| R & A |
The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews who oversee golf in Europe, Asia and the Commonwealth |
| Range |
An area set aside for practice. |
| Ranger |
A course official who ensures prompt play on a golf course. |
| Rating Marker |
A sign next to the tee which indicates the point from which the holes yardage is measured. |
| Reading the Green |
The act of determining the preferred path the ball must take in order to go in the hole. |
| Recovery Shot |
To bring the ball back into a favourable playing position from an unfavourable one such as a hazard. |
| Referee |
An official who interprets the Rules of Golf during a match or competition. |
| Regular shaft |
A golf club shaft with an average amount of torque. |
| Release |
To hit the ball such that it rolls on impact with the green. Also refers to movement of golfer's hands during a swing. |
| Relief |
To lift and drop the ball without penalty in accordance with the rules. |
| Reverse Overlap |
Gripping the club with the little finger of one hand placed over the index finger of the other. |
| Rimmed |
A shot which circles the lip of the hole without dropping in. |
| Rough |
The high grass area adjacent to the fairway and green. |
| Round |
18 holes of golf. |
| Round robin |
A tournament in which everyone gets to play everyone else. |
| Royal and Ancient |
Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews - golf's primary governing body. |
| Rub of the Green |
An unexpected bounce of the ball after it hits the ground. Sometimes helpful, normally not. |
| Rule |
Official R&A rule or local rule. |
| Rules of Golf |
As published by the R&A. |
| Run |
The distance that the ball continues to travel after it's initial impact with the ground. |
| Running iron |
An iron used to make short shots which roll. |
| Run-up |
To hit the ball along or close to the ground toward and onto the green. |
