Golf – The Essentials of the Match
History
Although the origins of golf trace back to the 14th century, it was not until 1744 that the Company of Gentlemen
Golfers, located in Scotland, established the first formal golf club and set of rules. In 1893, the Chicago Golf Club
opened as the first 18-hole course in the United States. The Professional Golfers' Association of America (PGA)
was founded in 1909, and professional golf has grown substantially since then.
Object of the Game
Limit the number of swings (“strokes”) per hole needed to hit a ball from the tee into the cup. This strategy
continues throughout 18 holes of play.
The Essentials
Getting Started
A player is usually grouped with 3 other golfers, forming a foursome. A round of golf typically consists of 18 holes
and starts on the Number 1 tee. Players tee-off to start, and with the exception of short Par 3s, each hole begins
with a drive. On the first hole, the players decide the order that they will tee-off. After the first hole, the player
with the lowest score on the previous hole hits first. After every player has hit his first shot on each hole, the
player who is away, or farthest from the hole, hits.
Game Length
The amount of time it takes to complete a standard 18 holes of play — commonly referred to as a “round” varies,
but the clock is not a determining factor. An average round will last about four hours.
Scoring
Standard scoring is calculated by comparing total strokes—attempts to hit the ball—against what is par for the
course. Typically, the par system determines how many strokes it should take an experienced player to reach the
green and then allows two strokes to putt the ball into the hole. Distance and difficulty determine whether the
hole is Par 3, 4, or 5. For instance, when the green is reachable on the first shot, the hole is Par 3. The longest
holes usually 500 yards or more, typically take 3 shots to reach the green and are called Par 5s. Par 4s make up
the majority of the holes and take two shots to reach the green. Scores on each hole are either under par, even
with par, or over par. Four terms typically describe the score on a specific hole: eagle, birdie, par, and bogie. Two
strokes under par is an eagle; the extremely rare feat of three strokes under par is a “double-eagle.” One stroke
under par is called a birdie. Hitting the same number of strokes as par for the course is called even with par.
One stroke over par is called a bogey, two strokes over par is a “double bogey,” three over par is a “triple
bogey,” etc.
Cumulative scores are also calculated in relationship to par (e.g. four over par through the first seven holes).
Competitive golf
Most tournaments or matches adhere to medal play, often called “stroke play,” where the lowest total number of
strokes determines the winner. In high school matches, the top five players from each team compete, and are
seeded by handicap. The top player from one team plays the top player from the other team, the second player
from one team plays the second player from the other team, and so on. In each match, the golfer with the lower
score earns one point for the team. The results of these five head-to-head matches determine the winning
school. College competitions and high school championships are played as tournaments that use the cumulative
team total of the top five players of each team to declare a winner. Individual scores are also tallied to determine
the best players in the tournament. Most professional tournaments use medal play format, and each golfer
represents himself (no teams). Some tournaments use the match play format, in which the total score is not
tracked; instead, the player who wins more individual holes than his opponent wins the match.
Swing
The key to success in golf is mastery of the swing. The world’s best golfers are always adjusting their swing in
order to improve their game. Players concentrate on their alignment, stance, grip, and motion when swinging the
clubs. Once the player has “addressed” the ball (proper alignment, stance, and grip), he starts the swing motion.
The swing motion begins with the backswing, in which the player brings the club backwards, away from the ball.
At the top of the backswing, the player begins the downswing, contacts the ball, and completes the swing with
a follow-thorough.
Types of shots
The typical sequence of shots is drive, fairway shot or pitch, and then putt. Additional types of shots are
required, such as the chip shot or punch, depending on ball location and course conditions. Additionally,
advanced players can control the trajectory of the ball by hitting it with spin. Controlled shots include balls hit
with backspin, slice, fade, hook, or draw.
Referees
Golf is played on the honor system and, except at high levels of play, referees are not used. Instead, golfers are
responsible to keep track of their own scores. Typically, there are several golf course employees who help
manage play, such as the starter, who determines the order and spacing between groups on the first tee, and the
marshal, who keeps order on the course once play has started.
Equipment
The main equipment in golf is the golf ball and golf clubs. On each club, a grip is placed atop a metal or graphite
shaft. The opposite end of the shaft connects to the clubface, which makes contact with the golf ball. The number
on each clubface affects the trajectory and distance of each shot. Low numbers are placed on longer clubs that
have a lower “loft,” or clubface angle that enable greater distance, but less control of the ball. High-numbered
clubs are easier to hit and assist accuracy from short range. Players can carry a “set” of clubs that includes up to
14 clubs that are divided into four categories.
Woods: Used off the tee and for long fairway shots. Once made of wood, but graphite is more common today.
Standard woods include the driver (1 wood), 3 wood, and 5 wood.
Irons: To reach or become closer to the green, a player chooses one of several irons numbered from one to
nine.
Wedges: Allow for the greatest control of the ball for short-range shots onto the green. Common wedges include
the sand wedge and pitching wedge.
Putter: A short-shafted club with a straight face used on the green to putt the ball into the cup.
Other equipment includes a glove to improve grip, tees to elevate the ball on the first shots, ball markers to mark
the spot of the ball on the green, and a bag to hold the clubs. Dress codes are commonplace in golf. Proper attire
consists of a collared shirt, cotton shorts or pants, socks, and golf shoes with soft spikes.
Field of Play
A golf course is a large property divided into 18 holes. The first nine holes are called the “front nine” and the last
nine holes are called the “back nine.” An average 18-hole course measures between 6,000 to 7,000 yards. Each
hole is different on the course, and golf courses vary substantially, but there are some common features of a
course:
Tee box: Area where golfers begin each hole.
Fairway: Shorter, manicured grass with a consistence surface that players attempt to stay on to get a good lie.
Rough: Longer grass off either side of the fairway, where it is difficult to hit the ball.
Out of bounds: The area outside the course where play is prohibited. A player is penalized for hitting the ball
out of bounds; he must replay the shot with a penalty of one stroke. Also called O.B.
Hazards: Bodies of water (such as ponds), bunkers, and other obstacles that players try to avoid. Hazards are
either difficult to play from (bunker) or result in a one-stoke penalty (water hazard).
Green: Manicured area of short grass surrounding the cup where players putt.
Fringe: Slightly longer grass surrounding the green.
Cup: The object of the game is to hit the ball into the cylindrical cup that is inserted into the ground on the
green.
Pin: A stick with a flag attached, which is inserted into a hole to indicate the hole location to the players while
the players are off the green.
Glossary
Approach shot: A shot intended to reach the putting green.
Away: Describes the ball furthest from the hole, which should be played first.
Backswing: Taking the club from the ground to behind the head.
Backspin: Allows an approach shot to stop quickly and possibly roll backward on green.
Birdie: One stroke under par.
Bogey: One stroke over par. Two strokes over par is “double bogey,” etc.
Bunker: Hazards, usually filled with sand, placed around the course to increase the difficulty of a hole. Also
called a sand trap.
Chip shot: Low trajectory shot, usually hit when the ball is just off the green.
Divot: A piece of turf removed by the club when swinging.
Dogleg: A left or right bend in the fairway.
Downswing: Swinging a club from the top of the swing to the point of impact.
Draw: A controlled hook traveling from left to right (right-handed player).
Drive: To hit the ball with maximum force from the tee box.
Drop: To drop the ball on the course to put it back in play after it has been declared unplayable or lost.
Eagle: Two strokes under par.
Fade: The slight turning of the ball from left to right (right-handed player).
Follow-through: The continuation of the swing after the ball has been hit.
Fore: Expression used to warn those in danger of being hit by the ball.
Handicap: Number of strokes a player deducts from his average score to reach par. A 10 handicap shoots 10
over par, on average. Playing with a handicap allows golfers of different abilities to compete on the same level.
Hole-in-one: A hole made with one stroke. Also called an ace.
Hook: A shot that curves strongly from right to left (right-handed player).
Lie: The position in which the ball rests on the ground. The lie can be good or bad in terms of the nature of
ground where is rests, the slope (uphill or downhill lie), and the level of difficulty. An unplayable lie is one in
which the ball is impossible to play, such as in a thicket of trees.
Long game: Shots hit with the woods and low numbered irons. Players who hit the ball far are said to have a
good “long game.”
Par: Number of strokes it should take an experienced golfer to finish a hole. Used as a scoring benchmark.
Penalty stroke: An additional stroke added to a player's score for a rules violation.
Pitch: A short shot, lofting the ball into the air in a high arc and landing with backspin.
Punch: Low, controlled shot, often into the wind.
Putt: A shot made on the putting green. Players try to pick the correct line and speed when putting.
Scratch: The best handicap, called “scratch,” would be for a golfer who typically shoots at or below par.
Short game: The part of the game that is made up of chip shots, pitching, and putting. Players who are good
close to the hole are said to have a good “short game.”
Slice: A shot that curves strongly from left to right (right-handed player).
Stroke: Every swing attempt counts as one stroke to a golfer’s score.
Tap in: A very short putt.
Tee off: Shot on first hole with the ball elevated on a tee.