CSW Golf

Golf guides

The rules, the scoring and how to play, answered in plain English.

Equipment

Golf clubs explained

Driver, woods, hybrids, irons, wedges and putter, loft, and a beginner's half set.

Playing

Golf etiquette for beginners

Safety, pace of play, the green and looking after the course.

Rules and scoring

Golf rules explained

The basics every beginner needs: tee to green, penalties, out of bounds, and the most common rulings.

Birdie, eagle, albatross: golf scores explained

Every scoring term from condor to triple bogey, and what par means.

Stableford scoring explained

How Stableford points work, with handicap strokes, and why most club competitions use it.

Golf handicaps explained

The World Handicap System: Handicap Index, course handicap and how to get one in the UK.

Match play explained

Hole by hole: 3 and 2, dormie, all square and concessions.

Golf terms explained

Fore, fairway, links, dogleg, draw, fade, gimme and more.

Tournaments

The four golf majors explained

The Masters, the PGA Championship, the US Open and The Open: when, where and why they matter.

How a golf tournament works

72 holes over four days, the cut, tee times, playoffs and prize money.

The Ryder Cup explained

Europe v USA: the format, the points, and the 2027 match at Adare Manor.