The Game of Golf

Golf is an outdoor game in which players hit a small hard ball with specially designed clubs that consist of a metal shaft and a wooden or a metal club head. The object is to strike the ball with the club so that the ball goes into a cup that is sunk in the ground and marked with a flag. A standard golf course is divided into 18 holes, each with a tee, where the initial stroke is made; a grass fairway; and a green, a smooth grass surface where the cup is located.

Each player attempts to reach the green and hit the ball into the cup using as few strokes as possible. Obstacles -- such as water, tall grass called rough, or traps filled with sand -- may be found near the green or fairway. As many as 14 different types of clubs may be used depending on the length of shot required or the terrain. The distance from tee to cup varies greatly, but generally it is from 100 to 600 yards. The length and difficulty of the hole determine the par, the number of strokes that a good golfer would need to put the ball into the cup. After 18 holes, the player with the lowest number of strokes is the winner of that round.

Golf tournaments are typically won by the player with the best (lowest) cumulative score after four rounds.

The Masters

Four major golf tournaments carry the most important titles in professional golf. They are the Masters, the Professional Golfer's Association Tournament (PGA), the U.S. Open, and the British Open. The Masters played at the Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia, is the most sought-after title in professional golf. The winners of the Masters Tournament up to 1993 are listed below.

* Won in a playoff