Words and Terminology used by the typical golfer
A
ace A hole made in one golf stroke
address The stance by a golfer in preparing to hit the ball. The positioning of your body in relationship to the golf ball. Same as "addressing the ball".
aerification or aerifying The process of punching holes in the ground to allow oxygen to the roots of the grass to promote growth. Sometimes the grass plugs are pulled out and other times they are not.
amateur A golfer who plays in tournaments without being paid.
angle of approach - The angle or degree at which the club moves downward, or upward, toward the ball.
approach shot Normally a short or medium (2nd, 3rd, 4th or sometimes more shots) shot played to the putting green or pin
apron The grassy area surrounding the putting surface. See fringe.
attend (tend) the flag To hold and then remove the flag while another player putts or chips.
away The ball that is the greatest distance from the hole on the green when more than one golfer is playing. The golfer that is "away" putts first.
back nine The last 9 holes of an 18 hole course
backspin A reverse spin placed on the ball to make it stop short on the green
backswing The backward part of the swing starting from the ground and going back over the head
balata A resilient sap-like substance from the South American Balata tree that is used to make a cover for rubber-cored golf balls.
ball The round object which we attempt to hit into the hole. It was initially made of wood or wool in a leather cover. After the 17th century feathers were boiled and compressed, it was then sewn in a leather cover. It continued to evolve to a solid gutta percha (or a mixture with gutta percha other substances) in the 1850's and strip rubber wound around a core in the 1900's. The golf ball is now made of solid compressed synthetic rubber with hundreds of surface indentations which aid in the flight of the ball.
ball marker An object used to spot the balls position on the green, usually a flat object like a coin.
ball retriever A long pole with a scoop on the end which is used to collect balls from water hazards and other areas.
ball washer A device consisting of a scrub brush and water used for cleaning golf balls.
bent grass Type of grass seen for the most part on golf courses native to colder climates. It is a hardy and resilient type of grass that can be cut very short.
bermuda grass Type of grass seen mostly on warmer golf courses in North America. It was introduced to warmer areas of the world to be used on courses where bent grass will not grow.
best ball A match in which one player plays against the better of two balls or the best ball of three players. Also the better score of two partners in a four-ball or best-ball match.
birdie One stroke under par for a hole. Also possibly derived from the term "It flew like a bird" to indicate a good shot.
bite The backspin imparted on the ball that makes the ball stop dead, or almost so, with little or no roll.
blade Putter A type of putter with an iron head with the basic form the same as other standard numbered irons.
blast A shot that takes a large amount of sand with it when hitting out of a sand trap. An explosion shot.
block To play a shot by delaying the rotation of the wrists during a swing. This causes the clubface not to be square at the point of impact resulting in a sliced ball.
bogey To play a hole in one stroke over par.
caddie (caddy) Someone who carries a player's club during play and offers him assistance in accordance with the rules.
cart A two-wheeled trolley on which a golf bag is fitted and pulled around the course.
casual water Any temporary accumulations of water that are visible before or after a player takes his stance and is not a hazard or in a water hazard. A player may lift his ball from casual water without penalty
chip shot A short approach shot of low trajectory usually hit from near the green. It is normally hit with overspin or bite.
chip-and-run A chip shot including the run of the ball after landing.
choke To grip down farther on the club handle.
club The equiptment used in golf to strike the ball. Consists of a shaft, grip and a clubhead of wood or metal.
club head The hitting area of the club.
clubhouse The main building on the course.
collar The grassy fringe surrounding the putting green.
compression The flattening of the ball against the clubface at impact. Also the degree of resilience of a ball.
core The center of the golf ball.
course The playing area which is usually made up of 9 or 18 holes with each hole having a tee off area, fairway and green
course rating The comparison of playing one course as opposed to another in terms of difficulty. It is expressed in strokes or decimal fractions of strokes. The yardage of the course and the ability of a scratch golfer are the basis for determination
cross-handed grip A grip where your left hand is below the right.
cup The container in the hole holds the flagstick in pace.
cut shot A controlled shot that results in the ball stopping almost immediately on the green without roll.
dimple The round indentations on the golf ball cover which are scientifically designed to enable the ball to make a steady and true flight
divot A piece of turf removed with by the club when making a shot.
dogleg A left or right bend in the fairway
dormie Playing in "match" play, being five up with five to go, four up with four left, etc. To be as many holes up as there are to play. Sometimes spelled dormy.
double bogey A score of two over par for a single hole
double eagle A score of three under par for a single hole.
downhill lie When addressing the ball and your right foot is higher than your left (for right-handed players).
draw A controlled "hook" used to get in position for the next shot or get out of trouble. A shot that curves from left to right. To play a shot so that it curves owing to sidespin from right to left with a right-handed player. Conversely from right to left for a left-handed player.
drive The first stroke or shot on every hole. Usually with a driver from the tee.
driver The longest-hitting modern wooden club, used primarily from the tee when maximum distance is required.
driving range An area or building used for the purpose of practicing golf shots and other strokes.
drop To deposit the ball on the course after which you put the ball back in play after it has been declared unplayable or after the ball has been lost.
eagle Two strokes under par for a single hole. To play a hole at 2 under par.
eight-iron An iron club giving distance of between 115-150 yards. Also called a pitching niblick.
equipment Anything that is used by a player or is carried or worn. His ball in play is not included
face The hitting surface of the club head
fade A term used to describe the slight turning of the ball from left to right (by a right-handed player) at the end of its flight. From right to left for a left-handed player.
fairway The area of the course between the tee and the green that is well-maintained allowing a good lie for the ball
fairway wood Any other wooden club other than a driver.
fescue Grass widely used as the rough on golf courses
flag The marker attached to the flagstick.
flagstick A movable marker to show the location of the hole
flange The additional surface of the club head which protrudes at the sole
flex The amount of bend or the degree of stiffness of the club shaft.
follow-through The continuation of the swing after the ball has been hit.
fore An expression used to warn anyone who may be in danger of being hit by a golf ball.
forecaddie Someone employed by the course or tournament committee to mark the position of a player's ball
foursome A term given to four players in a group.
free drop A drop where no penalty stroke is incurred.
fringe Same as "apron"
front side The first nine holes of an 18 hole course.
gallery The group of tournament spectators.
gimme A putt that is certain to be made on the next shot and will most likely be conceded by an opponent.
golf glove A glove generally worn by a right-handed golfer on the left hand, and by a left-handed golfer on the right hand, to improve the grip.
grain The direction in which the grass grows on a putting green, it can be seen best after it has been shortly cut
graphite A lightweight material used to make shafts and clubheads.
green The whole golf course according to golf rules. However, in popular usage, it refers to the putting surface.
green fee The fees a golfer pays for a round of golf.
greenskeeper The employee of the club who is responsible for the maintenance of the course.
grip The part of the shaft by which the club is held. Covered with leather or other material. Also means the manner in which you hold the club
grounding the club Placing the clubhead behind the ball at address.
halved When a match is played without a decision. A hole is "halved" when both sides play it in the same number of strokes
handicap The number of strokes a player may deduct from his actual score to adjust his scoring ability to the level of a scratch golfer. It is designed to allow golfers of different abilities to basically compete on the same level.
hazard A hazard is any sand trap, bunker or water on the course that may cause difficulty.
head The part of the club that makes contact with the ball. Usually made of wood, iron or some substitute material.
heel The part of the club head nearest the shaft.
hit To play a shot or stroke.
hole A 4 1/2" round receptacle in the green - at least 4" deep. Also refers to one of the nine or eighteen areas between the tee and the green.
hole in one A hole made with one stroke. Same as "ace"
hole out To complete the play for one hole by hitting the ball into the cup
honor The privilege of hitting first from the tee. After the first hole, the privilege goes to the winner of the previous hole.
hook To hit the ball in a manner that causes it to curve from right to left in the case of a right-handed player or left to right for a left hander.
hosel The hollow part of an iron club head into which the shaft is fitted
impact The moment when the ball strikes the club.
in play Within the course (not out of bounds).
interlocking grip A type of grip where the little finger of the left hand is intertwined with the index finger of the right hand for a right handed player. The converse applies to a left hander.
iron Any one of a number of clubs with a head made of iron or steel.
lag To putt the ball with the intention leaving it short to ensure being able to hole out on the next stroke
lateral hazard Any hazard running parallel to the line of play
lie The position in which the ball rests on the ground. The lie can be good or bad in terms of the nature of ground where is rests, the slope, and the level of difficulty in playing it. The number of strokes a player is to have played during the hole.
line The correct path of a putt to the hole when putting. Also when on the fairway, the correct direction in which the ball to be played toward the putting green.
lip The top rim of the hole or cup
lob shot A shot that goes straight up and comes almost straight down with very little spin or forward momentum. Useful when there is not much green to play to
local rules A set of rules for a club determined by the members.
loft The elevation of the ball in the air. Also means the angle at which the club face is set from the vertical and is used to lift the ball into the air. It is measured precisely as the angle between the face and a line parallel to the shaft.
long game Shots hit with the woods and long irons.
long irons The relatively straight-face and longer hitting irons.
loose impediments Any natural object that is not fixed or growing. This can include loose stones, twigs, branches, molehills, dung, worms and insects
marker A small object, like a coin, that is used to mark the spot of the ball when it is lifted off the putting green.
markers The objects placed at the teeing round that indicate the area in which players must tee their balls.
marshal A person appointed by a golf course to keep order and handle spectators.
match play A competition played with each hole being a separate contest. The team or player winning the most holes, rather than having the lowest score, is the winner. The winner of the first hole is "one up". Even if the player wins that hole by two or three strokes, he is still only "one up". The lead is increased every time the player wins another hole. The winner is the one who wins the most holes. This was the original form of golf competition.
municipal course A public course owned by local government.
nine A nine hole course or the sequence of 9 holes of an 18 hole course.
obstruction Any artificial object that has been left or placed on the course with the exception of course boundary markers and constructed roads and paths.
offset A club with the head set behind the shaft.
out of bounds The area outside of the course in which play is prohibited. A player is penalized stroke and distance. That is he must replay the shot with a penalty of one stroke.
overseeding The process of spreading winter grass types (Rye or Potrivilias) on the golf course to keep the golf course green in the winter months.
par The number of strokes a player should take to complete a round with good performance. Par for each hole is given on the scorecard.
penalty stroke An additional stroke added to a player's score for a rules violation
pin Same as "flagstick"
pin-high A ball even with the pin but off to one side. Same as "hole high"
pin placement (pin position) The position of a hole on a green on any given day.
pitch A short shot lofting the ball into the air in a high arc and landing with backspin.
pitch and run The same as a pitch shot but hit with a lower-numbered club to reduce loft and backspin. This allows the ball to run after it lands on the putting green.
pitching wedge An iron club designed for making pitch shots
pivot The rotation of the shoulders, trunk and pelvis during the golf swing.
placement Accuracy in the targeting of a shot.
play off To determine a winner in a tie match by playing further holes or a further round.
playing through Passing another group of players who are playing ahead
pop up A short, high shot.
practice green Green set up to practice putting.
preferred lie Local rules which allow a player to improve his lie in a specific manner without penalty
pro-Am A competition which pairs professional players with amateurs.
pro shop The golf course shop operated by the head professional where equipment is sold.
provisional ball A ball played if the previously played ball may be lost or out of bounds.
public links A course open to the public.
pull A ball that goes to the left of the target with little curve as hit by a right-handed player. The converse applies to left-handed players.
push A ball that goes to the right of the target with very little or no curving for a right handed player. Or the converse for a left-handed player. As opposed to "pull"
putt The shot made on the putting green. From a Scottish term meaning to push gently or nudge.
putt out To hole the ball with a putt.
putter A short-shafted club with a straight face for putting.
putting green The surface area around the hole that is specially prepared for putting.
reading the green Determining the path which the ball will take on its way to the hole by analyzing the contour and texture of the green.
regular shaft A shaft with normal flex.
rough Long grass areas adjacent to fairway, greens, tee off areas or hazards
round A complete game of golf - 18 holes is one round
run The distance the ball rolls on the ground or when it lands on the ground
run-up An approach shot that is close to the ground or on the ground.
sand trap The common name for a bunker
sand wedge An iron with a heavy flange on the bottom that is used primarily to get out of sand traps.
semi-private course A course that has members but is still open to the public.
set A full set of golf clubs.
set up To position yourself for the address.
shaft The part of the club joined to the head
shank A shot struck by the club's hosel. Travels to the right of the intended target.
short game The part of the game that is made up of chip shots, pitching and putting
short irons The highly lofted irons.
sink a putt Make a putt.
slice A shot that curves strongly from left to right as a result of sidespin. The converse applies to a left-handed player.
slope Adjusts your handicap to the difficulty of the course you play. The more difficult the course, the more strokes you'll need. Under slope, golfers will no longer have a handicap. You will have an index. An average course will have a slope rating of 113. Your index is a mathematical calculation of your playing ability on an average course. Maximum index allowed is 36.4 for men and 40.4 for women. Conversion charts will be located at the first tee.
sole The bottom of the club head
sole plate The metal plate on the bottom of woods
spike mark Mark made on the green by the cleats of a golf shoe.
starter Person who determines the order of play from the first tee.
straightaway A hole having a straight fairway.
stroke The forward motion of the club head made with the intent to hit the ball whether contact is made or not
stroke play A competition in which the total number of strokes for one round, or a pre-determined number of rounds, determines the winner
sudden death When in a match or stroke competition the score is tied after completing the round, play continues until one player wins a hole
summer rules Ordinary play according the Rules of Golf
Surlyn Material from which most golf balls are made of.
sweet spot The dead center of the face of the club
swing The action of hitting the ball.
takeaway The start of the backswing
tap in A very short putt.
tee A wooden peg on which the golf ball is placed for driving. Also refers to the area from which the ball is hit on the first shot of the hole. Originally a pile of sand used to elevate the ball for driving.
tee off To play a tee shot.
tee it up To begin play by placing the ball on the tee.
tee-shot A shot played from a tee.
temporary green A green used in the winter to save the permanent green.
threesome A match in which two players play the same ball and alternate strokes and play against a single player. Also means three players playing a round together.
toe The part of the club farthest from where in joins the shaft
top To hit the ball above its center causing it to roll or hop rather than rise
topspin The forward rotation of the ball in motion.
tournament A stroke or match play competition. A competition in which a number of golfers compete.
trajectory The flight path of the ball.
unplayable lie A lie in which the ball is impossible to play such as in a thicket of trees.
up and down Getting out of trouble or out of a hazard and into the hole.
W-Z
waggle Movement of the club head prior to swinging. Jiggling the club over the ball.
water hole A hole with water, such as a stream or lake, that forces the players to shoot over it
wedge An iron used for short shots that has a high-loft - pitching wedge, sand wedge.
winter rules Usually local golf rules that allow the player to improve the lie of the ball on the fairway
wood A club, which can be made of wood or metal, that has a large head and is used for shots requiring greater distance. Usually a numbered set of 5 or more starting with the driver and proceeding to the 5 wood
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