Golf jargon decoder

45 terms

• Ace / hole-in-oneGetting the ball in the hole from the tee in one shot.
• AddressStanding over the ball ready to hit it.
• AlbatrossThree under par on a hole.
• ApproachA shot played toward the green.
• BirdieOne under par on a hole.
• BogeyOne over par on a hole.
• BreakThe sideways slope of a putt.
• BunkerA sand hazard. Also called a sand trap.
• CarryHow far the ball flies in the air before landing.
• ChipA short, low shot from near the green that runs along the ground.
• DivotA piece of turf taken out by a shot.
• DoglegA hole that bends to the left or right.
• Double bogeyTwo over par on a hole.
• Draw / FadeA draw curves gently right to left for a right-hander. A fade curves gently left to right.
• EagleTwo under par on a hole.
• FairwayThe short, well-kept grass between the tee and the green.
• Flop shotA high, soft shot that lands softly and stops quickly.
• ForeA shout to warn people that your ball may hit them.
• GimmeAn informal agreement in friendly play that a short putt counts as holed.
• GreenThe very short grass around the hole where you putt.
• HandicapA number showing a golfer’s playing ability, used to let players of different levels compete fairly.
• Hook / SliceA hook curves sharply right to left, and a slice curves sharply left to right, for a right-hander.
• HybridA club that combines features of an iron and a wood.
• Lag puttA long putt aimed to finish close to the hole.
• LieWhere and how the ball is sitting on the ground.
• LinksA coastal course built on sandy land, often firm and with few trees.
• LoftThe angle of the clubface. More loft sends the ball higher and shorter.
• Match playA format where you win holes rather than count total strokes.
• MulliganAn informal free second shot. Not part of the official rules.
• OB (out of bounds)The area outside the course where play is not allowed. Penalty applies.
• ParThe number of strokes an expert is expected to need for a hole.
• Penalty areaAn area such as water, with yellow or red markers, where relief is allowed for a penalty.
• Pin / flagstickThe pole in the hole.
• PitchA higher shot with more flight and less roll than a chip.
• Provisional ballA second ball played in case the first is lost or out of bounds.
• RoughThe longer grass beside the fairway.
• ScrambleA team format. Everyone hits, the team picks the best shot and all play from there.
• ShankA mishit where the ball comes off the hosel of the club and shoots sideways.
• SleeveA box of three golf balls.
• StablefordA format where you score points on each hole instead of counting strokes.
• Stroke playA format where the lowest total number of strokes wins.
• Tee boxThe area where you start each hole.
• Up and downGetting the ball in the hole in two shots from off the green.
• WedgeA high-lofted club used for short shots, bunkers and chipping.
• YipsA nervous twitch that affects putting or chipping.