Golf Terminology - M

M

Made cut did not finish (MDF)

On the PGA Tour, the result given to those players who made the cut after the first two days, but were subject to a second cut after the third day, due to the size of the first cut. The cut line on the PGA Tour is generally top 70 plus ties.

Major(s)

The most prestigious golf tournaments. In the modern game the Masters Tournament, U.S. Open, The Open Championship and the PGA Championship are considered the Men's major golf championships. The Kraft Nabisco Championship, LPGA Championship, U.S. Women's Open and Women's British Open are currently considered the Women's major golf championships. Historically, from before the dominance of the professional game in the mid 20th century, the British and U.S. Amateur Championships are also often considered men's majors. Sometimes, people refer to The Player's Championship as "The Fifth Major".

Marker

(i) A small metal or plastic disk used to mark the position of a ball on the green if it has been lifted for cleaning etc (ii) one who is appointed by the Committee to record a competitor’s score in stroke play. They may be a fellow-competitor.

Mashie niblick

A 6/7 iron. The term was used primarily in the early 1900s.

Match play

A form of golf play where players or teams compete against each other on a hole-by-hole basis. The total number of strokes does not determine the winner. Instead, the number of holes won determines the winner. It is possible to win in match-play with more strokes than your opponent.

Medal play

Style of scoring in which the player with the fewest strokes wins. Most professional tournaments are medal play. Also known as "stroke play".

Member's bounce

Any favorable bounce of the golf ball that improves what initially appeared to be an errant shot.

Misread

A misread is to incorrectly discern the correct line of a putt.

Motor-caddy

A battery-powered device, often with remote control, used to transport a walking golfer’s clubs.

Mud ball

A golf ball that has soil or other debris stuck to it which can affect its flight. Under normal rules of golf one is only allowed to clean a ball in play when it is on the putting green. During exceptional conditions this rule may be waived by a local rule (see Preferred lies).

Mulligan

A do-over, or replay of the shot, without counting the shot as a stroke and without assessing any penalties that might apply. It is not allowed by the rules and not practiced in tournaments, but is common in casual rounds in some countries, especially the United States.