Golfing

Golf is a precision club-and-ball sport in which players use a set of clubs to hit a ball into a series of holes on a course, aiming to complete the round in as few strokes as possible. Most rounds consist of 9 or 18 holes. The standard objective is to finish with the lowest total strokes relative to par.

A typical course features teeing grounds, fairways, rough, greens, and hazards such as bunkers and water. Each hole has a par value, representing an expected number of strokes for a skilled player. Common formats include stroke play, where total strokes count, and match play, where holes won determine the result.

Equipment includes clubs, a ball, tees, and gloves. Players typically carry or cart clubs, with a standard set limited to 14 clubs for official play. The putter is used on the green. Rounds are governed by the Rules of Golf, maintained by The R&A and the USGA, with procedures for penalties, relief, and different playing conditions.

Golf originated in Scotland in the Middle Ages and evolved into a global sport with professional tours and major championships. The four conventional majors are The Open Championship, the U.S. Open, the PGA Championship, and The Masters. The sport also uses a global handicap system to allow players of differing abilities to compete on a common basis.