ace: The ultimate achievement. This is when a player's tee shot goes straight into the hole.
address: The starting position of the body ( also set-up)
air-shot: A swing which completely misses the ball - the score however still counts.
albatross: Three under par on one hole.
alignment: Term used to describe the aiming of the body or club.
angle of attack: The angle at which the clubhead approaches the ball.
approach: A shot played into the green made from anywhere except the tee.
apron: The cut grass around the edge of a green, cut longer than the grass on the green.
attend: To hold and remove the flagstick as someone putts, athis is a commomn courtesy performed by all golfers, also shortened to "tend"
away: Term used to describe the ball farthest from the hole so the next to be played.
back door: Used when the ball falls in from the rear of the hole.
back nine: The second half (9 holes) of a round of golf.
backspin: Every amateurs dream; this is when the ball lands and spins backwards.
backswing: The term used to describe the backward movement of the golf club.
back tee: The starting position which will make the hole play the longest distance.
bail out: Hit shot in direction away from trouble.
balata: Sap from a tropical tree, used in the production of covers for balls, favoured by professionals.
ball at rest: Stationary ball.
ball marker: Small (round) object placed on the green behind the ball to indicate the balls position when moved.
ball position: Position of the ball relative to the feet/body.
ball retriever: Stick with a scoop on the end used to collect balls from water hazards.
ball washer: A device found on course for cleaning balls.
banana ball: Shot with extreme curve from left to right (slices)
bandit: Player with an unrealistically high handicap,
baseball grip: A grip in which all ten fingers touching the golf club.
bay: A part of the driving range. Individual area for hitting balls.
better ball: A game format for teams of two. The lowest score counts as the team score on each hole.
birdie: One under par on a hole.
bite: Slang word for "backspin" the ball lands and spins backwards.
blade: A traditional clubhead, favoured by pros. Also the term used to depict the leading edge of the club.
blast: Powerful shot from a bunker that displaces a lot of sand.
blind shot: A shot where the target area can't be seen.
block: Shot that flies in a straight line, but to the right of the target (push).
body-line: The alignment of the body in relation to the target.
bogey: (modern meaning) One stroke over par on a hole. (earlier meaning – the number of strokes taken for a hole by an ‘average’ golfer. A separate ‘bogey’ score still appears on the scorecard of many more traditional golf clubs, but this has largely been replaced now by the ‘Par’ score)
borrow: The amount of curve that must be allowed for on a putt on a sloping green.
boundary: The edge of a golf course - usually depicted by white stakes
brassie: Traditional name for a 2-wood.
break: Another term for borrow.
British Open: National championship open to all professionals and eligible amateurs - known in Britain as 'The Open'.
broom handle: A type of putter, with an extremely long shaft.
bulge: The curve across the face of a wooden club.
butt: The end of the club(grip end.
buttoned: The term used to describe a sweetly struck shot.
bunker: A hazard filled with sand.
buried ball/lie: When part of the ball is below the surface of the sand/ground - also plugged ball/lie
cack handed: Any grip, for a right handed player, when the left hand is below the right.
caddie: A person who carries the clubs for the player.
carry: The distance the ball is actually airborne.
card: abr. for scorecard, card in which a player keeps note of score.
cart: Electric buggy golfers use to drive around golf course.
casual water: Natural water other than a marked water hazard on the course from which you can lift the ball without penalty.
centre-shafted: A putter in which the shaft is joined to the centre of the head.
chip (chip and run): Low-flying shot to the green.
chip-in: A holed chip.
choke: To crack under pressure. Also term used to grip down on a club (making it shorter)
closed face: Clubface pointed to the left of the target at address or impact. Also used to describe the clubface position pointing upwards at the top of the backswing.
closed stance: A set up where the body-line/alignment points to the right of the target
closed clubface: As closed face, clubface pointing to the left of target.
clubface: The front side of the club.
clubhouse: Main building at a golf club.
club length: The full length of the club, used to measure distances in practice.
compression: The term used to describe the squeezing of a ball when hit by a club.
concede: To allow a player the win of a hole or to give a player a putt.
core: The middle of a golf ball.
cross-handed: A grip where the left hand is below the right, for right handed players.
cross line: Term used to describe the position of the club at the top of the backswing; club points to right of target.
cross-wind: Breeze blowing across the hole.
cup: Container in the hole that holds the flagstick in place and supports the edges of the hole.
cut: Shot that curves from the left to right. Also term used to describe the necessary score for progression to the next round of a competition.
dimple: A depression on the cover of the ball, enabling the ball to be affected by the air.
divot: Turf cut out by the clubhead as a result of correct ball to turf contact.
dog-leg: A hole on which the fairway curves excessively.
dormie: A situation in the format matchplay when cannot lose and the opponent must win all the remaining holes to draw the match.
double bogie: Score of two over par on a hole.
down: Losing in the game format matchplay.
downhill lie: A sloping lie where the right foot is higher than the left when the ball is addressed. Look at quick advice.
downswing: The downward movement of the club from backswing to impact.
DQ'd: abr. for being Disqualified.
drain: To hole a putt.
draw: A controlled shot that starts right of target and curves back to the target line (opposite for left handed players).
drive: A shot hit from the teeing ground, usually with a wood.
driver: A no. 1 wood
driving range: A place where a golfer goes to practice hitting golf shots.
drop: The procedure by which a ball is put back into play after it's been lifted.
duck hook: A shot that starts right of target and excessively curves left and left of target.
duff: Term used to describe the action of hitting the ground, before making contact with the ball.
duffer: An inexperienced golfer (slang)
dying putt: A putt that barely reaches the hole.
eagle: Two under par for a hole.
etiquette: The code of conduct for golfers.(see etiquette section)
extra holes: Term used in matchplay; if play is tied after 18 holes then play must continue "to extra holes"
face: As clubface, the front side of the clubhead.
fade: A controlled shot that starts left of target and curves back to the target line (opposite for left handed players).
fairway: The short cut grass in between tee and green.
fairway wood: Any club termed as a wood which could be used off the fairway, excluding the driver.
fat: As duff, term used to describe the action of hitting the ground before making contact with the ball.
feather: Term used to describe a soft landing lob shot.
first cut : As semi rough, strip of rough at the edge of a fairway - cut longer than fairway but shorter than rough itself.
flag: As pin - term used to describe the flagstick and flag together.
flange: Bottom rounded part of sandwedge offering extra weight.
flat: Term used to describe a position less upright than standard E.g. flat arm plane, swing plane.
flex: The potential bend in the club shaft.
flier: A shot hit from rough that travels too far, because of the grass stopping the action of the grooves.
fluff: As duff Term used to describe the action of hitting the ground, before making contact with the ball.
follow-through: The upward movement of the swing, after the downswing and through to the finish.
fore!: A warning shouted by a player to warn other golfers a ball is heading their way.
forged irons: Clubs made out malleable metal.
forward press: A slight push of the hands towards the target to smoothly start the swing.
foursome: A match format where player in teams of two play alternative shots to produce one score.
free drop: A drop incurring no penalty.
fried egg: Plugged ball in sand, leaving image of an egg.
fringe: As apron. The cut grass around the edge of a green, cut longer than the grass on the green.
front nine: The first half of a round of golf
full swing: A full length and full powered golf swing.
gallery: The spectators at a golf tournament.
gimme: A very short putt that an opponent concedes assuming it can't possibly be missed, never to be taken in strokeplay.
golf widow(er): The marriage partner omitted from the golf action.
go to school: To study as a player putts, hoping to learn about the line and pace to aid your own putting aim.
grain: The angle the grass grows.
Grand Slam: The four major championships: Masters, US Open, British Open and PGA Championship.
graphite: A lightweight material used in the production of shafts and sometimes clubheads.
green: The area of very short grass which is the end of the golf hole where the actual hole is located.
green jacket: Prize awarded to the winner of the Masters. One of the major golf tournaments.
green fee: The cost for playing one round of golf.
greenkeepers: The workforce in charge of the maintenance of the golf course.
greenside: Around the green.
greensome: Game format in which both players on a team drive off, choose the best placed ball and play foursomes from there.
grip:The rubber/leather on the handle end of a club. Or the actual position of the hands formed to hold the club.
groove: A thin cut on the clubface grooved in to impart spin on the golf ball when struck.
gross score: The actual amount of shots taken for one round of golf.
ground the club: To touch the ground with the clubhead.
ground under repair: Any area on the course which is being improved by greenkeepers. Usually depicted by white stakes.
hacker: An inexperienced player.
half: A tied hole.
half shot: A less than full powered/ length swing.
halve: To tie a hole.
handicap: The number of shots that is deducted from a player's score to allow him/her to compete with golfers of differing levels.
hanging lie: A sloped lie.
hazard: An area posed to penalise a player e.g. water or sand.
head cover: Protection for a clubhead, usually used on woods.
heel: The end of the clubhead closest to the shaft, next to the hosel.
hickory: A type of wood used to produce club shafts traditionally.
high side: Also pro-side; the area above the hole for a curving putt.
hole: The area from the tee to the flagstick, also the the small cylinder (4 1/4 inches) housed in the green in which you putt the ball into.
hole high: Also pin high; term used when ball is level with the hole.
hole-in-one: As ace; The ultimate achievement. This is when a players tee shot goes straight into the hole.
hole out: To complete play on a given hole.
home green: The last green on the course.
honour: The privilege of teeing off first, earned by winning the previous hole, Lowest handicapper takes the honour on the first tee.
hood: Term used to describe the act of de-lofting the club by leaning the hands towards the target.
hook: An uncontrolled shot that starts right of target and moves to the left of target.
hosel: Rounded part of the clubhead which houses the shaft.
impact: The exact position in which the ball is struck by the clubhead.
impediment: Any loose natural debris around the clubhead.
in play: Term used to describe the balls situation once struck from the first tee, also within the boundaries of the course.
in-to-out: A term used to describe the path of the clubhead through impact, in this case the club would approach from close to the body and move out away from the body.
insert: A strip of material embedded into the clubhead to aid the impaction of the ball off the clubface.
inside: A term used to describe the event of getting closer to the hole than your opponents already played ball.
interlocking: A type of hold where the little finger of the right hand is interlocked with the index finger of the left.
jungle: Term used to describe area of thick rough or area where ball is irretrievable.
jigger: Slang word for a chipper.
kick: Term used to describe the bounce of the ball upon landing; good kick or bad kick.
layout: Refers to the design of the course.
ladies day: A time period for which the course is reserved exclusively for ladies.
lag: A long putt hit with the intent of leaving the ball close to the hole.
laid off: Term used to describe the position of the club at the top of the backswing; club points to the left of target.
lateral hazard: A water hazard marked by red stakes running along the side of a golf hole.
lay-up: To play a shot conservatively in avoidance of potential hazards.
leader board: A list of lowest scoring players in a tournament.
leak: Term used to describe the situation when the balls fade off to the right of target.
leaping frog: The term used to describe the 3 wood when used to chip the ball out of rough grass.
lie: The position/situation of the ball on the ground. Also term used to describe the angle which the shaft lies from the clubhead.
lift: To pick up the ball before a drop.
line: The path or direction e.g. swing line, ball to target line.
line up: To look from behind to aid the alignment.
links: A seaside course traditionally a loop of two 9 holes.
lip: The edge of a cup or bunker.
lip-out: When the ball rolls and touches the hole, but does not fall in.
local knowledge: Members knowledge gained from continuous play on the same course.
local rules: A set of specific rules relevant to the golf club in question in order to cope with particular problems on the course.
loft: The angle of the clubface.
long game: That part of a players game which involves hitting full shots.
low-handicapper: A player with a low approx.scr-12 handicap.
low side: The area below the hole for a curving putt.
LPGA: Ladies Professional Golf Association.
make: Term used to describe the act of holing a shot, usually refers to putting.
makeable: A shot with a good chance of being holed.
mallet: A type putter with a wide head.
mark: Term used to describe the act placing a small object behind the ball to indicate the balls position when moved.
marker: Small (round) object placed on the green behind the ball to indicate the balls position when moved. Also player keeping score.
marshal: A person controlling the crowd at a tournament.
Masters: The first major tournament of each year. Always played on the Augusta national golf course in Georgia,U.S.A.
matchplay: Game format where players compete head to head hole for hole.
matched set: clubs of the same make and type.
medal play: As strokeplay; Players keep score for every stroke taken, lowest score wins.
metal wood: A club with a head made of metal which resembles the old wooden clubs..
mid-iron: Modern term for a 6,7 or 8 iron.
misclub: To hit the correct strike, however choose the wrong club for the distance required.
misread: To choose the wrong line of putt.
miss the cut: Term used to describe the act of taking too many strokes for the first halve of a tournament and so be eliminated.
municipal course: A golf course open to the general public.
nassau: A type of bet; The round is divided into three bets front 9, back 9 and for the full 18 holes.
net score: The score after handicap has been deducted.
nineteenth hole: The clubhouse bar.
O.B (or OOB).:abr. Out-of-bounds - The area outside the outline of the golf course usually depicted by white stakes.
offset: A type of club (to aid slicers)where the clubhead sits further behind the shaft than normal which allows the club more time to return to square.
one-putt: To take only a single putt on a green.
one up: Being one hole ahead in matchplay.
open face: Clubface pointing to the right of target.
open stance: A set up where the body line/alignment points to the left of the target
open up the hole: When a tee shot leaves the best possible angle for the next shot to the green.
out-of-bounds: The area outside the outline of the golf course usually depicted by white stakes.
out-to-in: A term used to describe the path of the clubhead through impact, in this case the club would approach from away from the body and move in towards the body.
overclub: To hit the correct strike, however choose the wrong club for the distance required; in this case, to choose a club that will send a ball too far.
overlapping: A type of hold where the little finger of the right hand lies over the index finger of the left hand.
pairings: Two players playing together.
par: The set score for each whole which denotes the amount of shots a professional/scratch player would take to get the ball in to the hole.
persimmon: A type of wood used to make wooden clubs.
PGA: Professional Golfers' Association
pin: The flag stick.
pin-high: As hole high; term used when ball is level with the hole.
pitch: A short, high approach shot.
pitch and putt: A short course, mainly of par3 holes.
pivot: The winding action of the body.
plane: A term used to describe the angle/line of a movement e.g. swing plane.
playoff: Two or more players play extra holes, in the event of a tied score.
play through: Term used to describe the act of overtaking a group by invite, usually to avoid slow play.
plugged lie: A ball half-buried in a bunker .
plumb-bob: Term used to describe the act of ascertaining the correct lie of the land, using ones putter.
posture: The body shape.
pot bunker: A small, steeply faced bunker.
practice green: An area to practice putting.
preferred lies: A winter or temporary rule that allows for the ball to be moved to a more favourable place to protect the course.
private club: A members club.
Pro-Am: A competition in which each team consists of one professional and usually three amateurs.
professional: A person who makes a living directly out of the game of golf.
pro shop: The shop of the golf course, traditionally run by professional.
provisional ball: An extra ball played in the event of potential loss of the first ball.
public course: A golf course open to the general public.
pull: A straight shot that flies to the left of the target.
punch: A shot hit lower with the ball back in the stance and a shorter than normal follow through.
push: A straight shot that flies to the right of the target.
putter: A straight-faced club generally used on the greens.
qualifying school: A yearly competition for entry to the main golf tour. This a gruelling 6 round elimination process.
quitting: Decelerating the club through the impact area
range: As driving range; a place where a golfer goes to practice hitting golf shots.
range ball: A practice ball found at a range.
rap: To hit a putt firmly.
read the green: To assess the path on which the ball must travel to the hole.
regulation: Disregarding handicap the suggested number of shots necessary to reach the green. e.g. par 4 hole regulation 2 shots.
relief: This is taken when a free lift and drop is allowed.
return putt: The second putt returning back from the other side of the hole.
reverse overlap: A putting grip.
rhythm: The coordination of timing of a golf swing.
rip: To hit an extremely long drive
roof: To hit underneath the ball, usually with a wood and so propel it upwards rather than forwards.
rough: The uncut long grass surrounding the fairways and greens of golf courses.
round: Eighteen holes of golf.
Royal & Ancient Golf Club (of St Andrews, Scotland: The original governing body for amateur golfers and originator of the rules of golf (now done in conjunction with the USGA in the United States)
rub of the green: Luck on the putting green.
run up: A low running approach shot.
sand trap: As bunker; A hazard filled with sand.
scorecard: Card in which a player keeps note of score.
scratch: A zero handicap.
scratch player: A player with a zero handicap.
second cut: Second level of rough, higher than first cut.
setup: As address; The starting position of the body
shaft: The long part of the club that joins the grip to the head.
shank: A shot hit by the very edge (hosel ) of the club, This sends it at an extreme angle to the right
short game: That part of the game which involves shots played on and around the green.
shoulder line: The alignment of the shoulders.
shut club face: As closed; clubface pointing to the left of target.
sink: To hole a putt.
skins: Betting game where the lowest score on a hole wins the collection. This could be money or points.
sky: As roof; to hit underneath the ball, usually with a wood and so propel it upwards rather than forwards.
slice: A shot that starts left of target and curves to the right of target.
smother: To hit down on ball with an extremely closed club face, resulting in a low shot curving excessively left.
snap hook: As duck hook; a shot that starts right of target and excessively curves left and left of target.
sole: The bottom part of the clubhead.
sole plate: A strip of metal protecting the sole of a wooden club.
spike mark: A mark on the green, caused by a stud from a golf shoe.
square: At 90 degrees (or parallel to) often refers to the clubface and stance being aligned parallel to the target line.
square face: The club being at 90 degrees to the ball to target line.
stableford: A method of scoring by using points rather than strokes.
stance: The relationship of the body to the ball at address.
standard scratch: The official par for a course. This does change according to outside influences i.e. weather.
starter: An official in of charge the correct order and time is kept on the first tee.
stimp meter: A device used to measure the speed of greens.
strike: The contact between clubface and ball.
stroke: The swing.
stroke hole: A hole where players benefit from their handicap.
stroke index: a listing (1-18) on a scorecard, which indicates the ‘degree of difficulty’ of a hole, where the lowest numbers are generally the hardest. This is used for handicap purposes when giving or receiving strokes
strokeplay: As medal play; players keep score for every stroke taken, lowest score wins.
strong clubface: As closed; clubface pointed to the left of the target at address or impact. Also used to describe the clubface position pointing upwards at the top of the backswing.
sudden-death: A form of playoff whereby the first player to win a hole wins the match.
surlyn: The material from which most balls are made.
swale: A hollow on the golf course.
sway: Excessive lateral movement in the golf swing.
sweet spot: Small area on clubface which will produce optimum power.
swing plane: A term used to describe the angle/line of the movement of the golf club in relation to the body.
swing weight: The ratio of a club's weight to its length.
takeaway: The initial movement of the club.
tap-in: Very short putt.
target-line: The aiming line which passes through both the ball and the target.
tee: A wooden or plastic peg on which the ball is set for the first shot on a hole. Also term used to describe the short cut area from which the first shot on every hole is played.
teeing ground: The short cut area from which the first shot on every hole is played.
tempo: The rhythm of your swing.
temporary green: A provisional green used in winter to save the permanent green.
Texas wedge: Term used to describe the putter when used from off the green.
thin: To hit the top of the ball.
through the green: To hit the ball in the direction of, but past the green.
tight: The term used to describe narrow fairways.
tight lie: The ball on bare ground or very short grass.
tiger line : Most direct line from tee to green
tiger tee: slang for back tee.
titanium: A very lightweight metal used in the production of golf equipment.
toe-line: The alignment of the toes in relation to the target.
top: A less extreme thin. To hit the top of the ball.
torque: The coil effect of the body also the term used to describe the twisting action of the shaft during the swing.
tour: A Series of tournaments.
trajectory: Term used to describe the angle of ascent of the golf ball.
transition: The point at which the backswing ends and the downswing begins.
trap: As bunker; A hazard filled with sand.
turn: The wind of the body. Also the term used to describe the return on the golf course i.e. starting the back nine, as in ‘1 down at the turn’
uncock: The release of the wrist load in the swing.
underclub: To hit the correct strike, however choose the wrong club for the distance required. In this case, to choose a club that will send a ball too short a distance.
unplayable lie: The ball being in a position which is agreed it would be impossible to play the next shot from.
up: Ahead in the match. Also the term used to describe the person next to play their shot.
up and down: To get the ball into the hole in two strokes from anywhere off the green.
upright: Term used to describe a position at a higher angle than standard E.g. upright arm plane, swing plane.
USGA: United States Golf Association. The ruling body for golf in the United States.
Vardon grip: Another term for the overlapping grip, popularised by Harry Vardon.
waggle: A simple club movement before executing the swing in order to rehearse the action and drain pressure out of the body.
water hazard: A area of water marked by stakes.
wedge: A short and lofted golf club.
winter rules: Temporary rules set to cater for winter conditions.
wood: A long club with a bulbous head, traditionally made of wood.
wooden spoon: A competition prize awarded to, politely put, the golfer most in need of improvement
yips: A nervous disposition in which a player jerks at short putts and so misses