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Explanations of Technical Terms in Golf

Baff.--To strike the ground with the club when hitting the ball. Banker.--A sand-hole in the course. Caddie.--A boy in attendance to carry the clubs. Dead-ball.--A ball that lies close to the hole, and which is certain to be "putted" (a ball that falls without rolling after being struck). Dormy.--The holes to be played (as many as remain to be played). Draw.--To hit to the left side of the course. Gobble.--A quick "put" at the hole. Green.--The links, or putting-ground. Hanging.--Rise of the ground behind a ball. Hazard.--Bad ground; obstacles. Put.--A gentle stroke when near a hole. Steal.--An unexpected put from a distance, holing the ball. Stimy.--The intervention of an opponent's ball between your own and the hole (in such a way as to prevent your holing in usual manner). In this case the ball must be "lifted" with the club-stroke over the intervening ball. Tee.--The mound of sand on which the ball is placed for the "hit-off" from each hole. Top.--To top a ball is to hit it above its centre.

The game is played by two or more persons, so that there be an equal number on each side; but only two balls are used, one belonging to each party, each party also striking in turn: but if the last striker does not drive his ball as far as that of his opponent, one of his party must then strike one or perhaps two more, and the game is thus marked by calling out one, two, or three more, as the case may be. If more than two are playing, the same person does not strike twice in succession: a miss is considered one. The party who puts the ball into the hole in the fewest strokes wins the game. The ground used for this sport vary in different parts of Scotland. Some are nearly square, in which case a hole is made in each corner; but if it be irregular in figure, it is not uncommon to place one at each angle, so that the party shall traverse the whole surface, and finish at the spot from whence he started; a quarter of a mile being usually allowed between each hole. Besides the stick, or club, already described, there are others, usually carried by an attendant for each party. These are called, by way of distinction, putters--of which, however, there are several sorts, one being short, stiff, and heavy, similar in figure, but longer on the head, for making a steady and direct stroke when near the hole. Another, formed of iron, instead of wood, is used for making a hit at a ball when very unfavourably placed, as in a rut, where the common club would be in danger of breaking. When a ball falls into a hole or rut, from which it is impossible to strike it out, the party is allowed, by a special agreement, in some clubs, to take it out with his hand, and throw it up in a line with the spot, which is accounted as one, and he then strikes from where it chances to rest; but, as already observed, this indulgence does not extend to every golfing society.