What Is A Cut In Golf

Golf has some unique terminology like birdie, hook, slice, and par, and another commonly used term is ‘cut.’ But, unlike other golf terms, this term has more than one meaning in the game – so let’s look at the word ‘cut’ and what it means in golf.

The term ‘cut’ in golf has two possible meanings. The first is the term used to describe an intentional shot where the ball shapes from left to right for a right-handed golfer. The second meaning is the term used to denote the score required for players to continue in a professional event.

Let’s get ready to tee off and discover the meaning of the term ‘cut’ in golf, the difference between a slice, a cut, and a fade, and how the cut line works in professional events.

The Cut In Golf – The Right-To-Left Shot Shape

Professional golfers and those playing in the low single-figure range can shape the ball at will; the two shapes they use are the draw and the cut or the fade.

The cut shot is played intentionally and is used in situations where the player needs to curve the golf ball around an obstacle like a tree. The mechanics of the cut shot bring the clubface across the face of the ball, creating a cutting or slicing motion.

This puts a sidespin on the ball in a clockwise motion, and when the ball is in the air, the spinning causes the ball’s flight to move right to the left in the air. This happens because there is high pressure on the left side of the ball and low pressure on the right, so the ball moves from left to right.

Depending on the player’s skill, the cut can be a gentle shape from left to right or an almost 90-degree curve.

The cut is usually played when the player creates an out-to-in swing path, so the clubface cuts across the ball at impact, imparting the required degree of spin. This is usually accomplished by opening the stance a little,  with the left foot slightly behind the right at the address.

This would cause the clubface to be open or facing to the right at impact, and the resulting shot shape would be cut or fade.

It’s important to remember that a cut or fade is not a slice – but since both of these shots move from left to right, what’s the difference? We take a look at some reasons why yu might cut of fade your shots here on the site in the article Why does my Golf Ball Curve Right

Cut Vs. Slice – What’s The Difference

The cut is a purposefully played shot that shapes the ball from left to right in varying degrees, depending on what the player wants. This shot requires skill and a lot of practice to execute in competition or normal play and is generally played by players with solid swing mechanics.

On the other hand, the slice is NOT a display of skill, but a lack thereof, and is very common amongst high-handicap players. It is caused by the club facing slicing across the ball on the swing path, creating a severe left-to-right shot shape.

The slice is primarily caused by poor swing mechanics where the player cannot bring the clubface back square to the ball at impact and ends up with the ball being severely cut off the face, and the dreaded ‘slice’ ensues!

The cure for the slice is one of the most searched-for remedies in golf, and countless lessons, programs, and gadgets are created to help golfers eliminate this swing problem.

The slice is caused by an open clubface – one that is pointing to the right- at the point of impact.

Often this can be the result of

• an incorrect grip,
• poor thumb position of the right hand,
• poor posture,
• the ball being too far away from the body,
• and the misalignment of the shoulders and the feet at address.

Now that you understand the cut or fade in golf let’s look at the second meaning of the word ‘cut’ in golf.

If you are looking for how far you should expect to hit a golf ball, with or without a cut or slice we have a golf club selection calculator here on the site.

What Is The Cut In Golf – The Cut Line

If you have watched professional golf events on TV, you will always hear the commentators referring to the ‘cut.’ This is, of course, not a reference to a golf shot or shot shape, but the cut line is the score players need to be at or under to play the third and fourth rounds of an event.

It’s called the cut because players that don’t make that score by the close of play Friday afternoon are ‘cut’ from the tournament and will leave the event and prepare for the upcoming one the following week.

What Is The Cut Rule For PGA Events

In most PGA events,  only 70 players are allowed to progress to the final two rounds, and the score of the 70^th player will be required. Any player that achieves that score at the end of the second round will be included in the cut for the third and fourth rounds.

The cut is a critical element in tournaments, as players who qualify for the cut will receive money regardless of where they finish the event. All professional players seek to make the cut in as many events as possible to ensure they get paid.

The prize money in pro events is allocated to the top 70 players. Although the money for last place is minimal compared to the top 5 or 10, it would still be enough to play for that weekend’s expenses, like accommodation and caddy fees.

What Is The Cut Rule For The Masters

The Masters has a different cut rule, as only the top 50 players and leaderboard ties will qualify for the final two rounds.

Before 2020, the cut rule at The Masters also allowed players that finished the second round within 10 shots of the leader to compete in the last two rounds, which was axed in 2020.

Conclusion

Whether playing the cut or making the cut, you now know the two different meanings of the term ‘cut’ in golf.

The first is the shape of the ball from right to left, played intentionally, and the second is the score required for a player to progress to the money rounds in golf tournaments.

Resources

• https://thegolfnewsnet.com/golfnewsnetteam/2021/05/14/what-is-pga-tour-cut-rule-how-cut-line-determined-102941/
• http://www.theswingengineer.com/ball_flight.html
• https://golf.com/instruction/10-reasons-why-you-keep-slicing-the-golf-ball
• https://jimfuryk.com/cut-shot-in-golf/
• https://www.liveabout.com/cut-shot-meaning-1564038