GOLF GLOSSARY ​-​ C

Caddie
A person paid to carry a player's clubs and offer advice. Players are responsible for the actions of their caddies.

Calcutta
A wager, typically in support of one team to win a tournament. In a Calcutta golfers bid, auction style, on the team (or golfer) who they think will win the tournament (you can bid on your own team or yourself). All the money raised through the auction goes into an auction pool. At the end of the tournament, those who bet on the winning team (or golfer) that won the tournament receives a pre-determined payout from the auction pool.

Carry
How far the ball travels through the air. Contrasted with "run."

Cart
The four-wheeled electrical or gas-powered vehicle for use in transporting players and their equipment from hole to hole. Also, a hand-pulled (2-wheel) or hand-pushed (3-wheel) cart for carrying a bag of clubs, also available in powered versions controlled by remote.

Casual water
Any temporary standing water visible after a player has taken his stance. Snow and ice can also be taken as casual water, as well as water that overflows the banks of existing water hazards.

Chip
A short shot (typically played from very close to and around the green), that is intended to travel through the air over a very short distance and roll the remainder of the way to the hole.

Chunk
A swing that results in the clubhead hitting the ground several inches before the ball, resulting in a large chunk of ground being taken as a divot. Also called a "fat" shot, or "chili-dipping".

Clone
An umbrella term for generic brand golf clubs.

Closed Face
When (in relation to the target-line) the clubface is angled toward the player's body, ie angled left for right-handed players.

Closed Stance
When a player's front foot is set closer to the target-line. Used to draw the ball or to prevent a slice.

Club
A tool for the player to hit the ball. 14 clubs are allowed by the rules.

Clubface
The surface of the club head which is designed to strike the golf ball. Players should strive to hit the ball with the centre of the clubface to maximize distance and accuracy.

Clubhouse
This is where play begins and ends. The clubhouse is also your source for information about local rules, the conditions of the course, upcoming events and other essential information for the avid golfer. Normally, you can also purchase balls, clubs, clothes, and other golfing equipment at the clubhouse.

Come-backer
A putt required after the previous putt went past the hole.

Compression
The measurement for expressing the hardness of a golf ball, normally 90 compression. Harder balls (100 compression) are intended for players with faster swings but may also be useful in windy conditions.

Condor
A four-under par shot, a hole-in-one on a par 5 . Might also be called "a triple eagle".

Course
A designated area of land on which golf is played through a normal succession from hole #1 to the last hole.

Cross-handed
Putting (and, occasionally, full-swing) grip in which the hands are placed in positions opposite that of the conventional grip. For right-handed golfers, a cross-handed grip would place the left hand below the right. Also known as the "left-hand low" grip, it has been known to help players combat the yips.

Cut or the cut
After the first two rounds of a stroke play tournament, a select number of players will have earned the right to play the rest of the tournament for a chance to win the championship, by having a score at or lower than this number. The cut is usually a fixed number of players (e.g. 70), plus anyone tied for that place. In some tournaments, anyone within a fixed number of strokes (e.g. 10) of the leader are also included in the cut. Those missing the cut earn no official money for the tournament.

Cut Shot
Same as a fade, a cut curves from left to right (for a right-handed player), but is generally higher in trajectory and more controlled than a standard fade. The "high cut" is a staple among PGA Tour players.