish

putting the ball into the hole.

* Shank - When any badly struck golf shot

hits the “hosel” (the spot where the head of

the club and the shaft meet) and the ball goes

almost 90 degrees to the right of where a righted

golfer is aiming. Any other golf shot that does

not hit the hosel...”is not a shank”.

* Yips - The yips are involuntary wrist spasms

that occur most commonly when golfers are

trying to putt. It was once thought that the

yips were always associated with performance

anxiety. It now appears that some golfers

have the yips due to a neurological condition

affecting muscles, known as focal dystonia.

Finally...I now know it’s not my fault.

* Snowman - The term is used to refer to a

score of “8” on a golf hole. Why “Snowman”?

Doesn’t the numeral “8” look like three balls of

snow piled on top of each other that look like a

“Snowman”? I rest my case.

* Worm Burner - When you strike a golf ball

that barely gets off the ground and just rolls

out.

When you become familiar with “all” of golf ’s

terms, you will receive a Bachelor of Science in

Golf from the Pronoun...”Virtually”.

Perry Noun is the former executive director of the Northeastern NY PGA as well as a competitive amateur golfer and winner of the New York State Super Senior Amateur Championship. Perry Noun can be heard on “Tee Time With The Pro-noun” on... News Radio 570 WSYR and 106.9FM.