Do you love to golf? This sport is incredibly popular in English, so it is not surprising that there are many golf expressions in English. How many of these have you heard?
English also uses many expressions from other sports: read our Sports Related Idioms for more information!
Golf Expressions in English
Above/below par
Golf definition: “Par” is the number of attempts a player should make before putting the ball in the hole. (It can also be used for many rounds of golf or for entire tournaments.) To be “above par” means that it took the player more attempts than “normal”; to be “below par” is the opposite.
English definition: Better or worse than average.
Example: Your writing and vocabulary skills are above par, but we need to work on your pronunciation.
Not up to par
English definition: Not as good as something should be; below average.
Example: I’m worried that my skiing is not up to par with my friends. We will see this weekend when we go to Big Bear!
Hole in one
Golf definition:Â Hitting the ball into the hole in one attempt.Â
English definition: A successful attempt at something.
Example: Your presentation was a hole in one. Excellent job.
On par with
English definition: To be at the same level as something or someone else.
Example: My running isn’t on par with Silvia’s, so it’s difficult to exercise with her.
Par for the course
English definition: Typical.
Example: Spending 2-3 hours on social media each day is par for the course these days.
Tee up
Golf definition:Â To get ready to hit the ball; to put the ball on the tee (the small wooden piece that goes into the ground).
English definition: Prepare something; make detailed arrangements.
Example: The children are teeing up for their annual spring concert.
CISL San Diego organizes private or group golf lessons for students upon request. The lessons, which are either 30 minutes or one hour, are organized at one of the four beautiful golf courses in San Diego (La Jolla, Coronado, Balboa Park, or Fashion Valley). The lessons include equipment. For more information, contact the CISL Activities Coordinator at sdactivities (at) cisl (dot) edu.