Glossary
95 beginner-friendly terms
Browse by category
19th Hole
common_phrasesSlang for the clubhouse bar or restaurant where players gather after a round to recap, celebrate, or commiserate.
90-Degree Rule
etiquetteA 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.
Ace (Hole-in-One)
scoringGetting the ball in the hole with just one shot — only possible on a par-3. Extremely rare, even for pros.
Address
shot_typesThe setup position you take before swinging — feet set, grip on club, club behind the ball, body aimed at the target.
Apron
course_areasAnother term for the fringe — the transitional grass area between the fairway and the putting green.
Attended Flag
rulesWhen a player or caddie holds the flagstick while another player putts, then removes it before the ball reaches the hole.
Best Ball (Four-Ball)
game_formatsEach player plays their own ball throughout the hole. The lowest score among your team counts as the team's score for that hole.
Birdie
scoringFinishing a hole in one stroke LESS than par. On a par-4, a birdie is a score of 3.
Bogey
scoringFinishing a hole in one stroke MORE than par. On a par-4, a bogey is a score of 5.
Break
shot_typesThe curved path a putt travels due to the slope of the green. A putt 'breaks' (turns) toward the low side of the green.
Bunker (Sand Trap)
course_areasA 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.
Carry Distance
equipmentHow far the ball travels through the air before it first hits the ground. Does not include rollout after landing.
Cart Path Only
etiquetteA course condition where golf carts must stay on the paved paths and cannot drive on the grass — usually after rain or during course maintenance.
Casual Water
rulesTemporary standing water on the course (not a penalty area) — like puddles after rain. You get free relief.
Chunk / Fat Shot
shot_typesWhen 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.
Course Rating
scoringA 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.
Divot
etiquetteA 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.
Double Bogey
scoringFinishing a hole in two strokes MORE than par. On a par-4, a double bogey is a score of 6.
Drain (Drain a Putt)
common_phrasesSlang for making a putt — dropping the ball cleanly into the cup.
Draw
shot_typesA controlled, slight right-to-left curve (for right-handers) that adds distance and roll. The 'good' version of a hook.
Dress Code
etiquetteThe clothing standards required at a golf course. Typically: collared shirt, golf shorts or trousers, no jeans, no tank tops, soft spikes.
Drop
rulesThe 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.
Eagle
scoringFinishing a hole in two strokes LESS than par. On a par-5, an eagle is a score of 3.
Fade
shot_typesA controlled, slight left-to-right curve (for right-handers) that typically holds its line into the wind. The 'good' version of a slice.
Fairway
course_areasThe short-mowed strip of grass between the tee box and the green. This is where you want your ball to land.
Follow-Through
shot_typesThe continuation of the swing after contact — your club and body should complete a full rotation toward the target.
Fore!
etiquetteA warning shouted loudly to alert other players that a ball is heading their way. Shout it IMMEDIATELY — don't wait.
Four-Ball
game_formatsTwo-person teams play their own balls; lower score counts. Can be played as stroke play or match play.
Foursome (Alternate Shot)
game_formatsTwo players share ONE ball, hitting alternate shots. Partner A tees off on odd holes, B on even holes. Very different from four-ball.
Free Relief
rulesTaking 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.
Fried Egg Lie
course_areasA 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.
Fringe (Collar)
course_areasThe slightly-longer-grass ring surrounding the putting green. Your ball is near the green but not technically on it.
Gimme
common_phrasesA 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.
Grain
shot_typesThe direction the grass blades on the green grow. Putting with the grain is faster; putting against it is slower.
Green (Putting Green)
course_areasThe closely mowed area of grass surrounding the hole where you putt. The hole (cup) is always on the green.
Grip
shot_typesHow you hold the golf club. The most common types are interlocking, overlapping (Vardon), and 10-finger (baseball) grips.
Halfway House
common_phrasesA small snack and drink station, usually located between hole 9 and hole 10.
Handicap
scoringA number that represents your skill level, allowing golfers of different abilities to compete fairly. Lower handicap = better golfer.
Honors
etiquetteThe right to tee off first on a hole, given to the player who had the lowest score on the previous hole.
Hook
shot_typesA shot that curves severely to the left (for right-handers) due to an in-to-out swing path with a closed clubface.
Interlock vs. Overlap Grip
equipmentTwo common ways to connect your hands on the club. Interlock = pinky and index finger entwined. Overlap (Vardon) = pinky rests on top of index finger.
Lag Putt
shot_typesA 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.
Lateral Hazard (Red Stakes)
rulesA 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.
Leave the Flag In
rulesUnder 2019 rules, you may putt with the flagstick in the hole and receive no penalty if the ball hits it.
Lie (Club Spec)
equipmentThe angle between the shaft and the sole of the club. Getting your lie angle fitted correctly helps the ball fly straighter.
Lie (Ground Lie)
course_areasThe situation your ball is sitting in — whether it's on the fairway, in rough, on a slope, or in a divot.
Line of Putt
rulesThe 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.
Lip Out
shot_typesWhen the ball rolls to the hole, hits the rim (lip), spins around the edge, and stays out instead of dropping in.
Loft
equipmentThe angle of the clubface relative to vertical. Higher loft = higher, shorter shots. Lower loft = lower, longer shots.
Lost Ball
rulesIf 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.
Marshal (Course Ranger)
common_phrasesA course employee who drives around monitoring pace of play, safety, and cart rules.
Match Play
game_formatsA format where you compete hole-by-hole. Win a hole, go 1-up. Lose it, go 1-down. Most holes won = winner.
Mulligan
common_phrasesAn informal do-over of a shot, typically used on the first tee. Not allowed under official rules — it's a casual-play courtesy only.
Nassau
game_formatsA betting format with three separate bets: front 9, back 9, and overall 18. Each worth a set dollar amount (e.g., $2 each).
Out of Bounds (OB)
rulesAreas 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.
Pace of Play
etiquetteHow long it takes to play a round of golf. Most courses expect 18 holes in about 4 to 4.5 hours for a foursome.
Par
scoringThe 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.
Penalty Area (Hazard)
rulesAn 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.
Pin / Flagstick
course_areasThe pole (with a flag on top) placed in the hole on the green so you can see where the hole is from a distance.
Pitch Mark (Ball Mark)
etiquetteThe indentation your ball makes when it lands on the putting green. You must repair it with a divot tool or tee.
Playing Through
etiquetteWhen a faster group behind you is waved ahead of your group because they're being held up. A common and polite courtesy.
Plugged Ball (Embedded Ball)
rulesWhen the ball buries into soft turf or sand (not in a bunker) after a high shot. You usually get free relief.
Press
game_formatsA new bet started mid-round, typically when a player is losing by 2+ holes. The original bet continues alongside the new 'press' bet.
Provisional Ball
rulesA 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.
Pull
shot_typesA shot that goes straight to the left without curving (for right-handers). Caused by an out-to-in swing path with a square face.
Push
shot_typesA shot that goes straight to the right without curving (for right-handers). Caused by an in-to-out swing path with a square face.
Read (Reading the Green)
shot_typesAssessing the slope, grain, and surface of the green to predict which direction your putt will curve (break).
Ready Golf
etiquettePlaying 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.
Rollout
shot_typesThe distance the ball rolls along the ground after it lands.
Rough
course_areasThe longer, thicker grass bordering the fairway and other course areas. Harder to hit from than the fairway.
Scramble
game_formatsA team format where everyone tees off, you pick the best shot, everyone plays from there, repeat until the hole is done.
Shank
shot_typesA shot hit off the hosel (the socket where the shaft meets the clubhead) that shoots sharply to the right and usually very low.
Skins
game_formatsEach hole is worth a 'skin' (a dollar amount). Win a hole outright and you take the skin. Ties carry over to the next hole.
Slice
shot_typesA 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.
Slope Rating
scoringA 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.
Smash Factor
equipmentA 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.
Soft Spikes
equipmentRubber or plastic cleats on golf shoes (vs. old metal spikes). Required at virtually every course.
Stableford
game_formatsA 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.
Stance
shot_typesHow you position your feet relative to the ball and your target line. Width, direction, and ball position all form your stance.
Starter
common_phrasesA course employee stationed at the first tee who sends groups off in order and manages tee time flow.
Stroke Play
game_formatsThe most common format — every stroke counts for the entire round. Lowest total score wins.
Swing Speed (Club Head Speed)
equipmentHow fast the club head is moving at impact, measured in mph. Average beginner male ~70–80 mph with driver; beginner female ~55–65 mph.
Tee Box
course_areasThe designated starting area for each hole where you place your tee and hit your first shot.
Tee Time
common_phrasesYour scheduled time to begin play on the first hole. Arrive at least 30 minutes early.
Tempo
shot_typesThe rhythm and pace of your swing from start to finish. A smooth, consistent tempo is more important than raw speed.
Thin / Skull
shot_typesWhen 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.
Three-Putt
scoringTaking three putts to hole the ball on one green. Adds a stroke to your score and is one of the biggest score-wreckers.
Top
shot_typesHitting the very top of the ball with the clubhead, causing it to dribble along the ground.
Total Distance
equipmentCarry + rollout combined. The full distance the ball travels from the point of contact.
Two-Putt
scoringTaking exactly two putts to hole the ball on any green. The standard expectation — it's built into par calculation.
Twosome
common_phrasesA group of just two players playing together. Twosomes typically play faster than foursomes.
Waste Area
course_areasA 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.
Water Hazard (Yellow Stakes)
rulesA penalty area marked with YELLOW stakes or lines — usually a pond or stream crossing the fairway. Fewer drop options than red stakes.
Whiff (Air Shot)
shot_typesA complete miss — swinging and missing the ball entirely. Under the rules, this counts as a stroke.