GOLF GLOSSARY

(March 2024)

The following terms are frequently used by those who enjoy the world of golf. As it remains a very popular sport, you’re likely to recognize many of the words contained in this glossary. However, it is also likely that you’ll find it helpful to have access to a broad list of special words and their explanations.

It is easier to serve a special coverage need when you have a better understanding of the elements which comprise such needs. Golf enthusiasts have a significant property loss exposure that is not adequately handled by unendorsed homeowner policies.

Related Article: Golfers’ Equipment Floater

Note: This list was compiled by our editorial staff after independently researching a variety of sources on the topic of golfing history and equipment.

-A-

a-wedge–See attack wedge.

abnormal ground conditions–An abnormal ground condition refers to any casual water, hole, cast or runway on the golf course which has been made by a burrowing animal, reptile, or bird.

above the hole–Any area that is uphill from a given hole.

ace–Another term for a hole in one.

address–A player who has taken a hitting position (stance) just before hitting a shot.

aerify–See coring.

aim line–An imagined, straight line a golfer desires their ball to travel to reach a hole.

albatross–See double eagle.

alignment–Describes the way a golfer positions the clubface and lines up his body at the address.

amateur–A golfer who plays for fun, not for an income.

ambrose–See scramble.

approach– May refer either to a shot from off the green toward the hole or to the closely mown area adjacent to a green.

apron–See fringe.

arc–The curve around the body made by a golf swing.

attack wedge–A club most suited for making shots onto the green, generally having the shortest shaft.

attend–Removing and holding a flagstick as a partner putts.

attest–The act of a person who witnesses and verifies a tourney golfer’s score card.

Australasian Tour–Australian/Asian Professional golf circuit.

away–Refers to the ball that is to be played next because it is furthest from a given the hole.

-B-

baby shot–A shot which is much shorter and softer than is normally expected from a club which is ordinarily used for that shot.

back door–Refers to a shot that travels along a cup’s rim and falls backwards (through its back door).

back nine–The final nine holes of an eighteen-hole round.

backspin- A reverse spin on a golf ball which has been hit towards a target.

backswing–Part of a golf swing where the club is moving back from a ball.

back tees–See championship tees.

bad form–Shorthand term for any form of unacceptable golfing behavior.

bail out–Hitting a shot to avoid a danger or hazard.

balance point–The area of a golf club where its weight is distributed evenly on either side, its fulcrum.

balata–A type of tree sap which was formerly used for the manufacture of golf ball covers.

ball in play–A ball is in play as soon as a player makes a stroke on the teeing ground. It remains in play until it is holed, except when it is lost, out of bounds or lifted, or another ball has been substituted.

ball mark–Indentation resulting from a lofted shot landing on a putting green.

ball mark repair tool–A fork-shaped tool which is used to fix marks made when the ball lands on the green.

ball marker–Any small flat object which is used to mark the position of the ball when it is on the green.

ball retriever–Any long, typically telescoping implement for getting a ball back from a difficult location.

ballooned–A golf shot that makes an unreasonably high trajectory.

banana ball–A sliced shot making a banana-shaped flight pattern.

baseball grip–A specific grip used to hold the club in which all ten of the golfer’s fingers remain in contact with the club grip.

beach–Slang for a golf course sand bunker.

bend point–See kick point.

bent grass–A thin-bladed grass found on golf courses with varying seasonal climates.

Bermuda grass–A thick-bladed, rough grass found on courses located in warm climates.

best ball–A match where one player plays against the best ball hit by two or three opposing players.

birdie–A score of one under par for a hole.

bite–When the ball stops abruptly upon landing due to backspin.

blade–A term which can be used as both a noun and a verb. As a noun it is used to describe the club head of an iron. As a verb it refers to hitting the ball on its equator with the bottom of the blade.

blast–A shot made from a bunker that displaces a lot of sand.

block–Shot that first flies straight then turns to the right (the reverse occurs for left-handed golfers).

blocked shot–A blocked shot occurs when a ball is hit straight ahead by a right-handed golfer but then sweeps to the right of the intended target.

bogey–Taking one shot more than par for a hole.

borrow–Refers to the anticipated amount of break while lining up a putt.

bracket–To approach a shot while taking clubs classified higher and lower than the one a player anticipates is needed to properly handle that shot.

break–The curve the ball makes as it rolls toward a hole or the slope of the green.

breaking down–The term breaking down refers to the movement of the wrists as a golfer bends them while putting.

British Open–Major British golf championship that is run by the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews.

bump and run–Where a golfer aims well short of the intended target and allows for substantial roll; typically used on British style courses.

bunker–Holes with sand in the bottom which are placed around golf courses as obstacles.

buried (Lie)–Typically a ball in a sand bunker, in which most of it is below the surface.

butt–The grip end of a golf club.

-C-

carpet–Another term for green or fairway.

caddy–A person who carries a golfer’s clubs and advises him or her concerning club selection.

carry–The distance a ball travels in the air between being struck and landing.

carry-double–A caddie employed by two players and who typically carries two bags.

cart–A small vehicle which players use to drive around the course or a small dolly which travels on 2 wheels and is pulled manually.

cart fee–The fee required to rent a golf cart.

casual water–Temporary accumulation of water on the course that is seen by a golfer before or after taking a stance.

cavity back iron–A particular type of iron which has the majority of the club head's weight distributed around its perimeter. The back of the club head is basically just a large cavity and this helps to reduce the mass in both the center and the back of the head.

certified PGA professional–A certified PGA professional golf player is any individual who has attained or exceeded the golf teaching standards of the Professional Golfers Association of America.

championship tees–Tees located furthest from a given putting green.

check–A check refers to the action of the golf ball as it stops rolling as a result of the amount of backspin on it.

chili-dip–A short shot that a player hits (unintentionally) behind a ball.

chip–A short, generally lofted shot on or near the green.

chip-out–A short-distance shot, generally made from trees or similar trouble areas.

choke–Playing poorly in pressure situations.

chunk–See fat shot.

closed face–A club face is described as being 'closed' when it points to the left of the target. (This term is usually applied to right-handed golfers).

closed stance–Refers to a stance in which the golfer’s body alignment is facing to the right of the intended target. (This term is usually applied to right-handed golfers.)

closest-to-the-pin–Competition where each hole’s winner is the person whose shot lands on the green AND is closest to the hold (pin).

club face/head–The bottom part of the golf club which makes contact with the ball.

club pro–See professional golfer.

clubhouse–An indoor area located on a golf course which provides services such as the golf pro shops, restaurants, restrooms and sometimes conference rooms.

collar–A closely mown area surrounding the putting green.

coming over the top–A phrase used to describe the movement of the club as it travels through the downswing and into a right-to-left pathway across the ball (for right-handed golfers).

competitor–A participant in stroke play competition.

compression–Refers to the squeezing in of a golf ball when it is impacted by the head of a golf club.

coring– Boring small holes into a putting green or fairway in order to promote healthy growth.

course–The entire area on which a game (or round) of golf is played.

course rating–The difficulty of a course determined by a governing body (AGU, USGA, R&A). A higher numerical assignment indicates a more difficult course.

cross handed–A specific putting grip in which the left hand is positioned below the right hand (for right-handed golfers).

cross wind–A wind blowing across the course.

crossed over–The term which describes the shaft of a golf club when it is at the top of the backswing and facing towards the right of the target (for right-handed golfers).

cup–The container lining a golf hole, which is the golfer’s target.

cupped lead wrist–Refers to a backward bend in the lead hand when a golfer strikes the ball. The lead hand is the hand which is nearest to the hole.

cut–An intentional shot, which curves from left to right. Also, a reference to whether a person has qualified for an event (making the cut).

cut shot–Shot that moves from left to right while airborne.

-D-

d wedge–Dual wedge. See attack wedge.

dampen–Devices or methods to reduce the golf club vibrations that accompany striking a ball.

dance–Any rapidly spinning ball that lands with an unusual hop.

dance floor–Slang for a golfing green.

Darrell Survey–An inventory of golf club use maintained by pro golfers during competitions. Used to document brand club (and other equipment) use.

dawn patrol–Any group of golfers that prefer to play as early as possible, typically at dawn.

deep–Refers to a hole located at the rear of a golfing green.

dew sweepers–See dawn patrol.

deliberate–Refers to any player who performs so slowly that it irritates other players.

deloft–Decreasing the amount of loft on the club face by tilting the club shaft in the direction of the target.

die in the hole–Slang for a ball that just happens to run out of forward progress as it reaches and falls into a hole.

dimple–Depressions on a golf ball designed to help get the ball airborne and maintain its accurate flight.

divot–A chunk of the grass displaced by an errant club stroke.

divot tool–A utensil used to repair chunks of grass created by ball and errant club stroke marks.

dogleg–A golf hole (a par 4 or 5) layout change that changes direction either right (dogleg right) or left (dogleg left).

dormie–The player or side having a lead in a match equal to the remaining number of holes.

double bogey–Taking two shots more than par for a hole.

double-cross–An errant attempt at a draw or fade shot that travels opposite of what was intended.

double-cut–Mowing a putting green in one direction and then another direction to create a fast surface. (Fairways may also be double cut).

double-eagle–A score of 3 under par on a hole.

downhill lie–Refers to a stance in which the front foot is below the back foot when a golfer is addressing the ball.

DQ–Short for disqualification for breaking a golfing rule.

drain–To sink a putt.

draw–An intentional shot that tends to curve from left to right while airborne.

drive–The first shot on a hole, played from the tee.

driver–A 1-wood, used for maximum distance.

driving iron–A club with a larger face, designed to make a driving shot from a tee.

driving range–A practice area, either at a course or a separate area.

drop area–An area identified by paint or chalk in which a player may drop his ball under penalty of one stroke. Usually located near a water hazard.

dual wedge–See attack wedge.

duck hook–A shot that starts straight at the target and curves dramatically to the left or right.

duff–Slang for a poorly hit shot.

duffer–See hacker.

-E-

eagle–Finishing a hole in two strokes less than par.

eclectic–Any form of scoring where the selected score is the best score for a given player’s hole or round.

elevated green–A green that is raised higher than the surrounding area.

etiquette–See golf etiquette.

European Tour–Professional golf circuit for players in Europe.

even par–A score that matches the par for the course during a round.

executive course–A 9-hole, par 3 course that can be played in under 2 hours.

explosion–See blast.

extra hole–Play of an additional hole when a game is tied at the end of regulation play.

-F-

fade–An intentional shot that generally curves to the right while airborne (opposite for left-handed players).

fairway–The short, mown grass between the tee and the green where a ball is easy to hit.

Fat shot–Any shot where a club unintentionally hits the ground before contacting a golf ball.

feel–Playing a shot intuitively or instinctively rather than “thinking” about it.

first cut–The section of rough directly bordering a fairway.

first off–The golfer who begins the round before anyone.

first tee–The tee at which a round of golf begins.

five-minute rule–The amount of time allowed by R&A and USGA Rules to look for a ball.

flags–See last man standing.

flagstick–The flagged pole that rests inside the cup to mark the position of the hole on each green.

flex–The amount of bend or “give” in a club’s shaft.

flex point–See kick point.

flop shot–This is a form of pitch shot which shoots the ball high up into the air after which it falls short and lands softly.

flyer (flier)–A shot that flies substantially farther than a player intended.

fly the green–A shot that travels over a golf green.

fluff–Slang for a “fat” shot.

follow through–Refers to the subsequent movement of the club and the golfer’s body after he has taken his swing and made contact with the ball.

fore–A warning yelled by a player hitting a wild shot that may strike someone or that is yelled as a warning for a person to move aside before a ball is hit.

forecaddie–An individual employed by the Committee to indicate the position of balls to players during play.

forgiving–Refers to a golf club that tends to absorb the impact of a strike, therefore it mitigates the harm from an errant shot.

four ball–A match in which two players play their better ball against that of two opponents.

foursome–A group of four golfers or a match in which two players play against two others, with each side playing one ball.

free drop–A drop where no penalty is assessed.

fried egg–See buried.

fringe–Area of grass bordering a putting green. It is mown higher than the green, but lower than the fairway.

frog hair–Thick, tall grass that borders the fringe on certain courses which severely limits controlled shots.

front nine–The first nine holes of an 18-hole course.

-G-

gallery–The audience watching a live golf event.

game improvement clubs–Generic reference to mass-produced clubs with modifications that assist users with swing deficiencies.

gap wedge–See attack wedge.

get up–A phrase yelled at a shot that appears will land short of intended spot.

gimme–A shot, usually on the green, that is conceded by a player's opponent.

glove–Golfers typically wear a glove on their lead hand to help their grip.

golf club–Refers to a golf course, either public or private, dedicated solely to golf; also, the piece of equipment used to hit a golf ball.

golf etiquette–Proper golf course behavior.

golf professional–See professional golfer.

gorse–Very thick grass/shrubbery from which it may be impossible to play a shot.

grain–Direction of growth of grass blades on a putting green which may influence a ball’s speed and direction.

green–The finely manicured area surrounding a golf hole.

greenie–betting on what player’s ball lands closest to a hole’s pin.

green in regulation–refers to placing a shot off the tee and onto a golfing green within the first or second stroke.

greenside bunker–Any bunker that is next to a green.

greenskeeper–The person responsible for the condition, care, and maintenance of the golf course.

green fee–The cost of a round of golf.

green jacket –The prize awarded to winners of the U.S. Masters golf tournament.

grip–The top portion of a golf club held by a user.

ground under repair (GUR)–A marked area from which a player may move his ball without penalty.

grounding–Any time during a stance that a golf club’s heel is allowed to touch the ground.

-H-

hack or hacker–A poor player.

half–To finish with an equal score, opponents may “halve” a hole or a round.

handicap–System that allows players of different abilities to compete on equal terms. Newer players usually have a 36 handicap, meaning deducting 36 strokes from a final score. Handicaps decrease (or may disappear) with improved play.

hanging lie–A ball resting on an uphill slope.

hardpan–Bare areas (not bunkers or hazards) on a golf course where it is extremely difficult to properly hit a ball.

hazard–Any obstruction on a golf course such as bodies of water, bunkers, or fences.

heel–The part of the club head closest to the hosel.

heeled–A ball struck with the area adjoining the hosel.

hitting it thin–See skull.

hole–A 4-inch deep, 4 ¼ diameter cylinder that is the golfer’s target.

hole-in-one–Getting the ball from the tee and into the hole with one shot.

holed out–A player is said to 'hole out' when his ball enters the hole.

home green–The last hole to be played, usually the 18th green.

honor–Refers to the player hitting first on a hole (typically earned by scoring lowest on the previous hole).

hook–For a right-handed golfer, a shot that curves to the right of the target and turns dramatically, landing further left than intended.

hosel–The socket in a golf club head that receives the shaft.

hoseled shot–See shank.

hot shot–Any shot that is struck unintentionally hard or long.

hustler–Someone who plays better than they claim they’re able.

-I-

immovable obstruction–Any form of blockage, barrier, etc., that is incapable of being moved out of a player’s way.

impact–When the club strikes the ball.

impediment–Loose debris around the ball which obstructs shots and which can be moved away from the ball.

initiation–Fee paid as a prerequisite for joining a private golf club, which varies substantially by club.

in jail–Refers to a person having a difficult shot with a poor chance of hitting towards the green.

inside-out–Describes a downswing that crosses the path of the backswing, resulting in a pushed or hooked ball.

inside the leather–See gimme.

intended line–The line a player intends a hit ball to travel.

interlocking grip–A form of grip in which the index finger of one hand is 'interlocked' with the small (pinky) finger of the other hand.

invitational–A tournament, such as the Masters, where players participate only upon invitation.

iron–A club made of iron or steel, have varying sizes and degrees of loft on their club faces to achieve different heights, depending upon the type of control shot.

-J-

jail–A ball that lies in a course’s deep rough.

journeyman–A player who has enough skills to maintain a tour card, but who does not rise to the level of an elite pro golfer.

jumbo–Over-sized golf club grips favored by older players or persons suffering from arthritis.

jungle–A ball that’s hit into the trees.

-K-

k.p. –1. See closest to the pin. 2. See kick point.

keeper–1. A shot that’s selected to be recorded in competitions. 2. Short for greenskeeper.

kick point–The most pronounced point along a flexed (curved)-shafted golf club.

kill–Smashing a long shot.

knee knocker–Slang term for a high stakes putt.

knife–Slang term for a number 1 iron which provides little loft.

knock-down–A shot featuring a short backswing and stance in order to hit a ball low, minimizing any wind effect.

-L-

lag putt–A long putt the goal of which is to have the ball stop within a short distance (typically 2 feet or less) of the hole.

laid off–This occurs when the club shaft is pointing to the left of the target at the top of the backswing (for right-handed golfers).

last man standing–A competition where the winner is the golfer, using the predetermined amount of strokes, who gets further around a given golf course.

lateral–See shank.

lateral hazard–A water hazard that is marked by red boundary stakes which typically run parallel to a hole’s line of play. Hitting into a lateral hazard bears a one-stroke penalty.

lay up–Refers to a shot which is deliberately intended to fall short of the green in order to avoid getting into trouble.

leader board–The spot for posting tournament scores.

lie–The ball’s final resting position after a shot.

light rough –See first cut.

line–The path the ball takes, whether on the green or the fairway.

line of play–The direction which a player wants his ball to take after playing a stroke, together with a reasonable distance on either side of the intended direction. The line of play is considered to extend vertically upwards from the ground.

line of putt–The line that a player wants his ball to take following a stroke on the putting green. The line of putt includes a reasonable distance on either side of the intended line but does not extend beyond the hole.

links–Refers either to any 18-holed golf course or to a course where the first and last holes are located at the clubhouse.

lip–The edge (or rim) of the hole.

lip out–A ball that touches a hole’s edge without falling in.

lob shot–A high, soft shot usually hit with a wedge.

local rules–Rules created and enforced by local players.

loft angle–The angle of a club's face, with higher numbered clubs having a wider angle (open face), creating a higher loft.

loose impediments–Natural objects including leaves, twigs, branches, stones, dung, worms, and insects which are not growing or fixed, solidly embedded or adhering to the ball.

lost ball–A ball that a player is unable to find within a five-minute search.

low putts–A competition where the player who had the fewest number of putts during a round is the winner.

low riser–An intentional shot having good distance, but a low trajectory.

lunch ball–See mulligan.

-M-

major (championship)–One of the most prestigious annual tournaments consisting of (Men’s) British Open, Masters, PGA and U.S. Open, (Women’s) ANA Inspiration, KPMG PGA, RICOH British Open, Evian Championship and the U.S. Open.

marker–A person who records a competitor's score or any object used to indicate the lie of a competitor's ball on a putting green.

marshall–A person who volunteers to supervise the behavior of a tournament gallery.

match play–Where two persons or teams compete and keep score according to the number of holes won and lost (victor is the side that wins the most holes).

medalist–The golfer with the lowest score in a tournament’s qualifying round.

medal play–See stroke play.

miss the cut–Not reaching a total score that allows a player to participate in a tournament.

mixed foursome–Two men and two women.

model swing–Perfect swing.

modified scramble–Golf play where the golfers select the best shot off the tee and all players proceed with individual stroke play from that spot for that hole.

MOI–Moment of Inertia.

musclebacks–Clubs with full, as opposed to ‘caved” backs.

mulligan–A shot taken when a player misses a first shot, typically only used by U.S players and not allowed under golfing rules.

municipal course–A golf course owned and operated by a city or county for the general public’s use.

mutt and jeff–A tourney where scores are calculated only on what happens on par 3 and par 5 holes.

-N-

nassau–A very common game (wager) consisting of bets based on the scores for the front nine, back nine and overall game.

nearest point of relief–The reference point used for taking relief without a penalty from interference by an immovable obstruction, an abnormal ground condition or a wrong putting green.

neutral grip–This grip is one in which a right-handed golfer is able to see 2 knuckles of the left hand when looking down at the grip during address.

neutral stance–This stance is one in which both feet are in line and parallel to the target line.

nineteenth (19^th) hole–The clubhouse.

no putts–A competition where the player who had the fewest number of non-putt strokes during a round is the winner.

nuked shot–A shot which is hit far harder and longer than normal with a particular club.

-O-

OB–See out of bounds.

observer–A person who helps a referee monitor a competition.

off-center hit–A poor shot.

open–A tournament that allows any qualifier, whether pro or amateur, to play.

open face–The club is said to have an 'open' face when it is aligned to the right of the target line (for right-handed golfers).

open stance–This stance in one in which the golfer’s body alignment points towards the left of the target when set up (for right-handed golfers).

out–The first half of holes of a golf course (first 9 holes on an 18-hole course).

out of bounds–Any area of a course where play is prohibited.

out of bounds penalty–Both a stroke and a distance. A player must hit the ball from its previous spot as well as add a stroke to his score.

out-to-in blow–See coming over the top.

outside agency–Refers to elements that affect play, but which are not part of a match, such as birds or animals.

outside-in–Where a player’s downswing crosses over its backswing path, resulting in a shot that either fades, pulls, or slices.

over club–Use of a club that is too powerful for circumstances.

over par–Refers to the number of strokes a player's score exceeds par for the number of holes played.

over the green–A ball that is hit too far.

-P-

par–Represents the number of shots a good player requires to complete a hole or a round.

par 3 hole–Number of shots to finish a short distance hole.

par 4 hole–Number of shots to finish a medium distance hole.

par 5 hole–Number of shots to finish a long-distance hole.

par for the course–The sum of the pars of all the individual holes.

par 3 course–A short golf course comprised of all par 3 holes which are well-suited for beginners or persons wanted to practice their short games.

partner–A player who is a teammate during a match.

path–The imaginary line formed by the arc of a player's swing.

peg–Alternative term for a tee.

penalty–Punitive stroke(s) assessed for hitting into hazards or for violating certain golfing rules.

PGA–Professional Golfers Association, a player accreditation organization.

pigeon–A golfer who should be easily defeated, usually implying an easy bet.

pin–Flag or stick.

pitch–A high, arcing shot with little rolling upon a ball’s landing. It’s used to play over obstacles located close to a green.

pitching–Attempting a pitch shot.

pitch and putt–A short golf course designed for practicing approaches and putting.

pitch mark–An indentation on a golf green that is created by a landing golf ball.

pitch out–See shank.

play through –Where a slower group allows a faster moving group to play a hole and pass them on a course.

playing the tips–Use of the longest tees that exist on any given golf course.

playoff–Additional play (from a single hole to an entire round) in the event that regulation play ends in a tie score.

pop-up–A high, short shot.

pot bunker–A small and very deep, sand-lined bunker.

power fade–A difficult control shot featuring elements of both a fade and a pull shot, usually attempted from a tee.

practice green–A place to practice putting.

private course–A course requiring a membership to play, unless invited to play as a member’s guest.

professional golfer–A person who plays golf for a living on the pro tour, as a private club pro, or both.

provisional ball–In order to avoid delays in play a provisional ball may be substituted (subject to any applicable penalty) for a ball suspected to be out of bounds or lost.

public course–A course open to play for all golfers.

pull–A straight shot that travels left of a target.

punch–A shot hit low to avoid wind or obstacles.

punch-out–A low shot hit out from trees to get a ball back into play.

pure–A shot that is struck well.

push–A straight shot that travels right of a target.

putt–Hitting a ball located on the green.

putter–A short, flat-faced club designed to propel a ball along the ground.

putting–Attempting to sink a ball located on the green.

putting green–Refers either to an area of the hole that is specifically mowed for putting or to any practice putting area.

-Q-

quail high–A shot with little or no arcing.

qualifier–1. A golfer who secures eligibility to participate in a tournament. 2. A competition or school where amateur golfers attempt to achieve professional status.

quarter shot–A shot made with a severely restricted golf swing.

quitting–Not attempting a best effort on each shot.

-R-

rabbit–A lower-skilled golf pro who has to qualify for every tournament.

rake–Used to remove footprints after playing through a bunker.

range –An area for practicing drives and fairway shots.

range ball–Type of ball used at a driving range, typically more durable and with special marking to discourage pilfering.

ranger–A golf course employee who monitors play so that groups progress through the course efficiently.

rap–Stroking a putt firmly.

reading a green–Analyzing a green to try to determine the likely path of a ball.

red numbers–Refers to tournament scores that are below par.

referee–An individual appointed by the Committee to accompany players in order to decide questions of fact and to apply the rules.

relief–Movement of a ball in order to create a normal stroke situation which may be accompanied by a penalty.

recover–Making subsequent strokes that make up for one or more errant shots.

resort–A golf course that caters to its resort guests.

rhythm–Refers to playing in a flowing, uninterrupted movement.

rifle a shot–Hitting a ball far and hard.

ringer score–See eclectic.

rough–Typically higher, coarse grass that border fairways.

round–Refers to either playing a set of 18 or 9 holes.

Royal And Ancient (R&A)–One of the two governing bodies of golf, along with the USGA. Headquartered in St. Andrews, Scotland.

rub of the green–A ball affected by an outside factor, such as a drive that hits a bird in flight.

rules of golf–Rules of play published in a 128-page rule book.

run–The distance a ball travels after it lands.

run-up shot–An intentional low shot for rolling onto the green.

-S-

sand bunker–A concave hole on a golf course that is filled with sand as an obstacle.

sand trap–Slang for sand bunker.

sandbagger–A golfer who consistently scores better than his indicated handicap.

scoop–A swing that includes a digging motion – considered improper.

scorecard–Card for marking the score after each hole.

scotch foursome–A competition involving teammates who alternate hitting the same ball.

scramble –A team competition in which all members play from one position and each player hits each subsequent ball from the position of the best lie until it is holed.

scratch–A zero handicap, indicating a highly skilled player.

scull–See skull.

second cut–A section of even higher, coarser grass that borders the first cut.

semi-private–A golf club that sells memberships but which also sets aside certain times for public play.

senior golfer–Any golfer 50 years of age or older.

shag bag–A bag that holds practice balls.

shamble–See modified scramble.

shank–A shot that is struck in the hosel (golf club socket) area of the golf club resulting in a ball that flies immediately to the right.

short side–The smaller side of a golf green where the hole’s pin is located.

shot hole–A par three hole.

shot gun start–When competitors begin play simultaneously from different tees around the course, with the start originally announced with a shotgun (now an air horn) blast.

sink–To make a putt.

sit–Yelling at a shot to stay where it lands.

skins–Type of match play game in which each hole is worth a given amount of points or money.

sky–Refers to an unintentional, high arcing shot that is hit with a wood.

skull–To strike the top of the ball with an upwards, glancing blow, resulting in a low trajectory shot.

slice–A shot that is common among novice golfers. Its flight starts to the left of the target and then, unintentionally, curves to the right.

slope (index)–Describes a formula for rating the difficulty of different golf courses by considering course elements such as the number (and type) of hazards, course length, terrain, etc. A higher rating indicates a tougher course.

smother–An errant stroke where at the point of impact, the clubface is brought down and over the ball.

snake–Describes a long putt that, typically, successfully falls into a hole.

snap hook–An undesirable shot with a sharp left and downward flight pattern.

snowman–Slang for completing a hole in a horrific 8 strokes.

sod–See divot.

soft spikes–Refers to plastic golf shoe spikes that are preferred (and required) on many courses, because they cause less damage to course grounds.

spikes–Refers either to the nail-like projections on golf shoes that provide traction to the wearer or to the entire, special shoe.

spot putting–Putting toward an area on the green that is likely to result in the ball rolling into the hole.

St. Andrews–Considered to be the "home" of golf as the Scottish locale is popularly believed to be where the game originated.

stableford–A competition where points are assigned according to a fixed score (e.g., birdie, 1 pt., eagle, 3 pts., etc.) on each hole.

stance–Position of the feet immediately prior to making his or her stroke.

starter–A person who sets a player up with the first tee.

stimp–Refers to a green’s speed which is determined by a Stimpmeter where a higher rating indicates a faster green.

stimpmeter–An angled metal device from which a golf ball is rolled onto a flat area of a green. The distance traveled by the ball determines the green’s speed or stimp rating.

stipulated round–Consists of playing the holes of the course in their correct order (unless otherwise authorized by the Committee) and the number of holes in a stipulated round is 18 (unless a smaller number is authorized by the Committee).

stroke–The forward movement of a club necessary for striking a ball.

stroke and distance–Penalty given for losing or hitting a ball out of bounds. A player must hit a ball again from the previous spot and add a penalty shot to the scorecard.

stroke play–A competition that is won by the player having the lowest total score (number of strokes).

stymie–Refers either to a ball or other object lying directly in the path of a player’s ball, obstructing a shot. When the obstruction is another player’s ball, the obstructing ball’s position may be marked and then removed to allow a normal shot.

substituted ball–A ball which is put into play in place of the original ball, which was in play, lost, out of bounds or lifted.

sudden death–A playoff competition used by players having equal scores at the end of regular competition. In sudden death, a player with the highest number of strokes on a completed additional hole is eliminated.

supination–The rotation and angling of the right wrist during the golf swing.

sweet spot–Nickname for the center of a club’s face. Hitting a ball with that spot creates the longest shot.

sweet swing–Nickname for a player with a skilled, smooth stroke.

-T-

tap in–A short putt; to hole a short putt.

target golf–A style of golf played on most American tournament courses where players must approach greens with high, lofted, shots that, ideally, result in minimal rolling upon landing.

tee–Refers both to the location a ball is placed to play the first shot on each hole and to the small plastic or wood ball holder.

tee box –A flat, marked area on the course where the initial drive or longest shot is attempted.

tee marker–Areas marked in the tee box which indicate the suggested spot for different classes of players to begin. Typical marker codes are black (professionals), blue (low handicaps), white (average), gold (seniors) and red (ladies).

tee time–Specific time slot (up to 10-minute intervals) allotted for play on a given day, as determined by each golf course.

teeing ground–The area where the play of a hole starts.

Texas scramble–See modified scramble.

Texas wedge–Slang for a putter, originating from the practice of Texas golfers (playing on hard, dry grounds) using putters to run the ball up to the greens.

Thick shot–See fat shot.

third cut–A section of extremely severe grass that borders a second cut.

three ball match–A competition in which three players play against one another, each playing his own ball and resulting in simultaneously playing two separate matches.

threesome–A match where a team of two plays against a third player, with each side playing one ball (distinct from a three-ball match).

through the green –Refers to all of a course’s areas excluding teeing grounds, putting green and hazards.

toe–The end of the club head that is furthest from the shaft.

toed shot–For right-handed players, a short shot that flies right due to being struck by the toe of the club.

top–Shot that does not get airborne because the player made contact with the top of the ball.

topdress–A mixture of fertilizer, sand and soil that is applied after a green has been aerified.

track–Refers either to a golf course’s layout or to a putt that is on line toward a hole (tracking).

trap–See sand trap.

triple bogey–Taking three shots more than par for a hole.

turn–The halfway point of an 18-hole round that’s made as a player completes the number nine hole and heads to the number ten tee.

-U-

uncock–Straightening wrists while on the downswing.

underclub–Making a shot using a club with a number that is insufficient according to the necessary distance of the shot.

under par–Term given to strokes a player has taken relative to the hole (or portion of course) being played.

unplayable lie–A ball in a position from which it is impossible to hit.

up and down–Where a player misses the green and then makes one chip and one putt to achieve his score.

up and in–Same as up and down.

-V-

vardon grip–Gripping a golf club with overlapping hands.

victory–Winning a hole, round, match, etc.

-W-

waggle–Movement of a club away from a ball to focus or relieve tension before attempting a shot.

waiting list–The number and ranking of individuals waiting to join a private club that, currently, has a full membership.

waste area–An area on a golf course that, while not officially deemed a hazard, is not maintained, or raked and is often comprised of seashells or pebbles.

water hazard–Any relatively permanent and open area of water (sea, lake, pond, etc.) on a course. The penalty for hitting your ball into a water hazard is one stroke.

wedge–A club used to give a ball maximum loft.

whiff–A stroke that completely misses a ball and the stroke is added to a score.

wind cheater–A shot that flies low into the wind in an effort to achieve less wind resistance and greater distance.

winter rules–Local golf club rules that are less rigid regarding moving a ball to improve a shot.

wood–Clubs made of wood or composite materials. They are made in varying sizes and thicknesses.

worm burner–A poor shot that fails to get airborne, simply rolling fast along the ground.

-X-

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-Y-

yardage marker–Objects that indicate how far a specific location is from the hole, typically found at 200-, 150-, 100- and 50-yard intervals.

yardage rating–A measurement of how difficult a given hole is to play that is only based on its length.

yips–Refers to a short, badly missed putt.

-Z-

zoo–Nickname for the professional golf circuit.

zone–Slang for a person who is playing a hole or a round particularly well.