Glossary

Slang for the clubhouse bar or restaurant where players gather after a round to recap, celebrate, or commiserate.

A cart rule allowing carts on the fairway — but you must drive straight from the path to your ball at a 90-degree angle, then straight back to the path.

Getting the ball in the hole with just one shot — only possible on a par-3. Extremely rare, even for pros.

The setup position you take before swinging — feet set, grip on club, club behind the ball, body aimed at the target.

Another term for the fringe — the transitional grass area between the fairway and the putting green.

When a player or caddie holds the flagstick while another player putts, then removes it before the ball reaches the hole.

Each player plays their own ball throughout the hole. The lowest score among your team counts as the team's score for that hole.

Finishing a hole in one stroke LESS than par. On a par-4, a birdie is a score of 3.

Finishing a hole in one stroke MORE than par. On a par-4, a bogey is a score of 5.

The curved path a putt travels due to the slope of the green. A putt 'breaks' (turns) toward the low side of the green.

A hazard area filled with sand. Can appear next to the fairway (fairway bunker) or around the green (greenside bunker). Often called a 'sand trap' casually.

How far the ball travels through the air before it first hits the ground. Does not include rollout after landing.

A course condition where golf carts must stay on the paved paths and cannot drive on the grass — usually after rain or during course maintenance.

Temporary standing water on the course (not a penalty area) — like puddles after rain. You get free relief.

When you hit the ground significantly before the ball, taking a large divot and losing distance. The ball usually goes about half as far as intended.

A number (like 71.4) that reflects how difficult a course is for a scratch golfer under normal conditions. Think of it as the 'expected score' for an expert.

A chunk of turf displaced when your club strikes the ground during a shot. You should replace it or fill it with the sand/seed mix provided.

Finishing a hole in two strokes MORE than par. On a par-4, a double bogey is a score of 6.

Slang for making a putt — dropping the ball cleanly into the cup.

A controlled, slight right-to-left curve (for right-handers) that adds distance and roll. The 'good' version of a hook.

The clothing standards required at a golf course. Typically: collared shirt, golf shorts or trousers, no jeans, no tank tops, soft spikes.

The official way to put a new ball into play after a penalty or when taking relief. You hold the ball at knee height and let it fall straight down.

Finishing a hole in two strokes LESS than par. On a par-5, an eagle is a score of 3.

A controlled, slight left-to-right curve (for right-handers) that typically holds its line into the wind. The 'good' version of a slice.

The short-mowed strip of grass between the tee box and the green. This is where you want your ball to land.

The continuation of the swing after contact — your club and body should complete a full rotation toward the target.

A warning shouted loudly to alert other players that a ball is heading their way. Shout it IMMEDIATELY — don't wait.

Two-person teams play their own balls; lower score counts. Can be played as stroke play or match play.

Two players share ONE ball, hitting alternate shots. Partner A tees off on odd holes, B on even holes. Very different from four-ball.

Taking a drop without a penalty stroke — allowed when your ball is in or near certain conditions like casual water, ground under repair, or a cart path.

A lie in a bunker where the ball is buried in the sand with only the top visible — like a fried egg in the center of a round crater.

The slightly-longer-grass ring surrounding the putting green. Your ball is near the green but not technically on it.

A very short putt (usually inside the grip-length of your putter) that your playing partners agree to concede without you actually putting. Casual play only.

The direction the grass blades on the green grow. Putting with the grain is faster; putting against it is slower.

The closely mowed area of grass surrounding the hole where you putt. The hole (cup) is always on the green.

How you hold the golf club. The most common types are interlocking, overlapping (Vardon), and 10-finger (baseball) grips.

A small snack and drink station, usually located between hole 9 and hole 10.

A number that represents your skill level, allowing golfers of different abilities to compete fairly. Lower handicap = better golfer.

The right to tee off first on a hole, given to the player who had the lowest score on the previous hole.

A shot that curves severely to the left (for right-handers) due to an in-to-out swing path with a closed clubface.

Two common ways to connect your hands on the club. Interlock = pinky and index finger entwined. Overlap (Vardon) = pinky rests on top of index finger.

A long putt where your primary goal is to leave the ball close to the hole (within 2–3 feet) rather than trying to hole it.

A type of penalty area marked with RED stakes or lines, usually running alongside a hole. Gives you extra drop options compared to a regular (yellow) penalty area.

Under 2019 rules, you may putt with the flagstick in the hole and receive no penalty if the ball hits it.

The angle between the shaft and the sole of the club. Getting your lie angle fitted correctly helps the ball fly straighter.

The situation your ball is sitting in — whether it's on the fairway, in rough, on a slope, or in a divot.

The imaginary path you expect your ball to travel from where it rests to the hole on the putting green. Stepping on another player's line is poor etiquette.

When the ball rolls to the hole, hits the rim (lip), spins around the edge, and stays out instead of dropping in.

The angle of the clubface relative to vertical. Higher loft = higher, shorter shots. Lower loft = lower, longer shots.

If you cannot find your ball within 3 minutes of searching, it is officially lost. You must return to where you last played from and hit again with a 1-stroke penalty.

A course employee who drives around monitoring pace of play, safety, and cart rules.

A format where you compete hole-by-hole. Win a hole, go 1-up. Lose it, go 1-down. Most holes won = winner.

An informal do-over of a shot, typically used on the first tee. Not allowed under official rules — it's a casual-play courtesy only.

A betting format with three separate bets: front 9, back 9, and overall 18. Each worth a set dollar amount (e.g., $2 each).

Areas outside the course boundary where play is not allowed, usually marked by white stakes or lines. If your ball goes OB, you take a penalty.

How long it takes to play a round of golf. Most courses expect 18 holes in about 4 to 4.5 hours for a foursome.

The number of strokes a skilled golfer is expected to take on a hole or for the whole round. Most holes are par 3, 4, or 5.

An area on the course (marked red or yellow stakes) where special penalty rules apply if your ball lands there — usually bodies of water but can include other areas.

The pole (with a flag on top) placed in the hole on the green so you can see where the hole is from a distance.

The indentation your ball makes when it lands on the putting green. You must repair it with a divot tool or tee.

When a faster group behind you is waved ahead of your group because they're being held up. A common and polite courtesy.

When the ball buries into soft turf or sand (not in a bunker) after a high shot. You usually get free relief.

A new bet started mid-round, typically when a player is losing by 2+ holes. The original bet continues alongside the new 'press' bet.

A second ball hit from the same spot when you think your first ball might be lost or out of bounds. Saves time — you don't have to walk back if the original is indeed lost.

A shot that goes straight to the left without curving (for right-handers). Caused by an out-to-in swing path with a square face.

A shot that goes straight to the right without curving (for right-handers). Caused by an in-to-out swing path with a square face.

Assessing the slope, grain, and surface of the green to predict which direction your putt will curve (break).

Playing your shot when you are ready, rather than waiting strictly for farthest-from-hole to always go first. Encouraged in casual rounds to speed up play.

The distance the ball rolls along the ground after it lands.

The longer, thicker grass bordering the fairway and other course areas. Harder to hit from than the fairway.

A team format where everyone tees off, you pick the best shot, everyone plays from there, repeat until the hole is done.

A shot hit off the hosel (the socket where the shaft meets the clubhead) that shoots sharply to the right and usually very low.

Each hole is worth a 'skin' (a dollar amount). Win a hole outright and you take the skin. Ties carry over to the next hole.

A shot that curves severely to the right (for right-handed golfers) due to a steep out-to-in swing path combined with an open clubface.

A number (55–155) that tells you how difficult a course is for an average golfer compared to a scratch golfer. Higher slope = harder course. Average is 113.

A measure of how efficiently you transfer club speed to ball speed. Calculated by dividing ball speed by club head speed. Max for a driver is about 1.50.

Rubber or plastic cleats on golf shoes (vs. old metal spikes). Required at virtually every course.

A scoring format where you earn points based on your score relative to par. Bogey = 1 point, par = 2, birdie = 3, eagle = 4. Highest points wins.

How you position your feet relative to the ball and your target line. Width, direction, and ball position all form your stance.

A course employee stationed at the first tee who sends groups off in order and manages tee time flow.

The most common format — every stroke counts for the entire round. Lowest total score wins.

How fast the club head is moving at impact, measured in mph. Average beginner male ~70–80 mph with driver; beginner female ~55–65 mph.

The designated starting area for each hole where you place your tee and hit your first shot.

Your scheduled time to begin play on the first hole. Arrive at least 30 minutes early.

The rhythm and pace of your swing from start to finish. A smooth, consistent tempo is more important than raw speed.

When you hit the ball with the leading edge of the club (too high on the ball), causing it to fly low and run past the target.

Taking three putts to hole the ball on one green. Adds a stroke to your score and is one of the biggest score-wreckers.

Hitting the very top of the ball with the clubhead, causing it to dribble along the ground.

Carry + rollout combined. The full distance the ball travels from the point of contact.

Taking exactly two putts to hole the ball on any green. The standard expectation — it's built into par calculation.

A group of just two players playing together. Twosomes typically play faster than foursomes.

A sandy or natural area that looks like a bunker but is NOT an official bunker. You can ground your club and touch the sand before swinging.

A penalty area marked with YELLOW stakes or lines — usually a pond or stream crossing the fairway. Fewer drop options than red stakes.

A complete miss — swinging and missing the ball entirely. Under the rules, this counts as a stroke.