golf
The basic objective of the sport is to hit the ball in all 18 holes on the course in as few strokes as possible. No one is quite sure how this refined game came to be. The main clue points to a primitive version practiced in the Roman Empire, paganica, in which a stick was used to pocket a ball of wool. Modern golf would only appear in the 15th century, in Scotland, from where it spread to the rest of Europe. In today’s professional circuits, the scoreboard is based on an index called par, which shows the number of shots expected to take the ball to each hole on the course. When it is said that a hole is par 3, for example, it means that it usually takes three shots to pocket the ball.
The sum of the pair of holes gives the par of the course, that is, the average of strokes to complete the circuit. “In addition to being a reference for the player, the pair makes it easier to compare the performance of athletes who are on different holes”, says golfer Roberto Gomes, Brazilian and South American champion. Players usually practice the sport accompanied by their caddy, a particularly important assistant, as, in addition to carrying the clubs, he gives tips on the best strategy to overcome each hole. In total, around 30 rules govern specific situations in the sport – such as a player who hits another player’s ball and is punished with two strokes. However, some modalities are disputed with different regulations. In team play, for example, only the number of strokes of the player with the best performance in each hole is considered.
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There are three main types of clubs: the first is wood or carbon, which has a wide end to hit the ball long distances. The second is iron, used in approach shots to the hole. The third is the so-called putter, thinner and made of light metal, used for precision hits, already very close to the target.
HARD TASK
The hole is only 10.8 centimeters in diameter, against the 4.2 centimeters in diameter of the ball, which weighs 45 grams. In the distance, a flag helps visualize the target’s position on the field. However, when the golfer is about to pocket it, it is removed so as not to interfere with the shot.
RIGID LABEL
Golf does not require a specific uniform, but good etiquette prohibits the use of shorts and tank tops. The basic kit includes loose clothing for ease of movement, shoes with cleats to secure your feet to the ground, and a hat to protect you from the sun.
NATURAL DEVIATION
On some holes, small forests strategically placed create a curve between the starting point and the final target. This obstacle forces you to change direction, increasing the difficulty of hitting the hole with a single shot.
SAFE TRAIL
The easiest route to get to the hole is called the fairway (“the good way”, in English), where the trimmed grass does not interfere with the shots. Play is much more difficult if the ball lands in the rough, a region of uneven terrain and tall grass, usually on the sides of the fairway.
GREEN CARPET
The hole is positioned on the green (“green”), an area with perfectly cut grass. Based on the distance between the starting point and the green, par is calculated, the index with the average number of shots to reach the hole. On the par 3 holes, the distance is less than 228 meters; on par 4, between 228 and 430 meters; on the par 5, over 430 meters
FLYING IMPULSE
The opening shot of each hole requires a great swing, a body movement that makes the club launch the ball more than 200 meters. First, golfers adjust their body and club position to decide the correct direction. Then they focus on the power of the shot to determine how far the ball should travel.
GAME START
On the immense field, which can occupy up to a thousand square kilometers, each hole has a different starting point, called a tee, the same name given to the plastic or wooden pin that positions the ball for the initial movement. The tee sits in a rectangular space of clipped grass
WATER IN THE PLANS
Another difficult obstacle to overcome are the rivers and lakes that cross the golf course. If the ball lands in the water, play restarts on the bank, but the player is penalized with one more stroke on his score.
TREACHEROUS TRAP
On many holes, sand tanks are positioned near the green to disrupt the lives of those about to hit the target. In the sand, the biggest challenge is hitting the ball without the club touching the ground first, which completely deviates the direction of the hit.
IMPORTANT DECISION