
Golf has a language all its own, with many old Scottish words and some oddities. Away is a golf term that refers to the golfer who is the farthest from the hole and is therefore expected to be the next player to hit. Traditionally, the order of play is determined by distance from the hole, so the player who is away will be the one to hit the next shot. However, in certain circumstances, a player who has already putted once may hole out before their partner, who may be further from the hole, takes their shot.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition of "Away" in golf | The golfer who is the farthest from the hole and is therefore expected to be the next player to hit |
| Order of play | Traditionally, the player who is "away" will be the one to hit the next shot |
| Exceptions | In certain circumstances on the putting green, a player who has already putted once may hole out before their partner, who may be further from the hole |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
- Away refers to the golfer who is the farthest from the hole and is expected to play next
- Away etiquette: a method of play where the player farthest from the hole plays next
- Away can also refer to the back nine holes of an 18-hole golf course
- Away can be used to describe the act of moving a club away from the ball in the backswing
- Ready Golf: a method of play where each player hits their ball when ready, promoting a better pace of play

Away refers to the golfer who is the farthest from the hole and is expected to play next
Golf has a language of its own, with many terms and slang originating from old Scottish words. One such term is "away", which refers to the golfer who is the farthest from the hole and is expected to play next.
Traditionally, the order of play in golf is determined by the distance of the golfer's ball from the hole. The golfer who is "away" will be the one to hit the next shot. This means that the golfer who is farthest away from the hole is the one who should play next. Asking "who's away" is a way of asking "who's next to play?".
On the teeing ground, the order of play is determined based on scores on the previous hole. The lower scorer tees off first, followed by the second-best scorer, and so on. Once all tee balls are played, the golfer who is "away" resumes playing the next stroke.
It is important to note that the order of play may vary depending on the group's preference. To maintain a good pace of play, golfers within a group may choose to play whenever they are ready, rather than following the traditional order of play.
Golfing at Haven: Tee Times for Your Next Visit
You may want to see also
Explore related products

Away etiquette: a method of play where the player farthest from the hole plays next
Golf is a sport with a language all of its own, with many old Scottish words and oddities. "Away" is a golf term that refers to the golfer who is farthest from the hole and is therefore expected to be the next player to hit. This is also known as the
In stroke play, there is no penalty for playing out of turn, and players are encouraged to play "ready golf", which means playing out of turn in a safe and responsible way. The order of play from the teeing area depends on who has the "honour", meaning the right to play first. On the first hole, this is decided by the order of the draw, or, if there is no draw, by agreement or a random method such as tossing a coin. On subsequent holes, the player who wins the hole has the honour at the next teeing area.
The "away" golfer is the one who is farthest from the hole and is therefore expected to play next. This is because the order of play is determined by distance from the hole, so the player who is "away" will be the one to take the next shot. This is considered good etiquette as it keeps the game moving and helps to improve the pace of play.
In summary, "away" is a key concept in golf etiquette, referring to the golfer who is farthest from the hole and expected to play next. This helps to maintain a good pace of play and ensures that golfers are playing in the correct order.
Golfing with Sciatica: Friend or Foe?
You may want to see also
Explore related products

Away can also refer to the back nine holes of an 18-hole golf course
Golf is a sport with a language of its own, including many old Scottish words and some unique terms. One such term is "away", which is used to indicate which player is farthest from the hole and therefore expected to play their shot next. This term is particularly useful when two or more players are playing their shots from a similar distance to the hole, helping to establish the order of play and maintain fairness.
The term "away" is also used in the phrase "Back Nine", which refers to the second set of nine holes on an 18-hole golf course (holes 10 through 18). The first nine holes are known as the "Front Nine". This naming convention is derived from the fact that on traditional links golf courses, the first nine holes went "out" away from the clubhouse, while the second nine holes returned "in" towards it.
In addition to referring to the player farthest from the hole, the term "away" can also refer to the back nine holes of an 18-hole golf course. This usage underscores the directional nature of the term, indicating a movement away from a reference point, in this case, the clubhouse or the hole.
The use of "away" in golf terminology showcases the unique and varied vocabulary of the sport, where everyday words can take on specific meanings within the context of the game. Understanding these terms is essential for golfers of all levels, from beginners to seasoned pros, as it helps them navigate the course, communicate with fellow players, and fully immerse themselves in the culture and tradition of the game.
Uncanny Cat Golf: Safe or Not?
You may want to see also
Explore related products

Away can be used to describe the act of moving a club away from the ball in the backswing
Golf has a language of its own, with many old Scottish words and unique terms. One such term is "away", which is used to describe the golfer who is farthest from the hole and is expected to be the next player to hit. "Away" can also be used to describe the act of moving a club away from the ball in the backswing.
The backswing is the first half of the golf swing. During the backswing, the club is drawn away from the ball and moved in an arc to the top of the swing. This movement is not considered part of the stroke, which is defined as the forward movement of the club made to strike the ball. The backswing is followed by the downswing, where the club head is redirected back toward the ball at a high rate of speed in preparation for impact.
The backswing is an important part of the golf swing as it helps set up the ensuing downswing. It is during the backswing that golfers can read the green, studying the undulations to determine how they will affect their upcoming putt. Additionally, the backswing can help golfers gain extra distance and control, especially when shaping shots around obstacles.
It is important to note that if a player accidentally causes their ball to move during the backswing, it is considered a penalty unless the ball is on the putting green. Therefore, golfers should be careful when moving their club away from the ball during the backswing to avoid disturbing the grass and causing the ball to move.
Golf Ball Compression: How Far Will 65 Go?
You may want to see also
Explore related products

Ready Golf: a method of play where each player hits their ball when ready, promoting a better pace of play
Golf is a sport with a language of its own, including many old Scottish words and some oddities. One such term is "Ready Golf", a method of play that promotes a better pace of game.
Ready Golf is a simple concept: when you are ready to play your shot, play it. Don't wait for your partners to get ready, even if another player is further from the hole or has the honour. Honour refers to the traditional rules for determining the playing order in golf, which are only necessary in official tournaments and USGA events.
Ready Golf is about keeping the game moving. It is not necessary to stick to a strict playing order unless it is a formal match play game. In Ready Golf, shorter hitters can go first off the tee in stroke play, even if it is not their turn. If a player farther away is facing a challenging shot and is taking time to assess their options, the other players can hit their shots when safe to do so. Similarly, if a player is delayed raking a bunker, another player can hit their shot first.
Ready Golf is not about ignoring your playing partners or hitting at the same time as them. It is about being considerate and maintaining a steady pace for your own enjoyment and the enjoyment of other players. It is also about being prepared. You should know where your ball is and what club you are hitting before it is your turn. When you get to your ball, start planning your shot. Ask yourself: How far am I from the hole? Where am I trying to land the ball? What is the wind doing? Uphill or downhill? Once you have a plan and have selected a club, hit the shot.
Framing Golf Flags: A Step-by-Step Guide
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
No, but ''away' is a golf term referring to the player who is the farthest from the hole and is therefore expected to be the next player to hit.
The term 'away' is derived from the traditional order of play in golf, which is determined by distance from the hole.
Some other golf terms related to distance and positioning include "up and down", "back", "above the hole", "back nine", and "below the hole".
Some common golf terms that beginners should familiarise themselves with include "ace", "birdie", "eagle", "approach", ''backswing', "chip", "drive", "fairway", "green", "handicap", and "lie".
Golf has a language of its own, including old Scottish words and unique phrases. Some examples of unique golf terminology include "albatross", "banana", "chilli dip", "dance floor", "gimme", "lip-out", and "whiff".









































