Sand Trap Term given to a bunker filled with sand.
Sandbagger A golfer who consistently plays to a score better than his handicap indicates that he should.
Scotch Foursome A type of competition wherein partners alternate hitting the same ball.
Scramble Term given to a type of game, played as a team, in which all players play from one position. For example, a team of 4 players all hit drives. The next shot is played, again by all 4 players, from the position of the best drive. Play continues in this manner until the ball is holed. Scramble is also a term applied to a player who often hits his ball in trouble, but typically recovers very well, with a "good" score.
Scratch A handicap of 0, indicative of a highly skilled player.
Scull see "Skull";
";"Second Cut
Semi-Private Type of golf club in which memberships are sold, but that allows public play during specific time periods.
Senior Golfer Any golfer 50 years of age or older is considered to be a senior golfer.
Shank A shot that is struck in the hosel area of the golf club. The resulting ball flight is generally straight to the right. A shank may also be called a "hoseled shot", a "pitch out" or a "lateral.";
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Skins Type of match play game in which each hole is worth a given amount of points or money. Points or money is often "carried over" in the event of ties, making all subsequent holes potentially worth considerably more.
Skull To strike the top of the ball with an upwards, glancing blow. Similar to "hitting it thin". Sometimes spelled "scull" as in the glancing motion of an oar that makes improper contact with the water.
Sky Term give to a shot, usually with a wood, that goes much higher and shorter than desired. A "skied" shot is often hit on or near the top of the club.
Slice A shot that tends to start to the left of the target and curve to the right of the target, most often more that the player desires (assuming a right-handed player.) A slice is the most common shot among amateur golfers.
Slope (Index) Mathematical formula used to compare the difficulty of one course to the next. It takes into account length, hazards, terrain, etc. A course with a slope rating of 150 will be far more difficult than one sloped at 100. Slope ratings allow fair matches between members from clubs of varying difficulty.
Smother To bring the clubface down and over the ball when hitting a shot causing the ball to be poorly struck.
Snake A long putt; one that is usually holed from a long distance.
Snap hook A shot that starts quickly to the left and angles sharply downwards and further to the left generally producing a very short and undesirable result.
Snipe hook Similar to "Snap Hook" The ball dips and dies quickly to the left.
Sod A chunk of turf from the course. Commonly referred to as a "divot. (See "Divot.")
Soft Spikes Generic term given to the plastic type of spikes required on many courses. These softer spikes are believed to do less damage to the course, especially to the greens. (See "Spikes.")
Spikes Metal implements on the bottom of golf shoes designed to aid in traction. Spikes are approximately «" in length. "Spikes" may also be a slang term used for golf shoes themselves.
St. Andrews Considered to be the "home" of golf, St. Andrews is the location of Europe's rules-making body, the R & A, as well as being the location of one of the most famous courses (St. Andrews) in all of golf.
Stableford Type of competition in which points are awarded in relation to a fixed score on each hole. For example, a par may receive 0 points, a birdie, 2 points, and eagle 5 points, a bogey -1, and so on. Points are established for each individual competition.
Stake It Slang term used to indicate a player hits the ball close to the hole.
Stance Position of the feet prior to making a shot. A player placing his feet in position to make a stroke is said to have taken his stance.
Stimp Term given to the speed of a green after measurement with a specialized piece of equipment (Stimpmeter.) The higher the Stimp reading, the faster the green. Most courses rate at between 6 and 9 on the Stimp Scale; pro tournament venues may rate at over 12.
Stimpmeter Apparatus used to measure the speed of a green. It is basically an angled metal piece from which a ball is rolled onto a flat area of the green. Depending upon how far the ball rolls, a "Stimp" reading is determined. The farther the ball rolls, the higher the Stimp reading and the faster the green.
Stoney It Slang term used to indicate a player hits the ball close to the hole.
Stroke The forward movement of the club made with the intent of hitting the ball.
Stroke and Distance Penalty assessed for a ball hit out of bounds or for a lost ball. It involves going back to the spot of the original ball, hitting another ball from there and adding a penalty shot to the score.
Stroke Play Type of competition, also known as medal play, in which the lowest total score (number of strokes) wins.
Stymie A situation, commonly on a putting green, in which one player's ball is directly in the line of another's. The Rules allow for the ball in the line to be marked and moved, allowing the player farther from the hole to play without obstruction. Stymie is also the generic term given to a situation when any object is between the player and the hole, blocking the normal play toward the hole.
Sudden Death A type of playoff among tied individuals or teams at the completion of a competition. As soon as a team or individual makes the highest score on a hole, they are eliminated from play.
Summer Rules Term given to standard USGA Rules' play. When playing "summer rules", courses are generally in their best shape (in the summer); the ball must be played as it lies except on tees and greens.
Super Senior A senior PGA Tour player who has reached the age of 60.
Supination A term made popular by Ben Hogan referring to the rotation and angling of the right wrist during the golf swing.
Sweet Swing Term given to a player who swings at the ball in a skilled manner. A golfer who makes a smooth swing is considered to be a "sweet swinger.";
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