Golf Course Terms

The following is excerpted from On Course, a dictionary of golf course terms by Forrest Richardson. Click on any letter to access terms beginning with that letter. Contents ©2002 by Forrest Richardson.

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

	A A player The best of players, a near scratch golfer; (A, B, C, and D players constitute a classification system) a’a Lava that is crumbly and easily worked by shaping (Hawaiian) a-huggin’ and a-chalkin’ Performing work with seemingly not much accomplishment; taken form a popular 1950s song in which a fellow had to mark in chalk his progress for being able to hug his girlfriend who was much larger around than he access Ability to a target so a shot can enter and approach with out obstruction ace Holing out in only one stroke on any hole acme A summit or highest point on a course; the highest level of design that can be achieved; as slang: term used to describe a golf course architectural firm that employs severe gimmicks with usually poor results, similar to the products of “ACME Co.” on the “Roadrunner-Coyote” cartoon show acre foot Unit of water volume commonly used for measuring the quantity of water required to cover one acre (43,560 square feet or 4,047 square meters) to a depth of 1 foot (0.30 meter) and equal to 43,560 cubic feet (1,234 cubic meters), or 325,851 gallons act I Slang for front, or “out”, nine holes of a golf course act II Slang for back, or “in” nine holes of a golf ADA compliant Design and construction meeting the guidelines of the Americans with Disabilities Act adjacent fairway A fairway which is immediately next to an area adjacent green A green which is immediately next to another green or area adjacent holes Golf holes next to each other are said to be “adjacent” regardless of what portion of the holes are in proximity adjacent tee A tee which is immediately next to another feature or area aeration Any active or passive process by which intimate contact between air and liquid is assured, generally by spraying liquid in the air, bubbling air through water, or mechanical agitation of the liquid to promote surface absorption of air. aerial Used to describe an aerial photograph, usually taken true to vertical with the ground level aerial golf General style of play on modern golf courses, especially American courses, where golfers tend to approach an intended target with a high lofted shot that lands and sindexs rolling abruptly; promoted by increased artificial irrigation conditions on golf courses aim line The alignment a golfer is expected to aim, or will aim, to hit a shot aiming bunker Sand bunker placed to aid the golfer in aiming aiming flag A flagstick and flag, usually differently colored than those used to mark hole locations on the course, set into the ground to denote a preferred landing or aiming alignment on a par-4 or par-5 hole prior to the green; aiming flags are typical on blind shots or fairways without reference points for aiming aiming post A pole set within fairways as an aid in aiming aiming rock A painted stone or one of naturally contrasting color that is placed along a mound or ridge by a greenkeeper to indicate the preferred alignment for a shot that is blind or semi-blind; the locations of which may change daily depending on pin or tee position of a hole aiming stick See aiming post aiming tree A tree left in place or planted with a primary purpose to aid a golfer in aiming a shot or determining the line to a target air rights A portion of the space required for a golf hole that may, through an agreement for such use, be off the property of the golf course itself; an example of air rights may be an area between a tee and fairway which a shot may be hit over, but not from, such as a natural marsh, preserve area, bay of a lake, etc. aircraft carrier An especially long and flat tee, elevated above the adjacent grades, with one constant and level surface airspace The area between lots on a course through residential development; slang for open space that a golf course provides amidst developed areas airstrip A particularly flat and long area on a hole; slang for a long and flat tee alarming Hole, hazard, feature or or approach that is visually striking in terms of difficulty if not negotiated with care and skill albatross A score of three under par on a single hole; identical to a double eagle alignment The designed line of play from tee center points to a fairway angle points or green center points, and between fairway angle points on par-5 holes; the route of a path, trail or water course Alister Given nickname of Dr. Alexander MacKenzie; for “Alexander” all carry shot A shot expected of a golfer which requires the ball to clear a distance all the way to the target with no room for bouncing or rolling along the ground alpine course Golf course built in mountainous region or terrain, especially one at 6,000 feet above sea level or above Alps Hole Specifically refers to the par-4 17th hole at Prestwick; also generally refers to a hole mimicking the “Alps” hole with an approach shot that must carry a very large mound that blocks the view to the green alternate green The concept of constructing two separate greens to be played at the discretion of the green committee or some times by the golfer alternate hole The concept of constructing two separate holes to be played at the discretion of the green committee or golfer; both are usually of the same par but possess different attributes, challenges or views alternate pin The concept of placing two separate flagsticks on a green to be played at the discretion of the golfer or by means of a set of rules where golfers can handicap themselves by playing to a more difficult or easier pin position alternate route Any pathway to a target among which there are two or more fairly obvious choices alternate tees Multiple tees arranged to be used by golfers as part of a round; some nine hole courses have “multiple tees” so a second round will provide different lengths and angles to each hole alternative course Broad term for any course which is generally shorter and takes less acreage than a regulation-length golf course; examples include: nine-hole courses, Cayman courses, par-3 courses, 3-hole loops, chip and putt courses, etc. Amen Corner Portion of the routing of the back nine at Augusta National consisting of holes 11, 12 and 13 amoeba shaped Refers to a feature that has a blob-like shape or no organized shape at all amphitheater Green set amongst mounds or hillsides so that the finished area mimics an “amphitheater” angle of approach Angle in which an approach shot is supposed to be played to the target for optimum scoring potential angle of hole The angle of a dog-leg hole; the playing strategy of a hole in terms of its requirements, not related to its geometry angle point A point on the design plans for a par-4 golf hole at which a shot played from the tee ideally ends and the second shot to the center of the green begins; on a par-5 hole where the second shot ideally ends and the third shot begins; in the case of straight golf holes the lines connecting angle points with tees, greens or other landing points does not always create an angle yet the term is still used angular Abrupt and contrasting due to non-curved surfaces, especially compared to the surrounds apiki Tricky; a lie that encourages a golfer to hit the ball thin such as from a downhill lie (Hawaiian) approach The fairway and adjacent features immediately fronting a green that are within the path of a golf shot; also the shot made by a golfer to a green from fairways, roughs or hazards approach and putt course Par-3 course that simulates the approach shots to greens of full-length courses by virtue of the lengths of holes and how they are guarded by hazards approach course A type of course made up of par-3’s where there are no formal tees allowing golfers to play shots from positions at their discretion apron Grass that extends from the green outward toward the front, sides or back; usually not cut as low as the green itself; aprons are generally not a consistent width and considerably wider in dimension than fringe or collars(see also “collar, fringe, frog hair”) aquascaping Use of aquatic vegetation in landscaping ponds, shorelines or to create wetland areas aqueduct A pipe, conduit, or channel designed to transport water from a remote source, usually by gravity and supported above low points or other watercourses in a bridge-like manner arboretum Sarcastic term for a course so overgrown with trees or one not adequately cleared of trees such that it may as well be used as an arboretum architectural feature A building, whether habited or abandoned, or any wall, dam, bridge, or other structure on a golf course, which defines a hole or serves as an obstacle to play; common examples include stone cottages, old rock walls, bell towers, pump houses, castle ruins, etc. arcology The methodology invisioned by planner and architect Paolo Soleri that recognizes the necessity of the radical reorganization of the sprawling urban landscape into a dense, integrated, three dimensional city; meets the problems of expanding population, pollution, energy and natural resource depletion, food scarcity and quality of life; a combination of the studies of architecture and ecology; ecological architecture area of impact For a golf hole, the area required to accommodate the hole up to the limits at which other, non-golf uses may be carried out; for a course the same general limits Arizona gorse Mass plantings of feathery cassia (Cassia wislizeni) creating a field of greyish bushes with yellow blossoms mimicking natural gorse of the British Isles (coined by Arthur Jack Snyder) arm A thinnish extension of a bunker, lake or other feature that resembles an “arm”; an inlet of water which is typically long and relatively narrow, much more so than a bay arm-waving Sarcastic description of a golf course architect that relies mostly on site “arm-waiving” in lieu of detailed plans with which to design and guide construction armoring Protective layer consisting of large stones, broken rocks, boulders, or precast blocks placed on a slope to protect against erosion, waves, ice action, and flowing water (see: rip rap) armpit Slang for a scraggly and usually deep bunker arresting hole A hole so compelling that it arrests the golfer’s mind and attention arrival statement Term to describe a tee station and its impact on the golf experience; may also refer to an entry feature of a club or course arroyo Watercourse in an arid region; a gully or channel carved by water (Spanish; see also: barranca, wadi, and wash) artifice Am ingenious and clever device; a artful stratagem that is tricky; “The expanse of grass that extends from the green is an artifice which fools even the best of players.” artificial feature A feature created by construction means artificial hazard Any hazard created by construction means artificial hole A golf hole constructed entirely, or nearly so, by shaping or earthmoving efforts as opposed to being configured into a naturally occurring landscape with minimal or almost no grading effort artificial ridge A pronounced ridge which extends across, or partially across, a green artificial three-shot hole Par-5 hole that would ordinarily be reachable in two shots but because of an obstacle or obstacles forces a player to play to the side or lay-up on one or more shots artificial turf Carpet of turf-looking surface used in place of natural turfgrass as the crow flies Describes the direct path from one point to another with no curvature or detour around an obstacle; “Although the dog-leg hole is 340 yards, as the crow flies it measures just 290 yards from the tee to the green.” ASGCA American Society of Golf Course Architects; established in 1946, the first and most regarded professional organization made up of golf course architects; members, by virtue of their knowledge of the game, training, experience, vision and inherent ability, are able to design and prepare specifications for a course of functional and aesthetic excellence associate golf course architect Title given an assistant or staff member of a golf course architect asymmetrical Design that is without symmetry and therefore more natural looking as a result of its randomness atypical Design which is not typical and therefore more interesting than not avenue Path to a target; slang for the linear heart of a fairway
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	B B player A good golfer, one maintaining a single digit handicap; (A, B, C, and D players constitute a classification system) ba Ball (Scottish) babble The low, murmuring sound made by flowing water through a stream course back holes The last nine holes of an 18-hole course back nine The final nine holes of an 18-hole golf course; derived from the holes position on the “back” of a scorecard (see also “in nine”) back side see “back nine” back swamp Marshy area of a flood plain located away from a river or inlet back tee The tee of a golf hole which is furthest away from the green background The naturally occurring landscape behind a golf hole backsindex A mound, ridge, bunker, depression, slope or other feature which serves to help sindex a golf ball from rolling further; a usually ugly fence or net placed to help prevent errant balls from damaging life or property backwater A small, generally shallow body of water attached to a main channel but with little or no current of its own backwater pool Pool formed due to an obstruction in a stream or channel badlands Land consisting of intricate erosional sculpturing forming extremely interesting land forms baffy Classic golf term referring to a wood club with the loft of a 4-wood bag drop Convenient and designated area where golfers may leave golf bags upon arriving at a course or club; ideal location for thieves interested in golf club acquisitions bag stand Framework of metal, wood or similar rigid material expressly for supporting golf bags in an upright position such as at a bag drop area, practice range, storage area, etc. bail-out area An open area, usually to the side, provided by the design of a golf hole that allows a golfer an alternative to a more aggressive line of play while perhaps sacrificing an opportunity for a lower score (see also lay up area) bajada A long outwash of sediment forming a slope at the base of a mountain range balance General term used to indicate visual aesthetics of an area or landscape; also used to describe series of holes or nines of a course in reference to how they work with one another in terms of challenge, appeal, and being memorable bald mound A rounded mound with grass cut exceptionally tight to the ground ball buster Very long or difficult golf hole ball catcher A trap, grass depression, playable hazard or mound which tends to sindex balls and prevent errant or over-hit shots from continuing; a ball catcher is typically a savior to a golfer and a lie resulting from one not thought of as a bad compared to the alternative beyond and along the direction the ball had been headed ball collector Any depression, including a sand bunker, which is intended and designed with inward slopes for the purpose of collecting balls hit to its general area; usually for the purpose of preventing balls from rolling further off line ball magnet Any hazard or other area other than a tee or green which tends to attract shots hit by golfers ball mark Indentation created on a putting surface from the impact of golf ball ball sindexper See ball catcher ball washer Machine used to clean and scrub golf balls; typical mechanics are a twisting plunger or a rotary crank which subjects the ball to a liquid bath ball-to-target-line The direct line from the position of a player’s ball to the target BANANA Acronym to describe people who believe that others should “Build Absolutely Nothing Anywhere Near Anybody banana Describes the shape of a golf shot with potential liability for others safety, is devoid logical explanation for its existence and may not necessarily conform to the accepted laws of physics bank A slope of rather steep angle which divides an area, terminates to a lake or hazard, or forms the edge of a tee or green bank shot Shot where a steep slope is used to manipulate the direction or speed of the ball barber pole Created term to describe a bold striped pole set within fairways as an aid in aiming barkie The act of completing a hole in par after having the ball strike any part of a tree within the duration of that hole (see also “woodie”; source: Golfeurope Dictionary of Golf Terms) barkin’ and a hoggin’ and a floggin’ Describes the task of pushing dirt and being underway with the shaping process; (coined by Spencer Adams, shaper) barranca A otherwise dry channel, usually steep walled, in which water flows during rainfall runoff; barrancas are usually covered in vegetation which distinguishes them from washes (see also: arroyo, wadi, and wash) barren Area devoid of trees or vegetation other than turf base map A drawing of data file containing base information for the land that a golf course is designed upon; such data usually includes indexo, tree canopies, bodies of water, watercourses, roads, property lines, utilities, etc. base sheet (see base map) baseball glove sand trap A sand trap which resembles a baseball glove; often used to describe bunkers by George C. Thomas which were often characterized by gnarly “fingers” extending from the main body of the bunker bathymetric map A map showing the depth (bottom contours) in bodies of water, including streams, lakes, etc.; in essence, a term to describe a “indexographical” map of underwater surfaces bay In reference to bunkers, an area which extends out from the main mass of a bunker and is defined by capes or areas of turf; an area of a surface, especially water, which extends outward from the main portion of the area to form a smaller area mostly secluded bayou A creek, secondary watercourse, or minor river which is tributary to another river or body of water; term regularly used in the lower Mississippi River basin and in the Gulf-coast region of the U.S. to denote a large stream or creek, or small river, characterized by a slow or imperceptible current through lowlands or swamps; confusing in that it also is used to denote estuarial creeks or inlets on a coast; small bays, open coves, harbors, lagoons, lakes and bays beach Slang for sand trap or bunker beach bunker A large sand bunker with a relatively flat bottom and very slight edges surrounding; can also mean an improved sand hazard combined with the shoreline of a lake or pond (see “shoreline trap”) beached whale Similar to “buried elephant” but slight different shaped; reference to a mound beacon A tree, bunker or other prominent feature used to align a golfer and assist in playing a golf hole bedew To wet with or as if with dew. bee-line Used to refer to the centerline of a golf hole or the direct line of sight between an area of a hole and the target, especially when such an imaginary line is unobstructed and free of obstacles; derogatory term for an unimaginative golf hole, usually straight and with little or no interest such that a golfer is only required to hit toward the target with lack of thought or challenge beginning to sing When shaping effort moves across the threshold of “work” to that of “art” (coined by Arthur Jack Snyder) bell shaped Green with the shape of a bell, being wider at the front and narrowing toward the back bells and whistles Extra things which can be designed and built into a course and that cost more money; items which are not essential ben A mountain (Scottish) bench mark A known geographic point established in the field which defines elevation and coordinates bench terrace Flat area which interrupts a hillside bend Refers to the angle created in a dog-leg hole; any feature with a “bend” bent Used in British Isles to refer to clumps and areas of sea lyme grass growing with or without other varieties of links grasses intermixed berm A small rise in the terrain which is long and narrow; usually man-made but can be naturally occurring bet hole Golf hole specifically built for practice or settling bets, and not for integration to a round of golf, yet typically placed within a routing such as a short par-3 hole following No. 9 and prior to No. 10, or one following No. 18 bi-level A tee or green having two distinct levels Biarritz Hole Name bestowed to an exceedingly penal and long par-3 hole, typically playing over a perilous hazard and seemingly impossible to reach from the tee; the name comes from a hole golf which course architect C.B Macdonald saw at Biarritz, France at the Golf de Biarritz, the first major course built there in 1893 by Willie Dunn. The hole was the No. 3 hole and only lasted for about 3 or 4 years as originally designed because it was regarded by many to be too difficult and perhaps unfair. The hole was called the “Chasm” in reference to play from an 80-foot high cliff over a portion of the Bay of Biscay to a 50-foot cliff beyond. The original length was a fierce 220 yards. The club moved the tee to an easier position and built a hotel on the original cliff. Macdonald remained intrigued by the original hole and finally built a ground level version at Piping Rock’s No. 9. From then on, Macdonald, Seth Raynor and Charles Banks built one such hole on every full course they completed. Each “Biarritz Hole”, as they called them, was between 220 to 245 yards in length and extremely penal. Yale’s No. 9 is a very literal version and plays over water. The great 16th at Cypress Point was perhaps the best “Biarritz” ever routed by Raynor and finally modified by Alister MacKenzie in the eventual design and building big finish Ending hole or holes that are inherently more challenging and dramatic than the balance of the course billabong Australian for a pond or an artificial water hole created for livestock; sometimes a dead-end channel off a more major stream bird bath Small pocket of water that collects on a fairway bird’s-eye-view View of a course from above, not necessarily perpendicular to the ground level birdie Score of one under par on a single hole birdie shot The shot a golfer makes to place the ball into position to potentially score a birdie bite off as much as you can chew Referring to a golf shot where the golfer can aim at incremental angles to a diagonally positioned hazard or feature thus allowing the shot to end up either closer to the target or more distant from it depending on the angle of the shot played bite-off hole A design of a hole, or portion of a hole, allowing a shot to be played which, by changing the angle of flight, will enable the golfer to hit further toward the target and thus reach the target or be closer for the next shot black markers Named for the color often used for tee markers set at the very back of the available teeing ground (possibly derived from the “black diamond” designation at ski resorts indicating the most difficult of ski runs) blah Very uninteresting blin Blind (Scottish) blind A hidden area from which a golfer can see a target, but cannot generally be seen by others blind approach Situation caused by a golfer hitting to an area outside of the planned landing area and therefore limiting visibility to the area of the green blind green A green positioned such that it cannot be seen from areas of approach that are chiefly within the expected areas that golfers are meant to be playing from to approach the green; (note: although a particular green may not be able to be seen from deep in the rough, for example, this does not mean it is a “blind green”; this is simply a “blind approach” caused by the golfer’s mishap) blind shot A condition where a golfer playing a shot from a tee or intended landing area is faced with not being able to see the next intended landing area, be it a fairway landing area or the green itself; a blind shot is typically not a condition where a golfer from a location in the rough or a hazard is faced with the same condition blue markers Named for the color of a majority of tee markers used to designate the back tees or those near to the back of available teeing ground bluff A point accessed on level terrain but significantly above and looking out beyond the point of access bog Wet spongy ground which is poorly drained and accumulated with plant material; common to the periphery of an open body of water bogey Score of one over par on a single hole bogey golfer Male golfer with a handicap index between 17.5 and 22.4 or a female golfer with a handicap index between 21.5 and 26.4 as specified by the USGA bogey rating Evaluation of the difficulty of a particular golf course as it relates to the bogey golfer bold play Play by a golfer that intentionally assumes risk in order to better position for pursuit of the target bomb crater Large circular bunker bonnie A pleasant golf hole to look at (Scottish) bonus hole A hole included in the layout of a course but not counted toward the player’s score boomerang green A green shaped in a wide arc like that of a boomerang; typically with the concave portion facing the line of play and the two “wings” on each side boomerang shape Refers to a feature that has an angled shape resembling that of a boomerang boreal forest forest, usually dominated by conifers, located in northern regions bosque Area of dense trees in a low lying area (Spanish) bottle neck Portion of a hole or fairway which narrows significantly; any elongated and narrow width of a golf course feature; also an area of a course at which play slows considerably due to course layout, difficulty of a hole or other condition of the facility or course policies boulder Any rock fragment larger than 60.4 cm (24 inches) in diameter bounds Short for “out of bounds” bowl An area having a shape of a bowl; an area of a green where there is an undrained low point box Construction term to define the cleared area of a hole bordered by uncleared trees or terrain bracketed bunkering Description of bunkering flanking both sides of a fairway or green, generally opposite to each side and somewhat congruent in terms of size and quantity of bunkers Bradshaw’s Bottle During the british Open in 1949, Harry Bradshaw, an Irish Pro, pushed his drive and found it inside a broken bottle; the rules at the time did not permit relief and he wasted a stroke to break the bottle and ultimately lost the tournament which he had a chance at winning before the event unfolded brae A hill or hillside (Scottish) braeheid The index of a hillside (Scottish) branch A tributary of a river or other body of water branch manager A golfer who is prone to hitting into trees brassie Classic golf term referring to a wood club with the loft of a 2-wood break The direction that a ball will roll on a putting surface breakneck green A green with slopes and breaks so confusing that a golfer might break his neck trying to read them breakwater A barrier that protects a harbor or shore from the full impact of waves breather Golf hole with relatively little strategic, penal or distance intensity bridge Thin strip of turf between bunkers suitable for use in accessing the green or other area broken ground Rough earth with rises and falls suitable for transformation to golf use, or for leaving as rough areas in between tees and fairways, aside of holes, etc. broken nose Nose of a bunker which abruptly forms a steep slope into a bunker brook Very small stream of flowing water, often associated with a trickling or babbling sound of water flowing over rocks broom Leguminous shrub having long slender branches, small leaves and usually blooms a yellow flower brush Scrub vegetation brutal A course, hole, or hazard that is particularly tough; length of a course from a particular set of tees that is such bubble plan A site plan with roughly drawn “bubbles” depicting areas, uses or districts to be later planned in greater detail; “The routing was shown in bubble form with golf course areas shaded in a color of green that defied description.” buggy A golf cart; chiefly British bugs and bunny study Slang for an environmental or habitat study builder Construction entity of a golf facility bulb A protrusion of the shape of a feature, such as a sand trap or green bulger A wood club with a convex face bulkhead A retaining wall along a waterfront; also used loosely to describe any artificial retaining wall or surface, such as that on a bunker face or steep embankment bump A very small and usually gradual mound bump and run Shot played into a slope or bank and then allowed to continue to toward the target bumps and hollows A scattering of small mounds and depressions amongst them bungler Someone who creates a horrible golf course design, or ruins an existing hole or course layout by redesign, a hack bunker Historically, a grassy mound or configuration of mounds located to influence and affect a golf shot regardless of whether it is faced with or con tains sand; mostly in modern terminology, a depression filled with sand for the same purpose; in some locales, a bunker is called a “sand trap”, a pit filled with sand; clearly a “bunker” is a hazard when it contains sand unless otherwise noted by local rules; a protective embankment or dugout; a fortified chamber often lying mostly underground (see “sand trap” and “trap”) bunker complex A grouping of bunkers and mounds that by nature of their proximity work together to define an area of interest and feature bunker happy A design resulting from too many bunkers bunker island Any raised area within a bunker on which maintained turf is grown; not technically a part of the hazard unless otherwise noted bunker well The main body of a sand bunker at which it is typically lowest in elevation bunkering The combination of bunkers at a green, hole or course buried elephant Describes a large mound, usually in a green, that appears as though it was formed by covering a large animal carcass with earth; sometimes used sarcastically to describe a mound feature which is out of scale or not shaped well; rarely, but in some locales, literally a “buried elephant”; (see also “hogback) burn Scottish term for a “creek” or “stream” burp Abrupt mound which seems to come up out of nowhere butte Isolated hill or mountain with steep sides; smaller than that of a mesa or plateau button hook Hole with a green set across a hazard or feature situated to the side of a fairway requiring play beyond the green and then back in a “looping” alignment if one is to avoid hitting over the hazard or feature; mostly used to describe a par-5 hole where the center line of the third shot as designed is near to a right angle to that of the second shot’s centerline; taking its name from the looping shape of a but ton hook button tee Refers to a back tee from which little golf is played due to extreme length but added for scorecard length or marketability bye hole Same as “bye hole”
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	C C player The average golfer; one with a handicap from 16 to 35 (A, B, C, and D players constitute a classification system) cabbage Slang for very thick rough that entangles caddie Person who carries the equipment of the golfer and is allowed by the rules of golf to provide information and advice for that golfer; from the French word “cadet” which means younger brother or son caddie car British term for a golf cart caddy (see caddie) caddy master Individual in charge of caddy assignments, training and hiring caddyshack House or cottage where caddies gather to receive assignments and await golfers caddie A man’s flat indexped cap (Scottish) caldera Volcanic crater formed by a collapse of the center or by an extraordinary explosion caliche Cement-like soil layer that can be found near the surface, often mistaken for real cement, but formed naturally by secondary carbonates of calcium or magnesium precipitated from the soil solution California Green Generally, a green constructed of pure sand with a simple layer of gravel below the sand cambuca A derivative of paganica, a Twelfth Century game, but played with a wooden ball camouflage The appearance of something so it blends in or takes on the appearance of something else; golf architect, Dr. Alister MacKenzie was an expert at this by way of his studies and work for the military during the Boer War can cup A tin can used as a cup, the earliest version of an improved cup inserted into what otherwise would be simply a hole dug into the ground canal A constructed open channel for transporting water canny A snugly situated green or tee; also a carefully situated feature canopy The horizontal limits of a tree during its peak growing season; (see also: drip line) cape In reference to bunkers, extensions of turf which interrupt the main mass of a bunker and help to form bays (see: bay); capes often appear as tongues (see: tongues); the point or head of land projecting into a body of water; any rounded projection jutting out into an area of lower lying terrain cape hole Stemming from a par-4 or par-5 hole designed on a “cape” of land mostly surrounded by peril (water, deep rough, etc.); with a a tee shot that can be played further along the cape with more risk; the hole will typically end to a green set at the end of the cape above the hazard or rough Captain of Golf Prestigious title in the British Isles held by a person selected by former Captains to serve as a symbol and spokesperson for a golf club for a one-year term Captain, The Nickname given to golf course architect George C. Thomas, Jr. who was a Captain in the United States Army Air Squadron 96 car park British for “parking lot” carbuncle Description of a usually unsightly feature on a golf course; taken from the medical term for a painful local purulent inflammation of the skin and deeper tissues with multiple openings for the discharge of pus and usually necrosis and sloughing of dead tissue cardiac hole Steeply graded hole that is strenuous to walk cardinal bunker Refers to the large fairway bunker on the 3rd hole at Prestwick carom Rebounding of a golf ball at an angle different from its original path carpet Slang for putting green or particularly manicured turf carpet faced bunker A bunker with a steep face, sometimes vertical, which is stabilized and faced with layers of floor carpet which are capable of retaining the earth behind it carpet padding Slang for any variety of turfgrass that when seasonally dormant is used as a base for growing overseeded varieties; especially in reference to overseeded hybrid bermudagrass in climates where such turf is in dormancy during the primary playing season and therefore not appreciated (coined by Forrest Richardson, 1988) carry The distance which a golf ball travels in the air, or must travel in flight in order to carry a given distance; carry often refers to the distance a golf ball must travel before landing to clear a hazard or feature carry bunker A sand-filled bunker positioned such that the preferred line of play requires a direct hit over the bunker carrying hazard Same as “carry bunker”, but extended to any hazard positioned so that the preferred line of play requires a carry to clear its limits carse Low land near a river (Scottish) cart barn A structure for storing golf carts cart girl Informal slang for a female employee who operates a refreshment cart with beverages and snacks cart path Improved surface on which motorized carts are intended to travel; typically gravel, asphalt or concrete; portion of a golf course where most personal injury lawsuits originate cart path connection Length of cart path usually between golf holes cart trail Nicer term for “cart path” carve the pumpkin Saying to denote that it is now time for the subgrade of a green or bunker to be “carved out” of the finished grade upon which it is to be situated’ cascade A short, steep drop in the bed of a stream elevation often marked by boulders and agitated white water. cascading A series of three or more levels which fall in succession, such as the levels of a green or a complex of bunkers at different levels casual water Water that accumulates on a golf course as a result of irrigation or stormwater runoff and is not defined as a hazard catch A low spot or grass bunker designed to “catch” balls or drainage; usually situated so as to “catch” a ball catch basin See “catch” and “catchment” catch bunker Bunker situated so as to “catch” a ball prior to it going into a hazard, out of play or otherwise in a worse position catcher’s mit A roundish mound with a pronounced depression set into the face of one side slope; a bunker with the same general definition (see also “Thomas bunker”) catchment A low spot usually associated with drainage cathedral effect Tall trees lining an area which duplicates to a degree the feeling of being within a “cathedral” cathole Localism used by early settlers in southern Michigan for very small (usually less than an acre) shallow depression or hole; presumably originated from the characteristic aquatic plant, the cattail, or perhaps the presence of catfish, which cropped up in such holes; the term came to be applied loosely to any shallow and boggy low area or a pond connected to a stream or swamp cattle tank A basin created by damming or excavation that collects water to be consumed by livestock cattywumpas Relating to unevenness; “The surface of the green is cattywumpas to the horizon” cauldron Exceptionally deep and treacherous hazard, usually a bunker and one not so small causeway Raised pathway formed by filling across wet or marshy ground; “The island green at the TPC at Sawgrass is accessed by a causeway.” cavern A grass or sand bunker of exceptional depth and with steep side slopes; in geologic terms, a large underground opening in rock, usually formed by dissolved limestone cavernous Especially large and deep or with a large opening; “The trap was cavernous and we almost lost sight of him” cavity A hole or depression; usually not used in reference to a desired feature Cayman ball Lightweight golf ball developed to travel roughly half the distance of a regulation golf ball; first used on a course designed specifically for the new lightweight ball in the Cayman Islands Cayman course Course specifically designed for use with the golf ball due to its shorter length and consumption of less land area; but not necessarily a course exclusive to use by a Cayman ball Cayman range Shorter length and scaled practice range restricted to use with theCayman golf ball cement-like approach A hard or flat area fronting a green which allows balls to roll without impedance centerline Line which connects the tee center point with angle points and green center points; used in the planning process of a golf facility as the skeletal system of a golf hole (see “course geometry”) centerpiece A feature placed to attract attention; “The centerpiece of the course was the expansive lake can bee seen from nearly all the holes.” chain Series of golf holes of no specific number, but usually having some commonality by way of setting, likeness or theme chainsaw shaping Shaping so naturally conducive to golf that it is said to require “only” a chainsaw with which to ready it for planting challenging but not intimidating Expression to sum up the objective of a golf course architect in designing for a majority of golfers (coined by Arthur Jack Snyder) championship course A course on which a championship is played, especially a major championship; often misused to mean a course of regulation par and length regardless of whether a championship has been held upon it championship pin placement Refers to a pin location that is particularly difficult or risky to access; attacking such a pin may require carrying or skirting a hazard or condition which may not be easily accomplished by the average golfer championship tees Usually the tees at the back, or near to the back, of a series of tees on a hole or course change of pace hole A golf hole that is significantly and noticeably more difficult or less difficult that the hole previous to it channel Ditch or watercourse usually constructed for the purpose of conveying water and with very defined edges character The overall tone and feel of a golf course made up of its design and landscape elements; the personality of a hole or course that can be communicated charrette A term used to describe a creative meeting of intensity at which solutions for a design project are freely offered and contemplated; charrettes usually consist of a consortium of design professionals, owners, managers and stakeholders, including invited guests who have expertise or insight appropriate specific to the project; a charrette is typically a daylong event with results that are tangible in their conclusion to solve a design problem; (French, feminine noun for cart) chasm Deep bunker; a ravine or natural area that is deep and steep check dam Small dam constructed in a gully or other smallish watercourse for the purpose of decreasing the streamflow velocity, minimizing channel erosion, promoting deposition of sediment, or to divert water from the primary channel or flow chicane An obstacle, usually in the form of sharp turns, built into a path or route to a target chigger A nasty and almost microscopic insect that burrows under the skin of mammals (including humans) and maneuvers from one place to another while living embedded within their host; chiggers are typically itchy and must be starved of access to the air by applying a coat of nail polish or sealant to the wound entrance which will cause them to eventually die and be absorbed by the body in which they are residing chinook A downslope wind in which the air is warmed by gradual heating; such description is used commonly to refer to a warm, dry wind which blows down the eastern slope of the Rocky Mountains in the U.S. chip and putt course A course made up exclusively of holes that require chips and putts chip and run A chip shot that is executed over a distance not necessarily exclusive to the putting surface, but typically made within 30 yards of the hole chip shot Act of striking the ball so that it carries just on to the edge of the green and rolls to the hole chipper Golf club used for chipping chipping area Area designated for chipping practice, with or without a formal putting surface to accept shots chipping green A designated green for accepting chip shots chipping swale A swale adjacent to a green which is mowed and slopes at a height conducive to chipping or putting onto the green ChippoTM Bladed club with the loft of a 5-iron and shaft length of a 9-iron; used for chipping (trademark of Ping/Karsten Mfg.) chocolate drop A mound with a pointed index resembling a drop of chocolate but much larger and not nearly as sweet chole Flemish game resembling golf and perhaps involved in golf’s ancestry; two players bid on the number of strokes to reach a distant goal such as a door or gate by hitting a ball with a club; the lowest bidder gets three consecutive shots and then the opponent is allowed to strike the ball once to stymie the opponent or merely hit the ball backwards; goal is to reach the target with the amount of strokes bid church pews Large, flat sand trap interrupted several times by low, narrow grassy ridges placed perpendicular to the line of flight, the appearance of which resembles “church pews”; famous feature located between the third and fourth fairways at Oakmont Golf Club outside Pittsburgh chute A rather narrow opening flanked by slopes or hillsides that creates a visual “tunnel” from the viewpoint of the golfer civil civil engineer A pleasant civil engineer civil engineer Professional who deals with planning and engineering site infrastructure; grading and drainage; and road and utilities classic hole Used to denote a famous golf hole that has been widely copied in design principal clear cutting Act of clearing all trees and vegetation from an area cleavage A narrow opening between two mounds cleek More classic golf term for an iron club with the loft of a 2-iron; from the Scottish word of the same spelling to mean “a hook shaped device” cliché Hole or course seen before and predictable climax The green of a hole; a point within a round or course where the most awaited and celebrated hole or holes are grouped cloaked A hidden feature, especially a subtle one, so it cannot be easily detected; “The breaks were cloaked amongst the backdrop of the mounds and hollows.” clockwise Preferred routing direction along lot lines and roads when site conditions permit clod Compact, coherent mass of soil ranging in size from 5 to 10 millimeters (0.20 to 0.39 inch) to as much as 200 to 250 millimeters (7.87 to 9.84 inches) and produced artificially by excavating, plowing, digging, etc.; especially when these operations are performed on soils that are either too wet or too dry; also: a bad shaper closing hole The last hole of a course or round cloverleaf Shape of a bunker or green with three or four bulbs protruding from a central point clubhouse The building or buildings and all facilities that serve the members, customers and guests of a golf course; such amenities can include a proshop, restaurants, bars, grills, car room, meeting rooms, library, locker rooms, daycare, pool area, court games, spa, and support facilities such as kitchens, offices and maintenance rooms clubhouse area The area of the clubhouse, entrance, required parking, and all immediately adjacent facilities except the golf course cobble Stones set flush to the ground and tightly packed collaboration When two or more architects or designers work together to design a course or complete work and they each are deserving of credit for the work collar A relatively constant width of grass that surrounds a putting green but is not cut as low as the green itself (see also “apron, fringe, frog hair”) collection bunker A bunker situated to collect balls, usually sindexping the ball from entering deeper trouble Colonel Bogey Mythical golfer developed in England around 1890 who played perfectly, never finding a bunker, always reaching the green with an acceptable amount of shots and always two-putting; term was coined by a couple of high-ranking military officers one of which stated that the “ground score” was always catching him, like a bogeyman (or boogeyman); the two decided that this bogeyman should also have the rank of a commanding officer, hence the name comfort station Accepted term for a restroom with or without a rain shelter compact all-clubs course Refers to a 12-hole golf course composed of a majority of regular-length par-3 holes or an approximate equal number of par-3s and par-4s compartment Area of a green defined by breaks, ridges or the shape of the outer limits of the green, and which is distinguishable by the golfer from the balance of the green when playing a hole complex Golf facility having two or more golf courses, multiple practice areas, or a combination of these compulsory carry A forced carry over a hazard or feature concave slope Slope with decreasing gradient as contours decrease in elevation concentric Shaped perfectly round condor Alternative term for a score of three under par on a hole; (unknown origin) congestion Condition on courses where play is slowed as a result of poor routing, planning or design for the type of play or other conditions conservative play Play by a golfer that intentionally avoids risk while still being in pursuit of the eventual target conservative shot See conservative play conservative tee A tee of a hole which, in comparison to other tees of the same hole, does not require as much strategy or heroism in order to execute play containment Design of shaping that assists in keeping the ball in play through depressions, slopes and mounds that are angled up and away from the golfer contour An imaginary line existing on the surface of the earth which represents a series of points at the exact same elevation above a given reference point, such as the level of an ocean; contour lines are used to draw the vertical shape of the land in a two-dimensional representation; also a term used to describe the slopes and surfaces of a golf course, hole, fairway or green contour interval The difference between contour lines contour mowing Mowing paths which generally follow the contour of the fairways or roughs and work in and out around mounds and features as opposed to going up and over high points and slopes without regard for the natural flow of the course contrived Hole or course that looks and feels manufactured and not at all natural or belonging to a landscape or area; obviously constructed and fabricated features or elements; not a complementary description control boxes Metal boxes dispersed throughout a golf course that contain controls for irrigation system zones controllers see control boxes controversial hole Golf hole that attracts significant criticism resulting from severity of design, tightness, high cost or any other extreme condition convex slope Slope with increasing gradient as contours decrease in elevation cookie-cutter greens Greens that are all similar on a course and usually uninteresting cookie-cutter traps Sand bunkers which are relatively roundish and look so similar that they are said to have been “manufactured by the same mold”; also sand traps so cleanly cut so as to have a crisp edge as if cut with a giant cookie-cutter cop bunker Sand bunker designed expressly to divert play around or over it; to one side or another, or to divert play away from a particular area; a cop bunker is usually penal in nature, placed so as to penalize even the poorest of shots cop hazard Out-of-bounds stakes set along a hole to create a penalty; usually for the purpose of protecting another nearby hole or practice area, but sometimes out of pure spite copse Small group of young trees copy hole A hole almost entirely copied from another; especially one copied from a famous hole corner Area of a green or feature off to one side and somewhat defined as a separate area corridor The open and cleared path of the fairway and rough that constitutes the playable area of a golf hole; sometimes refers to the area of a golf hole between lot lines or other holes corrie Bowl-shaped hollow depressed into a hillside (Scottish) corset A rigid and closely controlled restriction coulee A word with regional definition differences; in most parts, a deep gulch or ravine with sloping sides that is usually dry during the summer; in some parts of the Southern U.S., a stream, bayou, or canal; in the Upper Midwest U.S., a valley with hills on either side; technically in geological terms, a stream of molten lava or a sheet of solidified lava counter intuitive green Putting surface with actual breaks going against what is expected; (coined by Tom Ingalls, especially of Dr. Alister MacKenzie’s greens) country club Private club that only allows members and their guests to use facilities (see also “private”) course Reference given to any number of holes linked together to create a formal venue for playing the game of golf or practicing golf; a wide majority of “courses” are comprised of either nine or eighteen holes, but a practice course, for example, may be made up of just three holes; the entirety of golf holes as defined on a scorecard from a particular set of tees, “The ladies course is set up quite long today.” course furnishings The equipment used on a golf course for the purpose of playing the game of golf; examples are tee markers, flagsticks, flags, ball washers, hazard markers, etc. course geometry The final combination and relationship of tee points, angle points and green center points, and the lines connecting each, for a golf course course handicap A golfer’s handicap after being adjusted for a particular golf course based on a rating of its difficulty course length The sum of all hole yardages from a constant set of tees on a given course course oddity Having to do with extreme unusualness in terms of par distribution, layout, length, etc.; “Bishop Auckland in Northern England is s good example of course oddity with three par-5s coming at Nos. 2, 3 and 4.” course par The score standard for a golf course comprised of the total of all of the pars assigned to each hole; the number of strokes that a scratch player may be expected to take in order to complete a round; a standard reference number used to keep a running tally of score throughout a round of golf; course par may be different for men and women based on the combined pars assigned to all of the holes; (see “hole par” and “par”) course rating Evaluation of a golf course performed by an authorized golf association indicating the difficulty of that particular golf course; based primarily on the course’s total yardage; other factors include: indexography, fairway width, green target area relative to approach shot, rough and recovery, bunkering, out of bounds, extreme rough, water hazards, trees, the putting surface and psychological factors; a course rating indicates the difficulty of that particular golf course course signage Signs used on a golf course, especially those for identifying a hole, yardage or other golf-oriented purpose courtesy bell A durable bell placed beyond a blind shot that can be rung by golfers after completing their shots to signify to golfers in the group behind that it is clear to hit cove Small sheltered inlet or bay; in a bunker, a bulb off of the main portion that forms a cove cow pasture Slang for a poor conditioned course or one that is unduly flat and without interest cow path Slang for hardpan soil conditions caused by repeated traffic of golfers or golf carts crag See “craig” craig A rugged rock or outcropping (Scottish, from the Gaelic word for “rock”); also spelled “crag” creek Small flowing rivulet or stream of water which is smaller than a river and larger than a brook creek realignment The change of a creek channel to a new flow line crest The index of a mountain, hill mound or bunker; an emblem adopted by a club or course to signify membership or origin crete Type of concrete block set flush into the ground with openings enabling turf to grow through; such block prevents rutting or erosion while allowing access by vehicle traffic crevasse A deep crack or fissure; any hazard which is exceptionally deep and steep-sided crook The inside of a dog-leg croquet area An entirely flat area of a putting green cross hazard Sand bunker or formal hazard that lies at a ninety-degree angle to the line of play, usually requiring a shot to carry it; can also mean a pronounced feature or rough area having the same characteristics, but not necessarily a “hazard” per the “Rules of Golf” cross-bunker Sand bunker that lies at a ninety-degree angle to the line of play, usually requiring a shot to carry it cross-over Where the intended play of two holes intersects; common in early courses of the British Isles, now less common due to liability; also used informally to describe where parallel holes going in opposite directions meet a similar set of holes and play “crosses over” from one side to the other; in routing: where any series of holes “crosses over” another series between greens and tees cross-section A diagrammatic view as if from the immediate side of a golf hole looking at its elevational change from tee area to green area crosswind Winds blowing in multiple directions due usually to changes in the terrain such as hills, valleys, or coastlines which can change wind direction at different levels above the land crowned Tee or green that slopes away from the center or middle cuesta Hill or ridge having a steep face on one side and a gentle slope on the other cultivar Plant of a certain species that varies slightly from others of the same species, usually for resistance to certain diseases, insect damage and leaf and flower color culvert A drain or conduit for passage of drainage water under a road, railroad, canal, structure or other obstruction, usually via gravity cunnette A longitudinal channel constructed along the center and lowest part of a channel or through a detention or retention facility and used to carry low flows; also referred to as a trickle cunning layout A tricky design cup Sleeve that slides down into the hole to preserve its’ shape; sometimes used to refer to the “hole” itself cup space The areas on a green where it is practical to cut a hole cuppy Describes a lie in a small depression cut Material removed from existing grades; the specific height a fairway is mowed
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	D D player A duffer; golfer with a handicap above 36; (A, B, C, and D players constitute a classification system) daily fee course Refers to a golf course at which it is not necessary to be a member in order to play; play is open to the public for a fee (see also “municipal, semi-private, private”) daily pin position Position of the pin when changed daily dam Impedance, either natural or created, to flowing water; a form of earth that appears like a “dam” damn Exclamation occasionally heard when working on a golf course construction site dance floor Slang for the green of a hole dandy An exceptional and demanding golf hole (used extensively by by Arthur A. Snyder) dangerous carry Flight of a golf ball of which the odds are against clearing a hazard or obstacle daring design Golf course architecture which breaks new ground in terms of look, design, strategy, landscape, construction, or type of surrounds; a particular feature or aspect of a course that goes where no other previous design has gone before darts and swoops Description of shaping in which high points, ridges and rolls combine to form interest and intrigue that visually connects areas with one another daylight point The point on a contour at which an earthmoving effort will meet a contour that exists death-defying A shot played or to be played that is well beyond normal in terms of expectations, or may have to overcome a perilous hazard or feature from which recovery is out of the question deception bunker A bunker so placed that it makes a target appear closer in relation to its actual position to a golfer; usually one well short of a green and elevated that conceals the distance between the bunker and the intended target deep ditch hazard An old term used to describe an irrigation ditch or manufactured watercourse running in a ditch that is defined as a hazard deep hollow A depression or area formed by adjacent mounds that is especially deep in relation to nearby grades and is usually large in area deep hollow Significant low area or nook created by and mostly surrounded by mounding deep stuff Common reference for deep rough that is well out of normal play areas dell Secluded low lying area or valley, usually having an intimate atmosphere Dell Hole Specifically refers to the par-3 6th hole at Lahinch; also generally refers to a hole with a green almost completely surrounded by large mounds ( like the aforementioned) with only a small portion visible from the tee delta An alluvial deposit made of rock particles (sediment and debris) dropped by a watercourse as it enters a larger body of water; originally named because such debris fields are are roughly triangular in plan view with the apex pointing upstream, like the Greek letter “delta” demanding Hole or course which is very challenging den Secluded area; narrow, wooded valley (Scottish) den green Secluded green set amongst mounds and slopes creating a protected environ dent Depression in an area depth perception bunker Bunker located approximately ten to twenty yards short of the green in order to the make the carrying distance to the green appear shorter than it really is desert course Golf course built in a desert terrain usually with a limited amount of turf desert lateral rule Local rule common to Arizona and other desert regions where a player may choose to treat the native desert rough surrounding a target golf hole as a hazard and play from the last point the ball crossed the fairway incurring a one-stoke penalty (coined: Forrest Richardson, Phantom Horse Golf Club 1985) design flaw A boo-boo in the design of a hole or course which causes play or safety problems that are viewed as being uncharacteristic of the intent of the strategy and spirit of the game of golf design patent Patent issued for the appearance of an object or sculptural work; a golf hole can be issued a design patent to protect its unique look design-build Method of approaching a golf course project where the same entity that constructs also controls the design design-build-develop Method of approaching development where one single entity performs all components of the work detection wire Wire or metalicized ribbon buried for the purpose of locating future alignments of green edges, pipelines, etc. detention pond A depressed or dammed area used to capture runoff and release it at a controlled rate to downstream surfaces (see also “retention pond”) developer Instigator of a golf project; one who “develops” golf courses Devil’s Asshole Name of the menacing small, deep bunker that fronts the par-3 10th green at Pine Valley Devlin’s Billabong Name of the small pond water hazard located just in front of the 18th Hole of the South Course at Torrey Pines in La Jolla, California; the hazard, added in 1968 caused major grief to Bruce Devlin in the 1975 San Diego Open where the pro attempted six strokes from the hazard and ultimately lost all chance of a win (see “billabong”) diagonal bunker A bunker set diagonally to the line of play and usually within the line of play to the hole diagonal hazard Hazard set diagonally to the line of play or approach dimple A small indentation in a surface that adds character and is an intended feature dinosaur tail Continuation of a mound into a green which gets smaller and narrower until it feathers out to nothing (source: Hal Phillips) dip A depression in a green, but also in fairways; usually across the path of play rather than along it dipsy-doodle Slang term to denote a roll in the landscape, usually between two noticeably higher points; also used liberally to describe several bumps and hollows that would be too cumbersome to describe individually and with no valid purpose; “Bob, can you and your dozer give me another dipsy-doodle over here between the green and the tree line?” direct line The straight line of play between a ball and the target direction line The line of flight, either intended or actual direction post see “aiming post” directional sign Sign solely to indicate direction dirt Soil which is misplaced disabled access Appropriate access to an area or facility by a disabled person dish-shaped fairway Fairway that is concave, especially to either side and tends to divert balls toward the middle ditch A long and narrow trench or furrow dug in the ground as a hazard which may be filled with water, or left dry; ditches are historically for irrigation, drainage, or to designate boundary lines divot Intact turf removed through the action of the club meeting the turf dog squeeze Particularly awful appearing shaping work; “Listen, Bub, that mounding is dog squeeze, pure and simple.” dog’s leg British variation of dog-leg dog-leg Descriptive of the shape of a dog’s leg used to communicate the angled alignment of a golf hole dog-legged Being a “dog-leg” in design dog-paw bunker Bunker with multiple “bulbs” protruding off a larger area, resembling a dog’s paw dotted hole or fairway with numerous bunkers double bogey Score of two over par on a single hole double D Describes play of a hole on which a golfer uses the driver from the fairway after hitting the driver off of the tee (source: Golfeurope Dictionary of Golf Terms) double diagonal A two or three-shot hole on which there is a diagonal hazard in the fairway and one again at the approach to the green (coined by Robert Hunter) double dogleg Golf hole that has two doglegs in its centerline; see zig-zag hole” double eagle Score of three under par on a single hole (see also: albatross) double fairway Hole with two pronounced fairways that allow a golfer an option in playing double green A green that serves as the target for two holes, each hole having its own flag double jeopardy Situation caused when a hazard or feature penalizes a golfer and then escape route presents an equal or greater penalty causing the golfer indexotentially loose two shots double penalty Same, basically, as “double jeopardy”; literally, however, two penalties incurred at one time or as a result of two infractions in succession dovetail Method of articulating golf holes in relation to one another where the triangular shaped safety corridor of holes are situated so they fit together tightly; typically achieved by aligning holes in opposite directions down the pike From “turnpike,” what lies ahead, such as a fairway that is about to be negotiated downslope Decline of gradient, especially on a green where the surface falls off in a particular direction downstream In the direction of the current of a stream downwind With the wind at your back (see also tailwind) dowse To use a divining Rod to search for underground water (also: douse) dowser Person who uses a divining rod to search for underground water Dr. Love Nickname for Golf Course Architect Bill Love, ASGCA, an expert in environmental aspects of golf course planning, deign and construction dragon tail Same as “dinosaur tail” drain To draw a liquid through a relatively gradual process through a buried pipe or other conduit at or below specified depths. drain grate Cover on a drain boxes used to keep large articles from entering and clogging the drainage system drainage Removal of excess surface water or groundwater from land by means of surface or subsurface drains drainage area An area, measured in a horizontal plane, which is defined by ridge lines and high points that surround a solitary low point to which direct surface runoff drains by gravity into streams, swales or other features above the specified low point draw To influence the flight, bounce or roll of a golf ball towards a particular area via the design of a golf hole; “The roll of the fairway will draw a shot to the bunker complex.”; a shot by a golfer that curves slightly towards the direction of the golfer’s leading hand drawdown The act, process, or result of depleting water from a body of water or reservoir by extraction drink Slang for a body of water; a lake or pond drip irrigation An irrigation system in which water is applied at low pressure directly to the root zone of plants by means of emitters or perforated tubing drive A shot played from the tee to start a golf hole to any fairway other than that of par-3 hole drive and pitch hole A short par-4 where a drive and a pitch is sufficient in terms of distance to reach the green driveable Hole other than a par-3 which can be reached by a particular player; term especially for short par-4s under 320 yards driver More common name for a 1-wood driving iron Usually a 1-iron driving range Mostly the same as “practice range”, but is also used to indicate a wide range of practice amenities such as putting greens, practice bunkers, etc. driving zone Area in which drives from the tee struck by a wide range of golfer types are anticipated to come to rest drop area Area designated by local rules where a ball played into a hazard may be dropped under penalty; drop areas are defined by painted markings, stakes or markers drop spillway An overfall structure in which water falls over a horizontal wall onto a protected apron at a lower elevation dropped nose Nose feature that drops into a bunker (see “nose”) drum Narrow ridge or hill (Scottish) dry lake A depressed area that occasionally holds water or has held water previously dry wash A normally dry ravine, gully or low flow dub player An average golfer (mostly archaic term) duff Refers to the organic layer on index of mineral soil, consisting of fallen vegetative matter which is in a state of decomposition duffer A hacker, same as dub dumb blonde Beautiful course lacking substance (coined by Tom Doak) dune Hill or ridge of sand that has been created and shaped by the wind; a duplication by construction methods of a natural dune
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	E eagle Score of two under par on a single hole early-day architect Golf course architect practicing in the 1930s or earlier earthwork All operations that include the act of moving or shaping earth eccentric lie An unusual lie caused by interesting design or, perhaps, design too interesting eco developer Developer that subscribes to environmentally sound practices eddy A swale shaped against the natural flow of a fairway or green surface; a current of water or air which moves contrary to the direction of the main current, especially in a circular motion. Eden hole Refers to the par-3 11th on the Old Course at St. Andrews; receives its name from the River Eden that flows behind the green effective playing length Length at which a hole actually plays taking into account the factors of ball roll potential, changes in elevation, doglegs, prevailing winds and altitude above sea level. effluent Usually denoting discharged wastewater from municipal sewage plants, brine wastewater from desalting operations, and coolant water from nuclear power plants egg factory A small and usually hidden area of rough away from a fairway in which golf balls cannot easily be found and will therefore collect in quantity until discovered eighteen-hole combinations Variety of 18-hole “courses” created by combining individual 9-hole loops; the most common configuration is a 27-hole complex which yields three distinct 18-hole combinations (A+B, B+C and C+A) EIR Abbreviation for “Environmental Impact Report” elbow Referring to a dog-leg hole; specifically the point that the hole bends elephant’s nose Uniquely shaped mound; somewhat like a “nose”, often confused with “buried elephant” elevated fairway A fairway elevated above a tee or green elevated green Putting surface that is noticeably raised above its immediate surroundings elevated tee Tee significantly elevated above the fairway or approach elevation The measurement above sea level or some other constant point of a defined coordinate or series of coordinates; a contour line represents a constant “elevation” along a string of imaginary points on a landscape; also, a drawing showing what an object will look like from a side (see: profile) elusive pill Slang for golf ball Elysian Fields Named portion of the Old Course at St. Andrews, Scotland that defines playing options at the 14th, or “Long” Hole; a relatively open area but flanked by bunkers on all sides toward the line of play embankment Soil which is raised and compacted sufficiently emblem A logo, logotype or trademark of a golf course, usually containing design elements and suitable for embroidery or as a patch emerald green Reference to a well kept green, area of a course or an entire course emphasis A detail added to an area or feature to make it stronger or more evident endorsement Act by a professional golfer to endorse a course in cooperation with the golf course architect and for a sum of money English parks Coined term to describe areas that look similar to English park areas; mowing of wooded areas to be treated as roughs ensnarling Hazards or features that are tight entrance A way to a green or approach; usually between bunkers, mounds, water or trees entry feature Sign, structure and landscape elements at the entry point of a golf facility envelope An area allowed for a golf hole or series of holes; refers usually to the land allotted for golf use up to property lines environmentally sensitive area Area in which access is denied by government or other appropriate agency from which relief with a penalty specified by the local rules must be taken by a golfer as defined by “The Rules of Golf.” eroded bunker A look, whether planned or accidental, in which the edges of a bunker are random and appear to have been cut away by the forces of nature estuary Area where fresh water meets salt water; examples: bays, mouths of rivers, salt marshes, and lagoons; according to the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972: “that part of a river or stream or other body of water having unimpaired connection with the open sea, where the sea water is measurably diluted with freshwater derived from land drainage.” event staging area An area set aside for large events, tents, pre- and post-tournament activities, etc. everglade Marshland usually under water and covered in places with tall grass evergreen A plant which remains verdant throughout the year Evian Slang for a very expensive water feature on a golf course, most likely overbuilt and too costly in relation to its function and taste excavation Cutting earth, soil or rock away from an existing area or filled area executive-length course Courses with an 18-hole par between 55 and 68; derived from the expectation that “executives” would be able to enjoy a round of golf within the business day and still meet their commitments exhibition tee A teeing ground built primarily for play during tournaments and by professional golfers, usually at the distant length of a given hole; a common practice among early courses was to hold events at which popular golfers would visit courses to promote the facility and call attention to it experience In reference to golf, the whole of all events and interactions taking place from the moment a golfer arrives at the course to the time he or she departs; the memory of a round of golf or golf event Extreme GolfTM A proprietary and alternative small acreage golf course on which tee shots are played from hazards or especially rugged or difficult lies to greens; the object being to play shots from “extreme” lies and conditions to see which golfer is more creative in their recovery (inventor: Ted Claassen) eye level The level at which an average person sees an object or has visibility eyebrow The back lip of a bunker when arced and left to rough height grass that, when viewed from the front, appears like an “eyebrow”; any grading feature which appears when complete like an “eyebrow eyebrow swale A swale which drains in two directions to low points at tapered ends of a wide arc; its overall shape being that of an “eyebrow” is characterized by a wider mid point eyewash Extra detailing or landscape effort added to a golf hole or course that has no real strategic or value other than cursory aesthetics; typically a belittling term
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	F F Abbreviation for “fairway” on early hole diagrams face Refers to the upslope of the far side of a bunker when looking toward the target; the side of a slope or bank when facing it facelift Slang for remodeling work in which only the visible components of a hole or course will be re-shaped or influenced fair bunker As defined by Alister Mackenzie: “If a bunker is visible and there is an alternate route around it, then it is fair.”; term often used historically with reference to Mackenzie fair green Archaic term for the combination of a fairway and approach to the green; area of a course which is relatively open area devoid of hazards or conditions preventing a relatively good lie fair cup Location of a hole cut into a green such that a putt may be struck and sindexped at the location of the hole fairway Expanse of grass which serves as the connection between a tee and a green; the primary target for any shot that is not an approach shot to a green fairway bunker Sand bunker that has a direct impact on the play of a golf shot other than an approach to the green fairway flag A flagstick and flag placed within a fairway to aid in alignment, typical on holes where a blind shot may exist or confusion may arise as to the correct direction of play fairway mounding Mounding located within a fairway; any mounding between the tee and the green which helps define the fairway fairway trap See “fairway bunker” fairway wood All woods other than the driver fall Downhill gradient away from a specific location and typically defined in elevational difference and the rate of decline; “The fairway has a fall of more than twenty feet to a lower shelf along the bog.” fall equinox Refers to the first day of autumn as the sun passes directly above the Earth’s equator fall-away green Green which slopes away from the fairway in whole or part fall-off (see spill-off) falls Short for waterfalls false front An approach to a green, or area prior to a green, which is improved to resemble a putting surface or guarded by bunkers or features to suggest that the green is closer to the golfer than it is in reality family tees A set of tees positioned for use mainly by younger, senior or beginning golfers, but which may also be played and enjoyed in terms of interest and challenge by parents and older relatives who may be accompanying the lesser players of a group or outing fan wall Timbers or railroad ties laid back against the face of a bunker or slope in a “fan”-like shape fat part of the green The largest portion of a green and where there are abundant cup positions; area of the green where a safe shot is typically played to avoid surrounding hazards fata morgana See: mirage fathom Unit of length equal to 6 feet (1.83 meters), principally used to denote depths of navigable waters feasibility study A thorough assessment of alternative courses of action to solve one or more problems, to meet needs, and to recommend the most practical course of action feather To blend a mound or slope to a flatter area with no obvious point of transition feature Any hazard, mound, depression, natural condition, area or portion of a golf hole or course which may be individually referenced; also a consistent design trend evident throughout a golf course; “Among the features of the course are its large, expansive greens.” feature hole A golf hole so renown that it is often featured to represent the entirety of the course featureless Course without features other than rudimentary tees, fairways and greens feel good bunker A bunker so placed that it may be overcome, usually along the normal line of play, by most ordinary golfers with little or no difficulty fell Mountain or hill (Scottish) fetch Distance traveled by waves in open water, from their point field A broad, level and open expanse of land; the Elysian Fields of The Old Course at St. Andrews is an example of a field within a golf links figure eight Routing of an 18-hole golf course in which each nine forms a loop from a central point, resembling the numeral “8”; most usually where the clubhouse is located at the intersection of the lines at the midpoint of the “8” fill Material set over existing grades filler hole A golf hole located on a relatively uninteresting piece of the property and in between holes that utilize more interesting site features or are created to be more interesting; a hole that can be defined to serve little purpose other than to complete the routing of a golf course final grading The stage of grading just prior to finish shaping finger Of bunkers, a “finger” is a thin band of turf which extends into the bunker; otherwise especially thin extensions of a bunker, mound or lake finicky Tight layout or hole requiring very accurate shots and not much room for error; tight bunkering with small sized features finish Ending hole or holes finish grade The final grade of a golf course on which turf and hazard surfaces are established finisher Another term for the 18th or last hole of a course; a person who finishes finishing Job of putting the final on an area of work on the golf course before its planted fiord See: fjord Firestone par-4 A par-4 hole of long length, over 450 yards, so named for the many par-4s of this length (six) at the Firestone Country Club in Akron, Ohio; note: in total, Firestone has eleven par-4s measuring in excess of 400 yards each and only one under 400 yards first tee the point at which a round of golf officially begins firth Large, but relatively narrow, inlet of the sea (Scottish) fives All of the par-5 holes of a course or discussion fixed signs