by Brent Kelley
The term “hole” has several meanings in a golf context. It can refer to the hole in the ground on the putting green; to the whole hole, from tee to green; or, used as a verb, “hole” or “to hole” means to get the golf ball into the hole on the green. That’s the object of the game. If you “hole a putt,” you have made your putt – rolled it into the cup.
‘HOLE’ DEFINED IN THE RULE BOOK
Here is the official definition of “hole” as it appears in the Rules of Golf, as written by the USGA/R&A:
“The “hole” must be 4 1⁄4 inches (108 mm) in diameter and at least 4 inches (101.6 mm) deep. If a lining is used, it must be sunk at least 1 inch (25.4 mm) below the putting green surface, unless the nature of the soil makes it impracticable to do so; its outer diameter must not exceed 4 1⁄4 inches (108 mm).”
HOW GOLFERS USE ‘HOLE’ AS A NOUN
“Hole” can refer to two different things when used as a noun:
- The point on the green where the flagstick stands and where turf and sod have been removed to create the “hole” into which the player putts. In other words, the hole is literally thehole in the putting green.
The hole on the green is 4.25 inches in diameter and is at least four inches deep according to the rules.
- One of the units of play on a golf course: That area from the teeing ground, down the fairway and to the putting green constitutes one hole. There are 18 such holes on a regulation golf course.
Also Known As: Cup is a synonym for hole as a noun in the No. 1 usage above.
Examples: As nouns: 1. The Golf Guide hit his putt right into the hole on the second green. 2. The Golf Guide is now playing hole No. 4.
As a verb: Tiger Woods really needs to hole this putt.
