Dear readers,
Some of you may notice that I occasionally edit your
questions with regard to golf terminology. My purpose in doing this is to
assure that your question is understood by every Lou and Lulu who reads it.
Don’t feel badly; you have lots of company. Certain terms
are often misused (by golf commentators on television as well as the general
public). I have listed three often-misused terms below that I find troublesome
when I try to understand your questions.
Playing partner
This is a strange term that I find particularly confusing
when I try to answer a reader’s question; I am never certain whether this
so-called “playing partner” is the player’s actual partner or simply another
person playing in the same group. I think we all know what a “partner” is – a
player who is on your side, a member of your team. So what should we call the
other players in our group that are not our actual partners?
• In singles match
play there are two people competing: the player, and the player’s opponent.
In match play formats where you have a partner, there are four people (two
teams) competing: the player, his partner, and their two opponents (who are
partners of each other).
• In stroke play,
all players in the competition are called competitors.
Any competitors playing in your group are your fellow competitors. And if the format is a team competition, one of
those competitors is your partner.
Foursome
What it is: Foursomes
are a form of match play and stroke play in which a team of two people play one
ball. This format is more commonly called “alternate shot.” Rule 29 explains
the rules for foursomes.
What it is not:
A foursome is not a group of four golfers playing together. I would suggest you
call those players your “group.”
Through the green
This term refers to all areas of the course except: (1) the
teeing ground and the putting green of the hole you are playing, and (2) all
hazards (meaning water hazards and bunkers). Whenever I use this term in a
column, I try to remember to define it, because I understand that many players
find the term confusing.
I cannot emphasize enough the importance of studying (and
memorizing) the Definitions in the front of the rulebook. Golf terminology is
specific to the game; its meaning often differs from what you may be accustomed
to in ordinary usage. Understanding the Rules of Golf relies on a thorough
knowledge of the vocabulary of golf. You may have noticed, when you read a
Rule, that a number of terms are written in italics. These italics are not for
emphasis – they are there to remind you that the term is one that is defined in
the Definitions section.
