| P |
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z |
| Pair |
Two golfers playing together in a stroke competition. Also to assign players to play together in a competition. |
| Pairings |
Groups of two players. |
| Par |
The number of strokes a player should take to complete a round with good performance. Par for each hole is given on the scorecard. |
| Parkland |
A course laid out in grassland with little rough. |
| Partner |
A golfer who plays together with another in a match. |
| Pawky |
Old Scottish term meaning cunning or tricky. |
| Peg A tree |
To have a ball that strikes a tree after being hit |
| Penalty stroke |
An additional stroke added to a players score for a rules violation |
| Persimmon |
Wood with a distinctive grain used in many clubs. |
| PGA |
Professional Golfers Association |
| Pick up |
To take up ones ball before holing out. In match play this concedes the hole or in stroke play incurs disqualification. |
| Pill |
Nickname for the ball. |
| Pin |
Same as "flagstick" |
| Pin-high |
A 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 on any given day. |
| Pinehurst |
A variation of play in which a partner plays the other partners drive. One ball is then selected to finish the hole |
| Pitch |
A short shot lofting the ball into the air in a high arc and landing with backspin |
| Pinsetter |
The official responsible for pin placement |
| Pitch and putt |
A short golf course designed primarily for approaching and putting. |
| Pitch and run |
The 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. |
| Pitching irons |
The short irons. |
| Pitching Niblick |
Old name of an 8 iron. |
| Pitching wedge |
An iron club designed for making pitch shots |
| Pivot |
The rotation of the shoulders, trunk and pelvis during the golf swing. |
| Placement |
Accuracy in the targeting of a shot. |
| Play |
To strike the ball with a club. The action of playing the game of golf. |
| Play club |
An obsolete ancient driver. |
| Play off |
To determine a winner in a tie match by playing further holes or a further round. |
| Playing professional |
A professional golfer who primarily competes in tournaments. |
| Playing through |
Passing another group of players who are playing ahead |
| Plus handicap |
The number of strokes a player gives to adjust his ability to the common level |
| Pop up |
A short, high shot. |
| Pot bunker |
A small, deep sand trap with steep sides. |
| Practice green |
Green setup for putting practice |
| Preferred lie |
Local rules which allow a player to improve his lie in a specific manner without penalty |
| Professional |
A player who receives payment for teaching or playing in tournaments. Usually shortened to Pro. |
| Pro-Am |
A competition which pairs professional players with amateurs. |
| Pro shop |
The golf course shop operated by the head professional where equipment is sold. |
| Provisional ball |
A ball played if the previously played ball may be lost or out of bounds. |
| Public links |
A course open to the public. |
| Pull |
A 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. |
| Punch |
Low, controlled shot into the wind. It is made by slamming the club down into the ball with a short swing |
| Push |
A 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" |
| Putt |
The shot made on the putting green. From a Scottish term meaning to push gently or nudge. |
| Putt out |
To hole the ball with a putt. |
| Putter |
A short-shafted club with a straight face for putting. |
| Putting green |
The surface area around the hole that is specially prepared for putting. |