Expert fundamentals of golf rules guides, tips, and answers — part of our Golf Gameplay & Rules section. 629 articles covering everything you need to know.
: What is Relief in Golf? Relief in golf is a rule that lets you move your ball without penalty in specific, defined situations. You can usually take relief when your ball is in an abnormal course condition or near an immovable obstruction…
: What Does Flyer Mean? A ‘flyer’ in golf is a shot from the rough that rockets much farther than you’d expect. It happens when your club slides under the ball, killing spin and friction. These shots are wild cards, messing with your…
Match play golf pits you against an opponent hole-by-hole. You win or lose each hole, not the entire round based on total strokes. The player who wins the most holes takes the match. Simple as that. Tied holes are “halved” and don’t…
A stroke is a forward swing of your club made with the intention of striking the ball. Every swing at the ball counts, even if you miss it completely. Your total number of strokes determines your score for a hole and your…
Nine degrees is a small, sharp angle, way less than a right angle (90 degrees). It’s a tiny fraction of a full circle – just 9 out of 360 parts. You’ll find this kind of precise angle in various technical fields and…
: What Does NC Mean in Golf? ‘NC’ in golf typically stands for “No Card” or “Non-Qualifier.” It signifies a player who didn’t meet the requirements to advance in a tournament or earn a playing card for a professional tour. Think of it…
Match play golf is a format where you win or lose hole-by-hole, not by your total score for the round. The objective is to simply win more individual holes than your opponent. The player or team that wins the most holes by…
Oakmont Country Club plays to a par of 71. This means a highly skilled golfer is expected to complete the course in 71 strokes. It’s the sum of the pars assigned to each individual hole on the course. Who This Is For…
Golf rough is the longer, thicker grass bordering the fairways and greens. It’s a deliberate design element to penalize errant shots and add challenge. Expect a different club selection and swing technique when playing from the rough. Who This Is For Beginner…
In golf, ‘fives’ typically refer to clubs with lofts ranging from 24 to 27 degrees, most commonly the 5-iron or 5-wood. These clubs are designed for longer approach shots, getting out of tricky situations, or when a controlled, mid-to-long distance is required….
Red stakes on a golf course signal a lateral water hazard. When your ball is in a lateral water hazard, you typically have one penalty stroke to take relief. Relief means dropping your ball within two club-lengths of the nearest point of…
An eagle is a score of two strokes under par on a hole. That’s definitely better than a birdie. An albatross, also known as a double eagle, is a score of three strokes under par. This is even rarer and more impressive…
A standard golf hole, also known as a cup, measures exactly 4.25 inches (108 mm) in diameter. The standard depth for a golf hole is approximately 4 inches. These precise dimensions are internationally recognized and regulated by golf’s governing bodies to ensure…
The Charlie Charlie game is a supernatural game of divination, often played by teens. It uses two pencils and a piece of paper, marked with “Yes” and “No,” to ask questions to a supposed spirit. The pencils rotate to indicate “Yes” or…
A turkey shoot is a shooting competition where folks aim at targets, and the sharpest shooters win prizes, traditionally a turkey. These events are a blast for recreation, community gatherings, and especially for fundraising. It’s a time-honored tradition, stretching way back, all…
Teeing off is the official start of a golf hole. It involves placing your ball on a tee and hitting it from the designated tee box. This first shot sets the tone for how you’ll play the hole. Who This Is For…
A 4-12 pitch means the roof rises 4 inches vertically for every 12 inches of horizontal distance. This translates to a specific angle of roughly 18.4 degrees from the flat. It’s a common, moderate slope, good for shedding water and snow. Who…
Subtract six from the current year. That’s the whole enchilada. This simple calculation lands you directly on the year you’re looking for. No need for complex maps or compasses here; it’s pure arithmetic. Who This Is For Anyone who needs to quickly…
To find the number when 170 is 85 percent, you divide 170 by 0.85. The answer you’ll get is 200. So, 170 is 85 percent of 200. Simple as that. Who This Is For Students wrestling with basic algebra and percentage calculations,…
The R&A is one of golf’s two global governing bodies, working with the USGA to set and maintain the Rules of Golf worldwide. They are the official governing body for golf in Great Britain and Ireland, and their influence extends globally through…
OB, or Out of Bounds, means your ball has landed in an area where play is not allowed. When your ball is OB, you take a penalty and must replay your shot. In stroke play, this usually means a two-stroke penalty. Who…
A ‘Chapman’ can be a surname, a hard-throwing baseball pitch, or a refreshing non-alcoholic drink. In baseball, it’s often shorthand for a blazing fastball, famously thrown by pitchers like Aroldis Chapman. As a beverage, the Chapman is a popular, alcohol-free mix enjoyed…
: What Does Double Bogey Mean in Golf? A double bogey means you took two strokes more than the designated par for a specific hole. It’s a common score, especially for beginners, and indicates a hole where things didn’t go perfectly. Understanding this…
“Playing the ball up” means you can lift, clean, and then replace your golf ball without penalty when it’s in a tricky spot due to temporary course conditions. This rule is your friend when you find your ball in casual water, mud,…