Juniors Golf Terms

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The Country Club Golf terms and Definition

Ace - A hole in one.

Address - the final position taken by a golfer just before the swing.

Adjusted Gross Score - Your score after you apply your handicap stroke allowance.

Alternate Shot - Another twist of stoke play.  In this format one player hits the drive and then the other player hits the next shot and so forth until the hole is completed.  The score recorded is the same manner as stroke play.

Aeration - To get better air circulation into the soil underneath the turf of a golf course. This is necessary for the health of the microbes that live in the topsoil. Grass depends upon these microbes because they convert the nitrogen of fertilizer into a form that the grass can use. Aeration takes the form of poking holes (or slits) into the turf every few inches.

Approach - Normally a short or medium shot played to the putting green or pin – commonly referred to as the "approach shot."

Attend the flag - To hold and then remove the flag while another player putts.  A common courtesy performed when playing a round of golf.

Attest - If you play in a tournament, you will submit your score card at the conclusion of each round. You will sign your score card as testimony that you stand behind the accuracy of those numbers you wrote onto the card.  But there is another person who must also sign your score card. And that is one of the golfers who played with you and will vouch for the accuracy of your score card. To "attest" means to say that you were a witness to the score that someone else posted

Away - The nature rule of golf where the player farthest from the hole is the first to play, as in "Who's away?" In certain circumstances on the putting green, however, particularly in medal competition, a player who has already putted once may hole out before her partner, who may be further from the hole, takes her shot.

Backspin - Reverse spin applied to the ball and prevents it from bouncing forward after landing; same as 'bite'.

Back Foot - Refers to the golfer's foot, farthest from the target when addressing the ball.  In this illustration, the back foot would be the one to the right. The "front foot" is the left one, closest to the target.

Back in the Stance - At address means that you stand with the ball closer to your right foot than to your left foot (right-handed golfer). When hitting a wedge, for instance, it is generally accepted that you should have the ball back in your stance.

Barber - Someone in your foursome who talks a lot during the round.

Barkie - when your ball hits any part of a tree and you still complete the hole with a par.

Beach - Slang for sand trap.

Bell - Used on fairways that are designed to provide blind shots during the course of normal play, it is common to see a ship-style bell on the cart path near the green. The bell is to be rung when the group ahead leaves the green so as to alert the group playing behind that it is now safe for them to hit their approach shots.  At WCC, they are used on the 14th and 16th holes.

Best Ball  - A match in which one player plays against the better or 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 - A score of one under par on any given hole.

Bite - The backspin imparted on the ball that makes the ball stop dead, or almost so, with little or no roll.

Bogey - A score of one over par on any given hole.

Break - In reference to putting.  It is the curve due to the slope of a green.

Bunker - A crater or hole in the ground filled with sand; derived from a Scottish word for a store place or receptacle.  The American term is 'trap'.  A bunker, as laid down by the rules of golf, is a hazard in which a player must not ground their club before striking the ball.

Bye  - A term used in tournaments. The player who draws a "bye" is allowed to advance to the next round without playing an opponent. In match play, it is the hole or holes still left to play if the match is won before the 18th hole.

Caddie - A person who carries clubs for a golfer.  Could also be defined as a person who gives a golfer advice -- with club selection and course strategy.

Carry - The distance a golf ball must travel from impact (the moment the golf ball leaves the clubface) to the point where it first hits the ground.  Carry is especially important when judging the distance to the green over a hazard (water, bunker, etc.).

Casual Water - Any temporary accumulation of water which is visible before or after a player takes her stance and which is not a hazard of itself or is not a water hazard.  The most common is flooding after heavy rain.

Chip - A short, lofted shot, from around the green.

Choke - To grip down farther on the club handle.  Also a slang term used to indicate a collapse under pressure.

Closed Face - When the clubface is pointed to the left of the target when you address the ball.

Course rating - The comparison of playing one course, as opposed to another, in terms of difficulty, used in U.S.G.A. handicapping.  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.  The higher the rating, the more challenging a course.  At WCC, Ladies rating = 65.0 and Men's rating = 62.6.

Divot - A piece of turf removed with a golf shot.  It is proper etiquette to always replace the divot, and to step the turf back in its original place. No relief is allowed for a ball coming to rest in a divot mark.  Many courses provide a container of sand in golf carts or at the tee box to fill your divots.

Dogleg - A left or right bend in the fairway. The 8th green has a slight dogleg left.

Double Bogey - A score of two over par for a single hole.

Down - Number of strokes or holes you are behind your opponent(s).

Downhill Lie - When addressing the ball and your right foot is higher than your left (for right-handed players). 

Draw - The pairing of golfers for a match play tournament.

Draw Shot - 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.  Conversely from right to left for a left-handed player. 

Drive - To hit the ball with maximum force and full stroke.  Usually with a driver from the tee. 

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.

Dub  - A missed or badly-hit shot .

Duff - To miss-hit a shot by hitting the ground behind the ball and then top the ball.

Duffer  - An unskilled golfer. Also called a hacker.

Eagle - A score of two under par on any given hole.

Fade - The opposite of draw, a shot moving slightly from left to right towards the target.  Can be deliberate and controlled, unlike a slice.

Fairway - The area defined on a golf course where the grass is cut at a shorter length than the rough.  The rough is usually along both sides of the fairway.  Playing a golf shot from the fairway typically makes for an easier shot.

Fat -  Hitting the ground before the ball, usually resulting in the ball not going as far as intended. Also called: chunky, fat, thick, heavy.

Fescue - Grass of the genus Festuca, widely used for rough on golf courses.

Flash Trap - A shallow and small sand bunker.

Flight - In tournament play, the division of players with players of equal ability being placed in the same flight. Sixteen is usually the number of players in a flight however any number of players may be placed in a flight.

Fore! - A warning call/shout yelled out by a player when their shot threatens another player.

Four ball  - A match in which the better ball of two players is played against the better ball of their opponents.

Foursome - Four golfers playing together.  Also a match in which two players play against another two players with each side playing one ball.

Fried Egg - A ball half-buried in the sand.

Get Legs - A term used by golfers to encourage the ball to keep rolling when they suspect it may stop short.

GHIN - Golf Handicap Information Network.  The governing body of the handicapping system in the US. 

Gimme - A short putt so close to the hole that your playing partners allow for you to simply pick it up – without taking the time to actually putt the ball into the hole.  You'll hear, “That's a gimme!” during a casual and friendly round of golf, but it is not within the actual rules of golf.  A “gimme” still counts as a stroke.  It is just typically used as a time-saving and friendly gesture -- that is offered by your fellow playing competitors.

Grain - This term is important when determining your putting strategy on the green.  It is the direction in which the blades of grass point on the green shortly after it has been cut, which contributes to the speed and direction of your putt.

Grand Slam - The four major men's championships: the British Open, the U.S. Open, PGA Championship and the Masters.

Green - The whole golf course according to golf rules.  However, in popular usage, it refers to the putting surface.

Grip - The top part of the club held by the golfer, usually made from leather or rubber.  Also, commonly used in reference to the manner in which the club itself, is held.  The two most common grips are the “Vardon”/overlapping grip (named after golfer Harry Vardon, in which the pinky finger of the bottom hand overlaps between the index and middle finger of the upper hand), and the “Interlocking” grip, in which the index finger of the top hand is interlocked with the pinky finger of the bottom hand.

Gross - The actual number of strokes taken by a player for a hole or round before the player's handicap is deducted, when the number then becomes net.

Ground Under Repair -  An area of the course from which the player is allowed to remove her ball without penalty, usually a temporary concession as a result of re-turfing, re-seeding and repairs.

Grounding the Club - To place the club on the ground prior to striking the ball when addressing it.

Halved - When a match is played without a decision.  A hole is 'halved' when both sides play it to the same number of strokes.  Each side is credited with a half.

Handicap - The rating of amateur players based on the average of their scores which the record for each round of golf.  Designed to allow golfers of all playing levels to compete together on an equitable basis.  This rating is used in U.S.G.A. governed events to equalize the competition. (i.e.; A player averaged a score of 90 per round of 18 holes at WCC where the par round for women is 67.  This player averages 23 strokes above par. Her handicap would be 23 in a handicapped event at WCC and she would receive 23 strokes).

Hazard - Any obstructive or difficult feature of a golf course.  This may include lakes, ponds, fences, molehills, bunkers, etc.

Hit a Brick -  A direct request to a ball rolling rapidly towards the hole in a fashion that it appears it will go substantially past the desired resting place. 

Hit a House - see Hit a Brick!

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.

Holing Out - The complete the play for one hole by hitting the ball into the cup.

Honor -  The honor on the tee goes to the last player to win a hole.  The player with the honor tees off first.

Hook - For the right-handed golfer, it is a golf shot that curves strongly from right to left.  Moreover, for the right-handed golfer, this shot usually lands left of their target (the direction would be opposite for the left-handed golfer).  Note:  a lesser hooking action is commonly referred to as a “draw”.  A draw is a controlled right to left shot with a moderate curving action.

Lie - The position in which the ball rests on the ground.  You'll often hear a player say, “I have a good/bad lie”.  It is also used when a player has played a certain number of strokes on any given hole – “She is lying three, and she still has the chance to par the 17^th”.  With lie, in reference to equipment, it is the angle at which the clubhead is set on the shaft.

Local Rules - A set of additional rules for a club determined by the members.

Loft - The angle on the face of a golf club. Also, the elevation of the ball in flight.

Loose Impediments - Any natural object that is not fixed or growing.  This can include stones, twigs, branches, molehills, dung, worms and insects.

Lost Ball - A ball is lost if it is not found and identified within five minutes of the player's search of it.  Five minutes is the maximum time allowed for search, but the player can declare a ball lost before the time is up.

LPGA - Ladies Professional Golf Association.  This organization includes tournament operations and a teaching and club professional division.

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 tee box that indicate the area in which players must tee their balls.  At WCC, typically the Ladies markers are red, and the Men's markers are white.

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, she is still only "one up".   The lead is increased every time the player wins another hole.  The winner is the one who wins the host holes.  This was the original form of golf competition.

Medal Play - A competition decided by the overall number of strokes used to complete the round or rounds.  Same as 'stroke play'.

Mixed Foursome - A foursome with each side has a male and female player.

Mulligan - The chance to replay your last shot – penalty free.  A mulligan is not within the actual rules of golf.

M.Y.O.F. - Make Your Own Foursome.

Net Score - A players score when her handicap has been deducted.

Ninety Degree Rule - (also "90° rule, 90 degree rule") a practice where golf cars are allowed to drive on the fairway, or away from the cart paths, only perpendicularly (90°) to the hole being played, usually for the purpose of decreasing wear and tear on the turf or for the reason of fragile grass condition, etc.

O.B. / Out of Bounds.  The area lying outside of the defined golf course. A player is penalized stroke and distance, so they must replay the shot with a penalty of one stroke.

Offset - A club with the head set behind the shaft.

One Up - Used in match play to mean having scored one hole more than your opponent.  Also, the score of the player who is one up.

Open Stance - The left foot is dropped behind the imaginary line of the direction of the ball. This allows the golfer to face more in the direction the ball is going to travel.

Par - The set score, in strokes, assigned to each hole on the golf course.  The par for each hole is displayed on the scorecard.  You'll have a great round if you score “the par” on any course!

Pawky - A Scottish term meaning cunning or tricky.

Penalty stroke - An additional stroke added to a player's score for any of the many possible rules violations.

PGA of America - The Professional Golfers Association of America.  They are the governing body of American professional golf.

Pick & Drop - The act of picking the ball out of a ditch, cart path or a puddle etc. and dropping it on a playable lie behind, or as otherwise allowed by the Rules of Golf.

Pick Up = To take up one's ball before holing out. In match play this concedes the hole or in stroke play incurs disqualification.

Pin - Slang for the flagstick.

Pin High - Reference to a ball on the green that is even with the pin, but off to either side of the pin.

Pitch - An approach shot to the green.  The player does not use a full swing during a pitch shot.  This shot is shorter than a normal swing, but longer than a chip shot.

Play Through - When a group or player will pass a group of slower golfers playing on the same hole, or the hole ahead.  In terms of proper etiquette, it is recommended that you ask permission before playing through other golfers.

Preferred Lie - Only in effect when posted by the Pro Shop.  Local rules which allows a player to improve their lie by being able to lift, clean and place their ball within one (1) club length, not nearer the hole from where the ball originally lay without penalty.

Pro Shop -  The golf course shop operated by the head professional where equipment is sold.

Provisional Ball - The playing of a second ball from the same place as the first because the player is unsure of what may have happened to the first ball (i.e. it may be lost or OB).

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.

Punch - Low, controlled shot into the wind. It is made by slamming the club down into the ball with a short swing.

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".

Putter - The club specifically designed for putting.  It has very little loft (the angle on the clubface itself) and is usually shorter than other clubs.

P.Y.O P. - Pick Your Own Partner

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.

Ready Golf - A pre-determined method of play among a foursome to play each owns ball when the player is 'ready' for their next  shot rather than play to 'away' etiquette; promotes the best pace of play for amateur level play yet is not recommended or endorsed at professional sanctioned tournaments.

Relief - a rules term meaning "to move your ball away from"  Example: The rules of golf allow relief without penalty in many situations (e.g., from cart paths, ground under repair, etc.).

Rough - The area adjacent to the fairway, greens, tee off areas or hazards where the grass is longer and thicker than the fairway.

Rub of the Green - Any accident, not caused by a player or caddie, that moves or stops a ball in play and for which no relief is given under the rules. This is when your ball is deflected by agencies beyond your control that are not part of the match or the competitor's side in stroke play. A bit of bad luck.

Sandbagger - A player who understates their ability (may even not post all their scores to maintain a high handicap) in order to win in competition.

Sandy - You still make par on a hole after landing in a bunker/trap.

Scramble - A format in which all golfers hit the ball, starting at the tee (beginning of each golf hole).  The ball in the best position is selected after each shot, and the process starts all over again, until the ball is putted/holed out.  This format is good for beginners, as it alleviates the pressure of playing with better players.

Scratch - Used when referring to a player’s handicap.  A scratch golfer is a player who has a 0 handicap.  In other words, a person who plays “par golf”.

Shamble - Like in a scramble, all members of a team (usually four) tee off and the best ball of the four tee shots is selected. All players move their balls to the spot of the best ball. From this point, the hole is played out at stroke play, with all members of the team playing their own ball into the hole. So, select the best shot off the tee, move all balls to that spot, then play individual stroke play until each member of the group has holed out.

Shank - A shot struck on the clubs hosel that travels dead right (for a right-handed player).  The shank is typically considered the worst shot in golf – even worse than a “whiff”.

Shiperio - Similar to a mulligan where a player is allowed a second shot without penalty but is allowed to choose which ball to play, the first one or the second one.

Short game - The part of the game that is made up of chip shots, pitching and putting.

Shotgun Start -  A tournament that positions the starting of players at different holes and yet, starts all players at the same time.  This tee time format is used in order to accommodate a large group of players on the course and allowing them to finish simultaneously. 

Slice - A shot that curves violently to the right (for a right-handed golfer).  Unfortunately, this is the most common ball flight in golf.

Slope (slope rating) -  Used by the U.S.G.A to measure the relative degree of difficulty for the average golfer. The more difficult the slope rating on the course, the more difficult the average golfer will likely experience on the course.  At WCC, Ladies slope = 106, Mens slope = 107.

Stableford - A method of scoring that uses points instead of strokes.

Stance - The position of your feet when addressing the ball.

Starter - Person who determines the order of play at the 1st tee. (a.k.a. "Paul")

Stimpmetre - Superintendents measure green speed with a stimpmetre. Its readings give a snapshot of the green speed at that time of day. Stimpmetre readings in the five to six range mean slow greens, seven to eight mean medium, nine to 10 fast and above 11 extremely fast - PGA Tournament speeds.

Stroke Play - A competition in which the total number of strokes for one round, or a pre-determined number of rounds, determines the winner.

Swale - A moderately contoured depression or dip in terrain. Not as sharp or defined as a ditch, nor as deep as a ravine.

Tee - Typically, a wooden peg, on which the golf ball is placed for striking the ball at the beginning of any given golf hole. Originally a pile of sand used to elevate the ball for driving.

Tee Box / Teeing Ground - The area reserved at each hole for the initial shot to be taken.  Usually designated by two parallel markers facing the fairway of the hole by which the player may place her tee anywhere between these two markers as long as it is not past the markers and closer to the hole. 

Temporary Green - A green used in the winter to save the permanent green.

Tending the Flag - To hold the flagstick such that a player may aim for it and then remove it as the ball approaches. 

Threesome - Three players playing a round of golf together. Also, a match in which two players play the same ball and alternate strokes and play against a single player.

Tiger Tee - A slang expression for the back tee.

Toe - The part of the club farthest from where it joins the shaft.

Top/topped - To hit the golf ball above its center.  A topped shot will dive downward, and roll, or hop along the ground rather than rise into the air.

TPC / Tournament Players Club - Golf courses designed specifically for holding Tour events   Example: The TPC at Sawgrass is the site of The Players Championship.

Turn - To start the back nine holes.

Twosome - Two golfers playing together.

Unplayable Lie - A lie in which the ball is impossible to play such as in a thicket of tree.

Up - A specified number of strokes you are ahead of your opponent in match play. Also, a shot reaching at least as far as the hole.

Uphill Lie - Describes the circumstance where your ball has come to rest on the side of a slope and that slope is oriented such that a ball rolling downhill will roll in a direction away from the hole. 

For a right-hand golfer, the proper stance is to bend the left knee more than usual, tip the left shoulder upwards and right shoulder down such that a line draw between them is parallel to the ground. Keep that left shoulder elevated as the swing is made. Be mindful that the hill will effectively add loft to the club. So instead of a wedge, select a 7-iron or 8-iron to compensate. If you insist upon using a wedge, your ball will pop straight up.

Up and Down - Getting out of trouble or out of a hazard and into the hole.

U.S.G.A. - United States Golf Association is the governing body for the game of golf since it's formation in 1894.  

W.G.A.M. - Founded in 1900, the Womens Golf Association of Massachusetts is the oldest state women's golf association in the United States.  The WGAM currently serves over 2000 individual members who belong to more than 180 member clubs.

Waggle - Movement of the club head prior to swinging. A flourishing of the club behind and over the ball.

Wedge - An iron used for short shots that has a high-loft - pitching wedge, sand wedge.

Whiff - To swing and miss the golf ball completely.  A whiff is counted as a stroke – because the intent to hit the ball was there.  A “practice swing” invokes no intent to hit the ball.

Windcheater - A shot played low against the wind. It is played with strong backspin and starts low and rises only toward the end of the shot.

Worm Burner - A shot which rolls along the ground.

Yip  - To miss-hit a putt due to an attack of yips.

Yips  - Shakiness or nervousness in making a shot.

Zoomie - A drive that goes further than most drives ever hit by the golfer who smacked it.

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Murdo Frazer Golf Course - Glossary and golf terms

ace

hole-in-one; a score of 1 on a hole

address

the position that the player assumes when preparing to make a stroke

albatross

double eagle; a score of 3 under par for a hole (This is one of the hardest shots to achieve in pitch and putt {ie. Par 3 golf})

all square

term used in match play scoring to indicate that the match is even at present (abbreviated as “AS” on scoreboard)

approach putt

a long putt that is not expected to go in, but hopefully will finish close to hole

apron

the short grass that separates the putting green from rough or fairway

away

farthest from the hole

back nine

the last 9 holes (10-18) of an 18 hole golf course

ball in pocket (B.I.P.)

when a player has picked up his ball and does not intend to complete a hole with a valid score

ball mark

the depression that a ball makes when it strikes the ground

ball marker

usually a small, flat object (like a dime) used to mark the ball’s position on the green while other players putt and/or the ball is cleaned

ballooning

excessive climbing or lifting of a shot beyond its normal trajectory, usually into the wind and usually causing the shot to fall short of the intended distance

baseball grip

a method of holding the club using all ten fingers on the grip with no overlapping or interlocking fingers

beach

any sand-filled hazard

below the hole

when the ball is in a position lower than, or downhill from, the hole on ground that is not level

bent grass

a very smooth, fine-bladed grass usually used for putting greens

better ball

the best score for a team

birdie

a score of one under (less than) par for a hole

blast

a shot that removes a large amount of sand or earth in addition (hopefully) to the ball, as from a buried lie in a bunker

blind shot

a shot where the intended landing area is not visible from the player’s perspective

bogey

a score of one over (more than) par for a hole

break

the curve of a putt or running shot due to the slope of the terrain and gravity

bunker

a depression in the ground usually (but not always) filled with sand

buried elephant

a particularly large mound or hump, usually used in reference to the surface of a putting green

cabbage

deep rough or vegetation off the fairway

caddy

someone who carries a players bag of clubs and/or assists a player with advice and the details of play

call up

wave up; common practice at some courses (usually on par 3 holes) where the group ahead (group A) signals for the group behind (group B) to play their shots when group A reaches the green rather than waiting for them to finish the hole in an attempt to improve pace of play — also could be when group A wishes for group B to play-through at any point on the course

carve

expression has been used to describe shaping or bending a shot to fit a hole’s terrain or curve around something

casual water

a temporary accumulation of water (outside of a water hazard) that is visible before or after a player takes their stance

chili dip

when a short chip or pitch shot is hit fat or chunked, causing the ball to go a much shorter distance than intended

chip

chip and run, chip and roll, bump and run; a shot that is designed to roll farther than it flies

chip-off

play-off; a method of breaking a tie by seeing who gets a selected chip shot closer to the hole

chip out

punch out; hitting a relatively small chip shot to extricate oneself from trouble (e.g., trees) when a longer shot is needed but obstructed

chunk

chunky, fat, thick, heavy, laying the sod over it, hitting the big ball before the little ball; hitting the ground before the ball, usually resulting in the ball not going as far as intended

Claw grip

Gator grip, Psycho grip; an unusual method of gripping the putter, popularized by PGA Tour player Chris DiMarco, where the fingers of the bottom hand curl over the top of the club’s grip (palm oriented thumb-up and pinky-down) rather than under the grip, as in more common methods

Club professional

a golf professional associated with the operation of a golf facility, specifically as opposed to a Touring professional golfer

clubhouse

the main building or structure of a golf facility which can, but does not necessarily, include the pro shop, food service, locker rooms, lounge, offices, and more

coil

the turning of the body away from the target in the backswing

collar

apron, fringe, frog hair; the short grass that separates the putting green from rough or fairway

comebacker

a putt remaining after the preceding putt goes past the hole

committee

the person or group in charge of the competition, or if not in competition, the person or group in charge of the course

condor

triple eagle; a score 4 under par on a hole (e.g., a hole-in-one on a par 5)

continuous putting

a common practice where a player, having putted the ball close to the hole, chooses to finish putting rather than to mark their ball and wait to finish until their turn is decided by distance from the hole

cross bunker

a long or wide bunker that crosses the fairway rather than running adjacent or parallel to the fairway

cup

generically refers to the hole but also includes the base and liner, or sleeve, inside the hole that holds the flagstick in place

cup lining

cup liner; rigid sleeve inside the hole

depth charge

a putt that is lagged softly down a slippery (fast) slope and intended to just get close rather than hit the mark

deuce

a score of 2 on a hole

dimples

the indentations on the surface of a golf ball which increase friction and lift

dip

downward movement of the spine and head during the swing – not desirable

disconnected

when the arms move separately from, or independently in relation to, the torso, particularly through impact

divot

a portion of turf that is ripped out of the ground

dogleg

a hole on which the fairway has an angle, turn or bend in it like a dog’s rear leg

double bogey

a score of two over (more than) par for a hole

down

1. as it lies; playing the ball as you find it, with no alteration of its position or condition

2. behind in a match (usually counted by holes in match play, but could also apply to the number of strokes a player is behind their opponent)

DQ

scoreboard abberviation for “disqualified” (for rules violation, etc.)

drain

1. to sink a putt

2. a player who seems to make a lot of putts

drink

another term for a water hazard

drop

when the ball is released by hand with an extended arm at shoulder height and put back in play after being lifted under various situations within the rules of golf

drop area

an area of ground where players can drop their ball, usually in situations where there is not another practical area to take a drop or for maintenance reasons

dub

duff, top; a badly misplayed shot, usually associated with the ball never leaving the ground as a result of hitting the top or side of the ball or hitting the ground well behind the ball

duck hook

snap hook, snapper, quacker; a shot that curves abruptly and severely right to left (right-handed player)

duffer

hacker; an unskilled golfer

eagle

a score of 2 under (less than) par for a hole

embedded ball

plugged; a ball stuck in the ground as a result of its impact

etiquette

rules of behavior, propriety, decorum, manners, etc.

even par

even, level, level par; anytime one’s score is level with, or equivalent to, par during, or at the conclusion of, a round of golf

executive course

a golf course with very short holes, mostly par 3′s and short par 4′s

fade

a gently curving shot from left to right (right-handed player)

fairway

the closely mown area between the tee and green

fairway bunker

a sand or deep grass hazard situated in, or adjacent to, the fairway

fairway wood

fairway metal; a wood other than the driver or 1 wood (more commonly made of metal rather than wood nowdays)

fan

whiff; missing the ball completely

fat

chunky, fat, thick, heavy, laying the sod over it, hairpiece, hitting the big ball before the little ball; hitting the ground before the ball, usually resulting in the ball not going as far as intended

feel

touch; the sensation of, or level sensitivity for, playing shots in golf

finish position

finish; the last position, or end, of the swing

flag

usually, but not always, a fabric banner atop the pin or flagstick to make the location of the hole visible

flagstick

pin, stick; a slender pole, usually about 7 feet in height, with a flag on it placed inside the cup to mark the location of the hole

flare

block, push; a shot that is typically high and a push (to the right for a right-handed player)

flat stick

another name for the putter

flier

flier lie, flyer, shooter, jumper; 1. a shot that flies further than desired as a result of decreased backspin, usually resulting from long grass (but also could be water) between the ball and clubface at impact

2. a lie that causes the ball to fly farther than intended

fluffy

fluffy lie; when the ball is sitting up in longish grass with a lot of air underneath it and a lot of grass surrounding it

follow-through

finish; the continuation of a golf stoke after the bottom of the swing and impact area

foot wedge

kicking the ball (which, of course, is against the rules)

foursome

1. four players playing together in a group

2. a match in which two 2-person teams compete against each other with each side only playing one ball

Four-Ball

a match in which two 2-person teams compete against each other using the one best score from each side

free drop

free relief; dropping the ball without penalty in any number of situations allowed by the rules of golf

fried egg

a lie (usually in a sand filled bunker) in which the ball is half buried and thus resembles a fried egg

fringe

apron, collar, frog hair; the short grass that separates the putting green from rough or fairway

frog hair

apron, collar, fringe; the short grass that separates the putting green from rough or fairway

front nine

front, front side; the first 9 holes (1-9) of an 18 hole golf course

full finger grip

baseball, ten finger grip; a method of holding the club using all ten fingers on the grip with no overlapping or interlocking fingers

gallery

spectators

GHIN

Golf Handicap & Information Network; handicap service begun in 1981 maintained by the USGA

gimme

derived from “give me”; “concede the next stroke to me as holed”; a putt that is short enough in length to be certain to be holed with the next stroke

go to school

to learn from another player’s shot (most commonly associated with putting – seeing how a putt on a similar line to your own will break)

green

putting green, putting surface, dance floor; the most closely mown and smooth area on the course, which is specifically prepared for putting and on which the hole is placed

green fee

the fee paid to play a course

green grass

used to indicate a retail golf shop operation on the premises of a golf course

greenkeeper

older term for an individual involved in maintaining and caring for a golf course and grounds

grip

1. the handle of a golf club (usually covered with rubber, leather, etc.)

2. the holding, or method of holding, a golf club

gross

the raw, actual or unadjusted score (strokes) before a handicap has been applied

half shot

half swing, knockdown, knockdown shot, punch, punch shot; a shot played with less than a full swing, mainly to control distance, trajectory and spin

halve

a tie on a given hole in match play

ham and egg

when players on a team (usually a two-man team) compliment each other during a match — usually thought of in terms of “better ball” situations

handicap

abbr: “hcp, hdcp”, related: “handicap differential, handicap index, index; the average difference between a player’s scores and a set standard, as calculated by specified procedures and formulas

hardpan

very firm, unyielding ground (many times bare)

hazard

any bunker – usually a hollow of some kind with a prepared surface, generally sand or similar or water hazard – sea, lake, pond, ditch, etc. usually marked with either yellow or red stakes or lines

high side

the uphill edge of the cup when it is on any slant

hitch

a noticeable rough spot or hiccup in the flow of a golf swing

hold

check, grab; 1. when the ball stays near where it lands, not rolling much (if any) forward

2. to stay on the green after landing

hole

1. 4¼ inch diameter hole in the ground into which the ball is to be played

2. the entire length of the playing area and immediate vicinity from the teeing ground to the putting green (all inclusive)

3. hole out, make, drain, sink; to play the ball into the hole

hole high

pin high; when the ball has travelled the correct distance and is even with the hole, but off to one side or the other (whether or not it’s on the green)

hole in one

ace; a score of 1 on a hole, holing the tee shot

holed

hole(d) out; when the ball goes in the hole (as of 2008 the entire ball must be at rest below the level of the lip)

home

1. to reach the green with a shot

2. the clubhouse or vicinity of the starting point and ending point of a round of golf

honor

the privilege of playing first from the tee

hook

a shot that travels from right to left (right-handed player) – more severe than a draw

improved lie

improved lies, improving your lie, preferred lies, winter rules, bumping it; altering the ball’s position, or the way it rests (lies) on the ground, so as to make the it easier to contact cleanly — mainly put into effect when course conditions are not acceptable for playing the ball down, usually due to wet, soggy conditions)

in play

officially — the ball is in play once the tee shot comes to rest anywhere on the course (not out of bounds)

informally — more commonly used to also include the fact that the next shot is “playable” (i.e., not in the forest, a water hazard, potentially lost, etc.)

inside

1. closer to the hole than

2. closer to the body than (e.g., inside the target line, inside takeaway)

inside the leather

closer to the hole than the length of the putter (from the head to where the grip begins),

archaic: putters used to be of uniform length and the shortest club in the bag, and grips used to be made of leather, thus the phrase (inside = closer than) + (the leather = where the grip begins)

interlocking grip

interlock grip; a method of placing the hands on the club such that the index finger of the top hand (nearest the end of the handle or grip) and the pinky of the bottom hand hook together, intertwine or interlock

iron

a club with a head made of steel or iron and a relatively narrow sole usually somewhere between 16° and 65°

jumper

flier, flyer, shooter; a shot that flies farther than intended or a lie that causes the ball to fly farther than intended

kitty litter

another term for a sand-filled bunker

knife

another term for a one iron

knockdown

knockdown shot, punch, punch shot, half shot; a shot played with less than a full swing, mainly to control distance, trajectory and spin

lag

lag putt, approach putt; a putt that is intended to stop close to the hole but not presumed to be holed

lay up

lay back, play for position, transport shot; a shot played to a particular location to allow for an easier subsequent shot or to keep the ball from going too far

leader in the clubhouse

the player with the lowest score having completed regulation play

lie

1. the quality, manner, style, way, or position relative to level in which a ball rests on the ground

2. can also refer to the number of strokes taken up to the current moment on a given hole when the ball is at rest

lights-out

playing excellently

line

1. target line, intended line; direction, as indicated by a vertical plane

2. line, line of a putt, putting line; the path on which the ball rolls, or will roll, enroute to the hole

line up

1. align; position/direct/orient the body and/or club 2. assessing the direction of a shot or putt

links

1. originally referred to seaside courses on “links land” (seaside grassy area), now used loosely to mean any golf course

2. links style course, links course; an exposed, windswept (sometimes seaside) course characterized by gently rolling mounds/dunes and very few trees

lip

rim; the top edge of the hole, above the cup

lip out

when the ball hits the edge of the hole and spins out instead of dropping

lob

lob shot; a relatively vertical (steep arced) shot, usually played with a lofted wedge, intended to land softly and not roll far

local knowledge

awareness of a course’s idiosyncratic playing characteristics from having played it many times

long game

the part of golf played with full, or substantial, swings where the ball is intended to cover relatively longer distances

loop

1. (mainly used by caddies) another term for a round of golf

2. reroute; a noticeable difference in the path of the club head between the backswing and downswing

loose impediment

any natural object that is not fixed or growing (e.g., rocks, twigs, leaves, etc.)

lost ball

any ball that cannot be found within five minutes of beginning a search for it

low side

the downhill edge of the cup when it is on any slant

lunch ball

Muligan, Sunday ball; taking a second attempt (replay, “do over”) at a shot when one doesn’t like the result of the first

Major

1. one of four annual tournaments (The Masters, U.S. Open, British Open or PGA)

2. could also refer to a tournament of greater significance than usual due to tradition or the sanctioning body

mark

spot; to put down a ballmarker to be able to replace the ball precisely in its original location after lifting

marker

1. ball marker; usually a small, flat object (like a dime) used to mark the ball’s position while other players putt and/or the ball is cleaned

2. a person designated to record a player’s score in stroke play

markers

tee markers, blocks, tee blocks; two objects that indicate the foreward boundary of the teeing area

marshal

1. a person designated by a tournament committee to help with crowd control and to keep order

2. a person designated to patrol the course, keeping an eye out for problems in general, but usually present to promote a reasonable pace of play or keep things moving

match play

scoring by holes rather than strokes, the way golf was originally played

medalist

the player in a stroke play, or medal play, competition with the fewest strokes/lowest score, the winner

medal play

stroke play; scoring by the total number of strokes

Mulligan

breakfast ball, lunch ball, Sunday balll taking a second attempt (replay, “do over”) at a shot when one doesn’t like the result of the first attempt

NC

scoreboard abbreviation for “No card”, meaning that the player did not turn in a scorecard

net

a players score after a handicap has been applied

nineteenth hole

the bar or lounge after a round of golf

nutted

flushed; hitting it squarely and on the sweetspot

OB

out of bounds, Oscar Brown; out of bounds, off the golf course premises

off the deck

hitting a driver off the fairway or ground rather than on a tee

on the screws

hitting it on the sweetspot, usually of a wood, or driver in particular

one-putt

when only one putt is taken on a green to hole the ball

open

1. a tournament in which any eligible competitor can play, if they qualify

2. open clubface, open stance; refers to the alignment of the body/stance or clubface

out

1. front, front nine, front side, first nine; the first nine holes of an eighteen hole course

2. away; another term for “away”, i.e., farthest from the hole

out of bounds

out of play, ob, Oscar Brown; area that is not part of the course, on which play is not permitted

outside

1. on the opposite side of the target line from the golfer

2. away; farther from the hole than

overlapping grip

overlap and “Vardon grip” after famous player, Harry Vardon) the most common grip in golf, placing the hands on the club such that the pinky finger of the bottom hand rests on the index finger of the top hand, or between the index and middle fingers of the top hand

par

1. the standard number of strokes in which a scratch player would be expected to complete a hole or course

2. even, even par, level, level par; to score par on a course, or the state of being at that score during or at the conclusion of play

par in

to score a par on each remaining hole

path

swing path; the direction the clubhead is traveling (generally referred to through the impact area and in relation to the target line)

peeking

looking up to see the result of the shot before impact, mainly used in reference to putting, and particularly on short putts

peg

tee; another term for a tee – a small (usually, but not always, wooden) device for setting the ball up above the ground

penalty stroke

a stroke that must be added to the score, for a variety of reasons (e.g., lost ball, unplayable lie), in accordance with the rules of golf

PGA

Professional Golfers’ Association; organization to promote and regulate the profession of golf

pick up

lifting the ball and discontinuing play on a hole, for various reasons (e.g., informal – too many strokes and too much time has elapsed, causing the following group to wait unduly; team or match play competition situation: partner or competitor has already completed the hole with a better score)

pitch

pitch shot; a relatively short, lofted shot designed to land softly and not roll much (differs from a chip in its trajectory and amount of roll)

pitch and putt (course)

pitch ‘n’ putt; a par 3 course with extremely short holes (usually not much longer than 130 yards)

pitch and run

a lofted shot that is also intended to release/run/roll

pitch mark

ball mark; the depression that a ball makes when it strikes the ground

playing the ball down

playing it down; playing the ball as it lies, as opposed to improving the lie

play through

go through; passing the group in front of you (for various reasons) while they wait

pop

another term for a handicap stroke

pop stroke

a (typically putting) stroke characterized by an abrupt little “hit” or twitch of force at the ball rather than a smooth acceleration through the ball

postage stamp

postage stamp green; a green with a particularly small surface area presenting a demanding target

pot bunker

a small deep bunker, typically with steep sides, requiring a very steep angle of ascent to escape

practice green

practice putting green; a green which is separate from the golf course and is designated for practicing putting only or putting and/or the short game

practice range

practice facility, practice tee, driving range, range; an area, separate from the golf course, designated for hitting practice balls

practice round

a round of golf usually thought of as being for the purpose of familiarizing a player with a particular course, and referred to specifically to differentiate it from a round in a competition

practice swing

rehearsal swing; a swing through the air made (without hitting a ball) to work on, or feel, the movements that you intend to make when you hit the ball, or just to loosen up

pre-shot routine

procedure prior to hitting a golf shot, usually thought of as a consistent sequence

preferred lies

improved lies, winter rules, bumping it; a local rule under which a player can improve his lie without penalty

Pro shop

usually thought of as the building or room where the retail operation of a golf course takes place

provisional ball

provisional; an additional shot played in a situation where it is believed that the original ball may be out of bounds or lost

pull

1. yank, jerk; a shot that goes to the left of the intended line for a right-handed player

2. to select a club or remove it from the bag

punch out

chip out; hitting a relatively small chip shot (many times sideways or even backward) to extricate oneself from trouble (e.g., trees) when a longer shot is needed but obstructed

punch shot

punch, knockdown, knockdown shot, half shot; a shot played with less than a full swing, mainly to control distance, trajectory and spin

pure

flush, solid, on the sweet spot, on the screws, on the nut; a shot struck perfectly on the center of gravity of the club

push

shove, block; a shot that goes to the right of the intended line for a right-handed player

push fade

a shot that is both a push and a fade, starting and curving to the right of the intended target line for right-handers

putt

a shot that is intended to make the ball roll

putter

flatstick, wand; a club with a fairly straight face used for putting, or rolling the ball on the ground

putt out

finish; to complete play by holing your ball, or to putt your ball into the hole whether you are away (farthest from the hole) or not

putting green

green, putting surface, dance floor; the most closely mown and smooth area on the course, which is specifically prepared for putting and on which the hole is placed

quail high

a very low trajectory shot

quit

not following-through completely with momentum, decelerating through impact

rainmaker

skying, skyball, pop up; another term for skying the ball or hitting a pop-up

ranger

marshal; a person designated to patrol the course, keeping an eye out for problems in general, but usually present to promote a reasonable pace of play or keep things moving

rating

see course rating

regulation

conforming to regulations, official (e.g., the specified number of holes for a competition, or a club that conforms to the rules of golf)

relief

a rules term meaning “to pick up the ball and move it away from” some condition, obstacle, etc.

reload

an expression used when a shot is certainly out of play

rough

longer grass adjacent to the fairways, greens and perhaps tees

round

a complete circuit of (usually) 18 holes

rules of golf

regulations and procedures of the game as set forth by a collaborative effort of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews in Scotland and the United States Golf Association (for specific rules see this page)

sand trap

trap, bunker, sand bunker; another commonly used term for a sand-filled bunker – a depression in the ground filled with a prepared surface of sand or similar

sandbagger

liar, cheater; a golfer who lies about their ability in order to gain an advantage in a match or wager, or posts (submits/enters/turns-in) artificially high scores in order to inflate their handicap

score

1. the number of strokes taken on a hole or course (see also the chart of scores and their names)

2. to keep the number of strokes taken to a minimum

scorecard

card; the card used to record and tally scores during and after a round of golf

scoring

1. the markings (grooves, dimples, scratches, etc.) on the face of a golf club

2. the act of keeping one’s total strokes taken to a minimum

3. the act of recording scores or running the scoreboard (see also the chart of scores and their names)

scramble

1. a tournament format in which all players in a group (foursome or otherwise) hit a shot from the tee, and each subsequent location, always playing from the position of the best or preferred ball until the ball is holed (more on tournament formats)

2. to extricate oneself from trouble, or recover, after an errant shot well enough to salvage a decent score

scratch

1. zero handicap, no handicap strokes deducted

2. a player with (approximately) a 0 handicap

screws

on the screws; the sweetspot, usually refers to hitting a wood, or driver in particular, right in the center (many woods originally had an insert in the center of the face that was attached with screws, thus the expression)

set up

setup, address, address position; the position that the player assumes when preparing to make a stroke

shoot

1. the act of playing a golf shot

2. another way to refer to one’s score for a round of golf, or tournament

shooter

1. flyer, flier, jumper; a shot that flies further than desired as a result of decreased backspin, usually resulting from long grass (but also could be water) between the ball and clubface at impact

2. a lie that causes the ball to fly farther than intended

3. colloquial term for a golfer or player

shootout

1. a match play format in which one player is eliminated at the conclusion of each hole based on having the highest score or, in cases of a tie for the highest score, a sudden death type playoff (called a "shootout") decides which player is eliminated

2. generic term for a playoff or on some golf tournament titles (e.g., "The Shark Shootout")

short game

the part of the game that consists of short range shots (i.e., putting, chipping, pitching, greenside bunker shots, etc.)

short grass

another phrase for the fairway

shot

1. a stroke in golf and its result (assumes contact with the ball)

2. the act (past tense) of playing a stroke

3. another way (past tense) to refer to one’s score for a round of golf, or tournament

shotgun start

a golf tournament format in which all groups of players tee off simultaneously from different holes

side

back side, front side; another term for each 9 holes of an 18 hole course

side-hill lie

uneven lie; when the ball lies on an uneven slope, with either the ball above the feet or below the feet

sidesaddle

a putting stance where the legs and feet are, more or less, facing the hole and the stroke is made to the side of, rather than in front of, the body

signature hole

a hole that that uniquely identifies a course by its characteristics or style

slice

banana ball; a wildly curving shot from left to right for a right-handed player

starter

tee master, master of the tee; the person in charge of controlling play at a golf course

starting time

tee time, time; a reservation or appointment to play at a specific time

stoney

stick it, stiff; a shot that stops close to the hole

stripe

to hit a tee shot solidly and straight, implying that it finds the center stripe of the fairway (the direction of mowing and subsequent leaning of the grass blades has the visual effect on the fairway of making it appear striped: grass that is mown and leans in the direction away from the tee appears lighter in color than areas mown toward the tee)

stroke

1. shot; the act of swinging a club with the intention of striking the ball

2. the qualitative aspect of the swing (most frequently associated only with putting)

stroke and distance

2-stroke penalty; counting one stroke for the stroke itself and one stroke for the distance travelled by the ball (meaning the ball must be replayed from the original point)

stroke hole

a hole on which a player’s handicap strokes fall in net scoring match play situations (e.g., a 1 handicapper only gets a stroke on the number 1 handicap hole, whereas an 18 handicapper gets a stroke on every hole)

stroke play

medal play; scoring by the total number of strokes

stymie

1. term referring to another player’s ball (usually on the putting green) blocking one’s path to the hole — obsolete since the practice of marking the ball on the green

2. general term for a situation where the desired line of play to the hole is blocked by an object or obstruction

summer rules

another way some people use to indicate that the ball will be played "down" or "as it lies"

Sunday ball

lunch ball, Muligan; taking a second attempt (replay, "do over") at a shot when one doesn’t like the result of the first

superintendent

head greenkeeper or greenkeeper; the person in charge of overseeing the golf course maintenance and crew

swale

a depression, valley, or low portion of undulation on a course

sweet spot

sweetspot, screws, nut; the center of mass of the club (the solid spot on the clubface)

swing

1. to make a stroke

2. a significant change in the score (as in a scale, or the balance, shifting)

tap in

gimme; a very short put that is certain to be made

tee

1. peg; a small (usually, but not always, wooden) device for setting the ball up above the ground

2. the act of placing the ball on a tee

3. teeing ground, teeing area, tee box; the starting point of each hole, the area designated as the teeing ground

tee blocks

blocks, tee markers, markers; two objects that indicate the foreward boundary of the teeing area

tee markers

markers, tee blocks, blocks; two objects that indicate the foreward boundary of the teeing area

tee off

to hit a shot from the tee

tee shot

tee ball; a shot from the tee, the first shot on a hole

tee time

the time assigned for a group to begin play on their first hole

teeing ground

teeing area, tee box, tee; the starting point of each hole, where the tee markers are

tend the flag

attend the flag, flagstick or pin; holding and then removing the flagstick after a player has made a stroke

that’ll play

that will play; refers to a shot (usually off the tee) that might be less than ideal, but that is certainly good enough to proceed on the hole without damage (penalty strokes, difficult recovery, etc.); also occasionally used to facetiously downplay a great shot

tips

The tips or playing from the tips; playing each hole from its longest possible yardage so that you play the entire course at its longest possible yardage

tight

1. a very narrow hole or course

2. a compact and efficient swing

3. hole location that is very close to the edge of the green

4. a ball resting on the ground or in grass with very little air underneath it, making clean and solid contact difficult

trap

1. bunker, sand trap; another commonly used term for a sand-filled bunker – a depression in the ground filled with a prepared surface of sand or similar

2. a descending strike at impact that squeezes, or traps, the ball between the club face and the ground to varying degrees

turn

1. the rotation of the body in the swing (e.g., shoulder turn, hip turn)

2. going from the ninth green to the tenth tee

3. curving a golf shot

4. break or curve in a putt

under par

subpar; less than or below par

uneven lie

sidehill lie, uphill lie, downhill lie; when the ball lies on an uneven slope, with either the ball above the feet or below the feet, and/or one foot higher than the other

unplayable lie

the player has determined that the ball cannot be played from its current spot

verticut

a procedure to cut grass vertically (the cutting blades dig into the grass up and down rather than cutting it off horizontally) to promote new blade growth, more turf density and smoother greens or fairways

waggle

some kind of motion or movement of the club for the purpose of staying loose, feeling the club, keeping the body in motion instead of holding still

walk-on

typically thought of as a single player with no reservation, but could be more than one player

water hazard

any sea, lake, pond, ditch, etc. (whether it contains water or not), usually marked with either yellow stakes or lines

wave up

call up; common practice at some courses (usually on par 3 holes) where the group ahead (group A) signals for the group behind (group B) to play their shots when group A reaches the green rather than waiting for them to finish the hole (it is done in an attempt to improve pace of play) — also could be when group A wishes for group B to play-through at any point on the course

WD

scoreboard abbreviation for withdraw

wet

ball in water hazard

whiff

a swing with intent to strike the ball and a miss

winter rules

preferred lies, improved lies, bumping it; a local rule under which a player can improve his lie without penalty

work the ball

to deliberately shape or curve a shot

wrong ball

any ball other than the player’s ball in play, provisional ball or second ball played under Rule 3-3 or Rule 20-7b in stroke play

X

a score that cannot be determined, as play on a hole was not completed

yank

pull, jerk; a shot that goes severely to the left of the target line (for a right-handed player)

yardage marker

some type of landmark indicating the yardage to the green

yips

nervous twitching in the putting stroke resulting in poor accuracy and a lack of touch

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