GOLF GLOSSARY : P
PAIRSTwo golfers playing together in a stroke competition. Also to assign players to play together in a competition.
PAIRINGSGroups of two players.
PARThe number of strokes a player should take to complete a round with good performance. Par for each hole is given on the scorecard.
PAR COMPETITIONA game in which play is against a fixed score for each hole (called the par or bogey). Scoring is as in match play with plus 1 if the player scores better than par, equal if he scores par and minus 1 if more than par. The player with the highest aggregate score is the winner.
PARKLANDA course laid out in grassland with little rough.
PARTNERA golfer who plays together with another in a match.
PAWKYOld Scottish term meaning cunning or tricky.
PEGA tee.
PENALTY STROKEAn additional stroke added to a player's score for a rules violation
PERSIMMONWood with a distinctive grain used in many clubs.
PGAProfessional Golfers Association
PICK UPTo take up one's ball before holing out. In match play this concedes the hole or in stroke play incurs disqualification.
PILLNickname for the ball.
PINSame as "flagstick"
PIN-HIGHA ball even with the pin but off to one side. Same as "hole high"
PIN PLACEMENT (PIN POSITION)The position of a hole on a putting green on any given day.
PINEHURSTA variation of play in which a partner plays the other partner's drive. One ball is then selected to finish the hole
PITCHA short shot lofting the ball into the air in a high arc and landing with backspin
PINSETTERThe official responsible for pin placement>
PITCH AND PUTTA short golf course designed primarily for approaching and putting.
PITCH AND RUNThe same as a pitch shot but hit with a lower-numbered club to reduce loft and backspin. This allows the ball to run after it lands on the putting green.
PITCHERFormer name for a 7 or 8 iron.
PITCHING IRONSThe short irons.
PITCHING NIBLICKOld name of an 8 iron.
PITCHING WEDGEAn iron club designed for making pitch shots
PIVOTThe rotation of the shoulders, trunk and pelvis during the golf swing.
PLACEMENTAccuracy in the targeting of a shot.
PLAYTo strike the ball with a club. The action of playing the game of golf.
PLAY CLUBAn obsolete ancient driver.
PLAY OFFTo determine a winner in a tie match by playing further holes or a further round.
PLAYING PROFESSIONALA professional golfer who primarily competes in tournaments.
PLAYING THROUGHPassing another group of players who are playing ahead
PLUS HANDICAPThe number of strokes a player gives to adjust his ability to the common level
POP UPA short, high shot.
POT BUNKERA small, deep sand trap with steep sides.
PRACTICE GREENGreen set up for putting practice.
PREFERRED LIELocal rules which allow a player to improve his lie in a specific manner without penalty
PROFESSIONALA player who receives payment for teaching or playing in tournaments. Usually shortened to Pro.
PRO-AMpro-Am A competition which pairs professional players with amateurs.
PRO SHOPThe golf course shop operated by the head professional where equipment is sold.
PROVISIONAL BALLA ball played if the previously played ball may be lost or out of bounds.
PUBLIC LINKSA course open to the public.
PULLA ball that goes to the left of the target with little curve as hit by a right-handed player. The converse applies to left-handed players.
PUNCHLow, controlled shot into the wind. It is made by slamming the club down into the ball with a short swing
PUSHA ball that goes to the right of the target with very little or no curving for a right handed player. Or the converse for a left-handed player. As opposed to "pull"
PUTTThe shot made on the putting green. From a Scottish term meaning to push gently or nudge.
PUTT OUTTo hole the ball with a putt.
PUTTERA short-shafted club with a straight face for putting.
PUTTING GREENThe surface area around the hole that is specially prepared for putting.