Glossary S - part 2
Shotgun
Start In tournaments when players are to start at different holes; a firing of a shotgun may be used as a signal to start play.
Shot hole
A par three hole.
Shotmaker
A player who has the ability to play a great many different shots.
Shotmaking
The ability to play a great many different shots.
Side
Can mean the first 9 holes (front side) or the last 9 (back side) of an 18 hole course. Also two or more players who are partners.
Sidehill Lie
A lie with the ball either above or below your feet.
Sink a Putt
Make a putt.
Six Iron
An iron club that gives a distance of 135-170 yards for men's clubs. Also known as a spade or spade-mashie.
Skins
A golf game that awards the money to the player with the lowest score on a hole. In case of a tie, the game continues until someone wins.
Skulling
Hitting the ball at or above its center causing the ball to be hit too hard and travel too great a distance.
Sky
To hit underneath the ball sending it much higher than intended. Like a pop fly in baseball.
Slice
A shot that curves strongly from left to right as a result of sidespin. The converse applies to a left-handed player.
Slope
Adjusts your handicap to the difficulty of the course you play. The more difficult the course, the more strokes you'll need. Under slope, golfers will no longer have a handicap. You will have an index. An average course will have a slope rating of 113. Your index is a mathematical calculation of your playing ability on an average course. Maximum index allowed is 36.4 for men and 40.4 for women. Conversion charts will be located at the first tee.
Slump
A prolonged period of bad play.
Smother
To hit down on the ball so that it travels a short distance on the ground.
Snake
A very long putt that travels over several breaks in the green.
Snake
A three-putt off any green. A game played where the last three-putts of round, occuring on any hole owes the other members of the group the pre-agreed total of all three-putts. Gets pretty exciting the last few holes with some competitors playing snake-avoidance.
Snap-Hook
To hit a shot with an acute hook.
Snipe
A ball that is hooked and drops quickly.
Sole
The bottom of the club head.
Sole plate
The metal plate on the bottom of woods.
