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Golf is a popular recreational and professional sport worldwide, dominated by tournaments such as the PGA Tour and the Masters.  Utilizing a club and ball, the object is to play the ball from the starting point to the hole in as few strokes as possible.

The golf course is usually between 5,000 and 7,000 yards in length, and divided into 18 holes which are 100 to 600 or more yards apart.  Each hole features a flat teeing ground, a fairway 30 to 100 yards wide, a green, or putting surface, and a hole 4.25 inches 

in diameter marked by a flag.  Each hole may also have sand traps, ponds or streams, ditches, and natural features such as trees, rocks, and shrubs; all of which make the course more unpredictable and challenging.

The ball must be played as it lies from the tee to the hole.  The player whose ball is furthest away from the hole takes the first turn.  "Par" refers to the number of strokes a first-class player should take on a hole in optimum conditions.  One stroke higher than par is known as a "bogey," one shot lower than par is a "birdie," two fewer strokes is an "eagle," and three strokes less than par is known as an "albatross" or "double eagle."  Amateur golfers may play with a "handicap," which is the average number of strokes above par of a number of previous rounds.

When a golf ball is hit, it acquires "spin," most commonly "backspin," which gives it an upward force enabling it to fly higher and longer than a ball without spin.  "Sidespin" is a technique used by accomplished golfers to steer the bal

l around obstacles by causing the ball to curve to the left, a "draw," or to the right, a "fade."  If "sidespin" is not successful it may result in a "hook" (sharp angle to the right), or a "slice" (sharp angle to the left).

The golf ball has a minimum diameter of 1.68 inches and a maximum weight of 1.62 ounces.  It has a core wound with elastic thread and covered in a dimpled plastic casing.  Golf tees are usually made of wood or plastic and resemble a nail with a cup on the head.  Different types of golf clubs are used depending on the objective.  The three major types of clubs are woods, irons, and putters.  Woods are used for distance shots, irons are used for precision shots, and putters are usually used on the green to "putt" the ball into the hole.  Golfers typically wear special shoes with soft spikes on the sole, active sportswear, and gloves that help grip the club; usually one on the left hand for a right handed player or the right hand for a left-handed player.  Sometimes special golf carts are utilized to provide transport around the course.