| A |
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| Ace |
Finishing a hole in one shot. |
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| Address |
The position of a golfer's body when preparing to hit the ball. |
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| Aerosol |
A player who rarely hits the ball in a consistent line and "sprays" the ball. |
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| Aim |
The direction in which a golfer's target lies and in which he intends to go. |
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| Air Shot |
A shot where the player completely misses the ball. Also know as a "Whiff". |
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| Albatross |
Finishing 3 under par on a hole. Also known as a "Double Eagle" |
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| All Square |
The situation in match play when both players have the same number of holes. |
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Approach
Approach Shot |
A shot onto the green played using a short or medium iron. |
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| Apron |
The area of closely-cut grass around the green. Also known as the "Fringe". |
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| Away |
The player who is furthest from the hole. This player should always play first. |
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| B |
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Back Nine
Back Side |
The last 9 holes of an 18 hole course. Also known as the "Inward Nine". |
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| Backspin |
Hitting the ball with reverse spin. This causes the ball to stop more quickly when it lands on the green. The action of the backspin on the green is known as the "bite". |
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| Backswing |
The part of a golfer's swing in which the club goes backwards from the ground to above the golfer's head. |
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| Bad Kick |
A bad or unlucky bounce of the ball. |
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| Bailing Out |
Playing a "safe" shot to avoid the chance of the chance of landing in a hazard such as water, etc. |
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| Ball Marker |
A token or coin which is used to mark the position of the ball (by placing it directly behind the ball) when on the green. A ball marker is used so that another golfer can putt without the chance of hitting any balls. Here are some ball markers you can buy. |
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| Ball Retriever |
A long pole with a grab or scoop on the end that can be used for retrieving otherwise inaccessible balls, especially balls in water hazards. Here are some ball retrievers that you can buy. |
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| Ball Washer |
A device for washing your ball. |
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| Banana Ball |
A slice that causes the ball swerve from left to right (or right to left). |
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| Baseball Grip |
Holding the club with all 10 fingers on the grip - as if you were holding a baseball bat. |
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| Beach |
A bunker. |
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| Birdie |
Finishing 1 under par on a hole. |
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| Bite |
When a golf ball is hit with backspin it will stop more quickly on the green. The action of the backspin on the green is known as the "bite". |
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| Blind |
A shot where the player can not see where the ball will land. For example a shot onto a raised green from below. |
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| Bogey |
Finishing 1 over par on a hole. |
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| Bounce Bank |
Scoring a Birdie or better immediately after scoring a Bogey on the previous hole. |
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| Bunker |
A hazard filled with sand. Also known as a "Sand Trap". |
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| Bye |
A short match played over the remaining holes when the main match finishes early because one side has a commanding lead. The loser of the Bye traditionally pays for drinks at the Nineteenth Hole. |
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| C |
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Caddie
Caddy |
A person who carries your clubs and assists you round the course. |
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| Carry |
The distance the ball needs to travel before it hits the ground. |
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| Casual Water |
Temporary patches of water on the course, such as puddles left by rain. There is no penalty for removing the ball out of casual water. |
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| Chili-Dipping |
A poor shot in which the golf club hits the ground behind the ball before hitting the ball. Also known as a "Chunk" or a "Fat Shot". |
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| Chip In |
Getting the ball into the hole with a chip shot. |
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| Chip Shot |
A short approach shot with a low trajectory. |
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| Choke |
To play badly when under pressure. |
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| Choke Down |
To grip the club lower down than usual. |
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| Chop |
To hit the ball with a chopping movement. |
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| Chunk |
A poor shot in which the golf club hits the ground behind the ball before hitting the ball. Also known as a "Fat Shot" or "Chili-Dipping". |
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| Clubhead |
The part of the club that you hit the ball with. |
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| Clubhouse |
The building to which you go for refreshments after a golf game. |
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| Course Rating |
The difficulty level of a particular golf course. A higher course rating means a more difficult course. |
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| Cup |
Used either to refer to the hole, or to the white plastic receptacle in the hole which cradles the ball and keeps the flagstick upright. |
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| D |
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| Deuce |
Finishing a hole in two shots. |
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| Dimple |
The small indentations on a golf ball. |
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| Divot |
The piece of grass/ground/turf which comes away from the ground when the club hits the ball. You should always replace divots and tap them gentlely back into place. |
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| Dog Balls |
Scoring 8 on a hole. Also known as a "Snowman". |
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| Dogleg |
A hole which goes straight for a while but then bends to the left or right. |
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| Dormie |
The situation when a player's lead in match play is equal to the number of holes left to play. |
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| Double Bogey |
Finishing 2 over par on a hole. |
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| Double Eagle |
Finishing 3 under par on a hole. Also known as an "Albatross" |
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Double Sandie
Double Sandy |
When a player hits par or better despite having 2 bunker shots. |
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| Downhill Lie |
A ball on a slope such that when a right-handed golfer addresses the ball, his right foot will be higher than his left foot. |
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| Draw Shot |
A controlled hook shot. |
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| Drive |
The shot a golf takes from the tee. |
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| Driver |
The 1 wood club. This is used to hit the ball the farthest distance. |
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| Drop |
Putting the ball back into water after hitting the ball out of bounds or into water. |
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| Dub |
A poorly hit shot. Also known as a "Duff" or "Flub". |
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| Duff |
A poorly hit shot. Also known as a "Dub" or "Flub". |
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| Duffer |
A person who makes lots of bad shots. |
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| E |
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| Eagle |
Finishing 2 under par on a hole. |
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| F |
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| Face |
The part of the clubhead that contacts the ball. |
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| Fade |
A shot which gradually curves from one side to the other. In the case of a right-handed golfer, from left to right. |
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| Fairway |
The agree of the golf course lying between the tee box and the green, in which the grass is cut short. |
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| Fat Shot |
A poor shot in which the golf club hits the ground behind the ball before hitting the ball. Also known as a "Chunk" or "Chili-Dipping". |
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| Flat Stick |
A golf club used for putting. Also known as a "Putter". |
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| Flub |
A poorly hit shot. Also known as a "Dub" or "Duff". |
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| Follow Through |
The last part of the golf swing after the club has come into contact with the ball. |
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| Fore |
A warning that to another person on a golf course that the ball may be heading towards them. |
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| Free Drop |
A Drop which does not have an associated penalty of a stroke being added to your score. You may get a free drop if there is casual water on the course, or the ground is under repair, for example. |
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| Fringe |
The area of closely-cut grass around the green. Also known as the "Apron". |
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Front Nine
Front Side |
The first 9 holes of an 18 hole course. Also known as the "Outward Nine". |
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| G |
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| Gimme |
A shot which is so close to the hole, that the player will certainly make the putt. The player does not have to actually take this putt, although it still counts as a stroke. |
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| Goldie Bounce |
When the ball strikes a tree and bounces back onto the fairway. |
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| Good-Good |
When two golfers agree to concede each other's putts. |
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| Grain |
The direction the grass on the green is growing. |
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| Green |
The area around the hole where the grass is cut very neatly and putting occurs. Also known as the "Putting Green". |
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| Grip |
How a golfer holds a club. Alternatively, the part of the club which a golfer grips. |
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| Gross |
The total number of strokes a golfer uses to complete a round. |
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| Grounding |
Placing the clubhead immediately behind the ball when addressing the ball. |
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| H |
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| Hacker |
A person who makes lots of bad shots. |
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| Handicap |
The number of strokes a player may deduct from his score so as to adjust his score to that of a Scratch Golfer. |
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| Hazard |
An obstacle on a golf cause such as a bunker, lake, or pond. |
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| Head |
The part of the club that you hit the ball with. |
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| Heel |
The part of the clubhead nearest the shaft of the golf club. |
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| Hole High |
An approach shot which is level with the hole but off to one side or the other. |
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| Hole Out |
Finishing a hole. |
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| Hole in one |
Finishing a hole in one shot. |
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| Honor |
The privilege of hitting the ball first on the next tee. You gain this priviledge by achieving the lowest score on the previous hole. |
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| Hook |
A golf shot which causes the ball to from one side to the other. In the case of a right-handed golf from right to left, and in the case of a left-handed golfer from left to right. |
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| Hosel |
The part of the clubhead that the shaft fits into. |
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| I |
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| In Contention |
A player with a chance of winning a tournament. |
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| Interlocking Grip |
Holding the club with the hands interlocked so that the little finger of the lower hand is interlocking with the index finger of the upper hand. |
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| Inward Nine |
The last 9 holes of an 18 hole course. Also known as the "Back Nine" or "Back Side". |
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| Iron |
A club with an iron head. |
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| J |
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| Jab |
A short, quick, and possibly erratic, putting stroke. |
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| Jail |
When the ball is stuck in an area which is difficult to get out of, especially an area with lots of trees. |
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| Jungle |
When the ball is in a rough or wooded area. |
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| K |
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| Kick |
The bounce of the ball. |
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| L |
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| Lag |
A putt that aims to put the ball close to the hole, but short of the hole, leaving an easy final putt to complete the hole. |
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| Lateral Hazard |
A hazard that runs parallel to the fairway. |
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| Lie |
The position the golf ball comes to rest on the ground. |
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| Links |
A golf course, especially one near the sea. |
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| Lip |
The rim of the cup in the hole. |
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| Lob |
A shot that goes up almost vertically and stops quickly when it hits the green. |
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| Local Rules |
Special rules used when playing on a particular golf course. |
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| Loft |
The angle between the face of the club and the vertical. |
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| Loose Impediment |
A small natural item, not fixed or growing, which is stuck to the ball. If not found within a hazard, players are permitted to remove loose impediments provided they do not move the ball - moving the ball results in a 1 stroke penalty. |
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| M |
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| Match Play |
A competition where each hole is worth one point regardless of how many strokes one player beats the other by. |
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| Medal Play |
A competition where the overall number of strokes is used to determine the winner. Also known as "Stroke Play". |
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| Mud Ball |
A golf ball with mud or other debris stuck to it. Golfers are normally only allowed to wash a ball in play when it is on the green, although Local Rules sometimes sometimes give more flexibility. |
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| Mulligan |
A free shot which your opponents grants you after hitting a really bad first shot. |
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| N |
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| Nassau |
A competition where a point is awarded for the front nine (first 9 holes), back 9 (last 9 holes), and the overall 18 holes. |
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| Nineteenth Hole |
The clubhouse building in general, and in particular the bar area. |
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| O |
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| Offset |
A golf club where the head is slightly behind the shaft. |
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| Ostrich |
Finishing 5 under par on a hole. (Note: This would be only be possible by scoring an Ace on a Par 6 hole, or a Deuce on a Par 7 hole). |
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| Out of Bounds |
The area outside the golf course where you are not allowed to play. If you hit the ball out of bounds, you must hit the ball again from the same place. |
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| Outward Nine |
The first 9 holes of an 18 hole course. Also known as the "Front Nine" or "Front Side". |
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| Overclubbing |
Using a club that will hit the ball further than needed. |
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| Overlapping Grip |
Holding the club with the the little finger of the lower hand is resting on top of the index finger of the upper hand. Also known as the "Vardon Grip". |
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| P |
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| Par |
The recommended number of strokes to complete a particular hole on a particular golf course. |
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| Penalty Stroke |
A stroke which is added to a golfer's score after hitting the ball out of bounds, losing his ball, a rules violation, etc. |
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| Pin |
The flagstick or pole in the hole. |
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| Pitch |
A golf shot with high arc that lands on the green and usually stops quickly. |
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| Pivot |
The rotation of the upper body during a golf swing. |
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| Play Through |
When faster players move through a group of slower players who were in front of them. |
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| Plunk |
A Lie where the ball is on the edge or lip of a water hazard. |
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| Pro Shop |
The golf course shop. |
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| Provisional Ball |
The additional ball which is used if a golfer's ball can not be found. When a ball is lost, the golfer must play the provisional play and also receives a penalty stroke. |
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| Pull |
A ball that goes to the left (right-handed golfer players) or right (left-handed golf players) of the target. |
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| Push |
A ball that goes to the right (right-handed golfer players) or left (left-handed golf players) of the target. |
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| Putt |
A shot played on the green, usually with a putter. |
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| Putter |
A golf club used for putting. Sometimes known as a "Flat Stick". |
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| Putting Green |
The area around the hole where the grass is cut very neatly and putting occurs. Also known as the "Green". |
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| R |
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| Range |
An area where golfers can practise, especially their drives. |
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| Reading the Green |
Seeing which way a putt will curve because of the slope and grain of the green. |
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| Reverse Bounce Bank |
Scoring a Bogey or worse immediately after scoring a Birdie on the previous hole. |
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| Rough |
The areas of long grass beside the fairway. |
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| Round |
Playing 18 holes of golf. |
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| Run |
The distance that the ball travels after landing. |
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| S |
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| Sand Trap |
A hazard filled with sand. Also known as a "Bunker". |
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| Sand Wedge |
A club with an iron clubhead used to heat the ball out of bunker. |
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Sandie
Sandy |
When a player hits par or better despite having a bunker shot. |
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| Scratch Golf |
A player who will complete the course at par or better every time he plays, and therefore has a handicap of 0. |
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| Short Game |
The parts of a golf game played near-to and on the green. |
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| Snowman |
Scoring 8 on a hole. Also known as "Dog-Balls". |
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| Spray |
Hitting the ball inconsistently, in a seemingly random direction. |
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| Stimpmeter |
A device used for measuring the speed of greens. |
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| Stroke Play |
A competition where the overall number of strokes is used to determine the winner. Also known as "Medal Play". |
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| Sudden Death |
Settling a tied match by playing extra holes. The winner is the first player to win a hole. |
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| Summer Rules |
The normal rules for playing golf. |
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| Sweet Spot |
The center point of the face of the club/ball. Striking the two together produces the best drives. |
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| T |
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| Tee |
The peg used to hold the ball when driving. Also used to describe the area where this takes place. |
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| Texas Wedge |
Using a putter when not on the green. |
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| Tight Fairway |
A narrow fairway. |
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| Toe |
The part of the clubhead furthest from where it joins the shaft. |
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Triple Sandie
Triple Sandy |
When a player hits par or better despite having 3 bunker shots. |
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| Turn |
To start the Back Nine holes. |
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| U |
|
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| Underclubbing |
Using a club that will not hit the ball the required distance. |
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| V |
|
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| Vardon Grip |
Holding the club with the the little finger of the lower hand is resting on top of the index finger of the upper hand. Also known as the "Overlapping Grip". |
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| Vaulting Dormie |
The situation in match play when a player goes straight to victory without passing through the minimum of a guaranteed tie. For example, if the player has a 1-hole lead with 2 holes left to play, and then goes to a 2-hole lead with 1-hole left to play. |
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| W |
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| Waggle |
The routine a golfer does before hitting the ball, such as adjusting his body and doing a practice swing at the ball. |
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| Wedge |
An iron with a high loft using for short shots with a high trajectory. |
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| Whiff |
A shot where the player completely misses the ball. Also know as an "Air Shot". |
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| Winter Rules |
A local rules variation that may allow players to improve the lie of the ball on the fairway. |
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| Wood |
A club with a wooden head. |
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| Worm Burner |
A shot that is hit low, and, usually, hard. |
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| Y |
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| Yips |
The tendency of some players to twitch while putting, usually damaging that player's chances. |
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| Z |
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| Zinger |
A shot where the ball is hit high and hard. |
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