AY Honors/Golf/Answer Key

1. Explain the purpose of the game of golf, and discuss the origins of the modern game of rounds and holes.

The game of golf is a recreational sport for those who enjoy accuracy, challenge, character building, nature, and improving ones skill. The game was officially made a sport in St. Andrews, Scotland in 1552 AD when the resources were made available to build an official golf course.

Today, St Andrews, Scotland is known as the “Home of Golf.” After many years, the game has become standardized into 18 holes (which is one round). Each hole consists of a tee box (start point) and the green (where the actual hole is located), separated by some distance. The green is where a flagstick (pin) is placed in a hole as the marker into which the ball needs to be putted. The hole is usually 4.25 inches in diameter, and is at least four inches deep.

The game was later designed for 1 round = 72 strokes (18 holes * 4 strokes).

2. Explain the scoring system in golf.

a. Par

The rule or scoring on each hole is based on par. If the hole is a par 4, then it means 2 strokes from the tee box (start point) to the green (where a flagstick [pin] is placed in a hole as the marker), and two putts on the green to the hole. If the process is done in 4 strokes then one has a par for that hole. All 18 individual holes scores are totaled for the final round total.

f. Bogey, Double Bogey, Triple Bogey

One-extra stroke par means a bogey (tradition of bogey man made me miss- from a popular music hall song Here Comes the Bogey Man).

Two-extra strokes is a double-bogey and so forth.

3. Explain the main equipment needed for a game of golf, and the maximum allowable clubs in a bag:

Fourteen clubs are the maximum allowable clubs in a golf bag during play.

a. Balls: explain the composition of a modern golf ball, and tell why dimples were added to the golf ball

Interestingly, in the early years of golf history, the balls were deliberately nicked because it made them travel a greater distance. Later the dimples were added. Today, this is called negative-drag coefficient. It is where the air around the ball during the flight pulls in the air around the ball, causing less drag, thus helping the ball travel further.

b. Woods: Explain the numbering system and in what situations would you use a wood

The woods are the three clubs made for longest distance and lowest loft (angle). In the past, actual wood was used for these clubs. Today, the term is still used even though they are made of titanium or other composites. Woods are numbered. The Wood 1 is the longest distance club. It also has the longest shaft, and lowest angle for a lower loft.

• Wood 1: Driver has a club head angle of 9-11 degrees.
• Wood 3: has a club head angle of 13-15 degrees and slightly smaller shaft.
• Wood 5: has a club head angle of 18-20 degrees and slightly smaller shaft.

c. Irons: Explain the numbering system and why there are so many irons

The irons are all the other clubs used (except the putter, which is the only club that should be used on the green). Wedges are irons that are used when approaching the green and use letters instead of numbers. Manufacturers and personal preferences will use slightly different loft angles.

• Iron 4: has a club head loft angle of 25 degrees.
• Iron 5: has a club head loft angle of 28 degrees.
• Iron 6: has a club head loft angle of 31 degrees.
• Iron 7: has a club head loft angle of 34 degrees.
• Iron 8: has a club head loft angle of 37 degrees.
• Iron 9: has a club head loft angle of 41 degrees.

e. Hybrids: Who are they best suited for and for what purpose

The hybrid is a modern club used to replace a 3 or 4 iron and looks very much like a 5-wood.

f. Wedges: what are the uses of the special purpose wedges

• Iron P: (Pitching wedge) has a club head loft angle of 45 degrees.
• Iron A: (Approach wedge) has a club head loft angle of 50 degrees.
• Iron S: (Sand wedge) has a club head loft angle of 55 degrees.
• Iron L: (Lob wedge) has a club head loft angle of 60 degrees.

h. Tees

Tees are used when in the tee box. The tee helps to place the ball off the grass for an easier stroke (shot).

i. Bag

There are two main types of bags – cart bag, when using a golf cart, and a carry bag, when walking the golf course. The carry bag usually has a shoulder straps and a stand.

j. Shoes, Shirt, Hat/Visor

In most golf courses, attire is part of the tradition. Thus, a golf shirt and no jeans policy are enforced in most golf courses. The cap or visor is optional, and the shoes are a preference. Most golf shoes have rubber cleats to help prevent slippage during the swing.

4. With the use of a diagram, demonstrate your understanding of the golf course by explaining a typical golf course.

a. Tee box

Box used for your first stroke – usually with a tee.

b. Fairway

Area with the shortest grass and where golf ball usually rolls the furthest after the shot.

c. Rough

Higher cut grass area.

d. Hazards (water, natural)

Hazards are areas on the course that are put there to be avoided.

e. Bunkers (fairway, greenside, waste)

Usually sand areas made to make a golf course harder to play. Made for strategy usage.

f. Green

Area near the cup, used to putt.

g. Cup (Hole)

Hole made to putt the golf ball into.

h. Flag Stick (Pin)

The flag marks where the hole has been placed. Usually the hole is moved every other day to change the course strategy.

i. Out of bounds

Means out of play. Usually a stroke is added when a golf ball goes out of bounds or in an unplayable hazard. The player will need to drop a golf ball into a playable area to continue the round.

6. Show your understanding of a proper swing by demonstrating the following:
a. A proper grip when addressing the ball.
b. A proper stance when addressing the ball
c. A half swing
d. A full swing

Please use the following video link for proper grip, stance, and swing.

The video will teach you different types of grips - interlocking grip and baseball grip. Also, the video will demonstrate how to have a correct posture, stance, and swing rotation.

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