Golf Terminology - A

A

Ace

When a player hits the ball directly from the tee into the hole with one stroke. Also called a hole in one.

Address

The act of taking a stance and placing the club-head behind the ball. If the ball moves once a player has addressed the ball, there is a one-stroke penalty. Unless it is clear that the act of the player did not cause the ball to move, but a force such as the wind did. Gravity causing it to move upon address is a penalty stroke.

Aerosol

A player who rarely hits the ball in a consistent line. One who sprays the ball.

Aggregate

Refers to a score made over more than one round of play, or by two or more players playing as partners.

Aim

Generally, the direction in which your target lies and the direction you intend for your ball to go.

Air shot

A shot where the player addresses the balls, swings, and completely misses the golf-ball. An air shot is counted as a stroke. See also whiff.

Albatross

A hole played three strokes under par. Also called a Double Eagle.

Alignment

The position of a player's body relative to the target line of the ball.

All square

In match play, a match is all square (tied) when both players or teams have won the same number of holes.

Ambrose

A system of team play whereby each player takes a tee shot, after which the most favorable ball position is chosen. All the team's players then take a shot from this new position, and so on. (Also known as a Texas Scramble)

Angle of approach

The angle at which the club head strikes the ball. This affects the trajectory the ball will travel and spin.

Approach shot

A shot intended to land the ball on the green.

Apron

The grass surface on the perimeter of the green that separates it from the surrounding fairway or rough. Also known as frog-hair, or fringe.

Artisan

A class of membership of a golf club with restricted rights at a low cost. Historically, many British golf clubs had small artisan sections, drawn from the working classes. Typically artisan members had limited playing rights, could not enter the clubhouse, had no vote on the management of the club, played in separate competitions from the main membership and had to perform unpaid maintenance of the course. Often an artisan club was a separate organization that had negotiated use of a course with a private members club. Some artisan organizations have survived to this day.

Attend (the flag-stick)

When a player holds and removes the flag-stick for another player.

Away

Describing the golfer whose ball is farthest from the hole. The player who is away should always play first.

Austin

Any ball that lands off of the green yet still on an imaginary line passing through the flag-stick. The ball can be any distance off of the green, out to infinity, as long as it is still located on the imaginary line. Thus a player can be pin high 50 yards wide right and still claim an Austin.