Golf Terminology for Non-Golfers

More than any other season, summertime means golf.  Golfing has turned into a spectator sport for most people.  However, the terminology can be confusing for some people who don’t frequent the golf courses. Knowing some of the most basic terms can make watching the sport more enjoyable.

Starting with “par," every hole has one.  Par is the number of strokes that an experienced golfer should take to get the ball from the tee to the hole to complete play of that hole.  Par is generally a measurement of the distance of the hole from the tee, and most golf courses are made up of par-three, -four, or -five holes.  A “birdie” is one stroke under par and an “eagle” is two strokes under par.  A “double-eagle” (or Albatross) and a “triple-eagle” (or Condor) are three and four strokes under par.  A “bogey” is one stroke over par, and a “double-bogey” and “triple-bogey” are two and three strokes over par.  An “ace” is putting the ball into the hole with one stroke, also called a “hole in one."  

Another term that can be confusing is a golfer’s “handicap."  A handicap is a numerical measure of an amateur golfer’s ability.  Contrary to popular belief, a player’s handicap is not his average score, but a measure of how well the golfer should be able to play.  Handicapping is not used in professional golf.  In the United States, handicaps are calculated using several different variables.  After the games is over, the net score is calculated by subtracting a golfer’s handicap from his gross score.  Understanding the basic terminology of golf makes the sport that much more enjoyable to watch.