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ACE
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A slang expression for a hole-in-one.
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ADDRESS
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The player's position while preparing to play a shot
.
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ALIGNMENT
|
The aiming of your body at address, including the feet,
knees, hips and shoulders.
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ALBATROSS
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A score of 3 under par on a hole, usually called double
eagle.
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ALL SQUARE
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A phrase meaning the score is tied in match play.
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AMATEUR
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A golfer who plays for pleasure without remuneration.
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APPROACH
|
Any shot played with the intent of reaching the
green.
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APRON
|
The area surrounding the green where the grass is cut
shorter than on the fairway but not as short as on the
green. Also referred to as the fringe.
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ATTEST
|
Vouching for a competitor's score by signing her
scorecard at the end of a round.
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AWAY
|
The ball lying furthest from the hole, and therefore the
next ball to be played.
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BACKDOOR
|
A putt which rolls around the cup and into it from the
back side.
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BACK NINE
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The second nine holes of an eighteen hole course.
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BANANA BALL
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A slang term for a ball which curves wildly from left to
right.
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BEST BALL
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A match in which one golfer plays against the best ball
of three players or the better ball of two players.
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BIRDIE
|
One stroke under par.
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BITE
|
A ball struck with enough backspin to make it stop
quickly.
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BLADE
|
A putter with a thin head.
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BLASTER
|
An old term for a broad-soled bunker club; now called
sand wedge.
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BLIND SHOT
|
A shot in which the target area cannot be seen.
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BOGIE
|
One stroke over par.
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BORROW
|
To allow for slope (or occasionally wind) when putting
the ball.
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BRASSIE
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An old word for a #2 wood.
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BUNKER
|
See SAND TRAP
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CADDIE
|
A person who carries the clubs of a golfer.
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CARRY
|
The distance a ball travels from where it was struck to
where it lands.
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CASUAL WATER
|
A temporary accumulation of water not part of a water
hazard.
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CHIP
|
A short approach shot
taken from near the green intended to have a short flight
and a longer roll.
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CHOKE DOWN
|
Hold the grip closer to the shaft than normal to add
control or lessen distance.
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CLOSED STANCE
|
The left foot is closer to the target line than the right
foot at address.
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CONCEDE
|
A player may "concede" an opponent's putt in match play,
meaning the opponent is considered to have putted out on the
next stroke.
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COURSE
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The whole area within which play is permitted.
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COURSE RATING
|
The evaluation of the playing difficulty of a course for
scratch golfers stated in yardage.
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CURTIS CUP
|
The competition between amateur women golfers of the
United States and Britain.
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CUT SHOT
|
A ball struck with an intentional outside-in swing path
giving a clockwise spin to the ball causing it to curve from
left to right.
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DEAD
|
A ball which stops so close to the hole that the next
putt is a certainty.
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DIMPLES
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Small concave markings on the golf ball helping the ball
rise in flight.
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DIVOT
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A piece of turf dislodged by a golf swing.
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DOGLEG
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A hole with a fairway which bends sharply to the right or
left.
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DORMIE
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In match play, when a player or team is leading by the
number of holes remaining to be played.
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DOUBLE BOGEY
|
A score of two strokes over par. The words "triple" or
"quadruple" are linked to bogey to signify 3 or 4 strokes
over par.
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DOUBLE EAGLE
|
A score of three strokes under par, also called an
albatross.
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DOWN
|
The number of holes a golfer or a team is behind in match
play.
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DRAW
|
A ball that starts straight at or a little right of the
target and then curves slightly to the left with
counter-clockwise spin, causing it to roll more when it
lands. It is caused by the club moving on a slight
inside-out path with a square club face at impact.
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DRIVE
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To hit the ball off the tee or with a driver.
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DRIVER
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A #1 wood.
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DUB
|
A poorly skilled golfer or a poor shot.
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DUCK HOOK
|
A ball that curves sharply from right to left, also
called a snap hook.
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DUFFER
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A slang term for a poor golfer, also called a hacker.
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EAGLE
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A score of two strokes under par on a hole with a par of
more than 3 strokes.
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EXPLOSION SHOT
|
A shot hit in the sand trap where the club slides under
the ball and displaces a large amount of sand.
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FACE
|
The part of the club head that strikes the ball.
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FADE
|
A ball hit straight towards the target and then curving
slightly to the right. It is caused when the ball is struck
across on an outside-in path with a square club face at
impact, imparting a slight clockwise spin on the ball.
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FAIRWAY
|
The part of the
golf course between the tee and the green where the grass is
cut fairly short.
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FAT SHOT
|
Hitting too much ground under the ball, causing the club
head to lose speed thus lessening the distance the ball
travels.
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FLAG STICK
|
The pole in the cup on the green, usually with a flag
attached, also called the pin.
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FLAT SWING
|
A swing in which the club is closer to a horizontal than
vertical plane.
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FLIER
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A ball that goes further than intended because grass is
caught between the club and ball at impact reducing the
effect of the grooves on the club face; usually hit from the
rough.
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FOLLOW-THROUGH
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During the swing, the movement of the hands and arms
after the ball has been struck.
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FORE
|
A warning cry that lets
people know an errant shot is headed their way.
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FORWARD PRESS
|
The slight forward motion of the hands or the legs just
prior to the beginning of the swing.
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FOURSOME
|
Four golfers playing together; sometimes required to
speed up play.
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FRONT NINE
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The first nine holes of an eighteen hole course.
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GIMMIE
|
A slang word for a putt that is conceded in match
play.
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GOLF WIDOW(ER)
|
The slang term for the non-golfing spouse of a
golfer.
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GREEN
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The part of the
golf hole surrounding the cup where the grass is closely
cropped to facilitate putting.
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GRAIN
|
The direction in which the flat grass on a green
lies.
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GROOVES
|
The parallel lines on a club face designed to keep the
ball from running up the face.
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GROSS SCORE
|
The total number of strokes taken without regard to
handicap.
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GROUND THE CLUB
|
To place the club head on the ground behind the ball
prior to taking the swing.
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GROUND UNDER REPAIR
|
Areas on a golf course which are designated as being
under repair, and from which a free drop may be taken.
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HACKER
|
A poor golfer, also called a duffer.
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HALVED
|
A term used when players have the same score on a hole in
match play.
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HANDICAP
|
A number indicating a player's skill allowing players
with different skill levels to play together on a relatively
equal basis.
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HAZARD
|
The designation for a bunker, water area or water
hazard.
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HEAD
|
The part of the club furthest from the shaft with which
the ball is struck.
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HEEL
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The part of the club face nearest the shaft.
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HIGH SIDE
|
The part of the green above the hole on a sloping
green.
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HOLE
|
A 4 1/4 inch round hollow on the green into which one
hits the ball, also called the cup; or the area from the tee
box through the green, normally numbering 18 or 9 on a
course.
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HOLE IN ONE
|
The act of hitting the ball from the tee into the hole in
one shot.
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HOLE HIGH
|
Hitting the ball to a spot parallel to but not into the
hole.
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HOLE OUT
|
Stroking the ball into the hole.
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HOLLYWOOD HANDICAP
|
A slang expression for a handicap which is too low,
making the golfer sound "like a star."
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HONOR
|
The privilege of hitting first from the tee box, based on
who won the most recent hole.
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HOODING THE CLUB
|
Shutting the face of the club, usually by playing the
ball closer to the right foot than normal.
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HOOK
|
A ball which may start towards the target but then curves
greatly to the left with a counter-clockwise spin. It is
caused by hitting the ball on an exaggerated inside-out path
with a closed club face at impact.
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HOSEL
|
The extension of the head of the club into which the
shaft fits.
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IN
|
The designation found on the scorecard for the second 9
holes of an 18 hole course.
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INSIDE THE LEATHER
|
A slang expression for a short putt, no longer than the
leather (or synthetic) grip; sometimes conceded in friendly
play by an opponent.
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INTERLOCK
|
A grip in which the left forefinger and the right baby
finger are intertwined.
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LAG
|
To putt the ball with the intention of having it end up
close to the cup.
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LATERAL WATER HAZARD
|
A water hazard that runs parallel to a hole or green.
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LIE
|
The situation of the ball on the ground after it has been
played.
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LINKS
|
In strict terms a seaside course, but used to refer to
any golf course.
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LIP
|
The edge of the hole; also to hit a putt to the edge of
the hole which does not fall in.
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LOCAL KNOWLEDGE
|
The useful information a golfer acquires by playing the
same course many times.
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LOFT
|
The backward slope on the face of the club, defined in
degrees for each club.
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LOOSE IMPEDIMENTS
|
Natural objects such as leaves or loose stones which may
be moved as long as the lie of the ball is not changed.
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LOW SIDE
|
The part of the green below the hole on a sloping
green.
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LPGA
|
Ladies Professional Golf Association.
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MASHIE
|
An old term for a #5 iron.
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MATCH PLAY
|
Competition based on the number of holes won or lost by
each side.
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MEDAL PLAY
|
Competition based on the number of strokes taken by each
golfer; also called stroke play.
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MILITARY GOLF
|
A slang term for a person who hits a ball to the right,
then one to the left, etc., from "Right, Left, Right,
Left."
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MIXED FOURSOME
|
A foursome in which a female golfer is paired with a male
golfer on each side.
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MULLIGAN
|
A second shot allowed after a poor first shot from the
first tee in friendly play.
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NASSAU
|
A three-way bet made on both the front nine and the back
nine as well as the total round.
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NET SCORE
|
The score for a round or a hole after the handicap has
been deducted from the gross score.
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NEVER UP NEVER IN
|
A cliche of golf meaning that unless a putt is struck
hard enough to reach the hole it has no chance of falling
into the cup.
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NIBLICK
|
An old term for a #8 iron.
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NINETEENTH HOLE
|
An expression for the club bar, or having a friendly
drink at the end of the round.
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OFFSET
|
A club with a head that is set back from the hosel,
putting the hands further in front to help square the club
at impact.
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OPEN STANCE
|
The left foot is further from the target line than the
right foot at address.
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OUT
|
The designation for the first 9 holes of an 18 hole
course on the scorecard.
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OUT OF BOUNDS
|
Areas where play is prohibited, often marked by red
stakes or listed in the course scorecard.
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OVERLAPPING
|
A grip in which the right baby finger laps over the left
forefinger.
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PAR
|
A fixed number of
strokes for each hole used as a standard of excellence,
allowing for 2 putts and additional strokes depending on
distance.
|
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PIN
|
The pole in the cup on the green, also called the flag
stick.
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PITCH
|
An approach shot to the green which has a high arc and
stops quickly.
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PREFERRED LIE
|
A relaxation of the rules under poor conditions which
allows the golfer to move his ball on the fairway; also
called winter rules.
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PRESIDENT'S CUP
|
A competition between the male professional golfers of
the United States and the "rest of the world" except Europe
held every four years.
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PRO SIDE OF CUP
|
The side above the hole when the cup is cut on a sloping
green, since the professional usually allows for the slope
better than the amateur.
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PROVISIONAL BALL
|
A ball played when a golfer is unsure whether it will be
possible to find or play the first shot, i.e. a ball that
may be lost, out of bounds, or in a water hazard. It is
picked up without penalty if the first ball may be legally
played.
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PULL
|
A shot that goes directly to the left because of the
action of the club (outside-in swing with a closed face at
impact).
|
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PUSH
|
A ball that goes directly to the right because of the
action of the club (inside-out swing with an open face at
impact).
|
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PUTT
|
A short stroke taken on or near the green intended to put
the ball in the hole.
|
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PUTTER
|
A short club with a straight face designed for use on the
green; also the person putting the ball.
|
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RAP
|
To hit a putt with a short but very firm backswing and
follow-through.
|
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REVERSE PIVOT
|
An incorrect move made during the downswing when the
weight is transferred to the back foot instead of the front
foot.
|
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ROUND
|
The playing of an agreed upon number of holes, usually 18
but sometimes 9; named after the circular design of early
golf courses.
|
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ROUGH
|
Any part of the
course off the fairway where the grass or weeds are allowed
to grow freely or are cut only slightly.
|
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ROB OF THE GREEN
|
When a ball in motion is stopped or deflected by an
outside agency (a spectator, bird, etc.), it is called the
"rub of the green" and the ball must be played as it
lies.
|
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RYDER CUP
|
A competition between the male professional golfers of
the United States and Europe held every four years.
|
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SAND TRAP
|
A depressed area filled with sand. Because it is a
hazard, the club may not touch the sand before the ball is
struck in a sand trap.
|
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SAND WEDGE
|
A high lofted club with a flange (bottom of the club)
which is lower than the leading edge, allowing the club to
move through the sand easily. This design feature is called
bounce.
|
|
SCOTCH FOURSOME
|
A match in which two teams compete, each team using one
ball and hitting it alternately.
|
|
SCRATCH PLAYER
|
A player who averages par.
|
|
SHAFT
|
The long part of the club to which the grip and the club
head are attached.
|
|
SHANK
|
A ball struck sharply to the right; normally the result
of being hit on the neck or hosel of the club.
|
|
SIDE
|
A player or two or more golfers playing as a team.
|
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SKYING
|
A ball hit with a wood which goes almost straight up with
little forward distance; caused by too steep an angle of
descent in the downswing.
|
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SLICE
|
A ball curving sharply to the right due to an outside-in
swing path and an open club face at impact.
|
|
SLOPE
|
A handicap index rating the playing difficulty of a
course for above scratch golfers.
|
|
SOLE
|
The bottom of the club.
|
|
SOLHEIM CUP
|
A competition between the female professional golfers of
the United States and Britain held every four years.
|
|
SPOON
|
An old term for the #3 wood
|
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SQUARE STANCE
|
The toes of the golfer are at equal distance from the
target line at address.
|
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STANCE
|
The position of the golfer's feet at address.
|
|
STIFF
|
A ball struck very close to the hole.
|
|
STROKE PLAY
|
Competition based on the number of strokes taken by each
player; also called medal play.
|
|
SWEET SPOT
|
The best spot on the club face to hit the ball, somewhere
about equal distance from the toe and the heel.
|
|
SUDDEN DEATH
|
Extra holes played at the end of a competition between
players who have tied for the lead.
|
|
TAKEAWAY
|
The initial part of the golf swing.
|
|
TARGET LINE
|
An imaginary line which runs from the ball to the
intended target.
|
|
TEE
|
The section of the course
from which one hits the first shot on every hole; also a
small conical piece of wood or plastic (originally a small
earthen mound) on which one places the ball to hit the first
shot on each hole.
|
|
TEXAS WEDGE
|
A nickname for the putter when it is used to stroke a
ball from off the green.
|
|
THIN SHOT
|
A ball hit with the leading edge of the club at precisely
the middle causing a low shot with lessened distance.
|
|
THROUGH THE GREEN
|
A designation for the entire course including hazards
except the tee box and the green of the hole being played.
The "green" was the name given to early courses.
|
|
TOE
|
The part of the club head furthest from the shaft.
|
|
TOPPING
|
Striking the ball above the middle with the leading edge
of the club, causing the ball to roll or bounce forward for
only a short distance.
|
|
TORSION
|
A degree of twist occurring in the shaft of the club
during the golf swing.
|
|
TRAJECTORY
|
The flight of a golf ball while in the air.
|
|
TURN
|
The transition from the first nine holes to the second
nine holes of play.
|
|
UNPLAYABLE LIE
|
A ball not resting in a water hazard which is deemed
unplayable by its owner.
|
|
UPRIGHT SWING
|
A swing in which the club is closer to the vertical than
the horizontal plane.
|
|
USGA
|
United States Golf Association.
|
