Golf
The Masters
The Masters is a tournament, a place, and a vocabulary lesson all at once. The useful terms are the ones that explain the course, the score, the ceremony, and the noise around a Sunday leaderboard.
Terms in this guide
An annual major golf tournament held at Augusta National Golf Club.
Augusta NationalThe golf club and course where The Masters is played.
Green jacketThe garment awarded to the champion at Augusta National.
PatronThe word The Masters uses for a spectator.
Amen CornerThe famous Masters stretch covering holes 11, 12, and 13 at Augusta National.
Cut lineThe score threshold used to reduce the field after an early stage of a tournament.
BirdieOne stroke fewer than the number assigned to a hole.
ParThe number of strokes a skilled player is expected to take to complete a hole.
ForeA warning shouted when a moving ball may hit someone.
BogeyOne stroke more than the number assigned to a hole.
BunkerA prepared hollow filled with sand.
Ceremonial tee shotA symbolic opening shot before tournament play begins.
Defending championThe player who won the same tournament the previous time it was played.
FairwayThe closely cut route between the starting area and the target.
GreenThe closely cut area surrounding the cup.
LeaderboardThe ordered list showing players and their current scores.
Sunday chargeA late move up the leaderboard during the final round.
What you are watching
A stroke-play tournament on one famous course, with a small field, a cut after early rounds, and heavy attention on the final round.
What the broadcast keeps naming
The course, its landmarks, the leaderboard, and scoring words such as par, birdie, and bogey.
What feels ceremonial
The green jacket, the champion returning, and the opening traditions are part of why the event has its own vocabulary.