Up and Down: An approach shot and a single putt from anywhere off the green. This term usually refers to holing out from a bunker or from just off the green.

Topped: A stroke in which the club strikes the top of the ball and causes it to run and skid across the ground.

Surlyn: The trademark of thermoplastic resin that is similar to natural balata. Used to manufacture golf balls. It is a very resilient material and is virtually indestructible by golf clubs.

USGA: Acronym for the United States Golf Association. The USGA is the governing body of golf in the United States and Mexico.

Stymie: A situation in which one player’s ball blocked another player’s ball’s route to the hole. The stymied player was required to play over the top of the offending ball until the stymie was outlawed in 1951 by both the USGA and R & A.

Splash: A stroke taken from a bunker in which the sand wedge enters the sand before the ball and carries the ball out of the bunker on a cushion of sand.

Slot: The ideal position at the top of a golfer’s backswing in which the club is properly set for the downswing.

Shank: A bad mis-hit in which the ball the golf ball is usually struck with the hosel or socket of an iron-headed club.

Scratch: A player is called a scratch golfer when his/her handicap equals the scratch score of a course. A scratch player will usually give strokes to other golfers with a higher handicap.

Sand Wedge: An extremely lofted club that is also sometimes referred to as a sand iron. It has a very wide flange that is specifically designed to use when playing from bunkers. The wide flange “bounces” the clubhead through the sand enabling lift for the golf ball. American golfer gene Sarazen is credited with its invention.