A

“A” Game: A golfer’s best game which is executed on a regular basis.

Ace: Hitting the ball into the hole in one swing of the club.

Address: The golfer’s stance and positioning in preparation to hit a shot, with the clubhead behind the ball.

Afraid of The Dark: When the putted ball refuses to fall into the hole.

Aim: The intended direction in which the golfer is trying to strike the ball.

Airmail: A golf shot which travels a considerably longer distance than planned.

Albatross (aka Double Eagle): This means a score of three strokes under Par, which as you can imagine is very rare.

Alignment: The positioning of the feet, shoulders, and club face in relation to the target.

All square: Tied score in match play.

Approach shot: A golf shot played from a location other than the tee, typically from the fairway, fairway bunkers, or rough, with the objective of landing the ball on the green.

Apron: The narrow strip of grass around the edge of the green, typically less than a yard wide, separating the fairway and the green surface; this area can also be referred to as the fringe.

Army Golf: Like a marching rhythm: Left-right-left, in the game of golf it means hitting the ball out of bounds to the left then to the right the next time.

Attend to pin: Holding the flag, pin, or flagstick while another player putts and removing it as the ball leaves the putter face.

Away: The golfer who has the next turn to play, often indicated by the phrase “You’re away” when no one is currently hitting but should be.

B

Back nine: Holes 10-18 on an 18-hole golf course, the counterpart and complement to the front nine.

Backhander: When you hit the ball casually with the back-side of the putter to “Hole” a very short putt.

Backspin: The spin generated on the ball when the grooves on the clubface create a backward rotation. This spin is responsible for stopping the ball on the green or fairway and can sometimes make the ball roll backward. Alternatives: zip, rip, bite

Back-swing: The initial part of the golf swing where the club is taken from behind the ball to behind your head. It is the opposite and complement of the follow-through or down-swing.

Banana Ball: The ball travels in a ”banana-shaped” curve. A very sharp fade shot known as a “slice”.

Ball-marker: Typically a coin or a small plastic disk with a tiny spike used to mark the position of the ball on the green to avoid interference with another player’s putt.

Barkies: Hitting the golf ball at trees and obtaining a good score despite it.

Beach: Term used for a sand bunker.

Birdie: A score of one less than par.

Bite: If a ball has lots of backspin it is said to “bite” because it stays close to where it landed or may spin back toward the player. If a ball appears to be going past the hole a player may shout “pray” or a more humorous way can be to shout, “grow teeth!”.

Blade: A type of golf iron where the weight is evenly distributed from heel to toe behind the sweet spot, located at the back of the club. It is the opposite of a cavity back iron. Blades are generally not recommended for beginners because they are more challenging to hit.

To blade: To strike a golf ball off the leading edge of the club, resulting in a low ball flight with little control or spin. For example, “I bladed it right over the green!” Alternatives: thinned it, skulled it, hit it thin.

Blind shot: A type of golf shot where the landing area cannot be seen from the tee or the green is not visible from the approach shot location.

Block: A golf shot that travels very far to the right with minimal shape, going directly right off the clubface. For instance, “He blocked it way to the right.”

Bogey: A score of one over par.

Bogey golf: Playing to one stroke over par on every hole, which typically equates to an 18 handicap.

Bounce: The angle measured from the front edge of a club’s sole to the point that rests on the ground when addressing the ball. It prevents a sand wedge from digging into sand or getting stuck in long grass.

Bracket: To be prepared for a different situation where you need to hit a certain shot you will need to take additional clubs – one higher and one lower known as a Bracket.

Break or borrow: Refers to the movement of a golf ball on the green away from a straight line. This deviation is primarily caused by slopes on the green and the grain of the grass. Reading greens accurately takes practice and skill.

Bump and run: A lower pitch or chip shot played with the intention of bumping the ball into the air and letting it run or roll for most of the journey to the hole. It can be executed from the fairway or around the green.

Bunker: A hollow area filled with sand, categorized as green-side bunkers, fairway bunkers, or waste bunkers. Grounding the club in green-side and fairway bunkers is not allowed, while it is permitted in waste bunkers. It’s a challenging spot for some, but modern clubs make it easier for beginners to escape. Alternatives: sand, the beach. Avoid: sand trap.

Buzzard (aka Double Bogey): A score of two over par.

C

Cabbage (aka Spinach): If you hit the ball into inescapable thick rough.

Caddy/Caddie: Individuals you can hire at a golf club to carry your bag of clubs and provide guidance on distances, club selection, strategic options, and reading the greens.

Can: Refers to the “Cup” on the Green.

Carpet: Term which refers to the “Green”.

Carry: The distance the ball travels through the air before landing on the ground. It can be used in conjunction with caddies, such as asking, “What’s the carry over the water?” or even in a playful manner, “I carried my 8 iron 240 yards!”

Cart: A vehicle resembling a buggy that you can sit on and drive around the golf course. Some courses may require golfers to use carts, which can be powered by electricity or fuel. These carts allow you to secure your golf bag and often come equipped with a cooler box for keeping beverages cool during your round.

Cart: A manually operated two, three, or sometimes four-wheeled cart used to transport your golf bag around the course.

Casual water: A build-up of water on the golf course after heavy rain that is not part of a water hazard. The player can move the ball without penalty.

Cat Box: A sand bunker.

Cavity back: Golf irons designed with weight distribution around the perimeter of the club head to enhance forgiveness. These clubs are highly recommended for beginners.

Center of Gravity: A somewhat enigmatic concept that can be employed as a marketing tool to generate interest in golf clubs by confusing the general public.

Chicken Stick: If faced with a difficult shot, a golfer will choose a play-it-safe club that is within his capabilities to properly complete the shot.

Chili Dip (aka Fat/Chunk shot): Hitting the ground behind the ball before impact with the ball.

Chip: A short golf shot typically played from a position near the green, with the intention of landing the ball on the green and allowing it to roll up toward the hole.

Chipping: Short shot usually made from just off the green.

Choke down: A technique that involves gripping the club further down the grip than usual, providing more accuracy but less distance. It’s particularly useful when chipping to achieve better feel. Alternative: grip down.

Closed club face: Occurs when the clubface points to the left for a right-handed golfer or to the right for a left-handed golfer at the moment of impact.

Club: The various types of golf equipment, including drivers, fairway woods, hybrids, irons, wedges, and putters, all designed to hit the golf ball. Avoid referring to them as sticks or bats, as this might make you sound like a novice. There’s no minimum number of clubs required.

Club head: The weighty part at the end of a golf club that is used to strike the ball.

Club-face: The area on the clubhead that comes into contact with the ball during impact.

Clubhouse: The facility where golf clubs offer amenities, typically including locker rooms, restaurants, a pro shop, bars, and the manager’s office for addressing concerns about course conditions. It’s common to socialize with your group in the clubhouse after a round.

Compression: A unit of measurement indicating the hardness of a golf ball. Lower compression signifies a softer ball, while higher compression signifies a harder ball. Manufacturers have been producing lower compression (softer) golf balls for high handicappers and slower swingers.

Course: A location designed for playing golf, referred to as a golf club or golf course, and can feature 9 or 18 holes.

Cross-handed (putting grip): A putting grip where the right-handed players have the right hand below the left hand, in contrast to the conventional grip. Some golfers, like Jordan Spieth, use a cross-handed grip with the left hand below the right. There is no universally correct putting grip; it’s a matter of personal preference.

Cuban: Putting action where the ball stops short of dropping into the cup.

Cup: The hole on the green – 4.5-inch diameter, 4-inch-deep.

Cut: A shot that intentionally moves from left to right for right-handed golfers. It can be described as “I cut that ball perfectly” or “I hit a nice 5-yard cut on that one.”

D

Dance floor: Refers to the green.

Dawn patrol: Golfers who play at sunrise.

Decelerate: To reduce the speed of the clubhead near impact, often caused by a lack of confidence. This is a common occurrence during chip shots. It’s recommended to practice chips and ensure an accelerated clubhead through the ball, as nearly 99% of golf shots are unlikely to succeed with deceleration through impact.

Deep: A hole/flagstick that is located on the back of the green.

Dew Sweepers: Reference to players in a Professional Tournament who have the earliest Tee times (when the dew is still on the course), in the third or fourth round of the tournament.

Dimples: Small indentations on the surface of a golf ball designed to create aerodynamic drag, helping to keep the ball in the air. Dimples enable golf balls to travel farther and more accurately than smooth-surfaced balls.

Distance markers: Objects such as stakes on the side of the fairway or embedded plates within the fairway that indicate distances of 100, 150, 200, and sometimes 250 yards from the green, helping golfers gauge their shots.

Divot: The portion of grass that is removed from the ground when a golf shot is taken. Some golf courses may have specific guidelines regarding the replacement of divots. Depending on the type of grass, players may be required to either return the divot to its original position or fill the hole with sand.

Dogleg: A type of golf hole that initially starts straight but then has the fairway curving to the left or right as it approaches the green.

Dog Track (aka Goat track): When a golf course is in poor condition.

Double bogey: Scoring two strokes over the par.

Downswing: The phase of the golf swing during which the club moves from the top of the backswing toward the ball in preparation for impact with the ball.

Drained: Slang term for having sunk a putt.

Draw: A shot shape where the golf ball curves from right to left with added topspin. It is the opposite of a fade.

Dribbler (aka Fat Shot): When a shot that only goes forward a few feet.

Drive: The initial shot played from the tee box to start a hole.

Driver: The longest club with the biggest head, used for tee shots as it’s designed to hit the ball the farthest.

Driving range: A designated area for practicing golf, usually separate from a golf course, where players can hit golf balls and work on their swings.

Duck Hook (aka Snap Hook): A ball that curves right to left on a low trajectory and off target.

Duff: A poor golf shot, typically characterized by minimal or no contact between the clubface and the golf ball. This type of shot is often referred to as a Dub, Flub, or Shank.

Duffer (aka Hacker): An “inexperienced” or mediocre golfer.

E

Eagle: A score of two under par.

Even: Your score being equal to par for the round so far.

Executive course: A golf course that is shorter and has a lower par than regular golf courses suitable for beginner golfers and juniors.

F

Fade: A ball flight that curves from left to right for a right-handed golfer. It is typically a controlled shot and not as extreme as a slice. The fade is known for its controllability and is a favored shot type used by golfers like Dustin Johnson and enjoyed by legends like Jack Nicklaus.

Fairway: The section of shorter grass located outside of the tee box and the green. Fairways are meticulously maintained and cut short to enable the ball to roll smoothly and provide golfers with a desirable lie for their shots.

Fat shot: Occurs when the clubhead strikes the ground before making contact with the ball. This type of shot usually results in reduced distance and a hit to one’s pride. Alternatives: chunk, chili-dip, hitting the big ball before the small ball.

First tee: Where a round of golf play begins.

Flagstick: A metal alloy pole topped with a flag that is positioned inside the hole to indicate the hole’s location. Different color flags may signify varying hole positions, such as front, middle, or back. Alternative: pin, flag

Flyer: Hit from the rough, a ball which goes a lot further than envisioned.

Fly the green: A shot that goes over the green.

Fore: Shouted when the ball is heading towards someone.

Forward tees: The teeing ground located closest to the green.

Flop shot: A golf shot which is hit quite high and short, which upon contact with the Green, rolls very little and stops. The ball is “Flopped” onto the putting surface.

Flub: A terrible shot which causes a loss in scoring.

Follow-through: The final phase of the golf swing that concludes the swing sequence.

Foot Wedge: Where the golfer uses his “foot” to push the ball into a better position.

Fore: A loud shout issued when a golfer hits a ball in the direction of other players, serving as a warning for them to take cover. When you hear “Fore,” it’s essential to react promptly!

Forgiveness: A golf club is considered forgiving when it allows golfers to hit straighter and longer shots even on mishits. Super Game Improvement clubs greatly assist in making it much easier to hit the ball effectively. Drivers, fairway woods, irons, and wedges can all be designed for forgiveness. This is a crucial aspect for beginners when selecting golf clubs.

Four-ball: A golf format involving two teams of two players each, with each player on a team playing their own ball throughout the round. For more details and information see our page on games.

Four-jack: On any given Green taking four putts to get the ball in the hole.

Freshy: A shot where a golfer swings at the ball and completely misses it. It’s a common occurrence for new players, and despite the whiff, it counts as one stroke. Alternative: whiff, “I whiffed it!”

Fried Egg (aka Plugged): Where only the top half of the ball is visible when buried in a Sandtrap.

Fringe: Another term for the apron, which is the narrow strip of grass surrounding the green.

Front nine: Holes numbered 1 through 9 on a golf course.

Frog Hair: Closely mown grass surrounding the Green.

G

Gimmes: These are short putts that your playing partners believe you won’t miss. They choose to concede the putt, allowing you to pick up the ball and record it as a single stroke. While gimmes are generally not permitted in strokeplay competitions, they are acceptable in matchplay and informal rounds with your friends. For beginners, gimmes may tend to be of shorter distances compared to more experienced players, who might receive gimmes of up to 3 feet.

Get up: An expression shouted at a ball that looks like it’s going to land short of the target.

Grain: The direction in which the grass on the putting surface grows. It has a significant impact on the break of putts. Different regions use various types of grass on their greens. Grass with noticeable grain is employed on greens in hot, harsh, and humid climates, whereas finer, less grainy grass is used in temperate and cool climates. Bermuda grass is a common example of grainy grass.

Green: The area of the golf course with the shortest grass, meticulously maintained to provide a smooth surface ideal for putting. Alternative: the dancefloor

Green Fee: The fee you pay for a round of golf.

Green in regulation (GIR): Achieved when your ball lands on the surface of the green in a number of shots that is two less than the par for that hole. To attain a GIR, you typically land on the green as follows:

• 1 shot on a par 3
• 2 shots on a par 4
• 3 shots on a par 5

Grounding: Setting the heel of the golf club on the ground.

Grounding the club: Allowing the clubhead to make contact with the ground. However, in water hazards and bunkers, it is against the rules to let the club touch the ground. In all other areas of the course, grounding the club is permitted.

Ground under repair (GUR): A designated area on the golf course identified as undergoing repair or maintenance. In such areas, players are generally allowed to take a free drop.

Groove: The deep lines or indentations cut into the clubface to facilitate generating spin on the golf ball.

Good-good, give-give: A situation in match play where one golfer offers a concession (a gimme) in exchange for the opponent doing the same. If both players have short putts left to halve the hole, one might propose “give give?” or “good good?” It’s up to the recipient of the offer to accept or decline it.

H

Hacker: An “inexperienced” or mediocre golfer.

Hand Wedge: Where the golfer uses his “hand” to nudge the ball into a better lie.

Half: In a matchplay format, if you and your opponent both score the same on a hole, you “half” that hole.

Handicap: A numerical representation of a golfer’s playing ability.

Hazard: A term encompassing bunkers and permanent water features. Water hazards are clearly marked with yellow or red stakes, and specific rules apply when playing out of hazards.

Heel: The part of the clubhead nearest to you at address, where the shaft enters the clubhead.

Hole: The circular opening on the green with a diameter of 4.25 inches (108 mm). Alternative: cup, jar, can

Hole in one: Another term for an ace.

Honours: The right to tee off first based on having the best score on the last hole or being furthest away from the hole.

Hook: When a right-handed player strikes the ball such that it curves sharply from right to left.

Hosel: The part of the clubhead where the shaft is attached.

Hot: A shot that goes faster than intended.

Hybrid: Golf clubs that are designed to replace long irons. They incorporate a piece of metal at the back to make them easier to hit and provide added forgiveness. Many golfers are transitioning from long irons to hybrids for improved performance.

I

Iffy lie: A ball that is in an unfortunate lie and dubious whether the ball can be struck well for a good golf shot.

Interlocking grip: Holding a club with the left index finger interlocking on the right hand between the ring and little finger.

In the Leather: A putted ball close enough to the hole to be accepted by the other players.

Iron:Golf clubs numbered from 3 to 9.

J

Juicy lie: Offers a nice clean hit. A juicy lie indicates the ball is sitting on top of grass as if it is mounted on a short Tee.

Jungle: A ball hit into the deepest and rough area on the golf course.

K

Kick: A golfer who asks for a good kick is hoping for the ball to bounce in a good position.

Knee-knocker: A nervous reaction when a golfer has a short putt (3 to 4 feet) remaining for the next Putt.

Knock-down:A shot which is hit low in order to be unaffected by the wind.

L

Lag putt: A lengthy putt that typically exceeds 20 feet in length.

Lay up: When trying to reach the Green could be a risky shot and it is a lot safer to hit a drive or fairway shot short of the Green.

Lip out: You have “lipped out” when your ball hits the lip but doesn’t go in the hole.

Loop: Refers to one 18-Hole circuit around the Golf Course.

Lumberjack: When a golfer hits a ball into a wooded area numerous times during a round and continues to hit the trees trying to get out of the woods.

Lie: Refers to how the golf ball is positioned on the ground or in a hazard. A tight lie occurs on hard surfaces, a fluffy lie on softer grass, and a buried lie means the ball is deeply embedded in either grass or sand.

Lifting your head: This occurs when a golfer prematurely raises their head to see where the ball is going, often resulting in poor shots, such as topping the ball, and can also lead to missed putts, typically to the right.

Line: The anticipated path that the ball will follow to reach the hole on the greens. It’s essential to avoid standing on the “line” that another player might be aiming for on the greens, as it’s considered a major breach of golf etiquette.

Links: Golf courses situated on sandy dunes near the ocean. In a more casual context, “Let’s hit the links” might refer to playing golf for fun.

Loft: The degree/angle of the face of the club. It significantly influences the trajectory and distance the golf ball will travel.

M

Match play: A format in which golfers or teams compete against each other hole-by-hole. Each hole is a separate contest, and the goal is to win more of the 18 holes than your opponent. The total stroke count is not considered; only the number of holes won matters.

Member’s bounce: Refers to a situation where a golfer hits a poor shot, but the ball surprisingly ends up in a favorable position. This term is frequently used in such situations.

Mickey Mouse course: Refers to a course with many short holes and bad maintenance.

Misread: Occurs when a golfer hits the ball with the expectation that it will follow a particular path into the hole, but it behaves differently from what was anticipated.

Mulligan: A mulligan, also known as a “re-hit,” is when a golfer cancels a poor shot and plays another ball from the same spot, counting the new shot and disregarding the previous one. While mulligans are not allowed by the official rules of golf, they are occasionally used in informal play. It’s worth noting that Bill Clinton is known for favoring mulligans during his rounds of golf.

Modified scramble (aka Shamble/ Texas Scramble): Tournament format where golfers select the best shot off the tee, move all balls to that spot, and play individual stroke play for the rest of the hole.

N

Nineteenth (19th) hole: The Clubhouse Bar.

Nip it: A Clean hit which tends to lessen the amount of backspin.

Nuked: When you gain a greater distance than your average or typical distance.

O

Open face: Refers to the position of the clubface when it is pointed to the right for right-handed golfers. This clubface orientation often leads to shots that curve to the right, such as fades and slices.

Out-of-bounds: An area on the golf course that is designated and marked by the course management as being out of play. It is typically indicated by white stakes or boundary lines. If a golfer’s ball goes out of bounds, they must take a penalty stroke, rehit the shot from the original spot, and add a stroke to their score. For example, if you hit your tee shot out of bounds with your driver, you count 1 stroke for the original shot, place the ball on the tee again (2 strokes), and then take another shot (3 strokes in total).

Overlapping grip: Also known as the Vardon grip, this is a common way to hold the golf club, where the right hand (for right-handed golfers) overlaps the left hand on the grip of the club. This grip style is widely used by golfers.

P

Pace: Refers to the speed at which a putt is struck in order to reach the hole. When putting, it’s important to focus on both the break (the curve) of the putt and getting the pace right to ensure a successful putt.

Par: The standard score set for a golf hole based on its length and difficulty. Golfers aim to complete a hole in this suggested number of strokes.

PGA: Stands for the Professional Golfers’ Association. Each country typically has its own PGA, which is responsible for the administration and organization of professional golf within that country.

Pin: Another term for the flagstick, which is placed inside the hole on the green.

Pin-high: Describes the position of a golf ball that is level with the hole but located to the left or right of it. For example, you might say, “Your ball is pin-high to the right.”

Pitch: A golf shot that covers a relatively short distance, typically under 60 yards, and is usually executed with a sand wedge, pitching wedge, or lob wedge.

Pitch mark: Marks left on the putting green from where the golf ball lands. It is considered good etiquette to repair these little depressions with a tool designed for this purpose.

Play through: When there is a faster-moving group of golfers behind you on the course, it is courteous to allow them to “play through.” This means you should temporarily stop playing and let them pass, allowing them to move on to the next hole ahead of you.

Plugged lie: A situation in which the golf ball is deeply embedded in the ground, typically in a bunker or rough.

Plus handicap: Refers to a golf handicap that is better than zero, which is typically associated with professional-level golfers.

Preferred lies: A local rule that allows golfers to pick up, clean, and move the ball in the fairway when the course conditions are poor, such as after heavy rain or when the fairways are in bad shape.

Pre-shot routine: The sequence of practice swings, adjustments, and other movements that a golfer goes through before making a shot. Establishing a consistent and efficient pre-shot routine can help improve performance.

Pro (Professional): Professional golfers who either compete on tours or make a living from teaching golf.

Pro shop: A golf shop typically operated by a professional golfer at a golf club. It provides golfers with equipment, fittings, lessons, and other golf-related services.

Provisional ball: A second ball that is played if the first ball is or may be lost or out of bounds.

Pull: A shot in which the ball unintentionally flies to the left for a right-handed golfer. It is typically less severe than a hook.

Punch shot: A low-trajectory shot designed to travel under tree branches or other obstacles. Golfers use punch shots to escape trouble.

Push: A shot that unintentionally flies to the right for a right-handed golfer. It is typically less severe than a slice.

Putt: A golf shot played along the ground on the putting green with a putter. The objective is to roll the ball into the hole.

Putting green: A practice area located near the clubhouse or the first tee, specifically designed for golfers to practice their putting skills. It is also used for general putting practice to refine putting strokes and build confidence.

Putter: A flat-faced golf club designed for use on the putting green. It is primarily used to roll the golf ball into the hole. An alternative term for a putter is a “flat-stick.”

Q

Quick: Rushing your swing or trying to hit too hard.

R

Rainmaker: A golf shot with a very high trajectory.

Range: Refers to the practice area, often called the driving range, where golfers can practice hitting golf balls.

Rangefinder: A laser device used to accurately measure distances to various points on the golf course. Golfers often use rangefinders to determine distances to hazards or the pin.

Ready golf: To speed up or maintain the pace of play players will hit when ready.

Rough: The long grass bordering the fairway.

S

Sandbagger: Refers to a golfer who intentionally manipulates their handicap to make it higher than their actual skill level, often with the aim of winning more prizes in competitions. Such individuals may play with a higher handicap than their actual performance suggests, especially during social games. This practice is generally not well-received among fellow competitors, as golf is often considered a sport where honesty and integrity are paramount.

Sand save: Occurs when a golfer successfully gets out of a greenside bunker with a single shot and then makes a one-putt to finish the hole. This accomplishment is often seen as an impressive feat in the golfing community.

Sand wedge: A golf club designed for getting out of bunkers, but also used for various shots within 100 yards of the green, including chips, pitches, and full swings. Beginners should seek a sand wedge that is particularly effective for bunker play.

Scramble: A technique where golfers attempt to make par on a hole after missing the green. This typically involves chipping and putting to recover from a challenging situation.

Scratch golfer: Refers to a golfer with a handicap of zero, indicating an advanced level of skill. Scratch golfers typically shoot scores between 69 and 74, showcasing consistent and high-level play.

Shank: A shot in which the golfer unintentionally strikes the ball with the hosel of the club, causing it to veer sharply to the right at an almost 90-degree angle. The shank is often regarded as a troublesome shot that can affect players’ performance. Its exact cause is unknown but can sometimes occur when golfers are struggling with their game.

Short game: Encompasses all the shots made in and around the green, including putting, chipping, pitching, and bunker shots.

Skull: A stroke made above the equator of the ball which is mis-hit, resulting in a line-drive trajectory.

Slice: A shot shape in which the ball curves severely from left to right, often resulting in a poor outcome. Slicing is frequently seen in beginner and high-handicap golfers.

Snowman: Scoring an 8 on a hole, and the number “8” visually resembles a snowman.

Sole: The bottom or underside of a golf club.

Speed: Refers to how quickly the ball will travel towards the hole, which is crucial for adjusting your stroke. Faster greens require a softer touch as the ball must be struck more gently, producing greater break. Conversely, slower greens necessitate a firmer strike as they exhibit less break.

Sticks: The plural “sticks” means golf clubs not to be confused with flagstick.

Stimpmeter: A device used to measure the speed of greens, helping golfers gauge the putting conditions.

Stroke play: A golf format in which the objective is to finish the game using the fewest total shots.

Sweet spot: The specific area on the clubface, often near the center, where the most distance and control can be achieved when striking the ball. Golf clubs with larger sweet spots are considered forgiving and are a wise choice for beginners or high handicappers as they help reduce significant errors.

T

Tap in: A short, easy to make Putt.

Tee: The peg that is inserted into the ground and serves as a platform for placing your ball when hitting a driver or tee shot.

Tee time: The precise scheduled start time for your round of golf. Many golf courses mandate booking tee times to effectively manage the number of golfers on the course.

Teeing ground: The designated area from which you launch your drives. For beginners, it’s recommended to play from the forward-most tees for men at the course, making the game more accessible to learn. Most courses offer three or four sets of tees. On the tee, you’ll find tee markers made of metal, plastic, or wood, and the line formed by these two markers represents the imaginary starting point of the hole.

Tester: Tends to test a golfer. It is where a Putt is too far away for a “Gimmie”, but short enough a good putting golfer can hole it.

Thin shot: A shot in which you strike the ball with the leading edge of the club, causing it to travel low and far. Golfers sometimes use the phrase “thin to win,” implying that even a thinly struck shot from the fairway can reach the green, in contrast to a “fat” shot that would fall well short of the target. Thin shots can be especially common among beginners when attempting to hit the ball too forcefully.

Through the green: Refers to the entire area of the golf course, excluding the teeing ground of the hole currently in play, the green of that hole, and all course hazards.

Tips: The championship tees on a golf course, often referred to as “playing the course from the tips.”

Toe: The end of the clubface farthest from the hosel.

Topped: Describes a shot where you make contact with the top of the ball using the sole of the club, resulting in the ball either popping straight up or rolling just a few yards in front of you. This is a common error, particularly among beginners, often occurring when attempting to hit the ball too forcefully.

Triple bogey: Achieving a score that is three strokes over the designated par for the hole, such as 6 on a par 3, 7 on a par 4, or 8 on a par 5.

The Turn: Refers to the transition from the 9th hole to the 10th hole during a round. As you move from the 10th to the 18th hole, you essentially turn back toward the clubhouse.

U

Unplayable: When you can’t play a shot you can declare the ball unplayable and take a penalty drop.

Up and down: Only taking two strokes to get the golf ball into the hole when your ball is resting around the green.

U-turn: A Putt that rolls almost all the way around the edge of the “Cup” before actually coming out and around without falling in.

V

Valleys: Relatively flat areas with sharp undulations between mounds on a green.

Victory lap: The circle a Putt makes around the rim of the Cup before going in.

Velcro: Is the speed of the Putting Green on a golf course.

W

Waggle: The preparatory motion of the club behind the ball during the address as a player becomes more at ease before taking their shot.

Watery Grave: A final resting place for your “Miss-Hit” shot over a water hazard.

Wedge: A category of irons featuring high lofts designed for shorter distances, primarily used in the short game.

Wood: Golf clubs characterized by their large, rounded heads, known for delivering the longest shots, with the driver being the most prominent example. Fairway woods are particularly beginner-friendly and should be included in most novice golfers’ club sets.

Worm burner: A shot struck very close to the ground, traveling at high speed. Alternative terms include “mole raper” and “daisy cutter.”

Whiff: A poor golf swing with a complete miss of the ball.

Y

Yips: Due to nervousness and lack of a smooth putting stroke, Yips is the inability to make short putts.

Yank: When a Putt is pulled sharply to the left.

Z

Zone: You’re said to be “in the zone” if you are playing well.