Dictionaries of the Scots Language
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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1976 (SND Vol. X). Includes material from the 2005 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

ADDRESS, v., n. Sc. usage in Golf; now in St.Eng.:

I. v. refl. To place oneself, esp. the feet and hands, in a proper position for striking the ball with the club; now gen. tr., to position oneself relative to (the ball) before driving it (Sc. 1887 W. G. Simpson Art of Golf 58).Sc. 1773 C. B. Clapcott Rules of Golf (1935) 24:
Every Golfer addressing himself to his Ball. Sc. 1896 W. Park Game of Golf 67:
In the position for driving, or, as it is technically termed, ‘addressing the ball’ for a drive.wm.Sc. 1989 William McIlvanney Walking Wounded 158:
The ball he addressed was addressed to him - too late now to change direction. Sc. 2000 Rules of Golf as published by the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews and effective from 1 Jan 2000 :
addressing the ball
A player has 'addressed the ball' when he has taken his stance and has also grounded his club, except that in a hazard a player has addressed the ball when he has taken his stance. Ayr. 2004:
'Addressing the ball' had become an act of reverence and meditation - the calm before the storm. Sc. 2005:
A click of the camera broke his concentration when he was addressing the ball.

II. n. The position taken up by a golfer in driving the ball.Sc. 1887 W. G. Simpson Art of Golf 53:
The Swing of the golfer may be divided into three parts: 1st, Position; 2nd, Address; 3rd, Swing proper. Sc. 1939 St. Andrews Cit. (2 Dec.) 3:
My furst ‘address’ to a ‘gutta’ ball on St Andrews Links.Sc. 2005:
Jack Niklaus cocks his head sharply to the right at the address.