Jackson Reid
In golf, the term cabbage is used to refer to deep and rough vegetation located off the fairway. It is similar to the knee-deep rough that swallows balls and makes them difficult to find or retrieve. The term is used to humorously describe the act of conceding a hole by picking up one's ball before completing it due to a frustrating or unplayable situation.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | Deep rough or vegetation off the fairway |
| Description | The knee-deep vegetation that swallows balls whole and refuses to let them out |
| Example | Phil Mickelson spent so much time trying to acclimatise to the deep stuff during practice for the US Open in 2007 that he injured his left wrist |
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What You'll Learn
Deep rough
"Rough" in golf refers to the areas on a golf course outside of the fairways that generally feature higher, thicker, and longer grass or naturally growing (unkept and unmowed) vegetation. The grass in the rough is usually cut at a higher length than the fairway. The rough is intended to add challenge to the game, and it is often punitive to players who miss the fairways.
The difficulty of playing from the rough depends on its depth. Shallow rough does not affect play, moderate rough reduces backspin, causing "flyers" that travel farther and with a lower trajectory, and deep rough raises the difficulty of making good contact with the ball, reduces the pace of play, and can injure wrists, backs, and egos.
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Vegetation off the fairway
Golf is a game that comes with a lot of jargon. One of the terms used to describe the terrain of the course is "cabbage". This term refers specifically to the deep rough or vegetation off the fairway. It is the knee-high stuff that swallows golf balls, refusing to let them go. It is not to be confused with the semi-rough or a lie from which you could escape with a wedge.
Cabbage is the stuff you fire a ball towards and then instantly declare a provisional because you are almost positive you are not going to find it, or are not going to want to. It is not just your scorecard that can suffer when your ball disappears into the cabbage. Top golfers have spent so much time trying to acclimatise to the deep rough that they have injured themselves in the process.
The term "cabbage" is derived from the vegetable of the same name. Just as boiled cabbage can be foul-smelling and off-putting, the golf term "cabbage" refers to the undesirable area of the course that can foul up your score.
It is good to be aware of the various types of terrain on a golf course and the terms used to describe them. This knowledge can help you navigate the course more effectively and make better shot selections.
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Balls lost in the cabbage
In golf, "cabbage" is a term used to refer to the deep rough—the thick vegetation off the fairway that swallows balls whole. It is not the type of semi-rough where a player could escape with a wedge; it is the knee-deep stuff. When a ball disappears into the cabbage, it can be challenging to find, and players may have to declare a provisional ball.
The deep rough can also be challenging to play out of, as demonstrated by Phil Mickelson, who spent so much time practising in the deep rough at Oakmont ahead of the 2007 US Open that he injured his left wrist. He played in the tournament but missed the cut.
When a ball is lost in the cabbage, it can be frustrating for the player, impacting their scorecard. It can also slow down the pace of play as the player searches for their ball. In some cases, a player may decide to abandon the search for their ball and instead take a drop, incurring a penalty stroke.
Some courses may have particularly thick rough, increasing the chances of balls being lost in the cabbage. Additionally, the difficulty of finding a ball in the cabbage may be influenced by factors such as the colour of the ball, the height of the grass, and the light conditions.
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Players conceding holes
Conceding a hole is a strategy used in match play golf tournaments. It involves a player stopping play on a hole and admitting that their opponent has won that hole. This speeds up the game and is often done when a player has little to no chance of winning a hole. Conceding a hole can be done before the hole has started or at any time during play.
There are no restrictions or rules about conceding a hole, except that once it is conceded, it is finished and cannot be taken back. It is also important to note that conceding a putt to halve a hole can be considered letting your opponent off the hook. Additionally, it is crucial to communicate a concession clearly and loudly so that everyone understands your intention.
Some players follow personal guidelines when it comes to conceding holes, such as never conceding a hole that loses them the match or when they are within two strokes of their opponent. It is also generally advised to rarely concede a hole in the last six holes of the match as the pressure builds, and mistakes are more likely to happen.
In terms of the rules, a player may concede their opponent's next stroke at any time, even if the ball is in motion. Rule 3.2b in the Rules of Golf states that a concession is final and cannot be declined or withdrawn. However, there is a loophole if your opponent provided incorrect information that influenced your concession.
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The smell of boiled cabbage
The term is used to humorously describe the act of conceding a hole by picking up your ball before completing it due to a frustrating or unplayable situation. It is a casual acknowledgment of defeat for that particular hole, often used when a hole has gone terribly wrong.
The term is fitting for the situation as the smell of boiled cabbage can evoke feelings of nausea and bring back memories of pointless hours spent sitting at a dinner table, picking away at the food and being unable to leave until it is all gone.
So, the next time you find yourself in the deep rough, knee-deep in vegetation, remember that you are not alone in your dislike of both the situation and the vegetable!
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Frequently asked questions
Cabbage refers to the deep and rough vegetation located off the fairway.
It is humorously named after the cruciferous vegetable, as it is considered to be just as foul in a scoring sense.
It is the knee-deep stuff that you fire a ball towards and then instantly declare a provisional because you are almost positive you are not going to find it or are not going to want to.
Phil Mickelson, when practising for the US Open in 2007 at Oakmont, spent so much time trying to acclimatize to the deep stuff that he injured his left wrist doing it.
