Basics Flashcards
What is a mulligan?
A “mulligan” in golf is a term used informally to describe a stroke that is replayed from the spot of the previous stroke without penalty, due to an errant shot made on the first attempt. Essentially, when a player takes a mulligan, it’s as if the first attempt didn’t happen, and the player gets a second chance to play a particular shot.
The concept of a mulligan is not officially recognized in the rules of golf. It is more commonly used during casual or friendly rounds as opposed to competitive or professional play. The use of mulligans is often agreed upon by the players before the round begins and can vary in number depending on the group’s consensus, such as one mulligan per nine holes, one mulligan per round, etc.
The term is believed to have originated from a golfer named David Mulligan who, dissatisfied with his tee shot, re-teed and hit again. The term became popular among his group and spread to other golfers from there.
What is a handicap?
A handicap in golf is a system used to level the playing field for golfers of different skill levels. The golf handicap system is designed to allow golfers of varying abilities to compete against each other in a fair and equitable way.
In golf, a lower score is better than a higher score, so a player who is more skilled will usually score lower than a less skilled player. The handicap system gives less skilled players extra strokes, allowing them to subtract strokes from their total score.
Here’s a basic explanation of how it works:
Each golf course has a set difficulty rating for every hole, known as the hole’s par. The total par for the course is the sum of the pars for each hole.
When you first start playing golf, you’ll play a number of rounds (typically at least five 18-hole rounds) to establish your initial handicap. The scores from these rounds are used to calculate your average score over par.
Your handicap is the number of strokes over par you typically shoot. So, if you usually shoot around 90 on a course with a par of 72, your handicap would be roughly 18.
In a competition, you would subtract your handicap from your actual score to get your net score. For example, if you shot 90 (with a handicap of 18), your net score would be 72.
The player with the lowest net score wins.
Bogey
A score of one stroke over par for a hole. For example, a score of 4 on a par 3 hole is a bogey.
Double Bogey
A score of two strokes over par for a hole. For example, a score of 5 on a par 3 hole is a double bogey.
Triple Bogey
A score of three strokes over par for a hole. This continues in the same pattern with quadruple bogey, etc.
Par
A score equal to the par for a hole. For example, a score of 3 on a par 3 hole is par.
Birdie
A score of one stroke under par for a hole. For example, a score of 2 on a par 3 hole is a birdie.
Eagle
A score of two strokes under par for a hole. For example, a score of 3 on a par 5 hole is an eagle.
Albatross (Double Eagle)
A score of three strokes under par for a hole. This is quite rare, as it typically would require holing out in two strokes on a par 5 hole.
Hole in One
When a player hits the ball directly from the tee into the hole in a single stroke. This most commonly happens on par 3 holes, which are shorter and therefore more reachable in a single shot.
Fairway
The area of the course that leads from the tee box to the green. The grass in the fairway is cut short, which allows for cleaner contact with the ball.
Rough
The grassy area on either side of the fairway. The rough is typically longer and denser than the grass on the fairway, making shots more difficult.
Green
The area at the end of each hole where the flagstick and hole are located. The grass on the green is very short, allowing the ball to roll smoothly.
Bunker (or Sand Trap)
A hollow comprised of sand or grass, either fairway or greenside, that serves as an obstacle.
Hazards
Any bunker or body of water (like lakes or streams) that can hinder a golfer’s progress.
Stroke Play
A scoring system where the player with the fewest strokes over the entire round wins.
Match Play
A scoring system where each hole is a separate competition. The player who holes the ball in fewer strokes wins that hole.
Foursome
A group of four players. Also refers to a specific format of golf where two teams of two compete against each other, and each pair only uses one ball, taking turns to hit it.
