In Gaelic the word is 'goilf' and a golf course is 'raon goilf' or 'cùrsa goilf'. Some claim 'golf' is a purely Scottish term, derived from Scots words 'golf', 'golfand' and 'golfing', which mean 'to strike' as in 'to cuff' or 'to drive forward with violence'.
Full Answer
What are the different terms used in golf?
The list, although not exhaustive, is designed to be a complete A to Z of all Golf Terms/Lingo used in golf. Ace – Otherwise known as a hole in one an ace is when the ball finds the hole from the tee in a single stoke. It is the dream of many golfers. Address – The way you stand and position your club before a shot is known as address.
What is still Yours in golf?
Still Yours – After your 1st putt you are still the furthest from the hole. Stimpmeter – A device used to measure the speed of the greens. Basically, a shute that they run a few balls down on the green. Stroke – Any swing with a golf club from a golfer that is addressing and trying to hit the golf ball.
Is it'Gouf'or'golf'?
The first documented reference is spelt 'golf', but most people believe the old word 'gowfe' was the most common term, pronounced 'gouf'. Certainly, the word 'gouf' is found extensively in written texts, long after 'golf' was the acknowledged game.
What is the meaning of the word golf?
Golf - Meaning of Word Golf A common misconception is that the word GOLF is an acronym for Gentlemen Only Ladies Forbidden. This is a 20th century joke and definitely not true. It is now generally accepted that the 'golf' is derived from an old word meaning 'club', though this in turn may have older cognate roots dating back to ancient times.
What is even par in golf?
If a golfer makes two pars to start a round, he is “even par” for the round. If a player opens with two birdies, he is “two under” for the round. If a player makes two bogeys to start a round, he is “two over.”. Similarly, if a player makes a birdie on the 1st hole and follows it with a bogey on No. 2, he is “even par.”.
What is a forecaddie in golf?
Some think it comes from the golf term “forecaddie”, which is a person that stands in a forward position on each golf hole to pinpoint where the players’ balls go. “Forecaddies” are often in the line of fire and need to be warned when a ball is flying toward them.
What is a handicap in golf?
Handicap: A handicap is a measurement of the average number of strokes over par a particular golfer makes during a round on an average golf course. So, a person with a handicap of 15 is expected to shoot a score of 87 on a par-72 golf course of average difficulty. A 5-handicapper is expected to shoot a 77 on the same course.
What is a bogey in golf?
A bogey? Let’s start simply with the golf terms “par”, “birdie” and “bogey”. All three of these golf terms refer to scoring. “Par” represents the number of strokes an expert golfer is expected to make on the hole or course. Every golf hole has a “par” assigned to it. Most holes are either a par 3, par 4, or par 5.
What is scratch golf?
Scratch: A “scratch” golfer is a golfer with a handicap of 0. These expert golfers are expected to shoot even par or better on most golf courses. Yips: A condition in which a muscle spasm or mental block prevents you from performing a simple golf task. Most often it’s associated with putting.
What is a mulligan in golf?
A mulligan is a golf term that only applies to recreational golfers. Sometimes (and sometimes often) amateur players will hit a poor drive on the 1st hole, whether it is due to nerves or failing to warm up properly.
Where are links golf courses located?
Links courses are also usually located on ocean coasts, where strong, changing winds play a major factor. “Links” golf courses began in Scotland with the very first golf courses ever built.
What is the back nine of a golf course?
Back Nine – This refers to the last 9 holes of a typical 18 hole course, also known as heading in. Backswing – As the term suggests, this is simply the action taking when swinging back before striking the golf ball. It is important for distance and accuracy.
What is an ace in golf?
Ace – Otherwise known as a hole in one an ace is when the ball finds the hole from the tee in a single stoke. It is the dream of many golfers.
What is a baseball grip?
Baseball Grip – A type of grip that resembles a baseball bat grip. Others might call it a 10-finger grip. Below the Hole – A term that refers to a putt where the hole is at a higher elevation than the ball. Big Dog – A Driver. Bite – A term used by golfers for a golf ball to stop rolling.
Why is backspin important in golf?
It is important for distance and accuracy. Backspin – Spin is very important in most aspects golf and you will often come across the term when comparing clubs or in golfing instructions. Simply put, more backspin will give you a high ball with a fair amount of control.
What is a local rule in golf?
Local Rule – Specific rule or rules that are not mainstream and only for that particular golf course. Long – A term for a golfer who hits the ball far (Dustin Johnson). Long Game – Refers to hitting long irons, woods, hybrids, and driver. Lob Wedge – A type of wedge that is usually in the 60 to 64-degree range.
What is a fat shot in golf?
The specifics and colors can vary from course to course. Fat – A fat shot is when the club strikes the ground before the ball.
What is a big dog in golf?
Big Dog – A Driver. Bite – A term used by golfers for a golf ball to stop rolling. Bladed Shot – A chip shot from just off the green purposely hit with the bottom of the club. Played often from when the ball rests against the collar of the green. Runs like a putt.
What does "fore right" mean in golf?
If you hit an errant shot that is traveling dangerously close to other golfers, you are expected to use this term. This term will often be used in combination with a direction. For example, if you’re shot is heading towards people on the right side of a hole, you should yell, “fore-right!”.
What is an iron in golf?
Irons refer to the metal clubs in a golf bag. Generally, the lower the number, the longer the distance the ball will travel. There are two main types of irons – cavity back irons and blade irons. The one you select will depend on your individual skill level.
What does it mean to have an eagle on a par 5?
An eagle in golf is when you score two under par on a hole. On a par-5, this would mean you only needed three shots to get the ball into the hole. Eagles are by far most common on par-5s, although they happen occasionally on par-4s and 3s. An eagle on a par-3 is the same thing as a hole-in-one.
What is a bogey in golf?
A bogey is when you shoot one over par on a given hole. For example, if you take four strokes on a par-3, you could say you got a bogey on the hole. This is a decent score for beginners, but advanced players might be slightly disappointed if they get a bogey.
What is a golf handicap?
What it means: A golf handicap is a scoring system used to determine how well a golfer can shoot. Handicaps are used so that players of different skill levels can fairly compete against each other. The lower the handicap, the better the player, and vice-versa.
What does it mean when a golfer hits a shank?
A shank is a shot that makes contact with the hosel of an iron, causing it to shoot straight sideways. If a golfer hits several shanks in a row, you might say they’ve got “a bad case of the shanks.”. This is arguably one of the most frustrating shots in golf.
What does par mean in golf?
What it means: Par refers to the number of set strokes recommended to complete a given hole. Usually, this number will be 3, 4, or 5 depending on the length of the hole. These will be called par-3s, par-4s, and par-5s, respectively. Golfers use this term when comparing their score to the recommended number of strokes for the hole.
What is the most common word for golf?
The first documented reference is spelt 'golf', but most people believe the old word 'gowfe' was the most common term, pronounced 'gouf'. Certainly, the word 'gouf' is found extensively in written texts, long after 'golf' was the acknowledged game.
Where did the word "golf" come from?
It is now generally accepted that the 'golf' is derived from an old word meaning 'club', though this in turn may have older cognate roots dating back to ancient times. The first documented mention of the word 'golf' is in Edinburgh on 6th March 1457, when King James II banned 'ye golf', in an attempt to encourage archery practice, ...
What words were used before dictionaries?
Before the creation of dictionaries, there was no standardised spelling of any word. People wrote phonetically. Goff, gowf, golf, goif, goiff, gof, gowfe, gouff and golve have all been found in Scottish documents. The first documented reference is spelt 'golf', but most people believe the old word 'gowfe' was the most common term, pronounced 'gouf'.
What is the golf course called in Scotland?
The Loudoun Gowf Club maintains the tradition of this terminology. In Gaelic the word is 'goilf' and a golf course is 'raon goilf' or 'cùrsa goilf'. Some claim 'golf' is a purely Scottish term, derived from Scots words 'golf', 'golfand' and 'golfing', which mean 'to strike' as in 'to cuff' or 'to drive forward with violence'.
What does "colf" mean in golf?
Golf, colf, kolf and chole are all presumed to have originally meant 'club' and are associated with the Middle High German word for club, 'kolbe', (Der Kolben), and the Dutch word 'kolven' for the game of modern kolf. The history in the Rules of Thistle Golf Club documented this origin as far back as 1824. It is important to note that the word ...
When was golf invented?
On balance, however, it more likely that the 'golf' examples date to 1460 and the full details are discussed here.
Where was the first golf hole in Scotland?
Aberdeen Queens Links - site of first golf hole in Scotland- with Broad Hill on left. Most golf clubs in 16th and 17th century were made by bowers (bow-makers) whose skills made them ideally suited to the job. The names of very few of them have down to us. Recently two more 17th century club makers were found.
What is golf slang?
Golf slang is a colorful part of the game, and golf slang terms can be universally used or be specific to a very small region. Small groups of golfers might even develop their own terms, unique to their rounds.
What is the golf club called when you cheat?
Hand Wedge: The "club" a golfer uses when he cheats by picking up the golf ball and tossing it into a better spot. Sometimes called a "hand mashie.". Hangman: A score of 9 on a hole. Because the numeral "9" looks like a person hanging from a noose in the children's fill-in-the-blanks game called Hangman. Sort of.
What is a back door putt?
Back-door putt: A putt that catches the edge of the hole, spins around to the back of the hole, and falls into the cup off that back edge of the hole. Barkie: A bet won by a golf who makes par on a hole after his golf ball hit a tree. Also called a "woody" or "woodie" (and sometimes spelled "barky").
What is a golf cart jockey?
Cart Jockey: A golf course employee who greets golfers before the round, offers them help getting their bags onto the golf cart, and/or gives them a lift from the parking lot to the pro shop . After the round, the cart jockey usually greets the golfers again as they leave the 18th green, offers to give their clubs a wipe-down, ...
What is a golf shot with a lot of spin?
Pole Dancer: When your shot into the green hits the flagstick, it's a pole dancer. Popeye: A shot with lots of "spinnage" (lots of spin). Rainmaker: A golf shot with a very high trajectory. Usually applied to pop-ups, skyballs or other mis-hits, but can be applied to a shot played intentionally.
What does "off the deck" mean in golf?
Off the Deck: A stroke played this way means the golf ball is sitting on the ground, as opposed to a tee. This phrase is typically used when talking about hitting one's driver off the fairway — "hitting driver off the deck.".
What is a four jacked golf ball?
Four-Jack: When it takes you four putts to get your ball in the hole, you four-jacked it. Fried Egg: A golf ball that has plugged, or buried, in a sand bunker, so that the top of the ball resembles the yolk in a fried egg. Frog Hair: The fringe around a putting green.
What does par mean in golf?
There are terms that relate directly to golf when it comes to scoring. Par means the number of shots that golf courses determine it should take to hole the ball.
What is the fairway on a golf course?
Golf courses have a variety of terms to describe different playing conditions. A fairway is where you are supposed to hit your ball from the tee. It is typically the shortest-cut grass on the course beside the green. The green is the portion of grass where the hole is located.
What is a draw shot in golf?
There are many different shots that golfers hit, whether it be on purpose or accidental. A draw is a shot sends the ball from right to left. It ideally will start right of the target and then move back to the left.
What is the longest golf club in the bag?
Golfers have a wide variety of golf equipment. A driver is the longest club in the bag and has a much bigger club head than the rest of your clubs. It's designed to hit the ball the farthest, but is the hardest to control. It's considered a wood. Other woods in your bag may include a 3-wood, 5-wood or 7-wood. They have similar designs to your driver, but can be hit off the ground as well as from a tee. Irons got their name because they were originally made of iron, not wood. But nowadays they are made of steel, iron or graphite.
What is a divot in golf?
Divot – The small piece (sometimes large) of turf that comes out when your club makes contact with the ground. Sometimes you don’t even need to take a divot. Flyer – When your ball is in the rough, but propped up a bit then you might have a “flyer” lie. This will cause the ball to travel farther than it normally does.
What is double cross in golf?
Double Cross – When a golfer intends to hit a fade, or a draw but does the complete opposite. For example, if a golfer wanted to hit a fade and then ends up hooking it. Instead of the ball flying from left to right, it goes from right to left. Gimme – When your putt is close enough to the hole that it is considered to be made.
What does it mean when a golfer says "I chunked it"?
Chunk – When a golfer says “I chunked it” that usually means that they made contact behind the golf ball, and their club had dug into the ground too deeply. Also could be referred to as hitting it fat. Greenie – If you are playing a gambling format like Nassau usually groups will make side bets.
What does "pull" mean in golf?
Pull – When a golfer says they pull their shot, they have hit it directly to the left. Albatross – Another word for double eagle, or when scoring three under on a hole. This only occurs if you were to make a hole in one on a par 4, or hole out on your second shot in a par 5.
What does it mean when a golf putt rolls around the cup?
Lip Out – When your putt rolls around the edge of the cup causing it to change directions. This is terribly frustrating because that means you almost made the putt! Slice – This is probably the most popular of golf terms as it relates to a player’s swing. A slice is occurs when a golfer puts excessive curve on the ball.
What is a slice in golf?
A slice is occurs when a golfer puts excessive curve on the ball. For a right-handed golfer, they have sliced it if the ball is moving excessively from left to right. Hook – For a right-handed golfer a hook occurs when the ball travels from right to left, but in a much more exaggerated path.
What is a snowman in golf?
A snowman is when you score an 8 on a hole. Worm Burner – When you strike a shot that barely gets off the ground and just rolls. Ace – Another word for a hole-in-one. Fore – The word you shout as loud as you can when you hit your ball in the direction of another golfer. You need to warn them!
Golf Scoring Terminology
- Par
What it means: Par refers to the number of set strokes recommended to complete a given hole.Usually, this number will be 3, 4, or 5 depending on the length of the hole. These will be called par-3s, par-4s, and par-5s, respectively. Golfers use this term when comparing their score to the … - Ace
What it means: An ace in golf refers to when you hit the ball in the hole with your tee-shot.Aces are most common on par-3s, however, on rare occasions, players have gotten an ace on a par-4. An ace is more commonly known as a hole-in-one.
Golf Equipment Terminology
- Tee
What it means: A golf tee is a wooden or plastic peg that is placed in the ground to hit a golf ball off of.You may only use a tee when you are hitting from the tee-box. - Driver
What it means: The driver is the longest club in a player’s bag and it will also be used to hit the golf ball the furthest. This club will be used from the tee box, however, in rare circumstances, advanced players might hit it from the fairway. Drivers are generally used on par-4 or par-5 holes.
Golf Playing Terminology
- Dogleg
What it means: A dogleg is an architectural term for a hole on a golf course that has a straight fairway before veering either left or right. If it curves to the left, it’s called a dogleg-left hole and if it curves to the right, it’s known as a dogleg-right. Architects will add this design feature to force pl… - Fore
What it means: “Fore” is a term that’s shouted as a warning to other golfers ahead of your group that an incoming ball is heading in their direction. If you hit an errant shot that is traveling dangerously close to other golfers, you are expected to use this term. This term will often be use…
Golf Course Terminology
- Round
What it means: The act of playing golf (18 holes) on a course. For example, you might ask a friend if they want to go for “a round.” - Links
What it means: Links is a unique style of golf course. These courses are most popular in Europe and usually involve a layout that blends with the natural geography of the area. For example, instead of having manicured rough, many links-style courses will have tall fescue on the outskirt…
The Takeaway…
- As you begin to learn the game, you’ll start noticing that there are certain common golf terms that are often used. They can be used to represent equipment, score, and many other important facets of the game of golf. It’s important to take a few minutes to brush up on these terms so you’ll be ready when you finally hit the course! Hope this was helpful. For more beginner golf content, fee…