A

Ace

Hole in one

In golf, a hole in one or hole-in-one is when a player hits the ball directly from the tee into the cup with one shot. This is most possible on a par 3 hole. Longer hitters have accomplished this feat on shorter par 4 holes...

: When a player hits the ball directly from the tee into the hole with one stroke. Also called a hole in one.

Address: The act of taking a stance and placing the clubhead behind the ball. If the ball moves once a player has addressed the ball, there is a one-stroke penalty.

Aerosol: A player who rarely hits the ball in a consistent line. One who sprays the ball.

Aggregate: Refers to a score made over more than one round of play, or by two or more players playing as partners.

Aim: Generally, the direction in which your target lies and the direction you intend for your ball to go.

Air shot: an attempt to strike the ball where the player fails to make contact. Counted as a stroke. See also whiff.

Albatross: A hole played three strokes under par. Also called a Double Eagle.

Alignment: The position of a player's body relative to the target line of the ball.

All square: in match play, a match is all square (tied) when both players or teams have won the same number of holes.

Ambrose: A system of team play whereby each player takes a tee shot, after which the most favourable ball position is chosen. All the team's players then take a shot from this new position, and so on. (Also known as a Texas Scramble)

Angle of approach: The angle at which the club head strikes the ball. This affects the trajectory the ball will travel and spin.

Approach shot: A shot intended to land the ball on the green.

Apron: The grass surface on the perimeter of the green that separates it from the surrounding fairway or rough. Also known as froghair, or fringe.

Artisan: A class of membership of a golf club with restricted rights at a low cost. Historically, many British golf clubs had small artisan sections, drawn from the working classes. Typically artisan members had limited playing rights, could not enter the clubhouse, had no vote on the management of the club, played in separate competitions from the main membership and had to perform unpaid maintenance of the course. Often an artisan club was a separate organisation that had negotiated use of a course with a private members club. Some artisan organisations have survived to this day.

Attend (the flagstick): When a player holds and removes the flagstick for another player.

Away: Describing the golfer whose ball is farthest from the hole. The player who is away should always play first.

Austin: Any ball that lands off of the green yet still on an imaginary line passing through the flagstick. The ball can be any distance off of the green, out to infinity, as long as it is still located on the imaginary line. Thus a player can be pin high 50 yards wide right and still claim an Austin.

B

Back nine: the last nine holes of an 18 hole golf course. Playing the back nine is called "heading in".

Backspin: a reverse spin inevitably placed on any ball that becomes airborne. The spin causes the ball to climb and land softly on the green.

Backswing: The backward part of the swing starting from the ground and going back behind the head.

Ball: a small sphere used in playing golf, which is intended to be struck by a club and travel in the general direction of the green for a particular hole, if one is playing on a regulation golf course.

Ball-marker: a token or a small coin used to spot the ball's position on the green prior to lifting it.

Ball-washer: a device found on many tees for cleaning golf balls.

Banana-ball: A slice that curves to the right in the shape of a banana. An extreme slice.

Bandit: See Sandbagger.

Bare Lie: When the ball lies directly on hard ground without any grass to buoy the ball up - ie where there is no grass creating a gap between ball and the ground. Applicable when practicing off hard mats.

Best ball: A form of team play using two, three, or four person teams. The team score on each hole is the lowest score obtained by one of the team members. For example, if player A has a 5, player B has a 6, player C has a 4, and player D has a 5, the "best ball" and team score is a 4.

BIGGA

British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association

BIGGA, the British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association was officially formed on January 1, 1987. The association represents the interests of greenkeepers and progresses and develops of the profession of greenkeeping....

: is the professional association in the United Kingdom dealing with all matters of golf management from a greenkeeper's viewpoint. For the U.S. equivalent, see GCSAA.

Birdie: A hole played in one stroke under par.

Bisque: A form of handicapping used in private matchplay games. The higher handicapped player is allowed to choose on which holes they receive their handicap allowance of "free shots". As this is a matter of negotiation between the players involved there are many variations in the number of shots allowed and when (before the start of the round, before playing a hole, during the play of a hole, after playing a hole) the claiming of "free shot" is allowed. Bisque matches are not recognised by the rules of golf.

Bite: heavy backspin applied to a ball that causes it to stop quickly instead of rolling when it lands. Depending on where the ball lands, the ball may roll backwards.

Blade: term used to describe one type of iron where the weight is distributed evenly across the back of the clubhead as opposed to mainly around the perimeter (see "cavity back"). Also, describes a shot struck "thinly" with the bottom of an iron striking high up on the golf ball, causing a low trajectory shot with a lack of control.

Blast: a bunker shot that sends the ball, and accompanying sand, (hopefully) onto the green. Also known as an "explosion".

Blind: a shot that does not allow the golfer to see where the ball will land, such as onto an elevated green from below.

Block: a shot played severely to the right; as opposed to slices, which curve from left to right, a blocked shot goes directly right. Similar to the "push".

Bogey: a hole played one stroke over par.

Bounce: technically, the measure of the angle from the front edge of a club's sole to the point that rests on the ground when addressing the ball.

Bounce Back: scoring a birdie or better on a hole immediately following a bogie or worse. Also see Reverse Bounce Back.

Break: The tendency of a putted ball to roll left or right of a straight line. This deviation may be a result of a number of factors or combination of factors including uneven surface, grain of the grass, how firmly the putt is struck or, in extreme circumstances, wind. In the United Kingdom

United Kingdom

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...

, it is also known as "borrow".

Bullarding: Playing consistently above your regular handicap or regularly failing to achieve in competition play. It is the opposite of sandbagging.

Bump and run: a low-trajectory shot that is intended to get the ball rolling along the fairway and up onto the green. Similar to a chip shot, but played from a greater distance.

Bunker: A depression in bare ground that is usually covered with sand. Also called a "sand trap". It is considered a hazard under the Rules of Golf.

Bunker, Greenside: A bunker next to or even in a green. See bunker.

Bunker, Fairway: A bunker located on or in the fairway. See bunker.

Bye: a short game played over the remaining holes when the main match finishes early because one player or team has won by a large margin. It serves the joint purpose of adding some competitive meaning to the rest of the holes and also for the losing side to attempt to regain some of the pride lost as a result of their humiliation in the main match. It is usual for the loser of the bye to buy the first drinks in the 19th hole afterwards. In this respect it is an almost direct equivalent to a beer match in cricket

Cricket

Cricket is a bat-and-ball game played between two teams of 11 players on an oval-shaped field, at the centre of which is a rectangular 22-yard long pitch. One team bats, trying to score as many runs as possible while the other team bowls and fields, trying to dismiss the batsmen and thus limit the...

.

C

Caddy

Caddy

In golf, a caddy is the person who carries a player's bag and clubs, and gives insightful advice and moral support. A good caddy is aware of the challenges and obstacles of the golf course being played, along with the best strategy in playing it. This includes knowing overall yardage, pin...

or Caddie: A person, often paid, who carries a player's clubs and offers advice. Players are responsible for the actions of their caddies. Players cannot receive advice from anyone other than their caddy or partner.

Calcutta: a wager, typically in support of one team to win a tournament. In a Calcutta golfers bid, auction style, on the team (or golfer) who they think will win the tournament (you can bid on your own team or yourself). All the money raised through the auction goes into an auction pool. At the end of the tournament, those who bet on the winning team (or golfer) that won the tournament receives a pre-determined payout from the auction pool.

Carry: how far the ball travels through the air. Contrasted with "run".

Cart: the four-wheeled electrical or gas-powered vehicle for use in transporting players and their equipment from hole to hole. Also, a hand-pulled (2-wheel) or hand-pushed (3-wheel) cart for carrying a bag of clubs, also available in powered versions controlled by remote.

Casual water: any temporary standing water visible after a player has taken his stance. Snow and ice can also be taken as casual water, as well as water that overflows the banks of existing water hazards.

Cavity back: any iron whose design characteristic is such that the weight is distributed primarily around the outer edges of the clubhead in order to maximize forgiveness on off-center hits.

Chip: a short shot (typically played from very close to and around the green), that is intended to travel through the air over a very short distance and roll the remainder of the way to the hole.

Chunk: A swing that results in the clubhead hitting the ground before the ball, resulting in a large chunk of ground being taken as a divot. Also called a "fat" shot, or "chili-dipping".

Clone: Budget brand golf clubs that look similar to, and emulate the characteristics of, more expensive clubs without breaching any patents.

Closed face: when (in relation to the target-line) the clubface is angled toward the player's body, ie angled left for right-handed players.

Closed stance: when a player's front foot is set closer to the target-line. Used to draw the ball or to prevent a slice.

Club: (i) An implement

Golf club (equipment)

A golf club is used to hit a golf ball in a game of golf. Each club is composed of a shaft with a grip and a clubhead. Woods are mainly used for long-distance fairway or tee shots; irons, the most versatile class, are used for a variety of shots; Hybrids that combine design elements of woods and...

 used by a player to hit a golf ball. A player is allowed to carry up to fourteen (14) clubs during a round of golf.
(ii) An organised group of golfers, usually owning or managing a golf course.
(iii) The entirety of a golf facility, including course, club-house, pro-shop, practice areas etc.

Clubhead: The part of a club that used to strike the ball.

Clubface: The surface of the clubhead which is designed to strike the golf ball. Striking the ball with the center of the clubface maximizes distance and accuracy.

Clubhouse: This is where play begins and ends. The clubhouse is also your source for information about local rules, the conditions of the course, upcoming events and other essential information for the avid golfer. Normally, you can also purchase balls, clubs, clothes, and other golfing equipment at the clubhouse.

Come-backer: a putt required after the previous putt went past the hole.

Compression: the measurement for expressing the hardness of a golf ball, normally 90 compression. Harder balls (100 compression) are intended for players with faster swings but may also be useful in windy conditions.

Condor: a four-under par shot; for example, a hole-in-one on a par 5. Might also be called "a triple eagle".

Course: a designated area of land on which golf is played through a normal succession from hole #1 to the last hole.

Course rating: Course rating is a numerical value given to each set of tees at a particular golf course to approximate the number of strokes it should take a scratch golfer to complete the course.

Cross-handed: putting (and, occasionally, full-swing) grip in which the hands are placed in positions opposite that of the conventional grip. For right-handed golfers, a cross-handed grip would place the left hand below the right. Also known as the "left-hand low" grip, it has been known to help players combat the yips.

Cut: (i) the reduction in the size of the field during a multiple round stroke play tournament. The cut is usually set so that a fixed number of players, plus anyone tied for that place, or anyone within a certain number of strokes of the lead will participate in the subsequent round(s). Tournaments may have more than one cut.
(ii) a shot similar to a fade, a cut curves from left to right (for a right-handed player), but is generally higher in trajectory.

D

Dead: TV-broadcaster slang for a shot in which there is no favorable outcome possible. Variations include "Get the body bags!" A favorite of Gary McCord

Gary McCord

Gary Dennis McCord is an American professional golfer, commentator, author, and actor.-Early life and career:McCord was born in San Gabriel, California and raised in southern California. He was a two-time Division II All-American at UC Riverside...

.

Dimples: The round indentations on a golf ball cover which are scientifically designed to enable the ball to make a steady and true flight. Dimples, by reducing drag, allow a golf ball to stay in the air for a longer flight than would be possible with a smooth ball.

Divot: (i) the chunk of grass and earth displaced during a stroke.
(ii) the indentation on the green caused by the ball on an approach shot; more properly called a pitch mark or ball mark.

Dogballs: scoring an 'eight' on any single golf hole. The origin of the term is in reference to what the number 'eight' looks like on its side.

Dogleg: a left or right bend in the fairway.

Dog licence: A defeat in matchplay by the margin of 7&6. Named because the cost of a dog licence in the United Kingdom

United Kingdom

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...

 before decimalisation

Decimal Day

Decimal Day was the day the United Kingdom and Ireland decimalised their currencies.-Old system:Under the old currency of pounds, shillings and pence, the pound was made up of 240 pence , with 12 pence in a shilling and 20 shillings in a...

 in 1971 was seven shilling

Shilling

The shilling is a unit of currency used in some current and former British Commonwealth countries. The word shilling comes from scilling, an accounting term that dates back to Anglo-Saxon times where it was deemed to be the value of a cow in Kent or a sheep elsewhere. The word is thought to derive...

s and sixpence (written 7/6, 37½p in new money), commonly known as seven and six.

Dormie or Dormy: A situation in match play when a player leads by as many holes as there are holes left to play. For example, 4 up with four holes to play is called "dormie 4".

Double bogey: a hole played two strokes over par.

Double cross: a shot whereby a player intends for a fade and hits a hook, or conversely, intends to play a draw and hits a slice. So called because the player has aimed left (in the case of a slice) and compounds this with hitting a hook, which moves left as well.

Double eagle: A hole played three strokes under par. Also called an Albatross.

Downswing: The motion of swinging a club from the top of the swing to the point of impact.

Draw: A shot that, for a right-handed golfer, curves to the left; often played intentionally by skilled golfers. An overdone draw usually becomes a hook.

Drive: The first shot of each hole, made from an area called the tee box (see definition below), usually done with a driver

Golf club (equipment)

A golf club is used to hit a golf ball in a game of golf. Each club is composed of a shaft with a grip and a clubhead. Woods are mainly used for long-distance fairway or tee shots; irons, the most versatile class, are used for a variety of shots; Hybrids that combine design elements of woods and...

 (a type of golf club

Golf club (equipment)

A golf club is used to hit a golf ball in a game of golf. Each club is composed of a shaft with a grip and a clubhead. Woods are mainly used for long-distance fairway or tee shots; irons, the most versatile class, are used for a variety of shots; Hybrids that combine design elements of woods and...

).

Duck-hook: A severe low hook that barely gets airborne.

Duff: also known as Dub. A horrible shot. See Shank.

E

Eagle: A hole played in two strokes under par.

Even: Having a score equal to that of par.

Explosion: A bunker shot that sends the ball, and accompanying sand, (hopefully) onto the green. Also known as a "blast".

European Tour: One of the world's leading professional golf tours, along with the PGA Tour. Based in Europe, but also co-sanctions the major championships and World Golf Championships in the United States, along with many other tournaments in Asia, Africa and Australia.

F

Fade: A shot that, for a right-handed golfer, curves slightly to the right, and is often played intentionally by skilled golfers. An overdone fade will appear similar to a slice.

Fairway: The area of the course between the tee and the green that is well-maintained allowing a good lie for the ball

Fairway hit (FH): A fairway is considered hit if any part of the ball is touching the fairway surface after the tee shot on a par 4 or 5. Percentage of fairways hit is one of many statistics kept by the PGA Tour.

Fairway markers: Fairway markers indicate the distance from the marker to the center of the green. Some fairway markers give the yardage. Most are color-coded as follows: yellow=250 yards, blue=200 yards, white=150 yards, red=100 yards. These colors are not standardized and may vary based on the specific course layout.

Fat: A stroke in which the club makes contact with the turf long before the ball resulting in a poor contact and significant loss of distance.

Flagstick: A tall marker, often a metal pole with a flag at the top, used to indicate the position of the hole on a green. Also called the "pin". An additional smaller flag, or other marker, is sometimes positioned on the flagstick to indicate the location of the hole (front, middle, or back) on the green.

Flier: a type of lie where the ball is in the rough and grass is likely to become trapped between the ball and the clubface at the moment of impact. Flier lies often result in "flier shots", which have little or no spin (due to the blades of grass blocking the grooves on the clubface) and travel much farther than intended.

Flop shot: a short shot, played with an open stance and an open clubface, designed to travel very high in the air and land softly on the green. The flop shot is useful when players do not have "much green to work with", but should only be attempted on the best of lies. Phil Mickelson

Phil Mickelson

Philip Alfred Mickelson is an American professional golfer. He has won four major championships and a total of 39 events on the PGA Tour. He has reached a career high world ranking of 2nd in multiple years. He is nicknamed "Lefty" for his left-handed swing, even though he is otherwise right-handed...

 is a master of the flop shot.

Fore

Fore (golf)

"Fore!" is shouted as a warning during a golf game when it appears possible that a golf ball may hit other players or spectators. The mention of the term in an 1881 British Golf Museum indicates that the term was in use at least as early as that period...

: A warning shout given when there is a chance that the ball may hit other players or spectators.

Fourball

Fourball

A Fourball match is a type of golf match used in match play competitions.A fourball match consists of two teams of two players competing directly against each other. All four golfers play their own ball throughout the round, and each hole is won by the team whose member has the lowest score...

: In matchplay, a contest between two sides, each consisting of a pair of players, where every individual plays his own ball throughout. On every hole, the lower of the two partner's scores is matched against the lower of the opposition's scores. (Fourballs are the opening matches played on the Friday and Saturday mornings of the Ryder Cup.) In strokeplay, a fourball competition is played between several teams each consisting of 2 players, where for every hole the lower of the two partner's scores counts toward the team's 18 hole total. The term ‘fourball’ is often used informally to describe any group of 4 players on the course.

Foursomes: In matchplay, a contest between two sides each consisting of a pair of players, where the 2 partners hit alternate shots on one ball. The first player tees off, the second player hits the second shot, the first player hits the third shot, and so on until the ball is holed. Also partners alternate their tee shots, so that one member of each team will always tee-off on the odd holes and the other will tee off on the even holes. (Foursomes are the afternoon matches played on the Friday and Saturday of the Ryder Cup). In strokeplay, a foursome competition is played between several teams each consisting of a pair of players, where partners play alternate shots until the SINGLE ball is holed. The term ‘foursome’ is often incorrectly used to describe any group of 4 players on the course.

Fringe: The closely mown area surrounding the green. The grass in between the green and the fairway.

Front nine: Holes 1 through 9 on a golf course.

Funnies

Funnies (golf)

Funnies are terms used during a game of golf to describe various achievements, both positive and negative. They are different from traditional expressions such a birdie, eagle, etc. in that they do not necessarily refer to strict scores, but to unusual events which may happen in the course of a game...

: Terms used during a game to describe various achievements, both positive and negative. They differ from traditional expressions such a birdie, eagle, etc. in that they do not necessarily refer to strict scores, but to unusual events which may happen in the course of a game. Their main use is to add interest to informal matchplay games as they enable players to win something regardless of the overall outcome of the match. They are frequently associated with gambling because money, usually small stakes, changes hands depending on which funnies occur.

G

GCSAA

Golf Course Superintendents Association of America

Golf Course Superintendents Association of America was originally founded in 1926 when 60 superintendents met at the Sylvania Country Club in Toledo, Ohio to form the National Association of Greenkeepers of America ....

: The American professional association for golf course superintendents. Analogous to BIGGA in the United Kingdom.

Gimme

Gimme

"Gimme" was the Cypriot entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 2002 by the boy band One, performed in English and is the first occasion that the Cypriot entry did not featured Greek lyrics...

: Refers to a putt that the other players agree can count automatically without actually being played (under the tacit assumption that the putt would not have been missed). "Gimmes" are not allowed by the rules in stroke play, but they are often practiced in casual matches. However, in match play

Match play

Match play is a scoring system for golf in which a player, or team, earns a point for each hole in which they have bested their opponents; this is as opposed to stroke play, in which the total number of strokes is counted over one or more rounds of 18 holes...

, either player may formally concede a stroke, a hole, or the entire match at any time, and this may not be refused or withdrawn. A player in match play will generally concede a tap-in or other short putt by his or her opponent.

Goldie Bounce: when the ball strikes a tree deep in the rough and bounces out onto the fairway.

Golf club: (i) An implement

Golf club (equipment)

A golf club is used to hit a golf ball in a game of golf. Each club is composed of a shaft with a grip and a clubhead. Woods are mainly used for long-distance fairway or tee shots; irons, the most versatile class, are used for a variety of shots; Hybrids that combine design elements of woods and...

 used by a player to hit a golf ball. A player is allowed to carry up to fourteen (14) clubs during a round of golf. (ii) An organised group of golfers, usually owning or managing a golf course. (iii) The entirety of a golf facility, including course, club-house, pro-shop, practice areas etc.

Grain: the direction in which grass grows, specifically on the green (see below). Depending on the variety of grass used on the green and mowing patterns, grain can be a significant influence on the speed and movement of a putt.

Green: the area of specially prepared grass around the hole, where putts are played.

Greensomes: is a variation of foursomes, where each side consists of 2 players. Both players play one tee-shot each from every tee. A choice is then made as to which is the more favourable of the 2 ball positions, the other ball being picked up. Thereafter the players play alternate shots. So if A's tee-shot is selected, the playing order from the tee will be A-B-A-B etc until the ball is holed out. If player B's tee-shot is selected, the playing order will be B-A-B-A etc. The team with the lowest score wins the hole.

Green in regulation (GIR): a green is considered hit "in regulation" if any part of the ball is touching the putting surface and the number of strokes taken is at least two fewer than par

Par (score)

The word "par" is a term in the game of golf used to denote the pre-determined number of strokes that a scratch golfer should require to complete a hole, a round , or a tournament...

 (i.e., by the first stroke on a par 3, the second stroke on a par 4, or the third stroke on a par 5). Greens in regulation percentage is one of many statistics kept by the PGA Tour.

Grounding the club: to place the clubface behind the ball on the ground at address. Grounding the club is prohibited in bunkers or when playing from any marked hazard.

Ground under repair (GUR): An area of the golf course that is being repaired. A free drop is allowed if the ball lands in an area marked "GUR".

Groove: the crevices on the face of a club that are designed to impart spin on the ball.

Golden Ferret: Term used to describe holing out from a greenside bunker.

Good-good: When both players in a match agree to concede each other's putts.

H

Hacker: an unskilled golfer.

Half: In match play

Match play

Match play is a scoring system for golf in which a player, or team, earns a point for each hole in which they have bested their opponents; this is as opposed to stroke play, in which the total number of strokes is counted over one or more rounds of 18 holes...

, a hole is halved (or tied) when both players or teams have played the same number of strokes. In some team events, such as the Ryder Cup

Ryder Cup

The Ryder Cup is a biennial golf competition between teams from Europe and the United States. The competition is jointly administered by the PGA of America and the PGA European Tour, and is contested every two years, the venue alternating between courses in the United States and Europe...

 and Presidents Cup

Presidents Cup

The Presidents Cup is a series of men's golf matches between a team representing the United States and an International Team representing the rest of the world less Europe. Europe competes against the U.S. in a similar but considerably older event, the Ryder Cup. The Presidents Cup is held biennially...

 (except for singles matches in the latter competition while its overall outcome remains in doubt), a match that is tied after 18 holes is not continued, and is called "halved", with each team receiving half a point.

Handicap

Golf handicap

A handicap is a numerical measure of an amateur golfer's playing ability based on the tees played for a given course. It is used to calculate a net score from the number of strokes actually played, thus allowing players of different proficiency to play against each other on somewhat equal terms...

: A number assigned to each player based on his ability and used to adjust each player's score to provide equality among the players. In simplified terms, a handicap number, based on the slope of a course, is subtracted from the player's gross score and gives him a net score of par or better half the time.

Handsy: a term used to describe a player with too much wrist movement in their putting stroke causing inconsistent putts.

Hardpan: Hard, usually bare, ground conditions.

Hazard

Hazard (golf)

A hazard is an area of a golf course in the sport of golf which provides a difficult obstacle. which may be of three types: water hazards such as lakes and rivers; man-made hazards such as bunkers; and natural hazards such as dense vegetation. Special rules apply to playing balls that fall in a...

: any bunker or permanent water including any ground marked as part of that water hazard. Special rules apply when playing from a hazard.

Hole: A circular hole in the ground which is also called "the cup", 4.25 inches in diameter.

Hole in one

Hole in one

In golf, a hole in one or hole-in-one is when a player hits the ball directly from the tee into the cup with one shot. This is most possible on a par 3 hole. Longer hitters have accomplished this feat on shorter par 4 holes...

: Getting the ball directly from the tee into the hole with one stroke.

Hole in one insurance

Prize indemnity insurance

Prize indemnity insurance is indemnification insurance for a promotion in which the participants are offered the chance to win prizes. Instead of keeping cash reserves to cover large prizes, the promoter pays a premium to an insurance company, which then reimburses the insured should a prize be...

: Many tournaments offer large prizes if a player shoots a hole in one on a particular hole. Indemnity insurance is often purchased to cover the cost should anyone make the hole in one. Hole in one insurance is also available for individuals to cover the cost of a round of drinks in the event of them achieving a hole in one.

Hook: when unintentional is a poor shot that, for a right-handed golfer, curves sharply to the left (may occasionally be played intentionally but is difficult to control). Hooks are often called the "better player's miss", thanks to the fact that many of the game's greatest players (Ben Hogan

Ben Hogan

William Ben Hogan was an American golfer, generally considered one of the greatest players in the history of the game...

, for instance) have been plagued by the hook at one time or another in their careers. A shot that follows the same direction but to a lesser degree is referred to as a 'draw' and is often intentional. The curved shape of the flight of the ball is a result of sideways spin. For that reason "hook" does not refer to a putt which "breaks".

Hosel: The crooked area where the clubhead connects to the shaft. Hitting the ball off the hosel is known as a shank.

I

Interlocking grip: grip style where (for right-handed players) the pinkie finger of the right hand is hooked around the index finger of the left.

Inward nine: The back nine holes of a golf course, so named because older links courses were designed to come back "in" toward the clubhouse after going "out" on the front nine.

Iron

Iron (golf)

An iron is a type of club used in the sport of golf to propel the ball towards the hole. They are so-called because historically the clubhead was generally made from iron. Whilst the vast majority of modern irons are still made from iron, it is almost always its stronger and more durable alloy,...

: a club with a flat-faced solid metal head generally numbered from 1 to 9 indicating increasing loft.

K

Knock-down: A type of shot designed to have a very low trajectory, usually employed to combat strong winds.

Knitted jumper: A jumper created by the art of knitting. As worn by most golfers.

L

Lag: (i) A long putt designed to simply get the ball close to the hole.
(ii) During the downswing, how far the clubhead "lags" behind the hands prior to release.

Lay-up: A stroke played with a shorter range club than is possible in order to position the ball in a certain spot. This may be done to ensure a more comfortable next stroke or to avoid a hazard.

Lie: (i) How the ball is resting on on the ground, which may add to the difficulty of the next stroke.
(ii) The angle between the center of the shaft and the sole of the clubhead.

Line: The path the ball is expected to take following a stroke. This is of particular importance on the green, where stepping on another player's line is considered a breach of etiquette.

Links

Links (golf)

A links is the oldest style of golf course, first developed in Scotland. The word "links" comes from the Scots language and refers to an area of coastal sand dunes and sometimes to open parkland. It also retains this more general meaning in the Scottish English dialect...

: A type of golf course, usually along a stretch of coastline,

Loft: the angle between the club's shaft and the club's face.

Loose impediment: A small natural item which is not fixed or growing, solidly embedded, or stuck to the ball, such as a small stone or leaf. Unless found within a hazard players are generally permitted to move them away, but if the ball is moved while doing so, there is a one-stroke penalty.

M

Mashie Niblick: Term used for a 6/7 iron in the early 1900s.

Match play

Match play

Match play is a scoring system for golf in which a player, or team, earns a point for each hole in which they have bested their opponents; this is as opposed to stroke play, in which the total number of strokes is counted over one or more rounds of 18 holes...

: a form of golf play where players or teams compete against each other on a hole-by-hole basis.

Medal play: style of scoring in which the player with the fewest strokes wins. Most professional tournaments are medal play. Also known as "stroke play".

Member's bounce: any favorable bounce of the golf ball that improves what initially appeared to be an errant shot.

Mis-read: A mis-read is to incorrectly discern the correct line of a putt.

Motorcaddie: A battery-powered device, often with remote control, used to transport a walking golfer’s clubs.

Mulligan: A do-over, or replay of the shot, without counting the shot as a stroke and without assessing any penalties that might apply. It is not allowed by the rules and not practiced in tournaments, but is common in casual rounds in some countries, especially the United States

United States

The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

.

N

Nassau

Nassau (bet)

The Nassau bet gets its name from the Nassau Country Club on Long Island, where the format was invented in the early 1900s by club captain John B. Coles Tappan. The game also is known as "2-2-2", and "Best Nines."...

: a type of bet between golfers that is essentially three separate bets. Money is wagered on the best score in the front 9, back 9, and total 18 holes.

Nine Iron: A club which is highest in the "iron" family. Used for short distance shots.

O

Open Face: When (in relation to the target line) the clubface is angled away from the player's body, ie angled right for right-handed players.

Open Stance: When a player's front foot is drawn backwards further from the target line. Used to fade the ball or to prevent a hook.

Ostrich: The single hole score of -5, or five under par. The only way this can occur is with a hole-in-one on a par 6. This score has never been achieved and it is unlikely that it ever will considering the dramatic length and rarity of par 6's. See Par (score)

Par (score)

The word "par" is a term in the game of golf used to denote the pre-determined number of strokes that a scratch golfer should require to complete a hole, a round , or a tournament...

.

Outside Agent: Is any agent not part of the match or, in stroke play, not part of the competitor's side. Referees, markers, observers, and forecaddies are outside agents. Wind and water are not outside agents.

Outward nine: refers to the first nine holes, so named as links golf courses were set up where the first nine holes went "out" away from the clubhouse.

Out-of-bounds: the area designated as being outside the boundaries of the course. When a shot lands "O.B.", the player "loses stroke and distance", meaning that he/she must hit another shot from the original spot and is assessed a one-stroke penalty. Out-of-bounds areas are usually indicated by white posts.

Overlapping grip: See Vardon grip

P

Pace: the speed at which a putt must be struck to get to the hole. Pace and break are the two components of green-reading.

Par

Par (score)

The word "par" is a term in the game of golf used to denote the pre-determined number of strokes that a scratch golfer should require to complete a hole, a round , or a tournament...

: standard score for a hole (defined by its length) or a course (sum of all the holes' pars).

PGA: any Professional Golfers' Association, for example the Professional Golfers' Association of America

Professional Golfers' Association of America

Founded in 1916, the Professional Golfers' Association of America is headquartered in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, and is made up of more than 28,000 men and women golf professional members...

.

Pin:Slang for "flagstick".

Pin-high : Refers to a ball on the green that is positioned along an imaginary horizontal line through the hole and across the width of the green.

Pitch: a short shot (typically from within 50 yards), usually played with a higher loft

Loft

A loft can be an upper story or attic in a building, directly under the roof. Alternatively, a loft apartment refers to large adaptable open space, often converted for residential use from some other use, often light industrial...

ed club and made using a less than full swing, that is intended to flight the ball toward a target (usually the hole) with greater accuracy than a full iron shot.

Pitch mark: another term for a divot on the green caused when a ball lands. Players must repair their pitch marks, usually with a tee or a divot tool.

Play through: Permission granted by a slow-moving group of players to a faster-moving group of players to pass them on the course.

Plugged Lie: a bad lie where the ball is at least half-buried. Also known as a "buried lie" or in a bunker a "fried egg".

Plunk: a lie where the ball is on the lip of a lake or other water hazard.

Plus (handicap):a golf handicap less than zero. A 'plus' handicap golfer must add his handicap to his score.

Pop-up: a poor tee shot where the top of the clubhead strikes under the ball, causing it to go straight up in the air. In addition to being bad shots, pop-ups frequently leave white scuff-marks on the top of the clubhead, or dents in persimmon

Persimmon

A persimmon is the edible fruit of a number of species of trees in the genus Diospyros in the ebony wood family . The word Diospyros means "the fire of Zeus" in ancient Greek. As a tree, it is a perennial plant...

 clubs. Also known as "sky shots".

Pre-shot routine: is the steps an experienced player goes through to get ready for his or her shot. It usually involves taking practice swings and visualizing the intended shot.

Pro: a professional is a golfer or person who plays or teaches golf for financial reward, may work as a touring pro in professional competitions, or as a teaching pro (also called a club pro).

Pro Shop: A shop at a golf club, run by the club professional, where golf equipment can be purchased.

Pull: a poor shot played severely to the left; as opposed to hooks, which curve from right to left, a pulled shot goes directly left.

Punch shot: a shot played with a very low trajectory, usually to avoid interference from tree branches when a player is hitting from the woods. Similar to the knock-down, it can also be used to avoid high winds.

Push: a shot played severely to the right; as opposed to slices, which curve from left to right, a pushed shot goes directly right. Similar to the "block". Also, term used in match play

Match play

Match play is a scoring system for golf in which a player, or team, earns a point for each hole in which they have bested their opponents; this is as opposed to stroke play, in which the total number of strokes is counted over one or more rounds of 18 holes...

 where neither competitor wins the hole.

Putt: a shot played on the green, usually with a putter.

Putting green: a green usually found close to the club house used for warm up and to practice putting.

Putter: a special golf club with a very low loft

Loft

A loft can be an upper story or attic in a building, directly under the roof. Alternatively, a loft apartment refers to large adaptable open space, often converted for residential use from some other use, often light industrial...

 that makes the ball roll.

Q

Q-School

Qualifying school

In professional golf the term qualifying school is used for the annual qualifying tournaments for leading golf tours such as the U.S. based PGA and LPGA Tours and the European Tour. A fixed number of players in the event win membership of the tour for the following season, otherwise known as a...

: "Qualifying School", a term used for the qualifying tournament on several major professional tours, such as the PGA Tour, European Tour, or LPGA Tour. Q-School is a multi-stage tournament (four for the PGA Tour, three for the European Tour, two for the LPGA) that culminates in a week-long tournament in which a specified number of top finishers (25 plus ties in the PGA Tour, 30 plus ties in the European Tour, and exactly 20 in the LPGA) earn their "Tour Cards", qualifying them for the following year's tour. The final tournament is six rounds (108 holes) for men and five rounds (90 holes) for women.

R

Range Finder

Rangefinder

A rangefinder is a device that measures distance from the observer to a target, for the purposes of surveying, determining focus in photography, or accurately aiming a weapon. Some devices use active methods to measure ; others measure distance using trigonometry...

: a measuring device used to determine one's relative distance to an object. In golf, they are most commonly used to find out how far a player is from the hole.

Release: the point in the downswing at which the wrists uncock. A late release (creating "lag") is one of the keys to a powerful swing.

Reverse Bounce Back: scoring a bogie or worse on a hole immediately following a birdie or better. Also see Bounce Back.

Rough: the grass that borders the fairway, usually taller and coarser than the fairway.

Rub of the Green: occurs when the ball is deflected or stopped by a third party/object, e.g. if a ball is going out of bounds and is deflected in bounds by hitting a spectator or a tree.

Rutter: a small headed niblick for hitting the ball from a cart track.

S

Sandbagger: a golfer that carries a higher official handicap than his skills indicate, eg, carries an eight, plays to a two. Sandbaggers usually artificially inflate their handicaps with the intent of winning bets on the course, a practice that most golfers consider cheating. Also known as a bandit.

Sand save: when a player gets up and down from a greenside sand bunker, regardless of score on the hole. Sand save percentage is one of many statistics kept by the PGA Tour.

Sand trap: see bunker.

Sand wedge: a lofted club

Golf club (equipment)

A golf club is used to hit a golf ball in a game of golf. Each club is composed of a shaft with a grip and a clubhead. Woods are mainly used for long-distance fairway or tee shots; irons, the most versatile class, are used for a variety of shots; Hybrids that combine design elements of woods and...

 designed especially for playing out of a bunker

Bunker (golf)

A hazard is an area of a golf course in the sport of golf which provides a difficult obstacle. which may be of three types: water hazards such as lakes and rivers; man-made hazards such as bunkers; and natural hazards such as dense vegetation. Special rules apply to playing balls that fall in a...

. The modern sand wedge was invented by Gene Sarazen

Gene Sarazen

Gene Sarazen was an American professional golfer, one of the world's top players in the 1920s and 1930s. He is one of five golfers to win all the current major championships in his career, the Career Grand Slam:U.S...

.

Sandy (or Sandie): a score of par or better that includes a bunker shot. Sandies are counted as points in some social golf games. See Funnies

Funnies (golf)

Funnies are terms used during a game of golf to describe various achievements, both positive and negative. They are different from traditional expressions such a birdie, eagle, etc. in that they do not necessarily refer to strict scores, but to unusual events which may happen in the course of a game...

.

Scotch foursomes: In scotch foursomes teams of 2 players compete against each other. Players alternate hitting the same ball. The first player tees off, the second player hits the second shot, the first player hits the third shot, and so on until the ball is holed. To this point, the definition of ‘scotch foursomes’ is the same as that of ordinary ‘foursomes’; however, players do not alternate hitting tee shots as they would in foursomes. If Player A teed off on the first hole and Player B holed the final putt, Player B would not tee off at the second, meaning that Player A could, in theory, play every tee shot on the round. The team with the lowest score wins the hole.

Scramble: when a player misses the green in regulation, but still makes par or better on a hole. Scrambling percentage is one of many statistics kept by the PGA Tour. Also a two or four man format, similar to Best Ball, except in a scramble, each player strikes a shot, the best shot is selected, then all players play from that selected position.

Scratch golfer: a player's whose handicap equals zero.

Shamble: a format, similar to a scramble, where every player hits from the tee, the best tee-shot is selected, and each player holes-out from the selected tee-shot.

Shank: a horrible shot in which the golf ball is struck by the hosel of the club. On a shank, a player has managed to strike the ball with a part of the club other than the clubface. A shanked shot will scoot a short distance, often out to the right, or might be severely sliced or hooked.

"The shanks": a condition in which a golfer suddenly cannot stop shanking the ball; novice and experienced golfers can be affected.

Shrimp: a severe hook, named because it resembles the shape of a shrimp.

Shooting your age: A round of 18 holes where a given player has a score equal to, or less than, a player's age. For example, an eighty-year-old man who scores an 80 has shot his age.

Shoot your (my) temperature: usually an uncomplimentary term meaning to shoot a score of 98.

Short game: Shots that take place on or near the green. Putting, chipping, pitching, and greenside bunker play are all aspects of the short game.

Skin: a skins game

Skins Game

A skins game is a type of scoring for various sports, most notably golf but also for curling and bowling.-LG Skins Game:There was an annual skins game for male professional golfers which takes place in November or December each year after the end of the official PGA Tour season. It is recognized by...

 pits players in a type of match play in which each hole has a set value (usually in money or points). The player who wins the hole is said to win the "skin", and whatever that skin is worth. Skins games may be more dramatic than standard match play if it is agreed by the players that holes are not halved. Then, when any two players tie on a given hole, the value of that hole is carried over and added to the value of the following hole. The more ties, the greater the value of the skin and the bigger the eventual payoff.

Slice: a poor shot that, for a right-handed golfer, curves sharply from the left to the right. A shot that follows the same direction but to a lesser degree is referred to as a fade or a cut and is often intentional. The curved shape of the flight of the ball is a result of sideways spin. For that reason "slice" does not refer to a putt which "breaks".

Slope rating: Slope Rating is a number, from 55 to 155, used to determine the level of difficulty of a golf course for a bogey golfer. An "average" course has a slope rating of 113.

Snap hook: a severe hook that usually goes directly left as well as curving from right to left. Also known by the somewhat redundant term "Pull-Hook".

Snowman: To score an eight on a hole. So-named because an eight (8) looks similar to the body of a snowman.

Sit: Telling the ball to drop softly, and not roll after landing.

Society: An organised group of golfers, usually not affiliated to any individual golf course. Members are often drawn from the same workplace, profession, alma mater

Alma mater

Alma mater , pronounced ), was used in ancient Rome as a title for various mother goddesses, especially Ceres or Cybele, and in Christianity for the Virgin Mary.-General term:...

 or other association.

Span: Move your marker when in the way of another persons line of putt.

Speed: a term used to describe the pace of a putt. Proper 'speed' of a putt will either hole the putt or leave it about 18 inches beyond the cup.

Sprachle: play badly, Scottish term.

Spray: To hit the ball with a grossly inconsistent direction compared with the intended target in a seemingly random manner.

Stableford

Stableford

Stableford is a scoring system used in the sport of golf. Rather than counting the total number of strokes taken, as in stroke play, it involves scoring points based on the number of strokes taken at each hole...

: A points based scoring system. The number of strokes taken on each hole relative to par translates into a set number of points, with the winner being the player who accumulates the highest number of points.

Stimpmeter

Stimpmeter

The Stimpmeter is a device used to measure the speed of a golf course putting green by applying a known force to a golf ball and measuring the distance traveled in feet.-History:...

: A device used to measure the speed of putting greens.

Stroke Play: see Medal Play

Stymie: To block another player's putting path to the hole with one's own ball. Now an anachronism since the rules of golf permit marking the spot of the ball on the green, thus allowing the other player to putt into the hole without obstruction.

Sweet-spot: The location on the clubface where the optimal ball-striking results are achieved. The closer the ball is struck to the sweet-spot, the higher the Power transfer ratio will be.

Swing: The movement a golf player makes with his/her club to hit the ball. A golf swing is made up of a series of complex mechanical body movements. A perfect golf swing is regarded as the "holy grail" of the sport, and there are many approaches as to how to achieve "perfection".

T

Tap-in: a ball that has come to rest very close to the hole, leaving only a very short putt to be played. Often recreational golfers will "concede" tap-ins to each other to save time.

Target-line: the straight line from the ball to its intended target, also extended backward past the golfer's rear foot.

Tee

Tee

A tee is a stand used to support a stationary ball so that the player can strike it, particularly in golf, tee ball, American football, and rugby.- Etymology :...

: A small peg, usually made of wood or plastic, placed in the ground upon which the golf ball

Golf ball

A golf ball is a ball designed to be used in the game of golf.Under the Rules of Golf, a golf ball weighs no more than 1.620 oz , has a diameter not less than 1.680 in , and performs within specified velocity, distance, and symmetry limits...

 may be placed prior to the first stroke on a hole. May also refer to the teeing ground.

Teeing ground

Teeing ground

In golf, the teeing ground is the area at the beginning of a hole from which the player's first stroke is taken. When referring to the area, the terms "tee", "tee box", and "teeing ground" are often used interchangeably....

:The area from which you hit your drive or tee shot. The teeing ground for a particular set of tees is two club lengths in depth. The ball must be teed between the markers, called tees, that define the teeing ground's width, and no further back than its depth. Tees are colored, but there is no standard for colors. The "teeing ground" refers to one set of tees. Most courses have at least three sets of tees, some have more than twice that many. The areas where tee markers are placed are called "tee boxes".

Tempo: the smooth change of the speed of a player's swing from first movement to ball strike.

Ten finger grip: grip style with all ten fingers on the club. Also known as the Baseball grip.

Thin shot: a poor shot where the clubhead strikes too high on the ball. When taken to an extreme but still at or below the centerline of the ball it is known "blading" the ball.

Through line: When putting, the imaginary path that a ball would travel on should the putted ball go past the hole. Usually observed by PGA players and knowledgeable golfers when retrieving or marking a ball around the hole.

Through the green: The entire area of the golf course, except for the teeing ground of the hole being played, the green of the hole being played and all hazards on the course.

Tips: The championship tees on a golf course are known as "the tips".

Topped: an errant shot where the clubhead strikes on top of the ball, causing the ball to roll or bounce rather than fly.

Tree shot: A bad shot that has hit the trees' leaves and/or the branches and has resulted in negative situations, such as going out of bounds or into a hazard, or leaving the ball much shorter than its target.

Turkey: Three consecutive birdies during one round of golf.

U

Unplayable: A player can declare his ball unplayable at any time when it is in play (other than at a tee), and can drop the ball either within two club-lengths, or further from the hole in line with the hole and its current position, or where they played his last shot. A penalty of one stroke is applied. A ball declared unplayable within a hazard must be dropped within that hazard.

Up and down: Describes the situation where a player holes the ball in two strokes starting from off the green. The first stroke, usually a "pitch", a "bunker shot" or a "chip", gets the ball 'up' onto the green, and the subsequent putt gets the ball 'down' into the hole. A variation is called "up and in".

V

Vardon grip: A common grip style in which (for right-handed players) the right pinkie finger rests on top of the left index finger. Also known as the "overlapping grip", it is named for Harry Vardon

Harry Vardon

Harry Vardon was a Jersey professional golfer and member of the fabled Great Triumvirate of the sport in his day, along with John Henry Taylor and James Braid. He won The Open Championship a record six times and also won the U.S. Open.-Biography:Vardon was born in Grouville, Jersey, Channel Islands...

, a champion golfer of the early 20th century.

Vaulting dormie: A possible occurrence in match play when a player converts a lead into a victory without passing through dormie, a guaranteed minimum of a tie at the end of regulation play. For example, converting an 8-hole lead with nine to play into a 9-hole lead with eight to play, or converting a 1-hole lead with two to play into a 2-hole lead with one to play.

W

Wedge

Wedge (golf)

In the sport of golf, a wedge is a subset of the iron family of golf clubs designed for special use situations. Wedges are designed with modified soles designed to aid in shots through the rough or sand. Wedges have the greatest loft of all of the golf clubs, enabling the ability to produce spin...

: A type of golf club; a subset of iron designed for short range strokes.

Whiff: An attempt to strike the ball where the player fails to make contact with the ball. A whiff must be counted as a stroke.

Wood

Wood (golf)

A wood is a type of club used in the sport of golf. Woods are used to hit the ball farther than any other type of golf club....

: A type of club where the head is generally bulbous in shape except for the clubface. Named because the head was originally made of wood, although almost all are now metal.

Worm Burner: A shot that is hit low and hard

Y

The yips: a tendency to twitch during the putting stroke. Some top golfers have had their careers greatly affected or even destroyed by the yips; prominent golfers who battled with the yips for much of their careers include Sam Snead

Sam Snead

Samuel Jackson Snead was an American professional golfer who was one of the top players in the world for most of four decades. Snead won a record 82 PGA Tour events including seven majors. He failed to win a U.S...

, Ben Hogan

Ben Hogan

William Ben Hogan was an American golfer, generally considered one of the greatest players in the history of the game...

, and, more recently, Bernhard Langer

Bernhard Langer

Bernhard Langer is a German professional golfer. He is a two-time Masters champion, and was one of the world's leading golfers throughout the 1980s and 90s, being the first official number one ranked player in 1986...

.