Definition: Any spot in fairways, rough or other playing areas other than hazards where the ground is very hard due to compacting of the soil. The term is particularly applied to hard, bare patches of dirt, but it equally applies to grassed areas where the grass is closely mown on top of very compact soil. With a hardpan lie, the golfer will have a difficult time getting the club under the ball to take a divot. The golf club, upon striking the hard ground, will often bounce up, resulting in many shots hit thin.
Alternate Spellings: Hard pan
