Course:
Course: The entire playing area, made up of sections of 9 holes. Typically, A: Hole 1-9, B: Hole 1-6, etc
A Round: 18 holes, or two 9 hole sections
Teeing Ground: The starting point of each hole and area for the first shot.
Green: The area surrounding the cup/hole where the grass is cut especially short.
Bunkers: Hazards consisting of depressions in the ground, usually filled with sand.
Ground Under Repair: Any designated area where play is temporarily prohibited. Examples include replanted grass areas or young tree plantations.
Equipment:
Club: Equipment used for hitting the ball. Specifically, park golf clubs certified by the Japan Park Golf Association or approved by the IPGAA may be used in Park Golf.
Tee: A tool used to elevate the ball and only used for the first stroke on each hole.
Ball Marker: An object used to mark the position of the ball before lifting the ball out of the path of another players shot.
Pin (Flagstick): An immovable indicator placed in the center of the hole to show its position.
Obstructions: Any natural or man-made object that may interfere with play.
Movable Obstructions: Loose natural objects such as stones, leaves, twigs, animal droppings, insects, or grass cuttings. Man-made objects not fixed to the ground such as bunker rakes, unused stakes, umbrellas, cans, or rope.
Immovable Obstructions: Objects that cannot or should not be moved, including plants, trees, tree supports, bunker rake stands, drain covers, OB stakes, nets, and fences.
Ball Status & Play:
Addressing the Ball: A player has addressed the ball when they have taken their stance and grounded or hovered the club immediately behind the ball.
Stance: Placing the feet in position in preparation for making a stroke.
Stroke: A stroke occurs when a swing causes the ball to move. If the swing misses and the ball does not move, it is not a stroke.
Ball Holed: A ball is holed when it is at rest inside the cup and completely below the level of the lip.
Hole: Also known as the cup. A cylindrical container dug into the ground into which the ball is played. (The cup should be made of metal with a sounding plate attached to the base.)
Wrong Ball: Occurs when a player hits any ball other than their own ball in play.
Lost Ball: A ball is deemed lost if it is not found or identified by the player as theirs.
Unplayable: A declaration made when it is impossible to hit the ball.
Casual Water: Any temporary accumulation of water on the course that entitles a player to relief. Water inside a water hazard or prohibited area is not casual water.
OB (Out of Bounds): Areas outside the boundaries of the course where play is prohibited.
Teeing & Shots
Tee Up: The act of placing the ball on the tee.
Tee Shot: The opening shot played from the teeing ground.
“FORE”: A warning call meaning, “A ball may be flying in your direction, please be careful.”
Scoring Terms
Par: Finishing a hole using the standard number of strokes.
Birdie: Finishing with a score of 1 under par.
Eagle: Finishing with a score of 2 under par.
Albatross: Finishing with a score of 3 under par.
Bogey: Finishing with a score of 1 over par.
Double Bogey: Finishing with a score of 2 over par.
Triple Bogey: Finishing with a score of 3 over par.
Penalty: Strokes added to a player’s score for a rules infraction. In Park Golf, any penalty results in the addition of two strokes. There are a few rare exceptions – see RULES
Officials & People
Honor: The privilege of playing first from the teeing ground within a group.
Marshall: A person appointed by the course or Committee to check and record a player’s score.
Gallery: Audience or spectators watching play.
