Golfing terms

these terms may often be heard from an experienced golfer:

• apron, fringe, birm, or edge of green : the band of grass at the approach to the green that is longer than the green itself.

• barnes wallace : this is when a ball bounces across a water hazard.

• bite/munch/take a seat : this is a phrase often heard from golfers after a shot towards the green has been taken, in which they would like the ball to stop or slow down. these are phrases used especially among professionals.

• dance floor : an alternative name for the putting green.

• fore : a golfer will yell "fore" at the top of his/her lungs to warn other players that they hit a bad shot and the ball is headed their way. this is the standard warning system in golf.

• perfect round : colloquial term used to describe a score of 54 on a par 72 course or 52 on a par 70 (all 18 holes played at one under par). the perfect round has never been achieved in competition and remains a lifetime goal for many professionals.

• sandbagger : someone who, when playing a game in which they know they will win, inflates their score by playing slightly worse intentionally in order to raise their handicap.

• sandie : similar to an "up & down", refers to chipping onto the green from the bunker and 1-putting.

• stymie : this was a common phrase said before the allowance of ball markers. it occurred when a golfer's ball was blocking the other's line of putt. this is now avoided since the allowance of ball markers.

• taxi : this is a term which may be shouted when a golf ball races past the hole, in the intention of holing it.