Golf Jargon for Beginners

Golf Jargon for Beginners

It's okay not to know or understand all the meanings in golf. Beginner golfers can be totally lost in many ways.

When it comes to understanding the big picture — there are many pieces to the puzzle in becoming proficient at this wonderful sport. So for starters, I'm defining some common golf jargon you may encounter as you journey into your new found love. As you progress, you'll hear and learn all of these terms at one time or another.

Golf Jargon for Beginners
Term	Meaning
Ace	When you hit your tee shot into the cup in one shot from the tee box on a par-3 hole. Also called a "Hole-in-One". Although very rare, there have been occasions when a professional player has hit their tee shot onto a par 4 and "Aced it"
Address	The manner in which a golf player positions his or her body right before hitting the ball. Everyone has a unique address
Alignment	The alignment describes the manner in which you aim the clubface and line up your body at address to the intended line of flight
Amateur	Amateurs are golf players who compete but don't play for prize money. In order to earn money from winning golf tournaments, a player must compete as a professional. Amateurs are also those who are new to the game
Approach Shot	This describes any shot that sends your ball onto the green area. The green area is also called the putting green
Away	Describes when you are the farthest distance from the hole. This means you are supposed to putt your ball first
Baby Shot	Describes a shot that is much shorter and softer than usual, and from a specific club that is normally used for that shot. A soft grip pressure is key here too
Back Nine	The second half of an 18-hole course (the last 9 holes)
Backspin	A backspin is the reverse spin on the golf ball that has been hit towards a target. This is when the ball suddenly backs up on the putting green
Backswing	The first part of the golf swing, which ends as the club stops moving, right above your head, and before the downswing portion
Balata	A type of tree sap. It once was used in making golf ball covers (this type of cover is no longer used in today's golf balls)
Ball Marker	Small-sized, flat object used to mark the specific location of your ball as it came to rest when hit onto the putting green. Now you know where to putt from when it's your turn
Ball Mark Repair Tool	Forked-shaped tool which is used to fix any marks on the green that are left behind when your ball landed on the green
Baseball Grip	A specific grip that is used to hold the club. When used properly, all 10 of your fingers will remain in contact with the club grip
Best Ball	This term describes a golf game that uses the best score to be counted from a 2-person team
Birdie	This is when you make the ball in one less stroke than the total par of the specific hole you are playing. For example, if the hole is a par-4, and you sink the ball in only 3 shots, you have yourself a birdie.
Blade	The term blade is used in golf as both a noun, and a verb: The first is to describe the club head of an iron. The second is a verb for hitting the ball on its equator with the bottom of the blade
Blocked Shot	The blocked shot refers to the ball being hit straight ahead but then sweeps to the right of the intended target (right handed golfers). One cause is from a stiff right elbow at impact and hands not turning over at impact. (rght-handed golfers)
Bogey	A bogey describes what happens when a golf player hits the ball into the hole in one additional shot higher than the par. For example, if a player gets the ball into the hole in 4 swings on a par-3, he scored a bogey.
Break	When a putt shot is made on the green and starts to turn, the term break refers to the amount of turn that occurs
Break Down	A term which refers to the movement of your wrists as they bend back and forth or up and down during a putting stroke shot. Your wrists must remain firm
Bump & Run	As the name insinuates, the bump and run describes a ball is hit into the air flies towards the target, then "bumps" into the ground and rolls the rest of the way.
Bunker	A bunker is a hazard area that is completely filled with sand and is typically near the green or on the fairway
Caddie	Caddies are men and women who get paid to carry your golf clubs around with you on the course as you play the game. They can also offer advice on how to play the game. All professionals rely heavy on a caddies knowledge
Carry	This term refers to how far a golf ball flies through the air
Cart	Carts are small vehicles that golf players use to drive around the course with. You have the standard motorized cart that can hold two or more players, as well as a small dolly that travels on 2 wheels and is pulled manually (often referred to as the "pull cart")
Casual Water	Casual water is puddles that have accumulated on the course through rainy weather. These puddles of water are separate from the other standard hazards of the course
Cavity Back Iron	This is a particular type of iron that has the majority of the club head's weight distributed around its perimeter. This design helps create a bigger head and a larger "sweet spot" area on the face. The back of the club head is basically just a large cavity. This helps reduce the mass in the center of the head, as well as the back
Certified PGA Professional	A certified PGA professional golf player is any man or woman who has met or exceeded the golf teaching standards that have been created by the Professional Golfers Association of America
Check	A check describes the action of the golf ball as it stops rolling because of the amount of backspin on it
Chip	The chip is a shot that is typically played right from the edge of the green
Closed Face	A closed face describes a club face that points to the left of the target (right handed golfers). This is intentional or by accident at either address position or during the down swing at impact
Closed Face	A closed face describes a club face that points to the left of the target (right handed golfers). This is intentional or by accident at either address position or during the down swing at impact
Closed Stance	This term refers to a stance where your body alignment is facing the right of your intended target (right handed golfers). Great position for a draw
Club Face	The club face is the bottom section of the club that makes contact with the golf ball
Clubhouse	A clubhouse is usually a large indoor area located on a golf course that maintains services such as restaurants, golf pro shops, bathrooms, and conference rooms
Collar	Similar to a fringe, the collar describes the strip of grass that runs around the green and is typically longer in length than the grass that grows on the putting surface
Coming Over The Top	Coming over the top is a phrase that describes the direction of the club as it moves through the downswing and into a right-to-left pathway across the ball (right handed golfers). Another term for this direction is the out-to-in blow. This results in the golf ball fading (intentional) or slicing to the right. (Usually unintentional)
Compression	Compression describes the squeezing in of a golf ball from the result of force put on it during impact with the club head. The ball becomes egg shaped while on the club face, but snaps back to its normal shape as it becomes air born
Course Rating	Every golf course has a course rating, which refers to the difficultly level of the course itself. The higher the course rating number, the more advanced and difficult the golf course is
Crossed Over	This is a term that describes the club shaft as it faces towards the right of the target while at the top of the backswing (right handed golfers)
Cross Handed	Cross handed is a specific putting grip where the left hand is below the right hand (right handed golfers). This grip actually helps keep the lead shoulder down longer during the putting stroke
Cup	The cup is simply the hole itself which is at the end of each playing hole, and is the intended final target of the golf ball
Cupped Lead Wrist	A cupped lead wrist describes the backward bend of your lead hand when striking the ball. The lead hand is the one that is closest to the hole after you set up for your swing. For right handed golfers, the lead hand is the left hand
Cut	A cut is another reference to a shot that bends towards the right (right handed golfers). A fade is the same thing, meaning flying towards the right at the end of the shot
Deloft	To de-loft is to decrease the amount of loft on the club face by simply tilting your club shaft in the direction of your intended target. Changes a 9 iron more into an 8 iron
Dimple	Dimples are those hundreds of small holes or impressions that every golf ball is designed with. Their purpose is to control ball flight while in the air
Divot	A divot is a small chunk of grass and dirt that is removed from the golf course after the ball is hit and it lands on the grass surface. These divots should be repaired as basic golf course etiquette prescribes. Please do this everytime
Dogleg	A dogleg is in reference to the curved pathway from the tee to the cup has a turns either left or right.
Double Bogey	When you complete a hole with 2 additional shots over the par of that hole, you have yourself a double bogey. For example, if the hole is a par 3, a double bogey would be sinking the ball in 5 shots
Double Eagle	The double eagle describes the completion of a par-5 hole in 3 shots less than that par. Meaning shot number 2 rolls up on the par 5 green and rolls into the cup. This RX should happen to every golfer
Downhill Lie	A downhill lie describes your stance in which the front foot is below your back foot at address. Remember to swing along the same angle of the slope
Draw	A draw refers to a shot that bends to the left (right handed golfers)
Drive	The drive is the initial shot taken from the tee
Driver	The driver is considered to be the longest club in your bag, which sends the ball flying at more distance than any other golf club
Driving Range	A driving range is a facility that is built specifically for golf players to practice their swings. Each driving range has separate booth-like areas where you can knock a bucket of balls as long and as far as you want. Some driving ranges also have areas where you can practice your short game
Drop	A drop is when you place a golf ball back into the game after it was considered unplayable
Duff	To duff is to totally mess up or miss a shot, such as to "screw up" or "ruin" the shot.
Eagle	This term refers to a player who finishes a hole in two under par when playing a par-4 or a par-5 hole. You can also "eagle" a par-3 hole, but that is actually referred to as an "ace" (See Ace)
Executive Course	An executive course is a small, 9-hole (par-3) course which can be completed in usually 2 hours (typically 90 minutes)
Explosion Shot	This term describes a bunker shot that sends along with it an “explosion” of sand flying through the air
Fade	A fade describes a shot that sends the ball veering slightly to the right (right-handed golfers)
Fairway	The fairway is the entire distance (in-bounds) that runs from the tee all the way to the green, and is kept nicely trimmed
Fat	Whenever you take a swing and your clubface strikes the ground before hitting the ball, it is called "fat" or a "fat shot"
Flagstick	This is the flagged pole that rests inside of the hole on a designated hole on each green. (1-18)
Flex	The flex describes the amount of bend that exists within a club shaft
Flier Lie	A flier lie is what you have when you take your swing and too much grass comes between the ball and the clubface. This has a tendency to reduce the amount of backspin on the ball as well, so the ball flies father that expected
Flop Shot	This is a type of pitch shot that skyrockets the ball high up into the air, but comes down short and lands soft
Follow Through	Once you have taken your swing and made contact with the ball, the “follow through” describes the movement of your club and your body after the ball has been hit. This is vital to good balance and consistent ball contact
Fore	You will hear this term shouted loudly whenever a ball is flying towards another player. A warning signal, you should also shout the term “Fore” should your ball start traveling at another golfer on the course
Forged Steel Blade	A club where the head is made up of softer forged steel, instead of the harder cast steel cavity-back irons are made of
Fringe	The fringe is the collar of grass which surrounds the green. The length of this grass is typically shorter than that of the fairway, but longer than the green itself. (See also Collar)
Front Nine	The front nine refers to the first 9 holes of an 18-hole golf course
Gimme	A Gimme is a putt that is so short and close to the hole that your playing partners do not require you to actually hit the ball in. Why? Because it appears to be an obvious shot you'll make. I say… "putt every ball in anyway"
Glove	Golfers use a glove (typically worn on the lead hand) while playing golf to help enhance their grip. Preventing skin problems like blisters is another good reason to wear a glove
Grain	The grain describes the direction in which the grass is growing. Grass will follow the sun light all day. The blades lay towards the sun making the putt faster. The putt into those blades is slower
Green	The green area is the closely mowed surface that surrounds the hole, also called the putting surface
Green In Regulation	This means getting your ball onto the green in one shot on a par-3 hole, in two shots on a par-4 hole, or in three shots on a par-5 hole
Greens Fee	This is the amount of money charged to you for playing a round of golf at a particular course
Grip	The grip refers to how you hold your club. The grip also refers to the covering (made of rubber) on the club shaft where you place your hands
Grooves	Grooves are the etched lines of design on the face of the club. These grooves help obtain the desired backspin on the ball
Ground Under Repair	This term describes an area on the golf course that is under repair. You may also get relief from this area when playing. (See Relief). It is usually market with a stripe of white paint around the relief area
Handicap	A handicap is a scoring adjustment plan that allows players of different skill levels to compete with one another, without the better players dominating the game.
Hard Pan	Turf or ground area on the golf course that is extremely hard-packed
Hazard	Hazards are part of every golf course, and are areas of sand or water which penalize the player
Hole	The hole is the final destination of the golf ball to sink into at the end of every hole. (See also Cup)
Holed Out	This occurs when the golf ball falls into the cup from say a chip shot onto the green
Honor	The privilege of playing first within your group. When a player birdies the previous hole and nobody else does, you should give honors to that player to tee off first
Hook	The hook is a shot that bends to the left (right-handed golfers)
Hosel	The hosel is the section of the club head that is attached to the club shaft
Impact	Impact refers to the exact moment that you hit the ball (when the clubface meets with the ball)
Impediment	Loose debris that can be moved aside and away from your ball. Remember you cannot touch any impediments in a hazard or a sand bunker
Interlocking Grip	This type of grip links the index finger of one of your hands and the pinky finger from the other hand
Iron	The iron is any club that uses a metallic blade for the club head. Most golfers carry with them at least 8-10 irons which range from 2-irons to the sand wedge. Each club provides a different loft
Lag Putt	This term refers to a long putt by a golf player whose goal is to have the ball land and stop within a couple of feet (or less) from the hole
Laid Off	This is when your club shaft is pointing to the left of the target at the top of the backswing (right-handed golfers)
Lay Up	This term refers to a shot that is intentionally hit short from the green to avoid getting into trouble
Lie	The lie is where your ball is sitting after a shot, and moreover, describes the condition of that area of ground where your ball is at
Lip Out	This is when the golf ball travel right up to the cup, teeters on the edge of dropping into the hole, but instead pops back, and does not sink
Loft	The loft is the angle that the clubface makes with the ground. Loft also refers to how high up a specific club will hit the ball
Matchplay	This term refers to the original way that golf was played, which is actually played hole-to-hole. Whoever scores lowest on the first hole is the winner of that hole, and then goes "one up". Then the winner on the second hole goes "two up". This score pattern continues for each hole thereafter. Should you lose a hole then you go "down one". If a hole is tied you then "halve" the hole. The final outcome of the matchplay is decided by how many holes you are either up or down by, compared to the number of holes left. For example, if you are 4 up with only 4 holes left in the game, you are the winner of the match
Mulligan	A mulligan is considered an illegal second try at a shot which went wrong, which is seen often during casual play with friends on the golf course
Municipal Course	This is a golf course that is owned and operated by the local government or city, also referred to as a "muni"
Nuked Shot	A nuked shot is one that is hit much harder and longer than you typically would hit with a particular club
Neutral Grip	This grip is one when a right-handed golfer can see 2 left hand knuckles when looking down at his or her grip during address
Neutral Stance	This stance is when both feet are in line perfectly parallel to the target line
Open Face	This is when the club face is aligned to the right of the target line (right-handed golfers)
Open Stance	This stance refers to your body alignment pointing towards the left of the target when set up (right-handed golfers)
Out-of-Bounds	This is the area outside of the course, typically marked with white stakes
Out-to-in Blow	This term is another way of saying "Coming Over The Top" which states: "The direction of the club as it moves through the downswing and into a right-to-left pathway across the ball (right-handed golfers)"
Overlapping Grip	This is a standard grip where you grip the golf club with your left hand (Right Handers), then place the pinky finger of your right hand over the index finger of your left hand
Pairing Sheet	A scheduled list displaying the names of players from each group competing in a tournament. Also listed in the pairing sheet is the time in which each player is to tee off
Par	This is the term for shooting the ball into a hole at the same number of shots allowed by that particular hole. A round can also be scored as par as well as the final score of a player's total rounds
Pin	This is another word that describes the flagstick which sits in the hole until the player's ball is on the green (or sooner)
Pitch	When a pitch shot is made the ball is hit very short with the goal to hit the green and when it lands, has a slight roll at the end of its flight
Plumb-Bob	This is a special technique that golfers use in order to determine the break of a putt
Pre-Shot Routine	Before every shot, most, all golfers have a specific routine for getting ready. They may move a certain way, practice visualization of a successful shot, or concentrate on something motivating. This would be defined as a pre-shot routine. Every player has a unique prep ritual
Primary Rough	The primary rough is considered to be the first section of longer grass that you will walk though once leaving the fairway
Private Golf Club	There are many golf courses available. Private golf clubs are closed to the public and are only open to paying members and their guests
Pro-Am	This is the name of a tournament that includes both professional golf players and amateurs who team up together for an enjoyable day on the course
Professional Golf Player	Professional golf players are the men and women whose skills on the course have enabled them to be paid for playing golf
Pro Shop	PMost golf clubs have a central shop where you check in and also may purchase golf equipment. This is called a Pro Shop. Golf lessons may also be offered at many Pro Shops
Provisional Shot	This term describes a second shot made when the player thinks the first shot led to a lost ball. However, if the player finds that first ball then the provisional shot does not count — the first shot does
Public Golf Course	Public golf courses are just that: public courses where anyone can walk up and enjoy a round of golf. Some courses are free but most charge a small fee which is affordable for everyone
Pull	A pull describes a shot that was intended to travel in a straight path but ended up veering to the left of the target (right-handed players)
Punch Shot	This term describes a shot in golf where you are trying to hit the ball out of some kind of troubled area, typically a low recovery shot
Push	This is a straight shot that is hit towards the right of the target (right-handed golfers)
Putter	The putter is the small, straight-faced club which is predominately used to hit the ball on the green
Range	This is an area used for practice shots. You can find a golf range either on the course or close by an open course
Release	The release is when your downswing is in motion and you come to the very moment in which your wrists uncock. This happens at impact with the golf ball
Relief	Relief is one of the standard golf rules which allows a player permission to move the ball when it has landed in a troubled spot; without incurring any penalties
Reverse Overlap Grip	This is a standard grip, typically used when putting, where the index finger from the left hand is covering the pinky finger of the right hand (right-handed golfers)
Rough	The rough is any part off from the fairway where the grass is allowed to grow to longer lengths
Round	A round of golf is considered to be the entire course played out. One round could be 18 holes or 9 holes for the smaller courses
Run	This term describes how far a ball rolls after landing, bouncing, and then into a traveling roll
Score	Your golf score is tallied by how many shots it took you to play the course
Scorecard	A scorecard is the record in which your game scores and other statistics are kept
Scramble	The term scramble describes a golf game where 4 players on the same team will tee off and the best shot of all of them is selected as the spot where everyone takes their next shot. This process is continued until the ball is sunk into the hole
Scratch Golfer	This is a golfer who routinely scores par on the golf course
Secondary Rough	This is the thicker rough (grass) area you will cross once you past the primary rough
Setup	The same as “address” where you prep up for your shot
Shaft	The shaft is a section of the golf club; the long and thin part that gives you most of the club's energy on your shots. It acts as the transmission of the shot
Shag Bag	A bag used for storing your practice balls. Shag bags are specifically designed to allow you to grab each ball from inside without ever having to bend over
Shank	The shank describes a shot that, when impact occurs, contact is made with the ball from the hosel of the club, instead of the face. Not Fun!
Short Game	Probably the most important aspect of becoming a great golfer, the short game is considered to be all shots on the course that are within 50 to 60 yards of the hole. The short game is also the hardest to master due to the various obstacles and hazards that get in the way. Practice, Practice, Practice
Sidehill Lie	This is a lie, where at address position; the golf ball is either above your feet or below your feet. Remember to swing along the slope angle
Skied	When you hit a tee shot that flies almost straight up into the air, you have skied the ball. This is the nice version of a bad tee shot
Slice	The dreaded slice is a shot that causes the ball to veer far to the right of your target line (right handed players)
Slope	The slope is actually a number that is assigned to every golf course in describing its specific level of playing difficulty. For example, the average slope number for United States golf courses is 113. (The term slope can also be used to describe the contours of the green)
Spikes	Spikes are designed to help you play golf with better traction from your shoes. They are small cleats that may be made from rubber, plastic, or metal, and are fastened to the bottom of your golf shoes. These shoes are very helpful when it comes to maintaining better control of your swing
Square Stance	This stance describes your set up where the clubhead is perpendicular to your target line, and at the same time your shoulders, hips, and feet are all parallel to the same target line
Splash	A splash occurs when you take a bunker shot but with it comes a divot of sand, splashing everywhere (along with the ball)
Stance	The term stance simply means the position of your feet at address
Starter	In golf, the starter is considered to be the man or woman who is in charge of sending the players out onto the course
Stroke	One (1) individual swing of your golf club
Stroke Play	This is the most standard way of determining the winner of a round in golf. The person that finishes with the least amount of strokes wins the match.
Strong Grip	In golf, a strong grip is typically a reference to when a golfer can see more than two knuckles of his or her left hand when gripping the club. A strong grip can also be used to steer the ball to the left
Surlyn	This is an artificial compound that is used in the manufacturing of golf balls, specifically the material that covers the ball
Sweet Spot	In order to get maximum distance and pin-point accuracy when taking your swing, the sweet spot is the area on club face (center portion) in which you should be making contact with the ball
Swing Plane	The swing plane is considered to be the angle of the club shaft in relation to your body during the swing process. Everyone has a different swing plane
Tap in	A tap-in is simply a short, sweet putt shot that is very close to the hole, less than 12 inches
Target Line	Every shot should be aimed by using a target line, which is an imaginary line from your current swing position to your ball's destination
Tee	On the first shot of every hole the ball is placed on top of a tee, which is simply a small pin with that flat head to hold the ball in place. The tee can be made out of rubber, plastic, wood or combinations of several materials
Tee Box	This is the area that you hit the first shot on each hole from
Tee Shot	The shot that is made from the tee (also see "Tee")
Tee Time	The tee time is the time in which you and the rest of your group start your round of golf
Ten Finger Grip	The ten finger grip is another term used to describe the "baseball grip"
Texas Wedge	The Texas Wedge is a strategic swing using the putter to get the ball onto the green, instead of the traditional wedge. Certain conditions must be met before this type of shot can be successful
Thin	This term describes hitting the golf ball on its equator, which causes it to maintain a low trajectory
Through The Green	This phrase in golf means running through the entire course but does not include the tee boxes, hazards, and putting greens
Top	When a golfer tops the ball, he or she has made contact with the ball above its equator. A topped shot does not travel very far and is an unwanted mistake on the golf course
Torque	In golf, the word torque describes how much twisting motion of the club shaft goes into a swing when impact occurs. Low torque numbers are ideal for shafts
Tour	A tour is series of professional golf tournaments that are played in succession
Trajectory	Like anything that travels though the air, the trajectory in golf refers to the characteristics of a golf ball after contact is made as it is sent flying
Trap	A trap is another term for bunker. Also see "Bunker"
Triple Bogey	A triple bogey means to finish a hole in three more shots than par
Turn	A turn in golf simply means going from the 9th green to the 10th tee box of the golf course
Unplayable Lie	As the name suggests, when you make a shot on the course and your ball lands in a spot that is absolutely impossible to play out of, this is known as an unplayable lie. Ball must be dropped in a new lie, no closer to the hole and one stroke penalty applies
Uphill Lie	When you set up at address and your front foot is higher than your back foot, this is called an uphill lie. Swing on the same angle as the hill
Vardon Grip	The Vardon grip is another term for the overlapping grip. See also "Overlapping Grip"
Waggle	Before hitting the ball it is always recommended that you warm up. And warming up typically includes a little "waggle" of the club, which means to move it back and forth a bit before making your swing. It helps you to relax
Water Hazard	A water hazard is just the way it sounds: A body of water that can be hazardous to your score. Typically marked by red or yellow stakes, these areas of water can cause you to take a penalty if your ball lands inside and you cannot play out of it
Weak Grip	In golf a weak grip means gripping the club in such a way that only one knuckle is showing of the left hand. This grip is traditionally used to help turn the ball towards the right, or fade to the right
Wedge	The wedge is a standard golf club in every player's bag. It is a short iron that has a loft of 48 degrees or more, and is traditionally used to hit short shots or sand shots. There is the least amount of loft in the pitching wedge. A gap wedge has more loft. Then up the line is the sand wedge. And lastly the lob wedge has the most loft of all golf clubs
Whiff	This is the sound that a golf club makes when you make a swing and it whips right over top of the ball, completely missing it. Really nice swing Dave
Wood	The wood is a type of golf club that has a fairly large head to hit the ball. Shaped like a pear, this club head is made out of wood or metal. Woods are typically longer than irons and are used to hit longer distances. Your driver is considered a wood. Today there are many players that will carry with them a 5 wood, 7 wood, and a 9 wood, more consistent than using long irons
Yips	When you putt the ball and your hands and arms tend to twitch, or shake, these are called the yips. There are certain physical and mental exercises that can help you get rid of the yips. If that fails, go buy a beer

Don't despair… your experience is how you become a better student of the game. Each term is actually a puzzle piece, which creates part of the learning curve you'll encounter while learning to be a better player and what to avoid. When you're practicing or being taught through a series of lessons by a PGA professional or learning my free techniques from this site, you hold the keys to the roadmap on your journey. Allow them to sink in as part of a solid foundation while developing your skill level. It definitely pays big dividends in the long term.

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