Major (Championship) One of four of the most prestigious professional golf tournaments in the world for male golfers. Played every year, the Majors include the Masters, the U.S. Open, the British Open and the PGA. For female players, the Majors include the U.S. Open, The MacDonalds LPGA, the DuMaurier and the Dinah Shore.
Marker A person who records a fellow competitors score in stroke play. Also, a coin or similar object used to indicate the location of a competitors ball on a putting green. "Marker" is also the term used to identify the boundaries of the teeing area.
Marshall A volunteer, usually at professional tournaments, who job it is to keep the members of the gallery under control so that players can easily play shots, walk from tee to green, and so on.
Match Play Type of competition, typically among 2 individuals or two teams, in which the score is kept by the number of holes won and lost. The winner of a match play competition is the side who wins the most holes. A match play score may look like this 3 and 2. This indicates the winning team was three holes up (ahead) with only two to play. 5 and 4 indicates 5 up with 4 to play, and so on.
Medal Play Type of competition in which the lowest total score (number of strokes) wins. The same as stroke play.
Medalist The golfer with the lowest score in the qualifying round of a tournament.
Mixed Foursome Two men and two women.
Mulligan An "agreement" that allows a player to take another shot after a particularly "bad" shot. Mulligans are common on the first tee during friendly matches, but are disallowed under all Rules of Golf.
Muni abbreviated form of municipal course.
Municipal Course Type of golf course, usually city or county managed, allowing play by the public, subject to tee time availability.
