The Day You Went to Golf

You have a friend who is very much into the golfing game. You, however, are still trying to get in touch with it. But said friend invited you to a Scotland, England and Ireland golf tours and you just could not say no! What is even better is that it is free (both tickets AND accommodation) and you also want to spend some time with your best friend, perhaps you have not seen each other in a while.

So now it is time to be honest about what you really feel. You actually want to enjoy the entertainment you will be seeing. But how? Take a look at these basics of golfing and surely you will have a great time not just hanging out with your friend, but the sport as well.

It is a good start to begin with just a bit of a background on golfing. The sport is said to be originating from China millennia’s ago. However, it was in the 1400s of Scotland that the well-known 18-hole version had begun. An interesting fact is that the first recorded mention of the sport was in 1457. Also, the word “golf” was the ancient word of “club”, and thus it is actually “club club”.

Scotland, England and Ireland golf toursSome terms you will need to know are the following:

  • Ace – a hole in one
  • Eagle – 2 strokes under par
  • Birdie/Double Eagle – 1 stroke under par
  • Par – the customary of strokes that should be taken for the golf ball to be taken from one tee to the hole
  • Bogey – 1 stroke above par
  • Double Bogey – 2 strokes above par
  • Triple Bogey – 3 strokes above par
  • Bunker – a ditch filled with sand which typically surrounds the green
  • Fairway – the part of the golf course which leads to the green
  • The green – the soft and plus ground that surrounds the hole
  • The rough – often having tress and long grass, the wild area that is on either side of the fairway
  • Golf Tee – the infamous peg that carries the golf ball at the start
  • Hazard – anything that barriers the golfer and the hole the golf ball should be in (e.g. bunkers, ponds, streams, trees, etc.)
  • Stroke – the swing that is made with the intent to hit the golf ball; scores can be kept in the track by counting the strokes, this includes a miss

Rules of Golf

  • The golfers must tee off behind the tee markers, or between it, but never in front of it.
  • A golfer is allowed a maximum of 14 clubs in their golf club.
  • The golfer must play where the ball lies (unless there is a certain rule that will all them to move it)
  • So to not gain an advantage, the golf course may not be changed (again, unless there is a certain rule that will all them to move it)
  • In a case wherein the golfer’s ball is in a bunker or water hazard, the golf club cannot touch the ground or the water before the actual swing. A penalty stroke must be given if the rule is broken.
  • A two-stroke penalty will be given if the golfer plays the wrong golf ball.
  • A golfer can mark and lift their ball to be able to clean it or put it away in order to make way for another golfer.
  • The golf ball, when being placed, must not hit the flag. A two-stroke penalty will be given if the ball hits the flag.
  • A penalty stroke will be demanded if the ball is placed behind the water hazard and in line with the golf hole.
  • It is possible to replay the shot if the ball is lost out of bounds, however, a penalty stroke must still be taken.
  • In the case wherein the golf ball is unplayable, the golfer may take a penalty stroke then drop the ball back from where the initial ball was and line it with the hole or perhaps drop the ball within two club-lengths.

So go! Have fun! Do not forget to bring some souvenirs!