Do You Know The Proper Use Of The Word "Green" In Golf?

Believe it or not, this is how greens used to be mowed. 
Are these men "Greenskeepers" or "Greenkeepers"?

A great deal of confusion surrounds the use of the word "green" in proper golf terminology.  Should one use "green fee" or "greens fee"?  Is it "greenkeeper" or a "greenskeeper"?  Exactly what area does the word "green" pertain to on a golf course?  And is it the "USGA Green Section" or the "USGA Greens Section"?

Green is a noun and has two proper golf meanings.  The first meaning is chiefly of Scottish origin.  It simply defines all territory of a golf course, or all areas outside the confines of the clubhouse.  Thus, it can be used in relation to all outdoor areas of a golf course.  The second meaning, most readily known to modern audiences, means the area of short grass surrounding a hole.  This area is generally mown and rolled to the smoothest possible texture.  In keeping with the first meaning, a greenkeeper is someone whose responsibilities entail maintaining all areas of the golf course outside the clubhouse.  The term was changed to Golf Course Superintendent in North America several decades ago.

In most cases of using the word green in golf terminology, the use should be singular.  Green fee, greenkeeper, green committee, and USGA Green Section are all correct uses.  

One final word on this subject: green, in proper golf terminology, does NOT refer to any particular color found on a golf course; it only applies to areas or regions of a golf course.

USGA Green Section Record: April 1, 2011 -- Volume 49, Number 13

May 21, 1923

I found this to be quite humorous...

Advice to Players

From the Bulletin of the USGA Green Section - May 21, 1923
 

The author of "The Golfer's Rain Jacket" is evidently a golfer (ed. note: this is apparently a reference to another article or publication of the time). There is much feeling embodied in his set of "Don'ts'." We pass along his advice. 

"Don't move, talk, whistle, cough, sneeze, groan, grunt or even think out loud while a stroke is being played. Don't stand close to, in front of, behind or cast shadows across the player's line-while he is addressing a 'putt.' If the ball 'rims' the cup it then becomes your duty to restrain the player from any acts of violence."

"Don't play from a tee until the party in front have all played their second strokes, replaced their divots, relighted their pipes, concluded their golf stories, collected their caddies, selected their next clubs and are well out of range."

"Don't play up to a putting green until the party in front have all holed out, practiced their missed putts, replaced the flag, fixed up the score cards, exchanged the putters for drivers and all players and caddies are off the green."

"Don't be vexed if the players in front can't find their lost ball. Should they, eventually, signal you to 'play through' (and then play along with you), show your appreciation by giving each of them a cigar. The 'Flor de Killdead' is made for this purpose, and is sold by all fireworks stores."

"Don't fail to fill up and to smooth over neatly all footprints in the bunker sand. If you carry in your bag a small garden rake, a bricklayer's trowel and a wire broom, the operation will require only about half an hour."

"Don't neglect immediately and properly to replace the turf. A small sprinkling can, a canteen of water, an ordinary rolling pin, a package of grass seeds and one pound of 'dehydrated ostrich manure, added to your equipment, will reduce this obligation to a mere pleasure!"