Even non-golfers are aware of terms such as birdie, eagle and albatross - but what might your score be if you had a kingfisher?
That is a serious question if you play Druids Glen golf course in Co Wicklow, which yesterday announced it was determined to have as many birdies as possible on its courses by setting up a wild-bird sanctuary.
Golf courses, particularly in Ireland, have been criticised for being anti-wildlife because their construction often destroys or displaces existing diverse habitats used by wildlife.
However, according to Denis Kane of the Druids Glen resort, golfing can do with a few more birdies to add to those of the score-card variety - and to the 35 indigenous species to be found on the resort's 400-acre site, home to two world-class golf courses and a hotel.
"We have for many years noted the presence of kingfishers along the river on our famous 13th hole in Druids Glen and we decided we would like to enhance that, because so many golfers are interested in wildlife," he said.
Local wildlife enthusiast Derek Mulrooney suggested that the resort set up a sanctuary.
"We decided to invest in the project for the benefit of the golfers, the resort and the locality," said Mr Kane.
"We decided to get Derek to project-manage the programme, which he drew up for us, and we are delighted with the outcome."
He said the programme included improving the habitat to include vegetation and nesting boxes on the resort, which hosted the Irish Open four times and was voted European Golf Resort of the Year.
A programme has also been drawn up for controlled feeding of swans and ducks on the resort's lakes and rivers, and of pheasants who live in its woodlands.
However, at the centre of the plan is the building of special kingfisher banks to encourage nesting, said Mr Kane.
"We see increased numbers of mute swans, mallard duck. We know that our bird-boxes will assist the smaller birds to nest and breed in safety around the estate," he said yesterday following a visit to Druids Glen by the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Mr Roche, to view the work.