Select a letter below to view the relevant page of our Glossary of Golf Terms.
Open Face
When (in relation to the target line) the clubface is angled away from the player's body, ie angled right for right-handed players.
Open Stance
When a player's front foot is drawn backwards further from the target line. Used to fade the ball or to prevent a hook.
Ostrich
A hole played five strokes under par. This is widely considered impossible, requiring a hole in one on a par six.
Outward nine
Refers to the first nine holes, so named as links golf courses were set up where the first nine holes went "out" away from the clubhouse.
Out-of-bounds
The area designated as being outside the boundaries of the course. When a shot lands "O.B.", the player "loses stroke and distance," meaning that he/she must hit another shot from the original spot and is assessed a one-stroke penalty. Out-of-bounds areas are usually indicated by white posts.
