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The ABC's of Golf
by PGA Professional, Mark Blakemore

Introduction
Part A - All About How to Get Started in Golf
Part B - Basic Fundamentals and Concepts in Golf Swing Technique
Part C - Common Golf Words and Phrases - Glossary
Conclusion

Glossary of Golf Terms and Phrases
 Golf Terminology - Definitions and Usages

Golf words or phrases beginning with the letter
E

Or enter the word in the form below. If the word you're looking for cannot be found it will automatically be suggested to the Glossarymaster (MB) for review and inclusion.

E

1. in scoring an abbreviation for "even par" or level par (as opposed to - and + scores that represent under or over par, respectively)  2. abbreviation of the word "Equalizer," which is a word substituted for pitching wedge by the Hogan company (see also this article on names of wedges)
Example: 1. On scoreboards you most commonly see scores with either a minus sign (-), a plus sign (+) or E.  2. Rusty's irons were made by the Hogan company, so he had an Equalizer (which had an E on the sole) whereas my set had a Pitching Wedge.

eagle

a score of 2 under (less than) par for a hole
Example: A hole in one on a par 3 hole is also an eagle.

effective bounce

(usually used in reference to wedges but can pertain to other clubs) the actual bounce that is presented to the ground as differentiated from just the raw bounce angle (which is a static measurement of the angle of the sole relative to the shaft and a level base); effective bounce consists of things like the sole's depth or thickness (from leading edge to trailing edge), the radius, curve or camber of the sole, the orientation of the club head and shaft, the angle of approach and, therefore, how high the leading edge is above the ground, as well as the club's static bounce angle
Example: The effective bounce is made up of many variables and is a more accurate indicator of club performance than the bounce angle alone.

effective loft

the combination of a club's loft angle and face angle (e.g., a driver with 9 degrees of loft and a 2 degree open face has an effective loft of 7 degrees, i.e., when the face is square those two open degrees get subtracted from the loft)
Example: The dymanic loft, effective loft and loft angle may all be different.

eight iron

(also "8 iron") a short iron with a typical loft of around 37-44 degrees (club specifications can vary between manufacturers)
Example: Mark flushed his eight iron/8 iron and the ball rattled the flag as it slam-dunked into the cup.

embedded

(also "plugged, buried") a ball stuck in the ground as a result of its impact
Example: Ernie was able to lift, clean and then drop his embedded/plugged/buried ball without penalty.

end cap

(also "butt cap") the top end of the grip, or a plastic cap on wrapped or leather gripped clubs
Example: When a club is in an upright golf bag it is resting on its end cap/butt cap.

equipment

in the Rules of Golf-specific sense, considered to be anything used, carried or worn by a player, their partner or caddie(s) except their ball in play and any small object they use to mark their ball; equipment includes carts (motorized or not)
Example: There are many details associated with equipment in the Rules of Golf. Also see Rules of Golf FAQ.

Equitable Stroke Control (ESC)

the "capping" of individual hole scores to make handicaps more indicative of a player's scoring potential (the maximum score that a player can post on any hole is based on the player's Course Handicap - see Handicaps for more)
Example: Equitable Stroke Control/ESC does not change your actual gross score; just the score you turn in for handicap purposes.

etiquette

rules of behavior, propriety, decorum, manners, etc.
Example: Observance of the proper golf etiquette is very important to some players.

European ball

(also "British ball, small ball, British Open ball") a slightly smaller golf ball (1.62 inches in diameter instead of the standard 1.68 inches) that was common many decades ago, but that has not been allowed by the R & A since 1990 (and has been disallowed from The Open Championship, or British Open, since 1974)
Example: Because the European ball/small ball/British ball/British Open ball was smaller in diameter it probably went a little farther than the standard ball, all else being equal.

even par

(also "even, level, level par") anytime one's score is level with, or equivalent to, par during, or at the conclusion of, a round of golf
Example: Jill was at even par/even/par/level/level par with two holes still to play.

executive course

a golf course with very short holes, mostly par 3's and short par 4's, generally thought of as under 5,200 yards for 18 holes and par 65 or less
Example: An executive course, with its short total yardage, can usually be completed in a relatively short period of time.

explosion shot

(also "explosion, blast, blast shot") a shot that removes a large amount of sand or earth in addition to (hopefully) the ball, as might happen from a buried lie in a bunker
Example: A(n) explosion shot/explosion/blast shot/blast into the wind can be unpleasant.

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