Golf Terminology for Professionals and Students
Golf terminology can be confusing. Terms like "laying it off," "hitting it fat," "chili dipping," "coming off the ball," need explanation. There is also a jargon for ball flight. A left to right shot is a fade, slice, shank, draw, hook and duck hook and the last three of these apply only if you’re a lefty.
At NYCGA we´re trying to simplify things for new and old students alike, so golf pro Anthony Colonna has revised and clarified the major terms associated with learning the game of golf.
All references are written to equally accommodate left and right-handed golfers.
All references are written to equally accommodate left and right-handed golfers.
Ambidextral Prose: Writings pertaining equally to the right-hand and left-hand side.
The wording used in this text is simplified. "Forward" is towards the target, and starting from forward of the ball. "Backward" is away from the target, and starting from behind the ball. "Outside" the target line is the side towards the front of the body. "Inside" the target line is the direction towards the rear of the body. For example, "outside" the target line for a right-handed golfer indicates the right side of the target line. "Outside" the target line for a left-handed golfer indicates the left side of the target line.
NYCGA recommends reading "target line," "launch line" and "nine basic ball flights" first to better understand golf terminology as we use it here.
The target line is the intended line of ball flight determined during the pre-shot routine.
The launch line is the direction the ball flight starts just after impact. The general rule is the target line is the intended line of flight, and the launch line is the actual line of flight.
The nine basic ball flights listed include combinations of direction and curvature.
Direction has three possibilities, outside, inside or straight down the target line. Curvature also has three possibilities, inside, outside or straight down the launch line. Multiplying three directions by three curvatures encompasses the nine basic ball flights.
Advanced players incorporate high, mid and low trajectories when working on their golf swing. Multiplying the three trajectory possibilities with the nine basic ball flights encompasses the twenty-seven advanced ball flights.
The expert players include distance to the twenty-seven ball flights equation. An adequate amount of club head speed is required to hit all twenty-seven ball flights, so experts multiply three distance possibilities of one half, three quarters and full swings. Multiplying the three different distances with the twenty-seven advanced ball flights gives the total number of ball flights available to experts.
NINE BASIC BALL FLIGHTS: Direction and curvature.
The wording used in this text is simplified. "Forward" is towards the target, and starting from forward of the ball. "Backward" is away from the target, and starting from behind the ball. "Outside" the target line is the side towards the front of the body. "Inside" the target line is the direction towards the rear of the body. For example, "outside" the target line for a right-handed golfer indicates the right side of the target line. "Outside" the target line for a left-handed golfer indicates the left side of the target line.
NYCGA recommends reading "target line," "launch line" and "nine basic ball flights" first to better understand golf terminology as we use it here.
The target line is the intended line of ball flight determined during the pre-shot routine.
The launch line is the direction the ball flight starts just after impact. The general rule is the target line is the intended line of flight, and the launch line is the actual line of flight.
The nine basic ball flights listed include combinations of direction and curvature.
Direction has three possibilities, outside, inside or straight down the target line. Curvature also has three possibilities, inside, outside or straight down the launch line. Multiplying three directions by three curvatures encompasses the nine basic ball flights.
Advanced players incorporate high, mid and low trajectories when working on their golf swing. Multiplying the three trajectory possibilities with the nine basic ball flights encompasses the twenty-seven advanced ball flights.
The expert players include distance to the twenty-seven ball flights equation. An adequate amount of club head speed is required to hit all twenty-seven ball flights, so experts multiply three distance possibilities of one half, three quarters and full swings. Multiplying the three different distances with the twenty-seven advanced ball flights gives the total number of ball flights available to experts.
NINE BASIC BALL FLIGHTS: Direction and curvature.
STRAIGHT SHOT: Also known as a square shot and square to square to square. When the launch line of the ball flight starts straight down the target line without curvature.
PULL (STRAIGHT): When the launch line is inside the target line without curvature.
PUSH (STRAIGHT): When the launch line is outside the target line without curvature.
FADE: When the ball curves slightly outside the launch line.
DRAW: When the ball curves slightly inside the launch line.
PULL (FADE/SLICE): The most common shot in golf. Pull is when the launch line is inside the target line. Fade/Slice indicates the amount of curvature outside the launch line.
PULL (DRAW/HOOK): Pull is when the launch line is inside the target line. Draw/Hook indicates the amount of curvature inside the launch line.
PUSH (FADE/SLICE): Push is when the launch line is outside the target line. Fade/Slice indicates the amount of curvature outside the launch line.
PUSH (DRAW/HOOK): Push is when the launch line is outside the target line. Draw/Hook indicates the amount of curvature inside the launch line.
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PULL (STRAIGHT): When the launch line is inside the target line without curvature.
PUSH (STRAIGHT): When the launch line is outside the target line without curvature.
FADE: When the ball curves slightly outside the launch line.
DRAW: When the ball curves slightly inside the launch line.
PULL (FADE/SLICE): The most common shot in golf. Pull is when the launch line is inside the target line. Fade/Slice indicates the amount of curvature outside the launch line.
PULL (DRAW/HOOK): Pull is when the launch line is inside the target line. Draw/Hook indicates the amount of curvature inside the launch line.
PUSH (FADE/SLICE): Push is when the launch line is outside the target line. Fade/Slice indicates the amount of curvature outside the launch line.
PUSH (DRAW/HOOK): Push is when the launch line is outside the target line. Draw/Hook indicates the amount of curvature inside the launch line.
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ACCELERATION: The increasing speed of the clubhead from the beginning of the downswing through impact.
ADDRESS POSITION: The set position of the set-up. When a player is positioned in a ready to swing stance and grounds the club, except in a hazard when the player may not ground the club.
ALIGNMENT: The set-up position of the ball, club and body in relation to the target line.
ANGLE OF APPROACH: The angle formed by the descending arc of the clubhead relative to the ground.
ANGULAR MOMENTUM: See; Conservation of angular momentum (COAM).
APPROACH SHOT: Any shot using a pitch or full swing with the intent to land on the green.
ARC: See; Swing arc.
BACKSWING: The first motion of the golf swing when the club and body turns away from the target to the transition position.
BACKSPIN: See; Spin.
BALANCE: Steadiness at address and stability through the swing.
BALL FLIGHT: The distance, trajectory, direction and curvature of a golf ball. When describing ball flight it should be mentioned in the order of; distance, trajectory, direction then curvature. Example: A full high pull slice or a three quarter low push hook.
BALL MARK: The bruising indentation a golf ball makes landing on the green.
BALL POSITION: Refers to the position of the golf ball in relation to the golfer at address, which varies depending on the club selection, the type of lie and intended shot.
BIRDS NEST LIE: When the ball is resting on a tight lie surrounded by rough.
BLADED SHOT: Also known as a skulled or bellied shot. When the bottom leading edge of the clubface impacts near or just below the balls equator.
BOUNCE: Measured by degrees, the amount the leading edge is off the ground relative to the bottommost protruding part of the beveled sole. degrees vary from zero degrees (leading edge flush to the ground) to thirty degrees (leading edge about a quarter inch off the ground). The angle formed by a line perpendicular to the shaft of the club and a line parallel to the sole or bottommost of the clubhead. Along with the width and shape of the sole, bounce determines the extent to which a club will dig into or bounce off the ground.
BREAK: The amount of curvature a ball rolls on a green. The distance to the side of one’s line that the ball will roll due to the slope of the green.
BUMP AND RUN: A greenside shot hit with low trajectory into a hill, rough or fairway deflecting then rolling onto the green.
BUNKER: A sand based hollow forming a hazard. Also known as a sand trap. Less common is a grass bunker which is not a hazard.
CARRY AND ROLL: The total distance a ball travels from the point of impact to landing. Roll is the total distance from the point of carry (landing) to where the ball comes to rest (lie).
CASTING: Early un-cocking (release) of the wrists during the downswing.
CENTRIFUGAL FORCE: A natural effect induced by gravitational force and release of the stored energy created in the backswing that draws the clubhead and arms extended away from a rotating body during the follow-through.
CHICKEN WING: Also known as a flying elbow. When the back elbow points towards the horizon in the backswing or when the forward elbow points towards the horizon in the follow-through.
CHIP SHOT: A short greenside shot generally executed with low trajectory intending less carry and more roll.
CHOKE DOWN: To place the hands slightly lower on the grip of the club.
CLOSED TO OPEN: When the clubface starts square at address, closes in the backswing, squares at impact and opens in the follow-through.
CLUBFACE: Also known as the face. Part of the clubhead that makes contact with the ball (impact). When the bottom leading edge of the clubface is perpendicular to the target line the face is square, (facing down the target line). The clubface surface area’s outer portion is the toe, the inner portion is the heel and the center is the sweet spot.
CLUBFACE (CLOSED): When the toe of the clubhead is forward of the heel pointing the face inside the target line, path or arc.
CLUBFACE (OPEN): When the heel of the clubhead is forward of the toe pointing the face outside the target line, path or arc.
CLUBFACE (SQUARE): See; Square to square.
CLUBHEAD: The part of the golf club that makes contact with the ball (clubface), cuts into or bounces off the ground (sole) and attaches to the shaft (hosel).
COIL: The circular turning of the body in the backswing when the upper body turns more than the lower, creating stored power to uncoil forward.
COMPRESSION: The measurement of resilience of a golf ball at impact and the amount the ball compresses at impact. Lower compression for lower speeds and softer feel.
CONSERVATION OF ANGULAR MOMENTUM (COAM): Adopted from the Law of Physics, storing kinetic energy until the last moment before impact by maintaining the angle of the club shaft and forward arm formed when the wrists cock. During the downswing, holding this angle until the point of release of this (angular momentum or power angle) when the hands are in front of the body and the shaft is parallel to the ground then fully releasing forward through impact.
CROSS HANDED: A popular putting grip where the forward hand is below the back hand.
CROSSING THE LINE: When the shaft points outside parallel of the target line during the transition position.
CURVATURE: See; Spin. The amount of horizontal and vertical arc a ball travels off the launch line and launch angle.
CUT SHOT: See; Fade.
DEAD HANDS: A passive use of the hands by reducing the amount of wrist cock and release. This technique is performed mainly for the short game.
DECELERATION: The decreasing of clubhead speed during the downswing.
DELAYED HIT: See; Conservation of angular momentum (COAM).
DELOFTING: A set-up and impact position of the face angle when the top of the clubface folds forward nearer the leading bottom edge, delofting the angle of the clubface towards the horizon more than its design.
DIVOT: The loose piece of turf dug out by the clubhead during the swing and the hole that it created.
DOUGHNUT EFFECT: When the outer edge of the hole is raised higher than the surrounding outer perimeter. Golfers walk in close proximity of the hole constantly compressing the outer perimeter leaving the grass just around the hole to grow. Plus, when a golfer pulls out a flag stick haphazardly the top edge of the hole is pulled upwards accentuating the doughnut effect.
DOUBLE-CROSS: A miss hit, when in an attempt to launch or curve the ball in a particular direction, proceed to hit the exact opposite shot.
DOWNSWING: The first portion of the forward swing that starts from the transition position ending at the point of ascent in the impact area.
DRAW: When the ball curves slightly inside the launch line.
EARLY HIT: See; Casting.
EXPLOSION SHOT: A full acceleration shot to displace more than usual amounts of sand during a bunker shot.
EXTENSION: When the arms extend in the backswing (forward arm) and forward swing (back arm).
FACE: See; Clubface.
FADE: Also known as a cut shot. When the ball curves slightly outside the launch line.
FAT SHOT: A miss hit, also known as a chunk shot. When the leading edge of the clubhead descends into the ground behind the ball allowing turf between the clubface and ball during impact reducing and deflecting the ball flight.
FESCUE: A hardy and high growing grass used to border and define fairways in temperate climates.
FINISHED POSITION: The end of every forward swing from putter to driver.
FINISHED POSITION (INVERTED C): When the mid section of the golfers body is more forward than the feet and head curving the spine creating a inverted C finish verses maintaining a straight spine angle throughout the swing, including the finished position.
FITTED CLUBS: Specifications of golf clubs to properly fit a particular golfer. Including but not limited to; club length, lie angle, shaft flex, loft angle, and weight.
FLANGE: See; Clubhead. The protruding beveled part of the bottom back of the clubhead.
FLAT: See; Laid off.
FLIER: Also known as a hot shot. When foreign substances, usually grass blades from the rough, reduces friction at impact which reduces spin resulting in a more penetrating ball flight and increasing the carry and roll.
FLOP SHOT: A pitch or full swing performed with full acceleration with a fully open clubface. Lofting abruptly high, descending near vertical, landing softly with little roll.
FLUFFY LIE: An almost too perfect lie in the rough, usually implying the possibility of hitting too under the ball.
FOLLOW-THROUGH: The portion of the forward swing between the impact and finished positions.
FORWARD SWING: The entire portion of the swing after the transition position to the finished position.
FRIED EGG LIE:
ADDRESS POSITION: The set position of the set-up. When a player is positioned in a ready to swing stance and grounds the club, except in a hazard when the player may not ground the club.
ALIGNMENT: The set-up position of the ball, club and body in relation to the target line.
ANGLE OF APPROACH: The angle formed by the descending arc of the clubhead relative to the ground.
ANGULAR MOMENTUM: See; Conservation of angular momentum (COAM).
APPROACH SHOT: Any shot using a pitch or full swing with the intent to land on the green.
ARC: See; Swing arc.
BACKSWING: The first motion of the golf swing when the club and body turns away from the target to the transition position.
BACKSPIN: See; Spin.
BALANCE: Steadiness at address and stability through the swing.
BALL FLIGHT: The distance, trajectory, direction and curvature of a golf ball. When describing ball flight it should be mentioned in the order of; distance, trajectory, direction then curvature. Example: A full high pull slice or a three quarter low push hook.
BALL MARK: The bruising indentation a golf ball makes landing on the green.
BALL POSITION: Refers to the position of the golf ball in relation to the golfer at address, which varies depending on the club selection, the type of lie and intended shot.
BIRDS NEST LIE: When the ball is resting on a tight lie surrounded by rough.
BLADED SHOT: Also known as a skulled or bellied shot. When the bottom leading edge of the clubface impacts near or just below the balls equator.
BOUNCE: Measured by degrees, the amount the leading edge is off the ground relative to the bottommost protruding part of the beveled sole. degrees vary from zero degrees (leading edge flush to the ground) to thirty degrees (leading edge about a quarter inch off the ground). The angle formed by a line perpendicular to the shaft of the club and a line parallel to the sole or bottommost of the clubhead. Along with the width and shape of the sole, bounce determines the extent to which a club will dig into or bounce off the ground.
BREAK: The amount of curvature a ball rolls on a green. The distance to the side of one’s line that the ball will roll due to the slope of the green.
BUMP AND RUN: A greenside shot hit with low trajectory into a hill, rough or fairway deflecting then rolling onto the green.
BUNKER: A sand based hollow forming a hazard. Also known as a sand trap. Less common is a grass bunker which is not a hazard.
CARRY AND ROLL: The total distance a ball travels from the point of impact to landing. Roll is the total distance from the point of carry (landing) to where the ball comes to rest (lie).
CASTING: Early un-cocking (release) of the wrists during the downswing.
CENTRIFUGAL FORCE: A natural effect induced by gravitational force and release of the stored energy created in the backswing that draws the clubhead and arms extended away from a rotating body during the follow-through.
CHICKEN WING: Also known as a flying elbow. When the back elbow points towards the horizon in the backswing or when the forward elbow points towards the horizon in the follow-through.
CHIP SHOT: A short greenside shot generally executed with low trajectory intending less carry and more roll.
CHOKE DOWN: To place the hands slightly lower on the grip of the club.
CLOSED TO OPEN: When the clubface starts square at address, closes in the backswing, squares at impact and opens in the follow-through.
CLUBFACE: Also known as the face. Part of the clubhead that makes contact with the ball (impact). When the bottom leading edge of the clubface is perpendicular to the target line the face is square, (facing down the target line). The clubface surface area’s outer portion is the toe, the inner portion is the heel and the center is the sweet spot.
CLUBFACE (CLOSED): When the toe of the clubhead is forward of the heel pointing the face inside the target line, path or arc.
CLUBFACE (OPEN): When the heel of the clubhead is forward of the toe pointing the face outside the target line, path or arc.
CLUBFACE (SQUARE): See; Square to square.
CLUBHEAD: The part of the golf club that makes contact with the ball (clubface), cuts into or bounces off the ground (sole) and attaches to the shaft (hosel).
COIL: The circular turning of the body in the backswing when the upper body turns more than the lower, creating stored power to uncoil forward.
COMPRESSION: The measurement of resilience of a golf ball at impact and the amount the ball compresses at impact. Lower compression for lower speeds and softer feel.
CONSERVATION OF ANGULAR MOMENTUM (COAM): Adopted from the Law of Physics, storing kinetic energy until the last moment before impact by maintaining the angle of the club shaft and forward arm formed when the wrists cock. During the downswing, holding this angle until the point of release of this (angular momentum or power angle) when the hands are in front of the body and the shaft is parallel to the ground then fully releasing forward through impact.
CROSS HANDED: A popular putting grip where the forward hand is below the back hand.
CROSSING THE LINE: When the shaft points outside parallel of the target line during the transition position.
CURVATURE: See; Spin. The amount of horizontal and vertical arc a ball travels off the launch line and launch angle.
CUT SHOT: See; Fade.
DEAD HANDS: A passive use of the hands by reducing the amount of wrist cock and release. This technique is performed mainly for the short game.
DECELERATION: The decreasing of clubhead speed during the downswing.
DELAYED HIT: See; Conservation of angular momentum (COAM).
DELOFTING: A set-up and impact position of the face angle when the top of the clubface folds forward nearer the leading bottom edge, delofting the angle of the clubface towards the horizon more than its design.
DIVOT: The loose piece of turf dug out by the clubhead during the swing and the hole that it created.
DOUGHNUT EFFECT: When the outer edge of the hole is raised higher than the surrounding outer perimeter. Golfers walk in close proximity of the hole constantly compressing the outer perimeter leaving the grass just around the hole to grow. Plus, when a golfer pulls out a flag stick haphazardly the top edge of the hole is pulled upwards accentuating the doughnut effect.
DOUBLE-CROSS: A miss hit, when in an attempt to launch or curve the ball in a particular direction, proceed to hit the exact opposite shot.
DOWNSWING: The first portion of the forward swing that starts from the transition position ending at the point of ascent in the impact area.
DRAW: When the ball curves slightly inside the launch line.
EARLY HIT: See; Casting.
EXPLOSION SHOT: A full acceleration shot to displace more than usual amounts of sand during a bunker shot.
EXTENSION: When the arms extend in the backswing (forward arm) and forward swing (back arm).
FACE: See; Clubface.
FADE: Also known as a cut shot. When the ball curves slightly outside the launch line.
FAT SHOT: A miss hit, also known as a chunk shot. When the leading edge of the clubhead descends into the ground behind the ball allowing turf between the clubface and ball during impact reducing and deflecting the ball flight.
FESCUE: A hardy and high growing grass used to border and define fairways in temperate climates.
FINISHED POSITION: The end of every forward swing from putter to driver.
FINISHED POSITION (INVERTED C): When the mid section of the golfers body is more forward than the feet and head curving the spine creating a inverted C finish verses maintaining a straight spine angle throughout the swing, including the finished position.
FITTED CLUBS: Specifications of golf clubs to properly fit a particular golfer. Including but not limited to; club length, lie angle, shaft flex, loft angle, and weight.
FLANGE: See; Clubhead. The protruding beveled part of the bottom back of the clubhead.
FLAT: See; Laid off.
FLIER: Also known as a hot shot. When foreign substances, usually grass blades from the rough, reduces friction at impact which reduces spin resulting in a more penetrating ball flight and increasing the carry and roll.
FLOP SHOT: A pitch or full swing performed with full acceleration with a fully open clubface. Lofting abruptly high, descending near vertical, landing softly with little roll.
FLUFFY LIE: An almost too perfect lie in the rough, usually implying the possibility of hitting too under the ball.
FOLLOW-THROUGH: The portion of the forward swing between the impact and finished positions.
FORWARD SWING: The entire portion of the swing after the transition position to the finished position.
FRIED EGG LIE:
A hemispherical pit created by the impact of a golf ball’s explosive descent into the sand with the ball remaining submerged in the center.
FULL SWING: When a golfer has the greatest amount of backswing, clubhead speed and finished position with the ability to consistently repeat.
GRAIN: The direction grass blades grow. An important factor in reading the balls roll through the green influenced towards the direction the grain lays.
GRIP (CLUB): The handle of the golf club located at the butt end where the hands are placed.
GRIP (HANDS): The position and pressure of the hands on the golf club’s handle from address to the finished position.
GRIP (CLOSED FACE): Also known as a strong grip. When the top of the hands over rotate backward on the grip causing the clubface to point inside the target line, imparting side spin which causes curvature inside the launch line.
GRIP (INTERLOCK): Crossing the forward hand index finger with the back hand pinky locking the hands together.
GRIP (OPEN FACE): Also known as a weak grip. When the top of the hands over rotate forward on the grip causing the clubface to point outside the target line, imparting side spin which causes curvature outside the launch line.
GRIP (OVERLAP): Resting the back hand pinky on top of the forward hand index finger area unifying the hands.
GRIP (REVERSE OVERLAP): A putting grip when the forward hand index finger overlaps downwards across the fingers of the back hand.
GRIP (SQUARE): Also known as a neutral, natural, and proper grip. When a golfer places the hands on the grip in the same position as when they hang freely without tension or manipulation.
GRIP (TEN FINGER): Also known as the baseball grip. Both hands butted holding the club with all fingers on the grip handle with the hands acting more independently.
GROOVES: The scored lines on a clubface that grab the ball at impact producing spin. Also known as; V-grooves, U-grooves and square grooves.
GROUND: The intentional placement of the sole of the clubhead on the ground surface behind the ball in a ready position or addressed position to swing.
HALF PITCH SWING: See: Pitch swing
HEEL SHOT: A missed shot when a ball impacts near the inside of the clubface between the hosel and center of the clubface.
HIGH/LOW SIDE: Also known as pro/amateur side. The side of the cup the golf ball is missed or holed. High side is a positive term implying the side in which to enter or miss the hole. Verses the implied negative, missing on the low side.
HINGE: See; Wrist cock.
HOLE-IN-ONE: Striking a golf ball from the tee into the hole in a single stroke.
HOOD: See; Delofting
HOOK: When the ball curves significantly inside the launch line.
HOOK (DUCK OR SNAP): When the ball curves sharply inside the launch line with a very low trajectory caused by the clubface excessively closed relative to the path.
HOSEL: See; Clubhead. The inside part of the clubhead connected to the heel into which the shaft is inserted, fitted and secured. Also the point of impact of a shank.
IMPACT: The dynamic moment the clubhead transfers energy to the ball while in contact, firing enough energy to alter the shape of the golf ball into an oval shape and catapult it hundreds of yards.
INSIDE OUT: When the swing path of the clubhead is inside the target line on the downswing and is then outside the target line in the follow-through.
INSIDE SQUARE INSIDE: Also known as inside to inside and square to square. Refers to the desired square swing path of the clubhead in relation to the target line. When the swing path of the clubhead is inside the target line on the downswing, square at impact, then inside the target line in the follow-through.
INTENDED LINE OF FLIGHT: See; Target line.
LAG: See; Conservation of angular momentum (COAM)
LAID OFF: Also known as lay off or flat. Flattening the swing plane more towards the horizon relative to the shaft angle ( lie angle) formed in a proper address position.
LATE HIT: See; Conservation of angular momentum (COAM)
FULL SWING: When a golfer has the greatest amount of backswing, clubhead speed and finished position with the ability to consistently repeat.
GRAIN: The direction grass blades grow. An important factor in reading the balls roll through the green influenced towards the direction the grain lays.
GRIP (CLUB): The handle of the golf club located at the butt end where the hands are placed.
GRIP (HANDS): The position and pressure of the hands on the golf club’s handle from address to the finished position.
GRIP (CLOSED FACE): Also known as a strong grip. When the top of the hands over rotate backward on the grip causing the clubface to point inside the target line, imparting side spin which causes curvature inside the launch line.
GRIP (INTERLOCK): Crossing the forward hand index finger with the back hand pinky locking the hands together.
GRIP (OPEN FACE): Also known as a weak grip. When the top of the hands over rotate forward on the grip causing the clubface to point outside the target line, imparting side spin which causes curvature outside the launch line.
GRIP (OVERLAP): Resting the back hand pinky on top of the forward hand index finger area unifying the hands.
GRIP (REVERSE OVERLAP): A putting grip when the forward hand index finger overlaps downwards across the fingers of the back hand.
GRIP (SQUARE): Also known as a neutral, natural, and proper grip. When a golfer places the hands on the grip in the same position as when they hang freely without tension or manipulation.
GRIP (TEN FINGER): Also known as the baseball grip. Both hands butted holding the club with all fingers on the grip handle with the hands acting more independently.
GROOVES: The scored lines on a clubface that grab the ball at impact producing spin. Also known as; V-grooves, U-grooves and square grooves.
GROUND: The intentional placement of the sole of the clubhead on the ground surface behind the ball in a ready position or addressed position to swing.
HALF PITCH SWING: See: Pitch swing
HEEL SHOT: A missed shot when a ball impacts near the inside of the clubface between the hosel and center of the clubface.
HIGH/LOW SIDE: Also known as pro/amateur side. The side of the cup the golf ball is missed or holed. High side is a positive term implying the side in which to enter or miss the hole. Verses the implied negative, missing on the low side.
HINGE: See; Wrist cock.
HOLE-IN-ONE: Striking a golf ball from the tee into the hole in a single stroke.
HOOD: See; Delofting
HOOK: When the ball curves significantly inside the launch line.
HOOK (DUCK OR SNAP): When the ball curves sharply inside the launch line with a very low trajectory caused by the clubface excessively closed relative to the path.
HOSEL: See; Clubhead. The inside part of the clubhead connected to the heel into which the shaft is inserted, fitted and secured. Also the point of impact of a shank.
IMPACT: The dynamic moment the clubhead transfers energy to the ball while in contact, firing enough energy to alter the shape of the golf ball into an oval shape and catapult it hundreds of yards.
INSIDE OUT: When the swing path of the clubhead is inside the target line on the downswing and is then outside the target line in the follow-through.
INSIDE SQUARE INSIDE: Also known as inside to inside and square to square. Refers to the desired square swing path of the clubhead in relation to the target line. When the swing path of the clubhead is inside the target line on the downswing, square at impact, then inside the target line in the follow-through.
INTENDED LINE OF FLIGHT: See; Target line.
LAG: See; Conservation of angular momentum (COAM)
LAID OFF: Also known as lay off or flat. Flattening the swing plane more towards the horizon relative to the shaft angle ( lie angle) formed in a proper address position.
LATE HIT: See; Conservation of angular momentum (COAM)
LATERAL MOVEMENT:
Also known as lateral shift. The forward momentum produced by the attempt to transfer weight from the backside towards the forward side during the forward swing.
LAUNCH ANGLE: The initial ball flight trajectory angle of the ball relative to the ground.
LAUNCH LINE(OF FLIGHT): The initial flight direction of the golf ball and the angle formed relative to the target line.
LIE: The balls position at rest.
LIE ANGLE: The angle made by the shaft and bottom leading edge of the clubhead.
LINE OF FLIGHT: See; Launch line of flight.
LOB SHOT: A greenside short shot with high loft and minimal roll.
LOFT (ANGLE): The trajectory angle of the clubface and intended flight angle of the ball flight. Industry average face angles vary from six degrees (putters and drivers) to sixty degrees (lob wedges).
LONG IRONS: Consisting of the 1,2,3, & 4 irons. They are longer in length, lighter in weight, smaller head and sweet spot. The face angles more towards the horizon designed to launch lower and fly further.
LOOKING UP: When topping or whiffing this false expression implies the head raised during impact. The actual flaw usually is a breach of the torso angle. See; Torso angle.
LOOP (INSIDE & OUTSIDE): Curvature of the arc the clubhead travels in the downswing relative to the backswing. When the plane of the downswing is under or flatter than the backswing plane it’s an inside loop. When the plane of the downswing is over or steeper than the backswing its an outside loop. Also a known slang to caddies for eighteen holes.
MID IRONS: Consisting of the 5,6,7, & 8 irons. They are mid length, mid weight, mid head and sweet spot size. The face angles are in the mid loft angle range.
MISS HIT: A golf shot that misses the sweet spot (center) of the clubhead or hit’s the sweet spot but the distance, direction, trajectory or curvature of the ball flight was unintentional. Type of miss shots include; toe, heel, fat, thin, skull, top, pop-up, scuff, shank, push, pull, short, long, flier, riser, double-cross, whiff, even too good.
NEUTRAL GRIP: See; Grip (square).
ON PLANE: See; Swing plane.
ONE PIECE TAKEAWAY: See; Takeaway.
OPEN TO CLOSED: When the clubface starts square at address, opens in the backswing, squares at impact and closes in the follow-through.
OUTSIDE IN: When the swing path of the clubhead is outside the target line on the downswing then inside the target line in the follow-through.
OVER SWING: A counterproductive effort to exaggerate an aspect of the basic golf swing beyond the golfers ability to repeat.
OVER THE TOP: See; Outside in.
PACE: Speed of the swing, greens and of playing golf.
PASSED PARALLEL: When the shaft passes parallel of the ground during the transition position.
PATH: The direction of the clubhead before, during and after impact relative to the target line, inside square inside, inside out and outside in.
PENDULUM STROKE: Best described like a grandfather clock. A free swinging stroke derived from a fixed pivot point atop, swinging back and forth below.
PITCH MARK: See; Ball mark and plugged lie. Any ball mark, through the green.
PITCH SWING: Any shot between a chip shot and a full swing. Mainly described as a quarter, half and three quarter swing with any club. The fractions represent the length and speed of the pitch swing relative to a full swing.
PIVOT: The rotation and weight shift of the body in the backswing and predominantly mentioned for the forward swing.
PLANE: See; Swing plane.
PLUGGED LIE: A ball embedded in its own pitch mark or point of carry.
PLUMB BOB: Used as a putting aid by holding the putter handle lightly between the fingers promoting the putter to act as a free weight suspending as a reference line that is perpendicular to the ground used as an instrument to determine the high terrain verses the low terrain by one eyeing the same edge side of the hanging putter shaft in line with the ball and hole, that line of sight generally rests on the high side.
POP-UP: Also known as a sky-ball. A miss hit, when the bottom of the ball makes contact with the top leading edge or top side of the clubhead resulting in a nearly straight vertical high shot with less distance.
POSTURE POSITION: The spine angle during the address, backswing and forward swing. Proper spine angle should be virtually straight from tail bone to the cervical vertebrae from set-up through impact.
POT BUNKER: A deep face bunker usually requiring an abrupt high lofted recovery shot.
PRE-SHOT ROUTINE: The process prior to the swing to determine the type shot, what club to select, and determine a target line to properly begin the set-up position.
PULL (DRAW/HOOK): Pull is when the launch line is inside the target line. Draw/Hook indicates the amount of curvature inside the launch line.
PULL (FADE/SLICE): The most common shot in golf. Pull is when the launch line is inside the target line. Fade/Slice indicates the amount of curvature outside the launch line.
PULL (STRAIGHT): When the launch line is inside the target line without curvature.
PUSH (FADE/SLICE): Push is when the launch line is outside the target line. Fade/Slice indicates the amount of curvature outside the launch line.
PUSH (DRAW/HOOK): Push is when the launch line is outside the target line. Draw/Hook indicates the amount of curvature inside the launch line.
PUSH (STRAIGHT): When the launch line is outside the target line without curvature.
QUARTER PITCH SWING: See; Pitch swing.
READ: The method of determining the direction and speed to putt a ball into the hole. Reading a green is an art in itself considering all the variables that influence the roll of the putt including: The type of grass bent verses a grainier grass like Bermuda , the length of the grass which influences speed, undulations deflecting the direction, firm or soft greens, dry or wet greens and wind.
RELEASE: Releasing the stored power created in the backswing at impact and follow-through referring to uncoiling and the release of angular momentum.
REVERSE PIVOT: Also known as reverse weight shift. When any part of the body moves in the opposite direction of the rotation and weight shift during the backswing and during the uncoiling and transfer of weight in the forward swing.
RHYTHM: When there is a well-set, well-formed, peaceful unity of the mind and body during the golf swing able to symmetrically repeat.
RISER: Also known as a balloon shot. When a shot has significant backspin causing the ball to act as an airfoil as it travels forward in the air. The air pressure above the ball is less than the air pressure below the ball, causing the ball to rise. If a golf ball is hit into a strong headwind, the spin causes the ball to rise more.
SCRAMBLE: The act of recovering from wayward shots on a given hole. Also known as a fun format in friendly and competitive golf when the team all hit their tee shot, then choose the best shot and each hit from that spot until the ball is holed.
SCUFF: A miss hit, hitting a putt fat.
SET-UP: The process of positioning the ball, club and body in a ready position to swing.
SHANK: A miss hit, also known as hosel shot or hosel rocket. When a ball impacts the rounded hosel of the clubhead deflecting the ball in any direction. The most common deflection is off the hosel onto the clubface resulting in a double hit ricochet severely outside the target line with low trajectory with severe reverberation at impact.
SHORT GAME: The integral part and most preformed shot in golf. The short game area consists of any shot performed from (generally) inside one hundred yards to the center of the green. Type shots demanded in the short game include: Putting, chipping, Bump and runs, quarter, half and three quarter pitches, bunker shots, Flop shots and imaginative shots.
SHORT IRONS: Consisting of the nine iron, pitching wedge, gap wedge, sand wedge and lob wedge. They are shortest in length, heaviest in weight, have the largest heads, greater sweet spots and highest loft angles.
SKULL: See; Bladed.
SLICE: Most common ball flight in golf. When the ball curves significantly outside the launch line.
LAUNCH ANGLE: The initial ball flight trajectory angle of the ball relative to the ground.
LAUNCH LINE(OF FLIGHT): The initial flight direction of the golf ball and the angle formed relative to the target line.
LIE: The balls position at rest.
LIE ANGLE: The angle made by the shaft and bottom leading edge of the clubhead.
LINE OF FLIGHT: See; Launch line of flight.
LOB SHOT: A greenside short shot with high loft and minimal roll.
LOFT (ANGLE): The trajectory angle of the clubface and intended flight angle of the ball flight. Industry average face angles vary from six degrees (putters and drivers) to sixty degrees (lob wedges).
LONG IRONS: Consisting of the 1,2,3, & 4 irons. They are longer in length, lighter in weight, smaller head and sweet spot. The face angles more towards the horizon designed to launch lower and fly further.
LOOKING UP: When topping or whiffing this false expression implies the head raised during impact. The actual flaw usually is a breach of the torso angle. See; Torso angle.
LOOP (INSIDE & OUTSIDE): Curvature of the arc the clubhead travels in the downswing relative to the backswing. When the plane of the downswing is under or flatter than the backswing plane it’s an inside loop. When the plane of the downswing is over or steeper than the backswing its an outside loop. Also a known slang to caddies for eighteen holes.
MID IRONS: Consisting of the 5,6,7, & 8 irons. They are mid length, mid weight, mid head and sweet spot size. The face angles are in the mid loft angle range.
MISS HIT: A golf shot that misses the sweet spot (center) of the clubhead or hit’s the sweet spot but the distance, direction, trajectory or curvature of the ball flight was unintentional. Type of miss shots include; toe, heel, fat, thin, skull, top, pop-up, scuff, shank, push, pull, short, long, flier, riser, double-cross, whiff, even too good.
NEUTRAL GRIP: See; Grip (square).
ON PLANE: See; Swing plane.
ONE PIECE TAKEAWAY: See; Takeaway.
OPEN TO CLOSED: When the clubface starts square at address, opens in the backswing, squares at impact and closes in the follow-through.
OUTSIDE IN: When the swing path of the clubhead is outside the target line on the downswing then inside the target line in the follow-through.
OVER SWING: A counterproductive effort to exaggerate an aspect of the basic golf swing beyond the golfers ability to repeat.
OVER THE TOP: See; Outside in.
PACE: Speed of the swing, greens and of playing golf.
PASSED PARALLEL: When the shaft passes parallel of the ground during the transition position.
PATH: The direction of the clubhead before, during and after impact relative to the target line, inside square inside, inside out and outside in.
PENDULUM STROKE: Best described like a grandfather clock. A free swinging stroke derived from a fixed pivot point atop, swinging back and forth below.
PITCH MARK: See; Ball mark and plugged lie. Any ball mark, through the green.
PITCH SWING: Any shot between a chip shot and a full swing. Mainly described as a quarter, half and three quarter swing with any club. The fractions represent the length and speed of the pitch swing relative to a full swing.
PIVOT: The rotation and weight shift of the body in the backswing and predominantly mentioned for the forward swing.
PLANE: See; Swing plane.
PLUGGED LIE: A ball embedded in its own pitch mark or point of carry.
PLUMB BOB: Used as a putting aid by holding the putter handle lightly between the fingers promoting the putter to act as a free weight suspending as a reference line that is perpendicular to the ground used as an instrument to determine the high terrain verses the low terrain by one eyeing the same edge side of the hanging putter shaft in line with the ball and hole, that line of sight generally rests on the high side.
POP-UP: Also known as a sky-ball. A miss hit, when the bottom of the ball makes contact with the top leading edge or top side of the clubhead resulting in a nearly straight vertical high shot with less distance.
POSTURE POSITION: The spine angle during the address, backswing and forward swing. Proper spine angle should be virtually straight from tail bone to the cervical vertebrae from set-up through impact.
POT BUNKER: A deep face bunker usually requiring an abrupt high lofted recovery shot.
PRE-SHOT ROUTINE: The process prior to the swing to determine the type shot, what club to select, and determine a target line to properly begin the set-up position.
PULL (DRAW/HOOK): Pull is when the launch line is inside the target line. Draw/Hook indicates the amount of curvature inside the launch line.
PULL (FADE/SLICE): The most common shot in golf. Pull is when the launch line is inside the target line. Fade/Slice indicates the amount of curvature outside the launch line.
PULL (STRAIGHT): When the launch line is inside the target line without curvature.
PUSH (FADE/SLICE): Push is when the launch line is outside the target line. Fade/Slice indicates the amount of curvature outside the launch line.
PUSH (DRAW/HOOK): Push is when the launch line is outside the target line. Draw/Hook indicates the amount of curvature inside the launch line.
PUSH (STRAIGHT): When the launch line is outside the target line without curvature.
QUARTER PITCH SWING: See; Pitch swing.
READ: The method of determining the direction and speed to putt a ball into the hole. Reading a green is an art in itself considering all the variables that influence the roll of the putt including: The type of grass bent verses a grainier grass like Bermuda , the length of the grass which influences speed, undulations deflecting the direction, firm or soft greens, dry or wet greens and wind.
RELEASE: Releasing the stored power created in the backswing at impact and follow-through referring to uncoiling and the release of angular momentum.
REVERSE PIVOT: Also known as reverse weight shift. When any part of the body moves in the opposite direction of the rotation and weight shift during the backswing and during the uncoiling and transfer of weight in the forward swing.
RHYTHM: When there is a well-set, well-formed, peaceful unity of the mind and body during the golf swing able to symmetrically repeat.
RISER: Also known as a balloon shot. When a shot has significant backspin causing the ball to act as an airfoil as it travels forward in the air. The air pressure above the ball is less than the air pressure below the ball, causing the ball to rise. If a golf ball is hit into a strong headwind, the spin causes the ball to rise more.
SCRAMBLE: The act of recovering from wayward shots on a given hole. Also known as a fun format in friendly and competitive golf when the team all hit their tee shot, then choose the best shot and each hit from that spot until the ball is holed.
SCUFF: A miss hit, hitting a putt fat.
SET-UP: The process of positioning the ball, club and body in a ready position to swing.
SHANK: A miss hit, also known as hosel shot or hosel rocket. When a ball impacts the rounded hosel of the clubhead deflecting the ball in any direction. The most common deflection is off the hosel onto the clubface resulting in a double hit ricochet severely outside the target line with low trajectory with severe reverberation at impact.
SHORT GAME: The integral part and most preformed shot in golf. The short game area consists of any shot performed from (generally) inside one hundred yards to the center of the green. Type shots demanded in the short game include: Putting, chipping, Bump and runs, quarter, half and three quarter pitches, bunker shots, Flop shots and imaginative shots.
SHORT IRONS: Consisting of the nine iron, pitching wedge, gap wedge, sand wedge and lob wedge. They are shortest in length, heaviest in weight, have the largest heads, greater sweet spots and highest loft angles.
SKULL: See; Bladed.
SLICE: Most common ball flight in golf. When the ball curves significantly outside the launch line.
SOLE: The bottommost protruding beveled part of the club head. To sole the club is also known as grounding the club, the final step in the set-up procedure that initiates the address position.
SPIN (BACK/TOP): Vertical spin is created by a descending (backspin) or ascending (topspin) angle of approach at impact. The amount of spin depends on the amount of the angle of approach, compression and friction at impact. Backspin curves the ball flight upwards and landing more steeply with traction. Topspin curves the ball downward and landing with forward roll.
SPIN (SIDE): Horizontal spin is created at impact by an open clubface (fade) or a closed clubface (draw) relative to the path. The amount of spin depends on the amount the face angle is open or closed and the amount of compression and friction during impact. Sidespin curves the ball flight to the side and lands farther towards the same direction. Also known as ground slice and ground hook.
SPINE ANGLE: See; Posture position.
SPOT: The process of marking the exact position of the ball on a green before touching it by placing a small and noticeable flat coin like item directly behind the ball directly opposite of the hole. Spot also means when a playing partner advances forward to act as a forecaddie.
SPOT AIMING: Used as a aid in better visualizing a target line by finding a spot, blemish or distinguishing mark within a pace or two directly forward of the ball and on the imaginary target line.
SQUARE: A popular term in golf borrowed from geometry meaning perpendicular, right angles, T-square or ninety degrees.
SQUARE TO SQUARE: When the clubface remains square relative to the target line, path, and arc from downswing to follow-through.
STANCE: Refers to the feet placements in the set-up and address positions.
STANCE (CLOSED): When the toe line is pointing outside of parallel to the target line.
STANCE (OPEN): When the toe line is pointing inside parallel to the target line.
STEER: The counterproductive attempt to control the balls direction.
STRAIGHT SHOT: Also known as a square shot and square to square to square. When the ball flight‘s launch line is straight down the target line without curvature.
STROKE: When forward motion of the club has begun with the intent to strike the golf ball.
STRONG GRIP: See; Grip (closed face).
SWAYING: Excessive lateral weight shift or lateral movement in the backswing or forward swing.
SWEET SPOT: Also known as center of gravity. The elusive goal of every golfer is to strike the ball on the clubheads sweet spot found directly in the middle of the clubface. When achieved emits a distinctive percussion pitch and feel of no resistance, torque or reverberation.
SWING: See; Stroke
SWING ARC: The complete path of the club head in the backswing and forward swing.
SWING PLANE: The angle the club swings during the backswing and forward swing. The tilt varies club to club termed flat, on plane and upright swing planes.
TAKEAWAY: The early motion of the backswing including the start or trigger.
TAKEAWAY (INSIDE): The early motion of the backswing drawing the clubhead abruptly inside the target line.
TAKEAWAY (ONE PIECE): A fundamental portion of the backswing consisting of the wrists cocking, arms extending and the shoulders turning away from the target in unison.
TAKEAWAY (OUTSIDE): The early motion of the backswing lifting the club abruptly outside the target line.
TARGET LINE: Also known as intended line of flight. An essential part of every shot in golf from the shortest putt to the longest drive. The target line dissects the playing field into to halves, the inside grid (the golfers side) and the outside grid. The target line is established during the pre-shot routine dictated by the balls lie. The target line is an imaginary line starting from behind the ball continuing through the distant target.
TEMPO: Not to be confused with timing. Tempo is the speed of the backswing, forward swing and their harmonious relationship. Most golf swings take between 1.5 to 2.5 seconds from takeaway to finish.
TEXAS WEDGE: An approach shot performed with a putter from well off the surface of the green.
THIN: A miss hit, when the bottom leading edge of the clubface impacts below the equator (underbelly) of the golf ball.
THREE QUARTER SWING: See; Pitch swing.
THROUGH THE GREEN: The whole area of the course except; the teeing ground, putting green and hazards.
TIGHT LIE: Also known as hard pan. When the ball rests on little or no grass.
TIMING: Also known as sequential motion. When the various parts of the body, feet, legs, hips, torso, shoulders, arms, hands and club all work in a connected series of events producing a dynamical and synchronized performance of motion.
TIMING (OFF): When a swing lacks sequential motion, performing a disconnected series of events in the swing.
TOE LINE: The line the tip of the toes form parallel to the target line ensuring a square set-up.
TOED SHOT: A miss hit that impacts outside the sweet spot in the toe region of the clubface.
TOPPED SHOT: A miss hit, when the leading edge of the club impacts anywhere above the equator of the golf ball pushing the ball into the ground forward resulting in a short bounce or rolling ground-ball.
TORSO ANGLE: See; Posture position.
TOUCH: The ability to feel the nuances of aim and distance control around the green with a degree of relaxation, tempo and confidence.
TRAJECTORY: The angle of ascent of a golf balls flight, low, mid (true) and high.
TRANSITION: The point after the top of the backswing and before the downswing. The paused position between backswing and downswing.
TRAP POSITION: When the hands and weight are placed forward at address through impact without backswing weight shift.
UNCOCK: See; Conservation of angular momentum.
UNCOIL: The body release in the forward swing of the stored power created by the coiling in the backswing, led by the lower body.
UPRIGHT: Also known as steep. When the shaft points more towards the sky during the backswing or forward swing creating a more vertical swing plane relative to the shaft angle (lie angle) of a proper set-up.
VISUALIZATION:
SPIN (SIDE): Horizontal spin is created at impact by an open clubface (fade) or a closed clubface (draw) relative to the path. The amount of spin depends on the amount the face angle is open or closed and the amount of compression and friction during impact. Sidespin curves the ball flight to the side and lands farther towards the same direction. Also known as ground slice and ground hook.
SPINE ANGLE: See; Posture position.
SPOT: The process of marking the exact position of the ball on a green before touching it by placing a small and noticeable flat coin like item directly behind the ball directly opposite of the hole. Spot also means when a playing partner advances forward to act as a forecaddie.
SPOT AIMING: Used as a aid in better visualizing a target line by finding a spot, blemish or distinguishing mark within a pace or two directly forward of the ball and on the imaginary target line.
SQUARE: A popular term in golf borrowed from geometry meaning perpendicular, right angles, T-square or ninety degrees.
SQUARE TO SQUARE: When the clubface remains square relative to the target line, path, and arc from downswing to follow-through.
STANCE: Refers to the feet placements in the set-up and address positions.
STANCE (CLOSED): When the toe line is pointing outside of parallel to the target line.
STANCE (OPEN): When the toe line is pointing inside parallel to the target line.
STEER: The counterproductive attempt to control the balls direction.
STRAIGHT SHOT: Also known as a square shot and square to square to square. When the ball flight‘s launch line is straight down the target line without curvature.
STROKE: When forward motion of the club has begun with the intent to strike the golf ball.
STRONG GRIP: See; Grip (closed face).
SWAYING: Excessive lateral weight shift or lateral movement in the backswing or forward swing.
SWEET SPOT: Also known as center of gravity. The elusive goal of every golfer is to strike the ball on the clubheads sweet spot found directly in the middle of the clubface. When achieved emits a distinctive percussion pitch and feel of no resistance, torque or reverberation.
SWING: See; Stroke
SWING ARC: The complete path of the club head in the backswing and forward swing.
SWING PLANE: The angle the club swings during the backswing and forward swing. The tilt varies club to club termed flat, on plane and upright swing planes.
TAKEAWAY: The early motion of the backswing including the start or trigger.
TAKEAWAY (INSIDE): The early motion of the backswing drawing the clubhead abruptly inside the target line.
TAKEAWAY (ONE PIECE): A fundamental portion of the backswing consisting of the wrists cocking, arms extending and the shoulders turning away from the target in unison.
TAKEAWAY (OUTSIDE): The early motion of the backswing lifting the club abruptly outside the target line.
TARGET LINE: Also known as intended line of flight. An essential part of every shot in golf from the shortest putt to the longest drive. The target line dissects the playing field into to halves, the inside grid (the golfers side) and the outside grid. The target line is established during the pre-shot routine dictated by the balls lie. The target line is an imaginary line starting from behind the ball continuing through the distant target.
TEMPO: Not to be confused with timing. Tempo is the speed of the backswing, forward swing and their harmonious relationship. Most golf swings take between 1.5 to 2.5 seconds from takeaway to finish.
TEXAS WEDGE: An approach shot performed with a putter from well off the surface of the green.
THIN: A miss hit, when the bottom leading edge of the clubface impacts below the equator (underbelly) of the golf ball.
THREE QUARTER SWING: See; Pitch swing.
THROUGH THE GREEN: The whole area of the course except; the teeing ground, putting green and hazards.
TIGHT LIE: Also known as hard pan. When the ball rests on little or no grass.
TIMING: Also known as sequential motion. When the various parts of the body, feet, legs, hips, torso, shoulders, arms, hands and club all work in a connected series of events producing a dynamical and synchronized performance of motion.
TIMING (OFF): When a swing lacks sequential motion, performing a disconnected series of events in the swing.
TOE LINE: The line the tip of the toes form parallel to the target line ensuring a square set-up.
TOED SHOT: A miss hit that impacts outside the sweet spot in the toe region of the clubface.
TOPPED SHOT: A miss hit, when the leading edge of the club impacts anywhere above the equator of the golf ball pushing the ball into the ground forward resulting in a short bounce or rolling ground-ball.
TORSO ANGLE: See; Posture position.
TOUCH: The ability to feel the nuances of aim and distance control around the green with a degree of relaxation, tempo and confidence.
TRAJECTORY: The angle of ascent of a golf balls flight, low, mid (true) and high.
TRANSITION: The point after the top of the backswing and before the downswing. The paused position between backswing and downswing.
TRAP POSITION: When the hands and weight are placed forward at address through impact without backswing weight shift.
UNCOCK: See; Conservation of angular momentum.
UNCOIL: The body release in the forward swing of the stored power created by the coiling in the backswing, led by the lower body.
UPRIGHT: Also known as steep. When the shaft points more towards the sky during the backswing or forward swing creating a more vertical swing plane relative to the shaft angle (lie angle) of a proper set-up.
VISUALIZATION:
Also known as mental picture. Performed before and during a particular shot, the ability to fully utilize the pre-shot routine and draw a complete mental picture of an intended shot.
WAGGLE: An act performed at set-up moments prior to the address position when the golfer in a attempt to remain relaxed and rhythmic moves the clubhead with the wrists and arms back and forth over or behind the ball.
WEAK GRIP: See; Grip (open face).
WHIFF: A miss hit, also known as an air shot. When in an attempt to hit the ball the clubhead misses the ball.
WRIST COCK: Also known as wrist hinge. The bending or flexing of the wrists in the backswing as a lever and create conservation of angular momentum.
WRIST COCK (CLOSED): Also known as bowed wrist cock and bowed hinge. A palmar-flexion. When the wrists bend laterally with the forward outer wrist bowed promoting a more flatter swing plane and a more closed clubface.
WRIST COCK (EARLY/LATE): Also known as early/late hinge. When the wrists cock early or late in the takeaway position.
WRIST COCK (OPEN): Also known as a cupped wrist cock and cupped hinge. A dorsi-flexion. When the wrists bend laterally with the forward outer wrist cupped promoting an upright swing plane and open face.
WRIST COCK (SQUARE): Also known as on plane wrist cock. A radial-flexion. When the wrists bend laterally towards the thumb with the forward wrist flat.
YIPS: During the short game most commonly when putting the golfer twitches during impact resulting in uncontrollable miss hits.
WAGGLE: An act performed at set-up moments prior to the address position when the golfer in a attempt to remain relaxed and rhythmic moves the clubhead with the wrists and arms back and forth over or behind the ball.
WEAK GRIP: See; Grip (open face).
WHIFF: A miss hit, also known as an air shot. When in an attempt to hit the ball the clubhead misses the ball.
WRIST COCK: Also known as wrist hinge. The bending or flexing of the wrists in the backswing as a lever and create conservation of angular momentum.
WRIST COCK (CLOSED): Also known as bowed wrist cock and bowed hinge. A palmar-flexion. When the wrists bend laterally with the forward outer wrist bowed promoting a more flatter swing plane and a more closed clubface.
WRIST COCK (EARLY/LATE): Also known as early/late hinge. When the wrists cock early or late in the takeaway position.
WRIST COCK (OPEN): Also known as a cupped wrist cock and cupped hinge. A dorsi-flexion. When the wrists bend laterally with the forward outer wrist cupped promoting an upright swing plane and open face.
WRIST COCK (SQUARE): Also known as on plane wrist cock. A radial-flexion. When the wrists bend laterally towards the thumb with the forward wrist flat.
YIPS: During the short game most commonly when putting the golfer twitches during impact resulting in uncontrollable miss hits.
