Expert: Maria - 5/13/2005

Question
A friend is opening a golf course and asked to see if a motto could be translated into Latin for the dedication plaque.  The phrase he decided on is peculiar to the game of golf:
"Play it as it lies."  If you could help it would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

Answer
Hello,

The phrase “Play it as it lies" , which is one of the most fundamental principles of golf, could be translated into classical  Latin as follows, though obviously the sport of golf did not exist in Roman times:

1-“Pila stante, tum lude”.

or:

2-“Cum pila stat, tum lude “.

Please note that:
-PILA STANTE (or CUM PILA STAT)  is “as it lies”
-TUM LUDE is “Play it”.

As for this translation, I must point out that its literal meaning is:

“Play (TUM LUDE) when the ball comes to rest, whatever state it is in”( CUM PILA STAT or PILA STANTE).

It's impossible in fact to translate “Play it as it lies" word for word as in Latin such a translation would not make sense.

Hope this suggestion can be helpful to your friend.

Best wishes
Maria