Glossary
148 beginner-friendly terms
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19th Hole
Slang for the clubhouse bar or restaurant where players gather after a round to recap, celebrate, or commiserate.
90-Degree Rule
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.
Ace (Hole-in-One)
Getting the ball in the hole with just one shot — only possible on a par-3. Extremely rare, even for pros.
Address
The setup position you take before swinging — feet set, grip on club, club behind the ball, body aimed at the target.
Albatross (Double Eagle)
Finishing a hole in three strokes LESS than par — also called a double eagle. Almost always a 2 on a par-5, or a hole-in-one on a par-4.
Approach Shot
Any full shot you hit toward the green — usually your second shot on a par 4 or your third on a par 5. Its one job is to get the ball on the green.
Apron
Another term for the fringe — the transitional grass area between the fairway and the putting green.
Attended Flag
When a player or caddie holds the flagstick while another player putts, then removes it before the ball reaches the hole.
Away
The player whose ball is farthest from the hole is 'away' and traditionally plays first.
Ball Marker
A small flat object — usually a coin or a branded disc — used to mark the position of your ball on the putting green before lifting it.
Be Ready to Hit
Have your club selected, yardage checked, and be standing near your ball so you can play immediately when it's your turn.
Best Ball (Four-Ball)
Each player plays their own ball throughout the hole. The lowest score among your team counts as the team's score for that hole.
Bingo Bango Bongo
A point-based game where three points are available on every hole: first ball on the green (Bingo), closest to the pin once all balls are on the green (Bango), and first ball in the hole (Bongo).
Birdie
Finishing a hole in one stroke LESS than par. On a par-4, a birdie is a score of 3.
Bogey
Finishing a hole in one stroke MORE than par. On a par-4, a bogey is a score of 5.
Break
The curved path a putt travels due to the slope of the green. A putt 'breaks' (turns) toward the low side of the green.
Bump and Run
A low chip that carries a short distance onto the green, then rolls the rest of the way to the hole like a putt — the simplest, most reliable shot from just off the green.
Bunker (Sand Trap)
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.
Carry Distance
How far the ball travels through the air before it first hits the ground. Does not include rollout after landing.
Cart Path
The paved or gravel path running alongside the fairway where golf carts are driven.
Cart Path Only
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.
Casual Water
Temporary standing water on the course (not a penalty area) — like puddles after rain. You get free relief.
Chunk / Fat Shot
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.
Club Up
To use one club more than you'd normally reach for — going from a 9-iron to an 8-iron, for example — when the conditions (wind, elevation, firm greens) suggest you need extra distance.
Course Rating
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.
Divot
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.
Divot Repair Tool (Pitch Fork)
A small two-pronged metal or plastic tool used to fix ball marks (pitch marks) on the putting green. Push the prongs in around the mark and press the turf back flat.
Dogleg
A hole that bends left or right between the tee and the green, shaped like a dog's hind leg. A 'dogleg right' bends to the right; a 'dogleg left' bends to the left.
Double Bogey
Finishing a hole in two strokes MORE than par. On a par-4, a double bogey is a score of 6.
Drain (Drain a Putt)
Slang for making a putt — dropping the ball cleanly into the cup.
Draw
A controlled, slight right-to-left curve (for right-handers) that adds distance and roll. The 'good' version of a hook.
Dress Code
The clothing standards required at a golf course. Typically: collared shirt, golf shorts or trousers, no jeans, no tank tops, soft spikes.
Drop
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.
Drop Zone
A marked area on the course where you must (or may choose to) drop your ball after hitting into certain penalty areas — usually marked with a sign or painted circle.
Eagle
Finishing a hole in two strokes LESS than par. On a par-5, an eagle is a score of 3.
Fade
A controlled, slight left-to-right curve (for right-handers) that typically holds its line into the wind. The 'good' version of a slice.
Fairway
The short-mowed strip of grass between the tee box and the green. This is where you want your ball to land.
Fairway Bunker
A sand bunker positioned along the fairway, usually to penalize long or errant drives. Different from a greenside bunker — you typically need distance as well as height to escape.
Fairways Hit
The number of times your tee shot comes to rest in the fairway on par-4s and par-5s (par-3s don't count). Often shown as a fraction like 8/14.
Flop Shot
A high, soft shot that pops almost straight up and lands gently with little roll. Played with an open, high-lofted wedge when you need to stop the ball fast over an obstacle.
Follow-Through
The continuation of the swing after contact — your club and body should complete a full rotation toward the target.
Fore!
A warning shouted loudly to alert other players that a ball is heading their way. Shout it IMMEDIATELY — don't wait.
Four-Ball
Two-person teams play their own balls; lower score counts. Can be played as stroke play or match play.
Foursome (Alternate Shot)
Two 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
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.
Fried Egg Lie
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.
Fringe (Collar)
The slightly-longer-grass ring surrounding the putting green. Your ball is near the green but not technically on it.
Gimme
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.
Golf Bag
The bag that holds your clubs and accessories. Common types are carry bags (light, for walking), cart bags (larger, for riding), and tour bags (big and heavy, for caddies).
Golf Cart
A small motorized vehicle used to transport players and their bags around the course. Rented from the course, usually included in or added to the green fee.
Golf Glove
A single glove worn on the lead hand (left hand for right-handers) to improve grip on the club and prevent blisters.
Good-Good
An informal agreement in match play or casual rounds where both players concede each other's short putts at the same time — both pick up without putting.
Grain
The direction the grass blades on the green grow. Putting with the grain is faster; putting against it is slower.
Green (Putting Green)
The closely mowed area of grass surrounding the hole where you putt. The hole (cup) is always on the green.
Greens in Regulation (GIR)
Reaching the green in the expected number of shots: par minus 2. That's 1 shot on a par-3, 2 on a par-4, and 3 on a par-5, leaving 2 putts to make par.
Greensomes (Scotch Foursomes)
A two-player team format where both partners tee off, then the team picks the best drive and plays alternate shots from there until the ball is holed.
Grip
How you hold the golf club. The most common types are interlocking, overlapping (Vardon), and 10-finger (baseball) grips.
Gross Score
Your actual total stroke count for a round, before any handicap strokes are subtracted.
Ground Under Repair (GUR)
An area of the course that is damaged, being worked on, or officially marked as off-limits for play — usually outlined with white paint or a sign. You get free relief.
Halfway House
A small snack and drink station, usually located between hole 9 and hole 10.
Handicap
A number that represents your skill level, allowing golfers of different abilities to compete fairly. Lower handicap = better golfer.
Headcover
A protective cover — usually made of fabric, leather, or knit — that fits over the head of a driver, fairway wood, hybrid, or putter to prevent scratches and dings during transport.
Honors
The right to tee off first on a hole, given to the player who had the lowest score on the previous hole.
Hook
A shot that curves severely to the left (for right-handers) due to an in-to-out swing path with a closed clubface.
Hybrid (Rescue Club)
A club that blends a wood and an iron — easier to hit than a long iron, with a forgiving head that helps get the ball up in the air from almost any lie.
Inside the Leather
A casual rule for conceding putts — if your ball is closer to the hole than the distance from the putter head to the grip (roughly 18–20 inches), the putt is 'good' and you pick it up.
Interlock vs. Overlap Grip
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.
Lag Putt
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.
Lateral Hazard (Red Stakes)
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.
Lay Up
Intentionally hitting a shorter shot to land in a safe, favorable position rather than going for the green or carrying a hazard you might not clear.
Leave the Flag In
Under 2019 rules, you may putt with the flagstick in the hole and receive no penalty if the ball hits it.
Lie (Club Spec)
The angle between the shaft and the sole of the club. Getting your lie angle fitted correctly helps the ball fly straighter.
Lie (Ground Lie)
The situation your ball is sitting in — whether it's on the fairway, in rough, on a slope, or in a divot.
Line of Putt
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.
Lip Out
When the ball rolls to the hole, hits the rim (lip), spins around the edge, and stays out instead of dropping in.
Lob Wedge
The most-lofted wedge (typically 58–60 degrees), used to hit the ball very high so it lands soft and stops quickly over a short distance.
Local Rule
An extra rule a specific course or committee adds for its own conditions — printed on the scorecard or posted near the first tee — on top of the standard Rules of Golf.
Loft
The angle of the clubface relative to vertical. Higher loft = higher, shorter shots. Lower loft = lower, longer shots.
Lost Ball
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.
Mark Your Ball
On the putting green, place a small coin or ball marker directly behind your ball before picking it up to clean or move it out of another player's line.
Marshal (Course Ranger)
A course employee who drives around monitoring pace of play, safety, and cart rules.
Match Play
A format where you compete hole-by-hole. Win a hole, go 1-up. Lose it, go 1-down. Most holes won = winner.
Mulligan
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.
Nassau
A betting format with three separate bets: front 9, back 9, and overall 18. Each worth a set dollar amount (e.g., $2 each).
Native Area
Natural, unmaintained vegetation — tall grass, scrub, or dense brush — intentionally left wild on a golf course. Usually treated as a penalty area or an unplayable lie situation.
Net Score
Your gross score minus your handicap strokes. Lets golfers of different skill levels compete fairly.
Out of Bounds (OB)
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.
Pace of Play
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.
Par
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.
Penalty Area (Hazard)
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.
Phone Etiquette
Keep your phone on silent during the round and step away from the group if you need to take a call. Never talk or scroll while a playing partner is hitting.
Pin / Flagstick
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.
Pin High
When your approach shot lands on the correct line but at the same distance from the tee as the flagstick — neither short nor long, just at the right depth.
Pitch Mark (Ball Mark)
The indentation your ball makes when it lands on the putting green. You must repair it with a divot tool or tee.
Play It as It Lies
One of golf's core principles — you must play the ball from wherever it comes to rest, without improving your lie or moving it to a better spot.
Playing Through
When 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)
When the ball buries into soft turf or sand (not in a bunker) after a high shot. You usually get free relief.
Preferred Lies (Winter Rules)
A temporary local rule that lets you lift, clean, and place your ball a short distance (often within a scorecard or 6 inches) when fairway conditions are poor — also called 'winter rules' or 'lift, clean, and place.'
Press
A new bet started mid-round, typically when a player is losing by 2+ holes. The original bet continues alongside the new 'press' bet.
Pro Shop
The golf course's main retail and check-in area where you pay green fees, rent equipment, buy balls and apparel, and get course information.
Provisional Ball
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.
Pull
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.
Punch Shot (Knockdown)
A low, controlled shot hit with a shorter swing and the ball back in your stance, so it flies under the wind or out from under tree branches.
Push
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.
Push Cart (Trolley)
A three- or four-wheeled cart you push or pull by hand to carry your golf bag around the course instead of using a motorized cart or carrying.
Quadruple Bogey
Finishing a hole in four strokes more than par. On a par-4, a quadruple bogey (or 'quad') is a score of 8.
Rake the Bunker
After playing from a sand bunker, use the rake provided to smooth out your footprints and the hole made by your shot, then leave the rake outside the bunker.
Rangefinder
A handheld laser or GPS device that measures the exact distance from your position to the pin, a bunker, or other targets on the course.
Read (Reading the Green)
Assessing the slope, grain, and surface of the green to predict which direction your putt will curve (break).
Ready Golf
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.
Rollout
The distance the ball rolls along the ground after it lands.
Rough
The longer, thicker grass bordering the fairway and other course areas. Harder to hit from than the fairway.
Scramble
A team format where everyone tees off, you pick the best shot, everyone plays from there, repeat until the hole is done.
Scratch Golfer
A golfer with a 0 handicap who is expected to shoot at or near par on any standard course.
Shamble
A team format that starts like a scramble — everyone tees off and the team picks the best drive — but then each player finishes the hole with their own ball from that spot.
Shank
A shot hit off the hosel (the socket where the shaft meets the clubhead) that shoots sharply to the right and usually very low.
Shotgun Start
A format, common in tournaments and outings, where every group tees off at the same time from a different hole — so all groups start and finish together.
Skins
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.
Slice
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.
Slope Rating
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.
Smash Factor
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.
Soft Spikes
Rubber or plastic cleats on golf shoes (vs. old metal spikes). Required at virtually every course.
Stableford
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.
Stance
How you position your feet relative to the ball and your target line. Width, direction, and ball position all form your stance.
Starter
A course employee stationed at the first tee who sends groups off in order and manages tee time flow.
Stroke Play
The most common format — every stroke counts for the entire round. Lowest total score wins.
Swing Speed (Club Head Speed)
How fast the club head is moving at impact, measured in mph. Beginner driver swing speeds usually fall somewhere around 55–80 mph.
Tee (Wooden/Plastic Peg)
The small wooden or plastic peg you push into the ground to elevate the ball for your tee shot on each hole.
Tee Box
The designated starting area for each hole where you place your tee and hit your first shot.
Tee Markers
Colored markers on the tee box that define where you must tee up your ball. Each color (e.g., black, blue, white, gold, red) represents a different set of tees and total course yardage.
Tee Time
Your scheduled time to begin play on the first hole. Arrive at least 30 minutes early.
Tempo
The rhythm and pace of your swing from start to finish. A smooth, consistent tempo is more important than raw speed.
The Turn
The transition between the front 9 and the back 9 — usually around hole 10 — where players often stop briefly for drinks, snacks, or a bathroom break.
Thin / Skull
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.
Three-Putt
Taking three putts to hole the ball on one green. Adds a stroke to your score and is one of the biggest score-wreckers.
Tipping (Caddie and Staff)
It is customary to tip caddies, bag drop attendants, and cart staff after your round. Typical caddie tip: $20–50+ depending on service. Bag drop: $2–5 per bag.
Top
Hitting the very top of the ball with the clubhead, causing it to dribble along the ground.
Total Distance
Carry + rollout combined. The full distance the ball travels from the point of contact.
Triple Bogey
Finishing a hole in three strokes MORE than par. On a par-4, a triple bogey is a score of 7.
Two-Putt
Taking exactly two putts to hole the ball on any green. The standard expectation — it's built into par calculation.
Twosome
A group of just two players playing together. Twosomes typically play faster than foursomes.
Up and Down
Getting the ball into the hole in just two shots from off the green — one shot (a chip or pitch) to get it close, then one putt to hole it.
Waste Area
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.
Water Hazard (Yellow Stakes)
A penalty area marked with YELLOW stakes or lines — usually a pond or stream crossing the fairway. Fewer drop options than red stakes.
Wedge
The highest-lofted irons, built for short, high shots around the green and into it. Common types are pitching, gap, sand, and lob wedge — each with more loft than the last.
Whiff (Air Shot)
A complete miss — swinging and missing the ball entirely. Under the rules, this counts as a stroke.
Wolf
A rotating game for 4 players where the 'Wolf' is designated each hole and decides — after watching each player tee off — whether to partner with that player or go solo against the other three.
Yips
An involuntary twitch or flinch — usually on short putts or chips — that makes a simple stroke break down under pressure. As much mental as physical.