Ace
|
A slang expression for a hole-in-one.
|
Address*
|
The player's position while preparing to play a shot. Formally a
player has addressed the ball when the feet are in position and
the club has been grounded.
|
Alignment
|
The aiming of your body at address, including the feet, knees, hips
and shoulders.
|
Albatross
|
A score of 3 under par on a hole, usually called double eagle.
|
All Square
|
A phrase meaning the score is tied in match play.
|
Amateur*
|
A golfer who plays for pleasure without remuneration.
|
Approach
|
A shot played with the intent of reaching the green (pitch or chip),
though not usually applied to "full" shots.
|
Apron
|
The area surrounding the green where the grass is cut shorter than on
the fairway but not as short as on the green. Also referred to as the
fringe.
|
Away
|
The ball lying furthest from the hole, and therefore the next ball to
be played.
|
Backdoor
|
A putt which rolls around the cup and into it from the back side.
|
Back Nine
|
The second nine holes of an eighteen hole course.
|
Banana (ball/slice)
|
A slang term for a ball which curves wildly from left to right.
|
Best Ball*
|
A match in which one golfer plays against the best ball of three
players or the better ball of two players.
|
Birdie
|
One stroke under par.
|
Bite
|
A ball struck with enough backspin to make it stop quickly.
|
Blade
|
A putter with a thin head, may also aplly more generally to the shape
of a club's head.
|
Blaster
|
An old term for a broad-soled bunker club; now called sand wedge.
|
Blind shot
|
A shot in which the target area cannot be seen.
|
Bogie
|
One stroke over par.
|
Borrow
|
To allow for slope (or occasionally wind) when putting the ball.
|
Brassie
|
An old word for a #2 wood.
|
Bunker*
|
A depressed area filled with sand. Because it is a hazard, the club
may not touch the sand before the ball is struck in a bunker. Also
Sand Trap (US).
|
Caddie
|
A person who carries the clubs of a golfer.
|
Carry
|
The distance a ball travels from where it was struck to where it
lands.
|
Casual Water*
|
A temporary accumulation of water not part of a water hazard.
|
Chapman
|
A Foursomes formula whereby both partners drive, the choosing one
ball, play alternately for the rest of the hole.
|
Chip
|
A short approach shot taken from
near the green intended to have a short flight and a longer roll.
|
Choke down
|
Place to hands on the club lower down the grip closer to the shaft than normal
in order to add control or
lessen distance. (Player's grip on caddie's neck following incorrect
advice.)
|
Closed stance
|
The left foot is closer to the target line than the right foot at
address. This is the classic set up for creating a hook or draw.
|
Concede*
|
A player may "concede" an opponent's putt in match play,
meaning the opponent is considered to have putted out on the next
stroke.
|
Course
|
The whole area within which play is permitted.
|
Course Rating
|
The evaluation of the playing difficulty of a course for scratch
golfers stated in yardage. In practice (here in France) this relates to
the difference between the Par of the Course and its Standard Scratch
Score (SSS). Note that the Slope of the course is designed to describe
the relative difficulty of the course in question relative to the
"average" course which has a difficulty of 113. A
"playing Handicap" is calculated by multiplying the player's
Handicap Index by the slope of the course and dividing the result by
113. This gives the Playing Handicap for normal Medal Play and Match
Play. For Stableford and Against Par competitions, the difference
between the SSS and Par is also accounted for in the calculation of the
"Strokes Received /Coups Reçus) and often implies a stroke more or
less than the playing handicap.
|
Curtis Cup
|
The competition between amateur women golfers of the United States
and Britain (see Walker Cup).
|
Cut shot
|
A ball struck with an intentional outside-in swing path giving a
clockwise spin to the ball causing it to curve from left to right - a
deliberate slice.
|
Dead
|
A ball which stops so close to the hole that the next putt is a
certainty. (Person missing such a putt!)
|
Dimples
|
Small concave markings on the golf ball helping the ball rise in
flight.
|
Divot
|
A piece of turf dislodged by a golf swing.
|
Dogleg
|
A hole with a fairway which bends sharply to the right or left.
|
Dormie
|
In match play, when a player or team is leading by the number of
holes remaining to be played.
|
Double Bogey
|
A score of two strokes over par. The words "triple" or
"quadruple" are linked to bogey to signify 3 or 4 strokes over
par.
|
Double Eagle
|
A score of three strokes under par, more usually called an albatross.
|
Down
|
The number of holes a golfer or a team is behind in match play.
|
Draw
|
A ball that starts straight at or a little right of the target and
then curves slightly to the left with counter-clockwise spin, causing it
to roll more when it lands. It is caused by the club moving on a slight
inside-out path with a square club face at impact. See also Closed
Stance.
|
Drive
|
To hit the ball off the tee or with a driver.
|
Driver
|
A #1 wood.
|
Dub
|
A poorly skilled golfer or a poor shot.
|
Duck hook (snap hook)
|
A ball that curves very sharply from right to left, also called a snap
hook.
|
Duffer
|
A slang term for a poor golfer, also called a hacker.
|
Eagle
|
A score of two strokes under par on a hole with a par of more than 3
strokes.
|
Explosion shot
|
A shot hit in the sand trap where the club slides under the ball and
displaces a large amount of sand.
|
Face
|
The part of the club head that strikes the ball.
|
Fade
|
A ball hit straight towards the target and then curving slightly to
the right. It is caused when the ball is struck across on an outside-in
path with a square club face at impact, imparting a slight clockwise
spin on the ball.
|
Fairway
|
The part of the golf course
between the tee and the green where the grass is cut fairly short - or
as the rules of golf have it - "a closely mown area through the
green".
|
Fat shot
|
Hitting too the ground before the ball, thereby taking too much divot
under the ball, causing the club head to lose
speed thus lessening the distance the ball travels.
|
Flagstick*
|
The pole in the cup on the green, usually with a flag attached, also
called the pin familiarly.
|
Flat swing
|
A swing in which the club is closer to a horizontal than the ideal
'over the shoulder' plane.
|
Flier
|
A ball that goes further than intended because grass is caught
between the club and ball at impact reducing the effect of the grooves
on the club face; usually hit from the rough. This will also cause the
ball to roll more.
|
Follow- through
|
During the swing, the movement of the hands and arms after the ball
has been struck.
|
FORE!
|
A warning cry that lets people know an
errant shot is headed their way.
|
Forward press
|
The slight forward motion of the hands or the legs just prior to the
beginning of the swing.
|
Foursome(1)
|
Particularly US - four golfers playing together - should more
properly be called a four-ball (or two foursomes in a 2-ball), etc.,
even in the US according to USGA recommendations.
|
Foursome*(2)
|
A doubles formula whereby two players team together to play a single
ball. Taking turns to drive and then alternately
playing the subsequent shots until the ball is holed out. Other
foursomes formulas are Greensome and Chapman
|
Front nine
|
The first nine holes of an eighteen hole course.
|
Gimme
|
A slang word for a putt that is conceded in match play.
|
Golf widow(er)
|
The slang term for the non-golfing spouse of a golfer.
|
Green*
|
The part of the golf hole
surrounding the cup where the grass is closely cropped to facilitate
putting.
|
Greensome
|
A Foursomes formula whereby both partners drive, then each player
plays the partner's ball, then, choosing one ball, play alternately for
the rest of the hole.
|
Grain
|
The direction in which the flat grass on a green lies, certain
grasses (e.g. Bermuda) can have a significant impact on the line of a
putt.
|
Grooves
|
The parallel lines on a club face that impart (back) spin to a ball.
Keep them clean!
|
Gross score
|
The total number of strokes taken without regard to handicap.
|
Ground the club*
|
To place the club head on the ground behind the ball prior to taking
the swing. One of the
|
Ground under repair*
|
Areas on a golf course which are designated as being under repair,
and from which a free drop may be taken.
|
Hacker
|
A poor golfer, also called a duffer.
|
Half/halved
|
A term used when players have the same score on a hole in match play.
|
Handicap*
|
A number indicating a player's skill allowing players with different
skill levels to play together on a relatively equal basis.
|
Hazard*
|
The designation for a bunker, water area or water hazard.
|
Head
|
The part of the club furthest from the shaft with which the ball is
struck.
|
Heel
|
The part of the club face nearest the shaft.
|
High side
|
The part of the green above the hole on a sloping green.
|
Hole
|
A 4 1/4 inch round hollow on the green into which one hits the ball,
also called the cup; or the area from the tee box through the green,
normally numbering 18 or 9 on a course.
|
Hole in one
|
The act of hitting the ball from the tee into the hole in one shot.
|
Hole high
|
Hitting the ball to a spot level with to but not into the hole.
|
Hole out
|
Stroking the ball into the hole.
|
Hollywood handicap
|
A slang expression for a handicap which is too low, making the golfer
sound "like a star." The opposite of a Bandit handicap!
|
Honour*
|
The privilege of hitting first from the tee box, based on who won the
most recent hole.
|
Hooding the club
|
Shutting the face of the club, usually by playing the ball further
back in the stance (closer to
the right foot for right handers) than normal. One of the aspects of
making a punch shot into the wind.
|
Hook
|
A ball which may start towards the target but then curves greatly to
the left with a counter-clockwise spin. It is caused by hitting the ball
on an exaggerated inside-out path with a closed club face at impact. See
banana and draw.
|
Hosel
|
The extension of the head of the club into which the shaft fits.
|
In
|
The designation found on the scorecard for the second 9 holes of an
18 hole course.
|
Inside the leather
|
A slang expression for a short putt, no longer than the length of the
putter to the (leather) grip; sometimes agreed upon as an automatic gimme
distance in friendly match play.
|
Interlock
|
A grip in which the left forefinger and the right little finger are
intertwined.
|
Lag
|
To putt the ball with the intention of having it end up close to the
cup as a priority, rather than trying to hole out, in order to guarantee
the 2 putt.
|
Lateral water hazard*
|
A water hazard that runs parallel to a hole or green, and so marked
by (normally red) stakes. It allows additional dropping options over
those available with frontal water hazards. (Notably dropping within 2
club lengths, not nearer the hole, either where the ball last crossed
the margin of the hazard - OR on the opposite bank at the same distance
from the hole.)
|
Lie*(1)
|
The situation of the ball on the ground after it has been played.
|
Lie(2)
|
The angle the shaft makes with the sole of the club. This is an
important, oft neglected, part of fitting a club to persons of different
heights. The lie can easily be shop adjusted so that the sole of the
club lies parallel to the ground at address (and at impact) this
maximises the chances of hitting the ball squarely with the club. (See Loft.)
|
Lie(3)
|
An account at the 19th hole of the number of birdies opportunities
(or similar) during an average round of club play.
|
Links
|
In strict terms a seaside course, with typical treeless, undulating,
sandy aspect, but used to refer to any golf
course.
|
Lip
|
The edge of the hole; also to hit a putt to the edge of the hole
which does not fall in.
|
Local knowledge
|
The useful information a golfer acquires by playing the same course
many times.
|
Loft
|
The backward slope on the face of the club, defined in degrees for
each club. (See Lie(2).)
|
Loose impediments*
|
Natural objects such as leaves or loose stones which may be moved as
long as the lie of the ball is not changed.
|
Low side
|
The part of the green below the hole on a sloping green.
|
Mashie
|
An old term for a #5 iron.
|
Match play*
|
Competition based on the number of holes won or lost by each side.
|
Medal play*
|
A stroke play competition based on the number of strokes taken by each
golfer to complete a stipulated round. A player (or the competitors
team) being required to complete and record a score for every hole
(unlike, for example, in Stableford competitions).
|
Military golf
|
A slang term for a person who hits a ball to the right, then one to
the left, etc.
|
Mixed foursome
|
A foursome in which a female golfer is paired with a male golfer.
|
Mulligan
|
A second shot allowed after a poor first shot from the first tee in
friendly play.
|
Nassau
|
A three-way bet made on both the front nine and the back nine as well
as the total round.
|
Net score
|
The score for a round or a hole after the handicap has been deducted
from the gross score.
|
Never up, never in
|
A cliché of golf meaning that unless a putt is struck hard enough to
reach the hole it has no chance of falling into the cup.
|
Niblick
|
An old term for a #8 iron.
|
Nineteenth hole
|
An expression for the club bar, or having a friendly drink at the end
of the round.
|
Offset
|
A club with a head that is set back from the hosel, putting the hands
further in front to help square the club at impact.
|
Open stance
|
The left foot is further from the target line than the front (right) foot at
address, setting the player up to hit across the ball for a fade or
slice (or simply to clear the hips away on a short shot)
|
Out
|
The designation for the first 9 holes of an 18 hole course on the
scorecard.
|
Out of bounds*
|
Areas where play is prohibited, often marked by red stakes or listed
in the course scorecard.
|
Overlapping
|
A grip in which the right little finger laps over the left forefinger.
|
Par
|
A fixed number of strokes for
each hole used as a standard of excellence, allowing for 2 putts and
additional strokes depending on distance.
|
Penalty stroke*
|
A stroke added to a player's score enabling escape from ceratin
situaitionOne of the two basic forms of golf for which the Rules of Golf
refer, the other being Match play. Stroke play competition are based on the number of strokes taken by each
player to complete a stipulated round; also
called medal play.
|
Pin
|
See flagstick.
|
Pitch
|
An approach shot to the green which has a high arc and stops quickly.
|
Preferred lie*
|
A relaxation of the rules under poor ground conditions which allows the
golfer to move his ball on the fairway; also called winter rules.
|
Presidents's Cup
|
A competition between the male professional golfers of the United
States and the "rest of the world" except Europe held every
four years. Not to be confused with the real thing!
|
Pro side of the cup
|
The side above the hole when the cup is cut on a sloping green, since
the professional usually allows for the slope better than the amateur.
|
Provisional ball*
|
A ball played when a golfer is unsure whether it will be possible to
find or play the first shot, i.e. a ball that may be lost, out of
bounds, or in a water hazard. It may continue to be played as a
provisional ball until the area where the first ball probably lies is
reached. It is picked up without penalty if the
first ball may be legally played. It immediately becomes the ball in
play if it is struck from a point nearer the hole than the first ball's
probable or actual resting place.
|
Pull
|
A shot that goes directly to the left because of the action of the
club (outside-in swing with a clubface square to the line of the swing
at impact - closed with respect to the target line).
|
Push
|
A ball that goes directly to the right because of the action of the
club (inside-out swing with a clubface square to the line of the swing
at impact - open with respect to the target line).
|
Putt
|
A short stroke taken on or near the green intended to put the ball in
the hole, generally with a specific club, the putter.
|
Putter
|
A short club with a straight (lofted less than 5°) face designed for use on the green; also
the person putting the ball.
|
Rap
|
To hit a putt with a short but very firm backswing and
follow-through.
|
Reverse pivot
|
An incorrect move made during the downswing when the weight is
transferred to the back foot instead of the front foot.
|
Rakes
|
Denizens of 19th holes; also devices (obstructions) for smoothing sand
in bunkers. It is recommended that rakes be placed outside bunkers as on
balance it is felt there is less likelihood of an advantage or
disadvantage to the player (R&A).
|
Round*
|
The playing of an agreed upon number of holes, usually 18 but
sometimes 9; named after the circular design of early golf courses.
|
Rough*
|
Any part of the course off the
fairway where the grass or weeds are allowed to grow freely or are cut
only slightly.
|
Rub of the green*
|
When a ball in motion is stopped or deflected by an outside agency (a
spectator, bird, etc.), it is called the "rub of the green"
and the ball must be played as it lies.
|
Ryder Cup
|
A competition between the male professional golfers of the United
States and Europe held every four years. See Solheim Cup.
|
Sand trap
|
US. See bunker.
|
Sand wedge
|
A high lofted club with a flange (bottom of the club) which is lower
than the leading edge, allowing the club to move through the sand
easily. This design feature is called bounce. The usual sand wedge has a
loft of around 56°. A lob wedge has around 60° of loft. Another
popular wedge is the 52/53° wedge, offering a range of shots between
the Sand and Pitching wedges.
|
Scratch player
|
A player who averages par.
|
Shaft
|
The long part of the club to which the grip and the club head are
attached.
|
Shank
|
A ball struck sharply to the right; normally the result of being hit
on the neck or hosel of the club, as a result of an error of swing path.
|
Side
|
A player or two or more golfers playing as a team.
|
Sky shot
|
A ball hit with a wood which goes almost straight up with little
forward distance; caused by too steep an angle of descent in the
downswing or leaning forward into the ball. (Sometimes Angel Raper)
|
Slice
|
A ball starting to the left then curving sharply to the right due to an outside-in swing path
and an open club face at impact.
|
Slope
|
A handicap index rating the playing difficulty of a course for above
scratch golfers.
|
Sole
|
The bottom of the club.
|
Solheim Cup
|
A competition between the female professional golfers of the United
States and Britain held every four years.
|
Spoon
|
An old term for the #3 wood
|
Square stance
|
The toes of the golfer are at equal distance from the target line at
address, putting the entire body and shoulders parallel to the target
line.
|
Stance
|
The position of the golfer's feet at address.
|
Stiff(1)
|
A ball struck very close to the hole.
|
Stiff(2)
|
Reference to the flexibility (flex) of a club's shaft.
|
Stiff(3)
|
State of some players on finishing the 19th hole.
|
Stroke
|
A golf shot. A player may also be assigned Penalty Strokes
under the rules as part of the procedures for getting out of a
predicament or for a breach of the rules.
|
Stroke play
|
One of the two basic forms of golf for which the Rules of Golf refer,
the other being Match play. Stroke play competition are based on the number of strokes taken by each
player to complete a stipulated round; also
called medal play.
|
Sweet spot
|
The best spot on the club face to hit the ball, somewhere about equal
distance from the toe and the heel.
|
Sudden death
|
Extra holes played at the end of a competition between players who
have tied for the lead, the winner being the first player to win a hole
outright.
|
Takeaway
|
The initial part of the golf swing.
|
Target line
|
An imaginary line which runs from the ball to the intended target.
|
Tee
|
The section of the course from which
one hits the first shot on every hole; also a small conical piece of
wood or plastic (originally a small earthen mound) on which one places
the ball to hit the first shot on each hole.
|
Texas wedge
|
A nickname for the putter when it is used to stroke a ball from off
the green.
|
Thin shot
|
A ball hit with the leading edge of the club at precisely the middle
causing a low shot with lessened distance. Half way to a top!
|
Through the green
|
A designation for the entire course including hazards except the tee
box and the green of the hole being played. The "green" was
the name given to early courses.
|
Toe
|
The part of the club head furthest from the shaft.
|
Topping
|
Striking the ball above the middle with the leading edge of the club,
causing the ball to roll or bounce forward for only a short distance.
|
Torque
|
The ability of a golf shaft to resist the Torsion or twisting
of a shaft during the swing.
|
Torsion
|
The degree of twist occurring in the shaft of the club during the golf
swing. See also Torque.
|
Trajectory
|
The flight of a golf ball while in the air.
|
Turn
|
The transition from the first nine holes to the second nine holes of
play; the rotation of the player's body during a golf shot.
|
Unplayable lie*
|
A ball, not resting in a water hazard, which is deemed unplayable by
its owner.
|
Upright swing
|
A swing in which the club is closer to the vertical than the
"normal plane" passing above the shoulders.
|
Waggle
|
The to-and-fro motion of the hands and club prior to hitting the
ball. See also Sergio Garcia at his worst!
|
Walker Cup
|
The amateur competition between men from the United States and
Britain.
|
Wedge
|
A short high lofted club intended
to make the ball go high but not long. A pitching wedge usually has a
loft of 48 degrees or more, while lob wedges have a 60 degree or higher
loft. See Sand Wedge.
|
Whiff
|
A swing which is intended to hit the ball but misses entirely; counts
as one stroke.
|
Winter Rules
|
A relaxation of the rules under poor conditions which allows the
golfer to move his ball on the fairway; also called preferred lie.
|
Yips
|
A slang term for the psychological affliction that makes a golfer
afraid that short putts will be usually missed and introduces a tremor
into the stroke. There is evidence that the tremor may also be
physiological, however the consequence is the same, a genuine inability
to sink short putts.
|