No game has a richer array of terms than golf. As new golfing terms have accumulated, old ones have changed or faded away. This concise yet informative dictionary provides definitions and the etymologies for the extraordinary vocabulary of golf, built up over its five-hundred-year history. To discover the origins of golf and its special language, Peter Davies combed little-known archives on two continents. As his unique contribution to the game, Davies’s enthusiasm and enjoyment of golf are stamped on every page of this authoritative book.

Peter Davies was the executive editor of the first edition of The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language and a coauthor of The American Heritage Word Frequency Book.

“Peter Davies has undertaken a monumental task and carried it off in fine style. His dictionary will make a valuable addition to any serious golfer’s library and should be one that never gathers dust.”—Arnold Palmer

“A fascinating look into the often arcane and sometimes amusing language of our game. I’m sure golfers and golf fans will find it enlightening and entertaining reading.”—Jack Nicklaus

“As golfers we all respect the traditions of the game which separate it from any other sport. Peter Davies’s definitions help us all to understand the evolution and facets of the game that we just take for granted today.”—Gary Player