Ty Daniel’s Golf

When playing golf you often say words that you might not fully know why you use them. Some are obvious and some are not, like why we yell “fore” not everyone knows. But then there are some golf terms that are just somewhat clear, like knowing that each hole has a “par”. But why say par ?

The term “par” was originally used in the stock market, to show if a stock was above or below it’s standard “par price”. But not till 1870 was the term integrated into the sport of golf by Mr. AH Doleman. He was a golf writer back then that had asked two golfers what the score was to win the trophy at the Open, and then when the tournament was over the player whom won got 2 over that score. He then wrote how the golfer won by “2 over par“.

Golf courses are designed around this theory of par. Each hole is designed to be either “Par 3″, “Par 4″, or “Par 5″. Each hole is designed so that to get par you would need 3, 4, or 5 strokes. Each hole you get 2 strokes to putt in, and either 1, 2 or 3 to “get on the green” (as see n below).

As seen above you can see the strokes needed to make par on a each type of hole there is.

Here are the common terms that go along with par :

• “Hole in One” – Speaks for it’s self
• 3 under par = “Double Eagle” (Only on par 5)
• 2 under par = “Eagle” (on both par 4 and 5 holes)
• 1 under par = “Birdie“
• Par
• 1 over par = “Bogie“
• 2 over par = “Double Bogie“
• 3 over par = “Triple Bogie“

After that it would be up to your handicap whether or not you pick-up, and it’s only good golf etiquette to pick-up rather than take too much time on the course. You can slow down the groups behind you.

Just a random golf joke we recently heard on a local golf course right here in Southern California.

Bill was teeing off from the men’s tee; on his downswing, he realized that his wife, Jenny, was just about to tee up on the woman’s tee box right in front of him.

At this point unable to stop his swing, he hits it, and strikes her directly in her temple, killing her, instantly.

A few days go by, and Bill gets a call from the coroner regarding her autopsy…

Coroner :  “Bill, your wife died from blunt force trauma to the head. You said you hit a golf ball and struck her in the temple, is that correct ?”

Bill :  “Yes, that’s correct.”

Coroner :  “I also found a golf ball wedged up her butt.”

Bill :  “Was it a Titleist 2 ?”

Coroner :  “Yes Bill, it was.”

Bill (says in disbelief) :  “That’s where my mulligan ended up ?!?!”

 

Golf etiquette should always be followed, but when it comes to the rules of golf most of them are very important to follow yet some rules are really just up to the people playing. Obviously when playing in any competition or at the professional level you have to follow every single rule to the “T”.

Then if you are just out playing a round for fun with friends or family, it’s best to set the “guidelines” at the first tee box before you tee off. This way people won’t get upset for not knowing just how seriously or not seriously your playing by the rules.

For the average amateur golfer playing a round, if the ball lands behind a tree they might move it slightly just so it’s playable, not count every penalty, or use the ever so common mulligan.

If you are not familiar with the terminology mulligan, it basically means a “takeover shot”. It’s normally used when a player messes up or “muffs” his or her first attempt at a tee box. Some people only allow a mulligan if it’s on the tee box, they say you can’t take a do-over in the fairway, ruff, green, etc. Others say it is allowed to be used anywhere on the course, these are normally the beginers, or “practice rounds“.

The most common uses of mulligans are :
• “1 per-nine holes”
• “1 pre-round”
• We have even heard “1 mulligan only at 1st tee box”

Another common name :

• “Breakfast Ball”

But it’s really up to the players playing.

Keep in mind when you “bend the rules” like when using a mulligan, you can not count your score as being official for anything.

A common golf term that is misunderstood is “executive course“. At first glance one might think it is some type of VIP course or very high end, but in fact the terminology “executive golf course“ really mean shorter.

These types of courses normally don’t have any par 5 holes, and have more par 3′s than par 4′s. This brings the total par of the course from the average 70-72 to around 58-62.

Don’t let that fool you though, a lot of executive courses are still quite difficult and can still make you pull out every one of your clubs. Not just your wedge and putter !

Do you think the course pictured to the left is a full size course or executive ? When your at the tee box it is very hard to tell which it is. Well this one is hole is a very tough par 3 at David L. Baker which is an executive course.

If you are short on time or have someone in your group that either doesn’t want to pay the price of a full course or doesn’t have the stamina or patience to play a full round, then an executive golf course is a great answer !

If you are ready for the cost, time and energy for a full course…. there is no substitute !

To recap ; the main differences between a full-course and an executive course are :

• Shorter than a full-size course
• Normally no par 5 holes
• More par 3 holes than 4′s
• Some are only 9 holes played over
• Average around total par 58 to 62
• Can still allow you to use all your clubs

We often receive comments, personal experiences, and some are mentioning good things about courses, and sometimes it’s bad.

But when it comes to peoples experiences with customer service that they had received from a golf course, we like to post some of them online.

Customer service is right at the top or a good golf experience. If your like some of us, given the choice, between a “great course with bad customer service” and a “good course with great customer service”, you’ll find yourself choosing the course with better customer service.

And then to others, “golf is golf” and the condition of the course is the most important.

It’s a tough argument, and it can go both ways, so let’s just say for sure that’s customer service is very important; “at the top of the list”.

Here is an example of a Southern California golfer’s experience at Rancho San Joaquin golf course in Irvine California :

“Pat” wrote :

On a Sunday, in June, my eleven year old son and I had a 4:15 pm tee time at
Rancho San Joaquin.

As the second hole is a par three there were several groups backed up there. After waiting our turn and as we approached the third tee box, there was a foursome (which included a child and a women) trying to cut in front of us.

They didn’t want to wait their turn. They should have been four or five groups back on the second tee box, but decided to jump ahead. We told them that this was unacceptable, but then they insisted in jumping ahead of us again on the fairway. Again we told them this was not acceptable, that they should go back to their proper placement. They tried to get in in front of the group ahead of us, who did not allow them either. They tried to get in front of the group behind us, who also refused them.

Then they drove by the fourth green as we were finishing putting. They proceeded to swear and curse at us in a very abusive manner – not to mention the offensive finger gestures.

After some time, the Marshall came by because she had been apprised of the situation. She said that she would deal with them. However, as we placed the 8th hole, the same foursome (now a threesome minus the woman) was playing the 17th hole.

It appears to me that their abrasivenss was rewarded rather then them being kicked of the course.

I rarely complain but in this particular instance this behavior and language was completely unacceptable, even on a public course, especially in front of an eleven year old child.