Glossary of golf terminology
C
Caddie
An endangered species at most clubs and the inspiration for the
greatest golf movie of all time (Caddyshack) and the worst golf
movie of all time (Caddyshack II). Caddies are used primarily
on tour and receive between 10 and 15 percent of the players prize
money. While carrying the player's bag, they advise him or her
on what club to take, what kind of shot to hit, or what line to
take with putts. Caddies are more popular in Scottland than in
the United States.
Carry
Carry refers to how far a shot must fly to avoid water or some
other hazard … or in the case of the 17th at St. Andrews,
a hotel.
Carryover
A gambling term used mostly in a "skins" game. When
a hole is tied, the purse money for the hole carries over to the
next hole, making the hole worth both holes combined.
Cavity-back
A type of iron which a portion of the back has been hollowed out.
In the earlier days of golf, all irons were forged with no room
for forgiveness. If the ball wasn't struck in the middle of the
clubface, distance and accuracy were heavily compromised. The
invention of cavity back irons made golf less penal for the weekend
golfer.
Choke
See "Jean Van de Velde."
Choke down
Gripping down the shaft, which is believed to provide greater control,
especially for kids using their dad's clubs for the first time.
When the ball is above your feet, players must choke down on the
club to avoid hitting the ground behind the ball.
Chunk
Also considered a "fat" shot. This is one of the most
embarrassing and costly shots and is caused when the club strikes
ground considerably behind the ball, and in some cases, resulting
in a divot flying further than the ball itself.
Come Over the Top
One of the most common swing flaws in golf and the staple of most
novice golfers. It is also one of the most difficult and tedious
flaws to fix. It is a motion beginning the downswing that sends
the club outside the ideal plane, resulting in the club striking
the ball from outside the plane, sending the ball left. This results
in a slice or a pull-hook.
Compression
The measure of hardness a golf ball has, generally rated 80, 90,
or 100. Women tend to use softer compression balls while pros use
100 or higher compression.
