Golf Terminology - P

P

Pace

The speed at which a putt must be struck to get to the hole. Pace and break are the two components of green-reading.

Par

Standard score for a hole (defined by its length) or a course (sum of all the holes' pars).

PGA

Any Professional Golfers' Association, for example the Professional Golfers' Association of America.

PGA Tour

The organizer of the main male professional golf tours in the United States and North America.

Pin

Slang for "flag-stick".

Pin-high

Refers to a ball on the green that is positioned along an imaginary horizontal line through the hole and across the width of the green.

Pitch

A short shot (typically from within 50 yards), usually played with a higher lofted club and made using a less than full swing, that is intended to flight the ball toward a target (usually the hole) with greater accuracy than a full iron shot.

Pitch mark

A divot on the green caused when a ball lands. Players must repair their pitch marks, usually with a tee or a divot tool.

Play through

Permission granted by a slow-moving group of players to a faster-moving group of players to pass them on the course.

Plugged lie

A bad lie where the ball is at least half-buried. Also known as a "buried lie" or in a bunker a "fried egg".

Plunk

A lie where the ball is on the lip of a lake or other water hazard.

Plus handicap

A golf handicap less than zero. A 'plus' handicap golfer must add his handicap to his score.

Pop-up

A poor tee shot where the top of the club-head strikes under the ball, causing it to go straight up in the air. In addition to being bad shots, pop-ups frequently leave white scuff-marks on the top of the club-head, or dents in persimmon clubs. Also known as "sky shots".

Preferred lies

A Local rule that allows the ball in play to be lifted, cleaned and moved on the fairway during adverse course conditions.

Pre-shot routine

The steps an experienced player goes through to get ready for his or her shot. It usually involves taking practice swings and visualizing the intended shot.

Pro

A professional is a golfer or person who plays or teaches golf for financial reward. They may work as a touring pro in professional competitions or as a teaching pro (Also called a club pro).

Pro shop

A shop at a golf club, run by the club professional, where golf equipment can be purchased.

Pull

A pull is a shot that unintentionally travels on a trajectory on the same side of the ball from which the player swings.

Punch shot

A shot played with a very low trajectory, usually to avoid interference from tree branches when a player is hitting from the woods. Similar to the knock-down, it can also be used to avoid high winds.

Push

A push, or block, is shot that unintentionally travels on a trajectory opposite the side of the ball from which the player swings. In match play, a push occurs when neither competitor wins the hole.

Putt

A shot played on the green, usually with a putter.

Putting green

A practice green is a putting surface usually found close to the club house, used to warm up and practice putting.

Putter

A special golf club with a very low loft that makes the ball roll along the green with top-spin.