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what are golf terms

by Giovanny Ratke Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Beginner Golf Terms. Birdie: Completing the hole in one less stroke than the par. Bogey: Completing the hole in one more stroke than the par. Double Bogey: Completing the hole in two more strokes than the par (catch the trend?). Eagle: Completing the hole in two fewer strokes than the par.Dec 15, 2021

What are terms used in golf?

BackThe last nine holes of a golf course. Also a tee position that makes hole the longest.
Best Ball / Better BallBest score on a hole by partners in a best-ball match.
BirdieOne under par score on a hole.
BogeyOne over par score on a hole.
9 more rows

What are the 7 golf scoring terms?

We've compiled a list of 100+ golf terms that are useful to know, but the golf scoring terms we'll cover in this guide are among the most essential when you're out on the course or watching televised golf.Jul 15, 2021

What is the best shot in golf called?

An ace, commonly known as a hole-in-one, is the best score out there. When you get an ace, that means you get to write a “1” on the scorecard.

What does E mean in a golf score?

Most 18-hole golf courses range from par 70 to 72. When the number of strokes taken matches par, it's considered even par, signified with an "E" on most scoreboards. If a player completes the hole in one shot less par, or birdie, minus 1 is calculated on the scoreboard.Apr 7, 2022

What is a good score in golf?

In golf, scores less than 120 strokes are seen as respectable, or "good" scores among amateur golfers. While 90 stroke scores are considered average, scores below 120 strokes on an 18-hole course are seen amongst the golf community as relatively good.

What do you call a poor golfer?

"Duffer" is a term golfers apply to poor golfers — those among us who score the highest. The term is descriptive if applied to higher-handicappers and recreational golfers, but will be insulting if misapplied to a good golfer. "Duffer" and "hacker" are synonymous, although hacker is the slightly more negative term.Dec 2, 2019

What does bite mean in golf?

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!”.

What is a poor golf shot called?

Duff: A bad shot. Duck hook: When a right-handed player strikes the ball such that it curves sharply from right to left and stays low to the ground. Eagle: A score of two under par.

What is a golf tee?

Tees – Golf “Tees” are stands that elevate the golf ball off the ground. They can only be used for shots from the tee box. Golf Glove - Most golfers wear a "golf glove" on their front or "weak" hand. For right-handed golfers, this means wearing a glove on their left hand.

What does "hole" mean in golf?

Hole – “Hole” can both describe the physical hole on the green that you have to hit the ball into or the (usually 18) individual sections of the golf course. The latter meaning includes everything from the tee box to the green (and the physical hole in the green). “I chipped the ball into the hole.”.

What is the fairway in golf?

Fairway – The “Fairway” is the portion (s) of a golf hole where the grass is cut the shortest between the tee box and the green. On golf holes where you can’t reach the green in one stroke (most par-4s and all par-5s), your goal should be to keep your ball on the fairway before getting to the green.

What is a bunker in golf?

Bunkers (Sand Traps) – “Bunkers” or “Sand Traps” are sunken pits filled with sand that often have raised lips. For most players, especially novice players, bunkers are the most challenging area of a golf hole to hit from. If a bunker is located near the green, it may be referred to as a “Greenside Bunker.”.

How big is a golf hole?

The physical golf hole has a diameter of 4.25 inches. Flag/Pin/Flagstick – A “Pin” or “Flagstick” is placed inside the cup so the cup's location can be seen from further away. Once on the green, you can choose between leaving the pin in the hole, removing the pin, or having someone tend to the pin.

What does "out of bounds" mean in golf?

Out of Bounds – “Out of Bounds” is the area of a golf course that the course staff or tournament committee has ruled play is not allowed. In casual play, many golfers will just drop a ball where they think their ball went out of bounds and add a penalty stroke to their score.

Where are links golf courses located?

Links – “Links” are a type of golf course usually located in coastal areas where the soil tends to be sandy. Links golf courses generally have few water hazards and few trees. The first golf courses in Scotland were links courses, making this the oldest style of golf course.

What does square mean in golf?

It can be used to describe a stance (His feet, hips and shoulders were all square to the target line) or the clubface (His club was perfectly square to the target line) or to describe contact with the ball (The key to greater driving distance is making square contact).

What is casting in golf?

Casting: An uncocking of the wrists prematurely on the downswing, resulting in a loss of power and control. Also known as "hitting from the top.". (Smith had a tendency to swing at and not through the ball, which caused him to cast the club from the top of the swing).

What is the axis of a golf swing?

Axis: Generally refers to a straight line (the spine) that the upper body rotates around in the course of the golf swing. (One reason for her consistent ballstriking is that her axis remains in a constant position throughout the swing). B. Backswing: The motion that involves the club and every element of the body in taking the club away from ...

What is the backspin of a golf ball?

Backspin: The rotational movement or spin of the ball produced by contact with the clubface. The greater the backspin, the higher the ball will fly and the more it will spin, and therefore stop or even spin backwards on impact with the turf.

What is a balata?

Balata: A rubber-like substance used as a cover material for golf balls. Pure balata is rarely, if ever, used today. Instead, manufacturers use blends or synthetic material. Many players prefer balata or balata-like covers because it provides a softer feel. And can provide increased spin.

What is a baseball grip?

Baseball Grip: A grip in which all ten fingers are placed on the grip of the club. (Bob Rosburg was a very successful player who used a baseball grip). Birdie: A score of one under par on a hole. (Her birdie on the 10th hole was a turning point in the match).

What is a bowed wrist?

Bowed: The position of the wrists at the top of the backswing in which the top wrist is bent slightly inward. (For many years, Tom Weiskopf had a bowed wrist at the top of his backswing). Break: The amount a putt will curve to the side because of the slope, grain and wind that affect the movement of the ball.

What is par in golf?

The term par refers to the number of strokes that a golfer would be expected to take to complete a hole. Different holes will require a different number of strokes, and par is determined by the length, difficulty, and terrain of any given hole. It’s a rule of thumb that par will always account for two putts.

What does it mean when a golf ball is shanked?

This occurs when the golfer strikes the ball not with the head of the club, but rather with the shaft before the head. You have to have a pretty strange swing to accomplish this, but it can certainly be done.

Is "dammit" exclusive to golf?

On the less formal side of things, we have dammit. Dammit isn’t exactly exclusive to golf, but you will hear it recited very often as golfers struggle to make par and avoid those bogeys!

What is double cross golf?

Double Cross. A double cross is a slightly more complicated term. This actually refers to the direction that your ball goes after you make contact with your club. A fairly common situation for beginners, in particular, is when you are trying to curve the ball one way, and it ends up going the complete opposite way.

What does "sharkie" mean in golf?

This cute term is used to describe a hole during which you hit your ball in the water but still recover to make par. It’s rare to see, but if you are lucky enough to overcome this predicament, you may hear your friends yelling ‘Sharkie!’.

What is double eagle?

Then we have the double eagle. As the name suggests, the double eagle is just like the regular eagle, except one stroke better. A double eagle is considered to be extremely rare and is hardly ever achieved. It is used to describe a hole that is completed 3 strokes under par and is also known as an ‘albatross.’.

What does a bogey do?

A bogey occurs when the player completes the hole using one more stroke than par. A bogey will raise your score by 1; an undesirable outcome. Though bogeys are far from good, there are worse scores out there, and an amateur golfer might be okay with a bogey here and there, though not too often, of course!

What is par in golf?

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. On a par 4, an expert golfer is expected to take 4 strokes to get his ball in the hole.

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.

Where did the word "fore" come from?

Like many other golf terms, the origin of “fore” is not entirely known. There is no doubt that it was first used in Scotland, where the game of golf was invented, even as early as the 1850s. But there is disagreement about where it came from.

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.

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 an albatross in golf?

One of the best golf terms around, “albatross” refers to when a player uses three fewer strokes on a hole than the par for that hole. There are only two ways to make an “albatross”. First, you can hit your second shot in the hole on a par-5. Second, you can make a hole-in-one on a par-4.

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.

What does "gimme" mean in golf?

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. Sometimes golfers will get a bit too generous with gimmies, and start counting putts 3 feet and beyond to be a gimme. Mulligan – An unofficial do-over.

What is the ugliest golf term?

Shank – This is the ugliest of all golf terms, and you shouldn’t say it out loud. A shank is when a golfer makes contact with the hosel of the club, and it usually sends the ball directly to the right. Block – A block is when a golfer hits a shot directly to the right (for a right-handed golfer)

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 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 is a green in regulation?

Green in Regulation – One of the golf terms that you want to be part of your game – a green in regulation is when any part of the golf ball is touching the putting surface and the number of strokes taken is two fewer than par. For example, on a par 4 if you reach the putting surface with your first, or second shot you have hit ...

What is a Texas wedge?

Texas Wedge – A Texas Wedge is another term for using a putter any time you are off the green. Some players will elect to putt from the fairway, rough, or even the bunker sometimes. Sandbagging – When a golfer claims they have a handicap that is much higher than their actual playing ability.

What are some common golf terms?

From common golf terms like, “par,” ‘birdie” and “mulligan,” to uncommon golf terms like “line,” “break” and “dogleg” having a diverse golf vocabulary might not make you a better golfer, ...

What is the green in golf?

Green: The area of finely trimmed grass at the end of each hole (it’s where you want to end up). Hazards: The crap golf course architects put in your way like water, sand traps, and tall grass. Hole-in-One: Hitting it in the hole on your first shot; a moment a golfer, nor their bar tab, will ever forget.

What is a slice in golf?

Slice: A golf shot that moves severely left to right for right-handed hitters and the opposite way for left, which also happens to be the most common shot shape in golf. Starter: The woman or man stationed at the first tee who makes sure you tee off on time.

What is the 19th hole in golf?

19th hole: Golf lingo for the clubhouse bar where your rounds are always enjoyable. Ball Mark: The indentation left behind after your golf ball lands on the green (best to fix these). Break: The movement your golf ball will make on the green after you putt it (or what you will do to your putter after you missed).

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