The Definition of 'Carry' in Golf
"Carry" can be used as a noun or a verb in its golf context, but either way its meaning stems from carry referring to the distance a golf shots travels or needs to travel to hit a target or to clear an obstacle or hazard.
As a verb, "carry" means to clear an obstacle on the golf course, or to hit a target. For example, "I carried the bunker, but just barely." Or, "it's 175 yards if you want to carry to the front of the green."
As a noun, "carry" refers to the distance your shots travel from the point of contact with the club to the point they hit the ground. All shots have a little roll to them, which along with carry makes up the full distance. Carry = distance your ball is in the air; roll = additional distance gained after hitting the ground. Carry + roll = total distance. Knowing your carry is important in order to decide whether to attempt to clear a water hazard, for example.
One can refer to that distance in the air using either the verb tense or noun tense: "I carry my 7-iron 150 yards," or "My 7-iron carry is 150 yards." A related term is "cover number." If you must hit the ball 150 yards to reach the front of the green, then 150 is your cover number.
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