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Sandwedged Glossary of Common Golfing Terms

We know how confusing the world of golf can be. There is a lot of golf scoring terminology and golf equipment to get your head around.

Don't know your 'back door' from your 'back lip'? Well check out the Sandwedged guide to golf jargon and common golfing terms below. Before you know it you'll 'bump and running' with the best of them!

Ace
Making a hole in one strike.
Address
To position the body relative to the ball just before hitting it.
Aggregate
A score made over more than one round of play, or by 2 or more players playing as partners.
Air Shot
When a player intends to play a shot but completely misses the ball.
Albatross
The score for a hole made in 3 strokes under par.
Alternate Ball
Format in which players alternate hitting each other's ball on each stroke until the hole is finished.
Amateur
A golfer who plays without receiving monetary compensation.
Angle of Approach
The angle or degree at which the club moves downward, or upward, toward the ball.
Approach Shot
Normally a short or medium shot played to the putting green or pin.
Apron
The grassy area surrounding the putting surface.
Attack
Playing with purpose and aggressively.
Attend
To hold and then remove the flag while another player putts.
Away
The ball that is the greatest distance from the hole when more than one golfer is playing. It is the first to be played.
Back Door
The rear of the hole.
Back Lip
The edge of the bunker that is farthest from the green.
Back Nine
The last 9 holes of an 18 hole course.
Backspin
A reverse spin placed on the ball to make in stop short on the putting surface.
Backswing
The backward part of the swing starting from the ground and going back over the head.
Baffle
Previous name given to a 5 wood.
Baffy
A lofted wooden club developed from the baffling-spoon no longer in use. Also the alternate name given to the 4 wood.
Bail Out
To avoid trouble, such as a water hazard, in one area by hitting the ball well into another area.
Balata
A hard, resilient sap-like substance from the South American Balata tree that is used to make a cover for rubber-cored golf balls.
Ball
Made of solid compressed synthetic rubber with hundreds of surface indentations, the round object which we attempt to hit into the hole.
Ball at Rest
The ball has come to a complete stop on the fairway or green.
Ball Embedded
A techinical term for a plugged ball.
Ball Holed
A ball is holed when it is entirely below the level of the lip of the hole.
Ball in Play
A ball is in play as soon as the player has made a stroke in the tee off area. It remains in play until it is holed out except when it is out of bounds, lost, lifted or when another ball is substituted in accordance with the rules.
Ball Marker
A token or a small coin used to spot the balls position on the green prior to lifting it.
Ball Retriever
A long pole with a scoop on the end which is used to collect balls from water hazards and other areas.
Ball Washer
A device found on many tees for cleaning golf balls.
Banana Ball
A slice that curves to the right in the shape of a banana. An extreme slice.
Baseball Grip
Holding the club with all ten fingers on the grip.
Beach
A sand hazard on the course.
Bend
Using sidespin to curve the shot
Bent Grass
Commonly seen on Northern courses, a hardy and resilient type of grass that can be cut very short.
Bermuda
Typically found on Southern courses in North America and originally native to southern Europe, it was introduced to warmer areas of the world to be used on courses where bent grass will not grow.
Best Ball
A match in which one player plays against the better of two balls or the best ball of three players. Also the better score of two partners in a four-ball or best-ball match.
Better Ball
A match play or stroke play gamewhen two players on a side each play their own ball score the better of their two scores at each hole against the other side.
Birdie
One stroke under par for a hole.
Bird's Nest
When the ball is cupped in deep grass.
Bite
The backspin imparted on the ball that makes the ball stop dead, or almost so, with little or no roll.
Blade
The hitting part of an iron clubhead, not including the hosel. 2) To hit the ball with the leading edge of the blade of an iron.
Blade Putter
A type of putter with an iron head with the basic form the same as other standard numbered irons.
Blast
A shot that takes a large amount of sand with it when hitting out of a sand trap. An explosion shot. An aggressive shot. A powerful drive.
Blind Bogey
A type of competition in which each player tries to come the closest to a score that has been drawn out of a hat.
Blind Hole
The hole is called blind if the putting green cannot be seen by the player as he approaches.
Block
To play a shot by delaying the rotation of the wrists during a swing. This causes the clubface not to be square at the point of impact resulting in a sliced ball.
Bogey
To play a hole in one stroke over par.
Bogey Competition
A form of stroke play in which players play against a fixed score at each hole. Scored as in match play with the winner being the most holes.
Bold
A firmly played approach to a well -protected pin. Also, too strong or long a shot.
Borrow
To play to one side of the hole or the other to compensate for the slope of the green.
Boundary
The edge of the golf course that defines the area of play.
Bowker
This refers to a shot that appears to be horrible and then hits a tree, a rock, a spectator, etc. and bounces back into play.
Bramble
A small molded bump on some types of golf balls (gutta purcha and rubber core). Intended to give aerodynamic properties like the dimples on present day balls.
Brassie
Former name given to a 2 wood. A wooden club with a brass sole plate with more loft than a driver and less than the than the spoon.
Break
The way in which the ball will roll or bounce. Also the sideways slope on the green.
Break the Wrists
To bend the wrists back during a swing.
British Ball
The type of golf ball specified by the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews. Diameter is not less than 1.620 inches and the weight is not more than 1.620 ounces. Now used mainly in amateur play.
British Open
The Open - the first one ever held. The National Championship put on by the Royal And Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews, Scotland.
Bulge
The curve across the face of a wooden club.
Bulger
A wooden club with a slightly convex face. Mainly a driver.
Bull Dog
Former name for a 4 or 5 wood.
Bump and Run
A chip shot including the run of the ball after landing. Also known as 'chip and run'.
Bunker
A depression in bare ground that is usually covered with sand. Also called a "sand trap". It is considered a hazard under the Rules of Golf.
Bunt
To hit an intentional short shot.
Burn
The Scottish term for a creek or stream.
Burried Ball
A ball partially buried beneath the sand in a bunker.
Buzzard
A score of two strokes over par for a hole.
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 (caddy)
Someone who carries a player's club during play and offers him assistance in accordance with the rules.
Caddie Master
The golf course employee in charge of managing the caddies.
Caddie-Car
A golf car or car.
Can
In slang, to hole a putt.
Cap
The top end of a club grip and shaft.
Card
A card used to record scores in stroke play. Also, to make a record of your score.
Carpet
A slang term referring to the putting green or fairway.
Carry
The length of travel by the ball after it is hit to the place where it first hits the ground.
Cart
A two-wheeled trolley on which a golf is fitted and pulled around the course. In some cases trolleys are battery powered. Can also refer to a golf car.
Casual Water
Any temporary accumulations of water that are visible before or after a player takes his stance and is not a hazard or in a water hazard. A player may lift his ball from casual water without penalty.
Centre Shafted
Putter in which the shaft is joined to the centre of the head.
Charge
To surge from behind and display superior play. Also to play or putt aggressively.
Chart the Course
Pace each hole so that you know how far you are from the green.
Chilli-Dip
To hit the ground before the ball, producing a weak lofted shot.
Chip Shot
A short approach shot of low trajectory usually hit from near the green. It is normally hit with overspin or bite.
Chip-and-Run
A chip shot including the run of the ball after landing. Also known as 'bump and run'.
Chip in
A holed chip shot.
Choke
To grip down farther on the club handle.
Choke
A slang term used to indicate a collapse under pressure.
Chop
To hit the ball with a hacking motion.
Claim
The term used in match play to denote a protest by a player regarding a possible breach of the rules.
Cleek
Any one of many narrow-bladed iron clubs used for long shots through the green from the rough or sand. Another name for the # 1 iron. Also, a shallower faced lofted wooden club. Another name for the #4 wood.
Closed Stance
The left foot extends over the balls line of flight while the right foot is back.
Cleat
The spike on the sole of a golf shoe.
Closed Face
When the clubface is pointed to the left of the target when you address the ball.
Closed Stance
A stance taken with the right foot pulled back, away from the ball.
Club
The implement used in golf to strike the ball. Consists of a shaft, grip and a clubhead of wood or metal.
Club Head
The hitting area of the club.
Clubhouse
The main building on the course.
Clubhouse Lawyer
A self-appointed caller or arbiter of the rules.
Cock
To bend the wrists backwards in the backswing.
Collar
The grassy fringe surrounding the putting green.
Colourball
A team game with teams of 3 or 4 players in which one player uses a coloured ball. Team score comprises the score with the coloured ball plus the best of the other 2 or 3 players. Players alternate holes playing with the coloured ball.
Come back shot
The shot you make after you have overshot the hole.
Committee
The collective name for those in charge of a competition or a course.
Compression
The flattening of the ball against the clubface at impact. Also the degree of resilience of a ball.
Condor
Also called a "triple eagle". A four-under par shot. A hole-in-one on a par 5 for example.
Confusion
A game in which a point is awarded to the first player of the group to get to the green, one for the players closest to the pin and one for the first player to hole out. The winner is the player with the highest number of points.
Control shot
A shot that is played with less than full power.
Core
The centre of the golf ball.
Course
The playing area which is usually made up of 9 or 18 holes with each hole having a tee off area, fairway and green
Course Rating
The comparison of playing one course as opposed to another in terms of difficulty. It is expressed in strokes or decimal fractions of strokes. The yardage of the course and the ability of a scratch golfer are the basis for determination.
Crack
To allow one's good play to suffer when under pressure.
Cross-Bunker
A lengthy bunker that is situated across the fairway.
Cross-Handed Grip
A grip where your left hand is below the right.
Cup
The container in the hole holds the flagstick in pace.
Cuppy
A deep and enclosed lie.
Cut
The score that reduces the field to a pre-determined number and eliminates players in a tournament. Usually made after 36 of a 72 hole tournament.
Cut Shot
A controlled shot that results in the ball stopping almost immediately on the green without roll.
Dance Floor for the Green
As in 'you're on the dance floor'.
Dead Ball
A ball is said to be dead when there is no doubt that it will be sank on the next shot.
Deep-Faced
Pertaining to a clubface and meaning having a club face that is relatively thick from top to bottom.
Deuce
A hole made in two strokes. Primarily used in the United States.
Dimple
The round indentations on the golf ball cover which are scientifically designed to enable the ball to make a steady and true flight.
Divot
A piece of turf removed with by the club when making a shot. It is always replaced and tamped down.
Dogleg
A left or right bend in the fairway.
Dormie
When playing in match play, being five up with five to go, four up with four left, etc. To be as many holes up as there are to play. Sometimes spelled dormy.
Double Bogey
A score of two over par for a single hole.
Double Eagle
A score of three under par for a single hole. Same as "albatross".
Down Being
A specific number of holes behind your opponent.
Downhill Lie
When addressing the ball and your right foot is higher than your left (for right-handed players).
Downswing
The motion of swinging a club from the top of the swing to the point of impact.
DQ'd
Slang for a golfer being disqualified.
Drain
To sink a putt.
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. To play a shot so that it curves owing to sidespin from right to left with a right-handed player. Conversely from right to left for a left-handed player.
Drive
To hit the ball with maximum force and full stroke. Usually with a driver from the tee.
Drive-and-Pitch
The type of hole on which the green can be reached with a drive and a pitch. Could also refer to a course where all holes are of this type.
Driver
The longest-hitting modern wooden club, used primarily from the tee when maximum distance is required. Also called the No. 1 wood.
Driving Iron
Another name for the number one iron. Formerly one of various iron clubs used for shots through the green.
Driving Mashie
Obsolete club with less loft than a mashie iron and used for driving and long shots through the green.
Driving Putter
Obsolete wooden club used primarily for low shots into the wind.
Driving Range
An area or building used for the purpose of practicing tee-shots and other strokes.
Drop
To deposit the ball on the course after which you put the ball back in play after it has been declared unplayable or after the ball has been lost.
Dub
A missed or badly-hit shot.
Duff
To mishit a shot by hitting the ground behind the ball and then top the ball.
Duffer
An unskilled golfer. Also called a hacker.
Dunch
A fat hit from a claggy lie. British origin.
Dunk
To hit your ball into a water hazard.
Eagle
Two strokes under par for a single hole. To play a hole at 2 under par.
Eclectic
An individual stroke play game comprising a defined number of rounds. At the end of the series each of the competitors records his best score of the series at each hole.
Eight-Iron
An iron club giving distance of between 115-150 yards. Also called a pitching niblick.
Equipment
Anything that is used by a player or is carried or worn. His ball in play is not included.
Explode
To hit the ball from sand using a steeply lofted club with the club hitting into the sand behind the ball and spraying a large amount of sand.
Explosion Shot
A shot that takes large quantities of sand out of a sand trap.
Extra Hole
As with extra innings, golfers play extra hole to break a tie.
Face
The hitting area or surface of the club head
Fade
A term used to describe the slight turning of the ball from left to right (by a right-handed player) at the end of its
Flight
From right to left for a left-handed player.
Fairway
The area of the course between the tee and the green that is well-maintained allowing a good lie for the ball
Fairway Wood
Any other wooden club other than a driver.
Fan
To miss the ball completely
Fat Shot
When the club hits the ground behind the ball. This results in high or low shots with a loss of distance
Featherie
An old leather ball stuffed with compressed feathers. Replaced by the gutta percha after 1848. Also spelled feathery.
Fescue
Grass of the genus Festuca, widely used on for rough on golf courses.
Field
The players in a tournament.
Five-Iron
An iron club used for distances between 145-180 yards for men's clubs. Also known as a mashie.
Five-Wood
A wooden club used for distances between 190-210 yards for men's clubs.
Flag
The marker attached to the flagstick.
Flag Competition
A stroke play game in which each player has a flag. When the player has played the number of strokes equal to the par of the course plus his handicap, he places a flag in the course at that point. The winner is the player who goes farthest around the course with the alotted number of strokes.
Flagstick
A movable marker to show the location of the hole.
Flange
The additional surface of the club head which protrudes at the sole.
Flat Swing
The type of swing that occurs when the club head is carried back in a flat manner - usually inside-out.
Flex
The amount of bend or the degree of stiffness of the club shaft.
Flier
A ball is hit without spin and goes for a greater distance than normal.
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.
Flip Shot
A short shot played with a high trajectory with a highly lofted iron such as an eight or nine.
Flub
A poorly hit shot usually caused by hitting the ground before the ball.
Fluffy
A ball that is sitting up in grass.
Follow-Through
The continuation of the swing after the ball has been hit.
Fore
A warning shouted out to warn anyone who may be in danger from the flight of the ball.
Forecaddie
Someone employed by the course or tournament committee to mark the position of a player's ball.
Form
A golfer's standard of play based on past performance.
Four Ball
A match in which the better ball of two players is played against the better ball of their opponents.
Four-Iron
An iron club used for distances of between 155-190 yards for men's clubs. Also known as a mashie iron.
Four-Wood
A wooden club used for a distance of between 200-230 yards - for men' clubs. Also called a spoon.
Foursome
A term given to four players playing together. Also a match in which two players play against another two players with each side playing one ball.
Free Drop
A drop where no penalty stroke is incurred.
Fried-Egg
A ball half-buried in the sand.
Fringe
The area surrounding the putting green which is sometimes cut to a height lower than the fairway but not as short as the green itself. Same as "apron"
Frog Hair
The short grass that borders the edge of the putting surface.
Front Side
The first nine holes of an 18 hole course.
Full House
A game in which a player is set a points target calculated by deducting his handicap from 36. The winner is the one who surpasses his target by the most points. Scoring is 8 points for an eagle, 4 for a birdie, two for a par and 1 for bogey.
Gallery
The group of tournament spectators.
Gimme
A putt that is certain to be made on the next shot and will most likely be conceded by an opponent.
Golf
The game. Played by playing a ball from the teeing ground into the hole by a stroke or successive strokes in accordance with the Rules of Golf.
Golf Glove
A glove generally worn by a right-handed golfer on the left hand, and by a left-handed golfer on the right hand, to improve the grip.
Goose-Neck
Having the neck of a club curved so that the heel is slightly offset from the line of the shaft.
Gorse
A shrub primarily found on linkland type courses. It is a spiny evergreen with bright yellow flowers. Same as whin.
Grain
The direction in which the grass on a putting lies after it has been shortly cut.
Grand Slam
The four major championships: the British Open, the U.S. Open, PGA Championship and the Masters.
Graphite
A lightweight material used to make shafts and clubheads.
Green
The whole golf course according to golf rules. However, in popular usage, it refers to the putting surface.
Green Committee
Members of a golf club who are responsible for the maintenance and management of the course.
Green Fee
The charge made by the course to allow the player to use the course.
Green Jacket
The prize awarded to the winner of the Masters Tournament.
Greenkeeper
The employee of the club who is responsible for the maintenance of the course.
Greenside
Adjacent to the putting green.
Grip
The part of the shaft by which the club is held. Covered with leather or other material. Also means the manner in which you hold the club.
Groove
Linear scoring on a clubface.
Gross score
The actual number of strokes taken by a player for hole or round before the player's handicap is deducted.
Grounding the Club
Placing the clubhead behind the ball at address.
Ground Under Repair
Any part of the course being repaired is ground under repair. A ball that lands in such an area must be removed without penalty.
Gutta Percha
Material used in the manufacture of early golf balls. It was a hard, molded substance made from the sap of several types of Malaysian trees. These balls were in use from 1848 until the early 1900's.
Hack
To chop violently at the ball. To make bad shots. To play bad golf. hacker An unskilled golfer. Same as "duffer"
Half
Used in match play when score is tied on a hole. Each side credited with a half.
Half Shot
A shot played with a less than full swing.
Halved
When a match is played without a decision. A hole is "halved" when both sides play it in the same number of strokes.
Handicap
The number of strokes a player may deduct from his actual score to adjust his scoring ability to the level of a scratch golfer. It is designed to allow golfers of different abilities to basically compete on the same level.
Handicap Certificate
A document issued by the player's home club or golfing association that indicates his current handicap.
Hanging lie
A ball resting on a downhill slope.
Hazard
A hazard is any sand trap, bunker or water on the course that may cause difficulty.
Head
The part of the club that makes contact with the ball. Usually made of wood, iron or some substitute material.
Heel
The part of the club head nearest the shaft.
Hickory
Wood from a native North American tree used at the beginning of the 19th century to make club shafts. Use continued until the 1920's.
Hit
To play a shot or stroke.
Hog's Back
A ridge of ground or a hole having a ridge on a fairway.
Hold
To hit the ground and stay in place with little roll or bounce.
Hole
A 4 1/4" (108 mm) round receptacle in the green - at least 4" (100 mm) deep. Also refers to one of the nine or eighteen areas between the tee and the green.
Hole High
A ball that is even with the hole but off to one side.
Hole in One
A hole made with one stroke. Same as "ace".
Hole Out
To complete the play for one hole by hitting the ball into the cup.
Home and Home Match
A match made up of rounds played on the home course of each participant or group.
Home Green
The last hole green.
Home Pro
A professional who holds a position at a golf club, teaches, and plays only in local events.
Honour
The privilege of hitting first from the tee. Usually assigned at the first tee. After the first tee, the privilege goes to the winner of the last hole.
Hook
To hit the ball in a manner that causes it to curve from right to left in the case of a right-handed player or left to right for a left hander.
Hosel
The hollow part of an iron club head into which the shaft is fitted.
Hustler
A golfer with greater ability who purposely maintains a higher handicap in order to win more bets.
Impact
The moment when the ball strikes the club.
In
The second nine holes as opposed to out - the first nine holes inland - in play Within the course (not out of bounds).
Inside
Being nearer the hole than the ball of your opponent.
Interlocking Grip
A type of grip where the little finger of the left hand is intertwined with the index finger of the right hand for a right handed player. The converse applies to a left hander.
Intended Line
The line you expect the ball to travel after hit.
Iron
Any one of a number of clubs with a head made of iron or steel. See definitions for individual clubs "two iron" etc.
Jail
Help, I'm in jail! Stated when you are faced with a very difficult shot.
Jigger
An iron with moderate loft and a short shaft. No longer in use. Present equivalent is the 4 iron.
Jungle
A slang term for heavy rough.
Kick
Another term for bounce. Usually an unpredictable or erratic bounce.
Kill the ball
To hit a long shot.
Lag
To putt the ball with the intention leaving it short to ensure being able to hole out on the next stroke.
Lateral Hazard
Any hazard running parallel to the line of play.
Lay up
To play a shorter shot than normally might be attempted. Would be done to achieve a good lie short of a hazard rather than trying to hit the green in one less shot.
Layout
The manner in which the holes are placed on the golf course when designed.
Leader Board
Sign where scores are posted during a tournament.
Lie
The position in which the ball rests on the ground. The lie can be good or bad in terms of the nature of ground where is rests, the slope, and the level of difficulty in playing it. The number of strokes a player is to have played during the hole.
Line
The correct path of a putt to the hole when putting. Also when on the fairway, the correct direction in which the ball to be played toward the putting green.
Line up
To study the green in order to determine how the putt should be played.
Links
Originally meaning a seaside course, it is now used to mean any golf course.
Linksman
A golfer.
Lip
The top rim of the hole or cup.
Lob Shot
A shot that goes straight up and comes almost straight down with very little spin or forward momentum. Useful when there is not much green to play to.
Local Rules
A set of rules for a club determined by the members.
Loft
The elevation of the ball in the air. Also means the angle at which the club face is set from the vertical and is used to lift the ball into the air. It is measured precisely as the angle between the face and a line parallel to the shaft.
Lofter
An obsolete highly-lofted club that was the predecessor of the Niblick.
Long Game
Shots hit with the woods and long irons.
Long Irons
The relatively straight-face and longer hitting irons.
Loose Impediments
Any natural object that is not fixed or growing. This can include loose stones, twigs, branches, molehills, dung, worms and insects.
Low Ball and Total
A four-ball team bet in which the best ball of each team wins a point and the lowest total of the partners wins another point.
LPGA
The Ladies' Professional Golf Association.
Make the Cut
To qualify for the final rounds of a tournament by scoring well enough in the beginning rounds.
Mallet
A putter that has a head that is much wider and heavier than that of a blade putter.
Marker
A small object, like a coin, that is used to mark the spot of the ball when it is lifted off the putting green.
Markers
The objects placed at the teeing round that indicate the area in which players must tee their balls.
Marshall
A person appointed by a tournament committee to keep order and handle spectators.
Mashie
Lofted iron club that was introduced in the 1880's and is no longer in use. Used for pitching with backspin. Another name for the number 5 iron.
Mashie-iron
An iron club that had less of a loft than a mashie. Used for driving and full shots through the green. Another name for the number 4 iron.
Mashie-Niblick
An iron club, no longer in use, with a loft somewhere between that of a mashie and a niblick. Club was used for pitching. Another name for the number 6 iron.
Matched
As in a matched set of clubs. Clubs designed and made in a graded, numbered series and with consistent specifications and swing-weights.
Match Play
A competition played with each hole being a separate contest. The team or player winning the most holes, rather than having the lowest score, is the winner. The winner of the first hole is "one up". Even if the player wins that hole by two or three strokes, he is still only "one up". The lead is increased every time the player wins another hole. The winner is the one who wins the most holes. This was the original form of golf competition.
Meadowland
A lush grassland course.
Medalist
The player with the lowest qualifying score in a tournament.
Medal Play
A competition decided by the overall number of strokes used to complete the round or rounds. Same as "stroke play".
Mid-Spoon
An obsolete wooden club with a loft between that of the long spoon and the short spoon.
Mid-Iron
An iron club, no longer in use, with more loft than a driving iron. Another name for a 2 or 3 iron.
Mid-Mashie
Another name for the number 4 iron.
Mis-Club
To use the wrong club for the shot.
Mis-Read
To putt wrongly. To not read the green correctly.
Mixed Foursome
A foursome with each side has a male and female player.
Model Swing
A totally professional swing.
Muff
To mis-hit a shot.
Mulligan
A second shot that is allowed to be taken in friendly play when the player has "muffed" (see above) the first one. Not allowed by the rules.
Municipal Course
A public course owned by local government.
Nassau
A three part bet in which separate wagers are made on the first nine, last nine and complete round.
Neck
The tapered projecting part where the shaft of the club joins the head.
Net
A player's final score after he subtracts his handicap.
Niblick
An obsolete deep-bladed more steeply lofted than a mashie, used especially for playing from sand and from the rough. Old term for a 9 iron.
Nine
Iron An iron club giving a distance of between 105 and 140 yards for men's clubs. See "Niblick".
Nineteenth Hole
The clubhouse bar at the end of the round.
Nose
The toe of a wooden club.
Observer
A person who is appointed to assist the referee in a match, to decide questions of fact and report any breach of rules.
Obstruction
Any artificial object that has been left or placed on the course with the exception of course boundary markers and constructed roads and paths.
Off-Centre
A poor hit.
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.
One-Iron
An iron club with a loft of approximately 17 degrees, lie of approximately 56 degrees and length of 39 inches. Men's clubs give a distance of between 185 and 220 yards. Also called a driving iron.
One-Putt
To hole the ball using only one shot on the green.
One-Wood
Alternate name given to the driver. open A tournament in which both amateurs and professionals are allowed to play.
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.
Out
The first nine holes of an 18 hole course. The second 9 holes is going "in".
Out of Bounds
The area outside of the course in which play is prohibited. A player is penalized stroke and distance. That is he must replay the shot with a penalty of one stroke.
Outside Agency
Anyone who is not part of the competitors side in stroke play or not part of the match. Such as observers, forecaddies, referee etc.
Overclub
To use a club that gives to much distance.
Overlapping Grip
As used by a right-handed player having the little finger of the right hand overlapping the space between the forefinger and second finger of the left hand. The opposite for a left-handed player.
Pair
Two golfers playing together in a stroke competition. Also to assign players to play together in a competition.
Pairings
Groups of two players.
Par
The number of strokes a player should take to complete a round with good performance. Par for each hole is given on the scorecard.
Par Competition
A game in which play is against a fixed score for each hole (called the par or bogey). Scoring is as in match.
Play with Plus 1
if the player scores better than par, equal if he scores par and minus 1 if more than par. The player with the highest aggregate score is the winner.
Parkland
A course laid out in grassland with little rough.
Partner
A golfer who plays together with another in a match.
Pawky
Old Scottish term meaning cunning or tricky.
Peg
A tee.
Penalty Stroke
An additional stroke added to a player's score for a rules violation.
Persimmon
Wood with a distinctive grain used in many clubs.
PGA
Professional Golfers Association.
Pick up
To take up one's ball before holing out. In match play this concedes the hole or in stroke play incurs disqualification.
Pill
Nickname for the ball.
Pin
Same as "flagstick".
Pin-High
A ball even with the pin but off to one side. Same as "hole high".
Pin Placement
The position of a hole on a putting green on any given day.
Pinehurst
A variation of play in which a partner plays the other partner's drive. One ball is then selected to finish the hole.
Pitch
A short shot lofting the ball into the air in a high arc and landing with backspin.
Pinsetter
The official responsible for pin placement.
Pitch and Putt
A short golf course designed primarily for approaching and putting.
Pitch and Run
The same as a pitch shot but hit with a lower-numbered club to reduce loft and backspin. This allows the ball to run after it lands on the putting green.
Pitcher
Former name for a 7 or 8 iron.
Pitching Irons
The short irons.
Pitching Wedge
An iron club designed for making pitch shots.
Pivot
The rotation of the shoulders, trunk and pelvis during the golf swing.
Placement
Accuracy in the targeting of a shot.
Play
To strike the ball with a club. The action of playing the game of golf.
Play Club
An obsolete ancient driver.
Play Off
To determine a winner in a tie match by playing further holes or a further round.
Playing Professional
A professional golfer who primarily competes in tournaments.
Playing Through
Passing another group of players who are playing ahead.
Plus Handicap
The number of strokes a player gives to adjust his ability to the common level.
Pop Up
A short, high shot.
Pot Bunker
A small, deep sand trap with steep sides.
Practice Green
Green set up for putting practice.
Preferred Lie
Local rules which allow a player to improve his lie in a specific manner without penalty.
Professional
A player who receives payment for teaching or playing in tournaments. Usually shortened to Pro.
Pro-Am
A competition which pairs professional players with amateurs.
Pro Shop
The golf course shop operated by the head professional where equipment is sold.
Provisional Ball
A ball played if the previously played ball may be lost or out of bounds.
Public Links
A course open to the public.
Pull
A ball that goes to the left of the target with little curve as hit by a right-handed player. The converse applies to left-handed players.
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".
Putt
The shot made on the putting green. From a Scottish term meaning to push gently or nudge.
Putt Out
To hole the ball with a putt.
Putter
A short-shafted club with a straight face for putting.
Putting Green
The surface area around the hole that is specially prepared for putting.
Quail High
A shot hit on a low and flat trajectory.
Qualifying
School Where would-be professionals attempt to qualify for the PGA and LPGA tours.
Quarter Shot
A shot made with a reduced swing, less than that for a half shot.
Quitting on the Ball
Not hitting through your shot with complete effort.
R & A
Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews.
Rabbit
An amateur golfer with little success. A touring professional who has no tournament exemptions and must compete in qualifying rounds for chances to play in tournaments.
Rake
A high-lofted iron club that is no longer in use. It was used for playing from sand and out of water.
Range
Practice area.
Rap
To firmly hit a putt.
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.
Recover
To play back into a satisfactory position on the fairway or onto the green from an undesirable position, such as a hazard or rough, on the course.
Regular Shaft
A shaft with normal flex.
Release
The point in the downswing where you uncock your wrists.
Reverse Overlap
For a right-handed player, a putting grip in which the index finger of the right hand overlaps the little finger of the left and the converse for a left-handed player.
Rifle
To play a shot accurately and for a great distance.
Rim
To run round the edge of the cup.
Rim Out
To run around the edge of the cup and fail to fall in.
Road Hole
The 17th hole at St. Andrews. Reputed to be the most difficult hole in the world.
Roll-on-a-Shot
Turning the wrists too much at impact.
Rough
Long grass areas adjacent to fairway, greens, tee off areas or hazards.
Round
A complete game of golf - 18 holes is one round.
Round Robin
A tournament in which every player has the opportunity to play every other player.
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.
Run
The distance the ball rolls on the ground or when it lands on the ground.
Running Iron
A club that is used for making short running shots.
Run-up
An approach shot that is close to the ground or on the ground.
Sandbagger
A golfer who lies about his ability to gain an edge in the game.
Sand iron
Also called a sand wedge. A heavy, lofted club that was used for playing from bunkers. No longer in use.
Sand trap
The common name for a bunker.
Sand Wedge
An iron with a heavy flange on the bottom that is used primarily to get out of sand traps.
Sandy
Making par after being in a bunker.
Scoop
An improper swing in which the club has a digging or scooping action.
Scotch Foursome
A match that has partners alternating hitting the same ball. They also alternate driving regardless of who holed out on the previous hole.
Scramble
A team competition where players play the best ball of a team member after every stroke or drive.
Scratch
Par play. A zero handicap.
Scratch Player
A player who has no handicap.
Scruff
To misplay the ball by hitting or grazing the ground with the clubhead prior to hitting the ball.
Semi-Private Course
A course that has members but is still open to the public.
Set
A full set of golf clubs.
Set up
To position yourself for the address.
Seven Iron
An iron club used for a distance of 125-160 yards for men's clubs. Also known as a mashie-niblick.
Shaft
The part of the club joined to the head.
Shag Bag
A bag for carrying practice balls.
Shagging
Picking up golf balls from practice ranges.
Shank
A shot struck by the club's hosel. Travels to the right of the intended target.
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.
Short irons
The highly lofted irons.
Shotgun
Start In tournaments when players are to start at different holes; a firing of a shotgun may be used as a signal to start play.
Shot hole
A par three hole.
Shotmaker
A player who has the ability to play a great many different shots.
Shotmaking
The ability to play a great many different shots.
Side
Can mean the first 9 holes (front side) or the last 9 (back side) of an 18 hole course. Also two or more players who are partners.
Sidehill Lie
A lie with the ball either above or below your feet.
Sink a Putt
Make a putt.
Six Iron
An iron club that gives a distance of 135-170 yards for men's clubs. Also known as a spade or spade-mashie.
Skins
A golf game that awards the money to the player with the lowest score on a hole. In case of a tie, the game continues until someone wins.
Skulling
Hitting the ball at or above its centre causing the ball to be hit too hard and travel too great a distance.
Sky
To hit underneath the ball sending it much higher than intended. Like a pop fly in baseball.
Slice
A shot that curves strongly from left to right as a result of sidespin. The converse applies to a left-handed player.
Slope
Adjusts your handicap to the difficulty of the course you play. The more difficult the course, the more strokes you'll need. Under slope, golfers will no longer have a handicap. You will have an index. An average course will have a slope rating of 113. Your index is a mathematical calculation of your playing ability on an average course. Maximum index allowed is 36.4 for men and 40.4 for women. Conversion charts will be located at the first tee.
Slump
A prolonged period of bad play.
Smother
To hit down on the ball so that it travels a short distance on the ground.
Snake
A very long putt that travels over several breaks in the green.
Snake
A three-putt off any green. A game played where the last three-putts of round, occuring on any hole owes the other members of the group the pre-agreed total of all three-putts. Gets pretty exciting the last few holes with some competitors playing snake-avoidance.
Snap-Hook
To hit a shot with an acute hook.
Snipe
A ball that is hooked and drops quickly.
Sole
The bottom of the club head.
Sole plate
The metal plate on the bottom of woods.
SPGA
Senior Professional Golf Association.
Spade-Mashie
Old term for a 6 iron.
Spike Mark
Mark made on the green by the cleats of a golf shoe.
Spoon
Old term for a 3 wood.
Spot Putting
A player aims at a spot on the green that will allow the ball to roll into the cup, rather than directly at the hole.
Spray
To hit the ball erratically off line.
Spring
The flexibility of the club shaft.
Square Stance
Placing your feet in a line parallel to the direction you which the ball to travel.
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 from the first tee.
Stick
The pin in the hole.
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.
Stipulated round
The playing of all holes of a course in the correct order.
Stony
To hit a ball close to the flagstick.
Straightaway
A hole having a straight fairway.
Straight-Faced
Refers to a club with little or no loft on the face.
Strike Off
To drive from the tee.
Stroke
The forward motion of the club head made with the intent to hit the ball whether contact is made or not.
Stroke Play
A competition in which the total number of strokes for one round, or a pre-determined number of rounds, determines the winner.
Stymie
When an opponent's ball is in the line of the other player's putt. Since the ball may now be lifted, the term is used these days to refer to a tree or object in the way of a shot.
Sudden Death
When in a match or stroke competition the score is tied after completing the round, play continues until one player wins a hole.
Summer Rules
Ordinary play according the Rules of Golf.
Supination
The rotation of the wrist so that the palm of the hand faces upward.
Surlyn
Material from which most golf balls are made of.
Swale
A moderately contoured depression or dip in terrain.
Sweet Spot
The dead centre of the face of the club.
Swing
The action of stroking the ball.
Swing Weight
The measure of a club's weight.
Takeaway
The start of the backswing.
Tap in
A very short putt.
Tee
A disposable device, normally a wooden peg, on which the ball is placed for driving. Also refers to the area from which the ball is hit on the first shot of the hole. Originally a pile of sand used to elevate the ball for driving.
Tee off
To play a tee shot.
Tee up
To begin play by placing the ball on the tee.
Tee-Shot
A shot played from a tee.
Teeing Ground
The area in which you must tee off your ball. Ball must be teed off within the markers and no more than two club lengths behind them.
Temporary Green
A green used in the winter to save the permanent green.
Texas Wedge
What the putter is called when it used from off the green. Also a shot played with a putter from outside the putting green.
Thin
The ball is hit thin when it is hit above centre with the clubhead traveling on too high a line.
Thread
To direct the ball through a narrow opening.
Three Ball
Three players playing against each other with each playing their own ball.
Three-Iron
An iron club used for distances between 165-200 yards for men's clubs. Also called a mid-mashie.
Three-Putt
To take three putts on a green.
Three-Quarter Shot
Less than a full shot. A shot made with a reduced swing.
Threesome
A match in which two players play the same ball and alternate strokes and play against a single player. Also means three players playing a round together.
Three-Wood
A wood club used for distances between 210-250 yards for men's clubs. Also known as a spoon.
Tiger Tee
A slang expression for the back tee.
Tight Fairway
A narrow fairway.
Toe
The part of the club farthest from where in joins the shaft.
Toed in
A clubhead having a specialty prominent toe with a slightly turned-in face.
Top
To hit the ball above its centre causing it to roll or hop rather than rise.
Topspin
The forward rotation of the ball in motion.
Touch
Accuracy, especially in putting.
Touch Shot
A very delicately hit shot.
Tour
A series of tournaments for professionals.
Tournament
A stroke or match play competition. A competition in which a number of golfers compete.
Track Iron
An obsolete club that was used primarily to hit the ball from cart tracks. A rut-iron or a niblick.
Trajectory
The flight path of the ball.
Triple Bogey
This term is used when a golfer is 3 over par on a hole.
Trouble Shot
A shot taken from a bad lie such as behind trees or in bunkers or rough.
Turn
To start the back 9 holes.
Uncock
To straighten the wrists in the downswing.
Underclubbing
Using a club that does not give the needed distance.
Unplayable Lie
A lie in which the ball is impossible to play
Up
A specified number of strokes you are ahead of your opponent in match play.
Up and Down
Getting out of trouble or out of a hazard and into the hole.
Upright Swing
A swing that carries the club head more directly backward and upward from the ball.
USGA
United States Golf Association.
Vardon Grip
The overlapping grip.
Waggle
Movement of the club head prior to swinging. A flourishing of the club behind and over the ball.
Water Club
Obsolete club from around the 1880's to the 1930's that was designed for playing the ball from a water hazard.
Water Hole
A hole with water, such as a stream or lake, that forces the players to shoot over it.
Wedge
An iron used for short shots that has a high-loft - pitching wedge, sand wedge.
Whiff
To swing and miss the ball completely.
Whins
A British term for heavy rough. Gorse bushes.
Whipping
The material used to wrap the space where the head and shaft are joined.
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.
Whippy
A shaft more flexible than normal.
Winter Rules
Usually local golf rules that allow the player to improve the lie of the ball on the fairway.
Wood
A club, which can be made of wood or metal, that has a large head and is used for shots requiring greater distance. Usually a numbered set of 5 or more starting with the driver and proceeding to the 5 wood.
Wormburner
A ball hit with adequate distance that hugs the ground.
Yardage Rating
The rating of the difficulty in playing a hole based on yardage only.
Yips
Shakiness or nervousness in making a shot.