
What is a pre-shot routine in golf?
This is a pre-shot routine and differs from person to person. Provisional Shot – A second golf shot that is played to be a backup option in case the first shot is not playable or found. It saves time instead of running back to the tee box after not finding a tee shot. Pull -A golf shot that goes left of target for a right-handed golfer.
What is a fat shot in golf?
A FAT shot is one where you hit the ground first, and a THIN or a TOP is where you hit too far up on the ball. In the short game, a FLOP is a high, soft-landing shot; a CHIP is a low running shot; and a PITCH is somewhere in the middle, usually taken from a little further out.
What is alternate shot golf format?
In the alternate shot golf format, the two of you don’t get to play your own ball. Rather you share a ball throughout taking shots alternately on each hole. One player hits the tee shots on the odd-numbered holes, the other on the even.
What is a “flopped” golf 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. A terrible shot which causes a loss in scoring. Where the golfer uses his “foot” to push the ball into a better position. On any given Green taking four putts to get the ball in the hole.

What is a shot in golf called?
Players also carry their own score card, and record every stroke they play on each hole. Each shot, whether it's a three-hundred metre drive or a two-centimetre putt, counts as one stroke. For each hole, a number known as par indicates the number of shots a very good player would normally take to complete the hole.
What are golfing terms?
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.
What does a free drop mean in golf?
When the player is allowed to pick up his ball from a specific area, such as ground under repair or casual water, and drop it without incurring a penalty stroke.
Why is it called a mulligan?
Theory: 'Mulligan' Is Named After a Golfer Mulligan probably originated when the golf do-over was christened mulligan after the name of a golfer who kept replaying shots. That's the most likely explanation, and according to Occam's Razor the simplest explanation is more likely to be the true one.
What is the first shot in golf called?
The first stroke, usually a pitch, a bunker shot or a chip, gets the ball 'up' onto the green, and the subsequent putt gets the ball 'down' into the hole. A variation is called “up and in”.
What is it called when you win in golf?
The team or player winning the most holes, rather than having the lowest score, is the winner. The winner of the first hole is "one up". Even if the player wins that hole by two or three strokes, she is still only "one up".
What is an unplayable in golf?
If you find your ball in play, but in a circumstance where you are not able to make a swing or advance the ball, then you are always entitled to claim an unplayable lie. Under this rule, you incur a one-stroke penalty, but are permitted to take relief from your troubling situation.
What is a drop shot in golf?
A golfer typically takes a drop after hitting his ball in an area from which he either can't play another shot or chooses not to play his next shot. As a general rule, if the ball is in a hazard or is out of bounds, the player is assessed a penalty stroke for taking the drop.
What does it mean to get relief in golf?
Complete relief means that your stance and your swing are no longer affected by the obstruction. Technically, there is only one nearest point of relief possible. From this point, you are entitled to drop your ball within one club length. If your ball happens to be dirty, you can also clean it before taking this drop.
Why is it called dormie?
' Historically, the term dormie is derived from the French/Latin cognate 'dormir,' meaning 'to sleep,' suggesting that a player who is 'dormie' can relax (literally, go to sleep) without fear of losing the match. The word 'fore' is Scottish in origin, and is a shortened version of the word 'before' or 'afore.
What is a dog leg in golf?
A dogleg hole is one that is crooked or bends like the hind leg of a dog. Doglegs tend to be strategic holes where the player must aim to find a suitable spot on the fairway from the tee with which to get around the bend, or dogleg of the hole, with the next shot.
What is a dormie in golf?
Definition of dormie : being ahead by as many holes in golf as remain to be played in match play.
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.
What do golfers yell?
foreGolfers yell fore to alert other golfers that they may be in danger of getting struck by their ball. You should always yell fore if you're unsure where your ball will land, and it is at risk of hitting a golfer. The term fore likely originated from the term forecaddie, although the exact history is unknown.
What does F * mean in golf?
“FinishedWhat Does F Mean On A Golf Leaderboard? Sometimes, in the blue circle on the image above, you will see the letter “F” instead of a number like a 65 or 1-18. This simply means “Finished” and is another way of saying that player has completed their round for the day.
Why are golf terms named after birds?
Birdie: In the 19th century, the term "bird" was the equivalent of "cool" or "excellent" - golf scholars believe this is where the term came from. An Atlantic City, New Jersey, course claims that the term originated there in 1903. The meaning being a score of one under par.
Why is it called a bite 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!”. Bogey: A score of one over par. Bracket:
What is the right to tee off first?
The right to tee off first based on having the best score on the last hole or being furthest away from the hole.
What is the best game of golf?
A golfer’s best game which is executed on a regular basis. Hitting the ball into the hole in one swing of the club. When the putted ball refuses to fall into the hole. A golf shot which travels a considerably longer distance than planned.
How many strokes does it take to get a golf ball into the hole?
Only taking two strokes to get the golf ball into the hole when your ball is resting around the green.
What is a lumberjack in golf?
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: While in play the Lie is the position/location of the golf ball.
What is a cabbage in golf?
Cabbage (aka Spinach): If you hit the ball into inescapable thick rough. Can: Refers to the “Cup” on the Green. Carpet: Term which refers to the “Green”. 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.
What does it mean when a golf ball is juicy?
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.
What does it mean when a golfer draws?
Perhaps one of the most challenging shots to hit on the course, a draw reduces the amount of spin on the ball, meaning that once it lands, it will travel further than most other kinds of shots you can play.
What is hook in golf?
A hook is the opposite of a slice and is another shot you don’t want to hit off the tee. It is an exaggerated draw that can again be useful if you’re trying to get around an obstacle or a hazard, but it’s one you need to avoid if you’re looking to score low.
What is a punch shot?
Like a stinger, a punch shot is usually used with a low iron or a wedge to literally punch the ball off the ground. The player will hit down onto the ball with a fast club speed and kill his follow through onto the ball, forcing the ball out from the ground to make it skip up into the air. The problem with punch shots is they don’t carry very far and have a lot of backspin, meaning they don’t roll far either.
What is a lob shot?
The flop or the lob is a short game shot players used to get up and over sand traps and water hazards around the greens. It is a great way to add backspin onto your ball, too, so if hit right, you can cut under your ball and stop it dead on the green. Phil Mickelson is the master of the flop shot, as you’ll see below.
What is a stinger shot?
Essentially it’s a low driving shot that you’d generally hit with a 4 iron or perhaps a driving iron. It’s called a stinger as if hit right, it’ll fizz low and hard through the air towards your target.
What is the most challenging part of golf?
Perhaps the most challenging part of any amateur’s game is driving the ball. Getting the ball up in the air and down the middle of the fairway is a technical task that players need to get right to ensure they get their hole off to a good start.
Who is the best chipper on the PGA Tour?
Australian Jason Day is one of the best chippers on the PGA Tour and saves a ton of shots around the greens pitching in from only 40 yards out. Ultimately accuracy and speed are everything when you’re pitching for the greens.
Who is the master of the golf shot?
Phil Mickelson is the master of this shot. It is played from a fluffy lie over a greenside bunker or water, to a tight pin position. The shot is played forward in an open stance, with an open face sand wedge or lob wedge. It flies high, and over the hazard with plenty of backspin, and stops quickly. Warning: Do not attempt this shot from a tight lie, unless it has been practiced for many hours. It will destroy the card!
What is hook in golf?
Hook: The hook is an exaggerated draw that will start on the target line and then curve viciously to the left. It is caused mainly by the closed clubface and the swing path not coming from the inside of the target line. There are times when this shot is needed to curve sharply around a tree or object in the target line. It can be disastrous when hit unintentionally.
What determines the draw of a golf ball?
Variations of the Draw – The draw can be hit with a high, medium, or low ball flight which is determined by the ball position and the swing path. The closed face angle at impact determines the amount of sidespin on the ball.
What does "moving the ball in the air" mean?
Moving the ball in the air refers to the ability to move the ball on a shot from left to right or vice versa. These shots are required when playing doglegs on the course or when a player has to hit a shot around a tree to get to the green.
How to play a golf ball in the tree?
This is played mostly when the ball is in the trees with over-hanging branches that block the intended target line. It can be played with any club in the bag, but the main criteria are to keep the ball flight below the tree branches. It is also used extensively in very windy conditions or on links-style golf courses, where a low ball flight is required on approach shots to the green. Move the ball back in the stance and shorten the swing for the best results.
What is the opening shot on a par 4?
The opening shot on each par 4 or par 5 is mostly played with the driver. Not only is it the longest club in the bag, but it is the most difficult to control. The loft on the driver can vary from 6 degrees up to 12 degrees. The more loft makes it easier to hit straight and often players unable to control the driver will hit a 13 degree 3-wood off the tee. Hitting it long, straight, and finding the fairway, is the initial goal and sets up the hole for a good score.
Why does the ball roll off the green?
When attacking the green or a tight pin position, the ball can roll off the green or end up short of the green due to a mis-hit. A chip shot can be played with any club in the bag, depending on the distance to the pin on the green. Ideally, a chip should roll out more on the green, than it travels through the air. The percentage shot or thought process is to land the ball on the green and let it roll out to the pin.
What does "away" mean in golf?
Away – The player that is farthest away from the hole and is up to play.
What is bump and run golf?
Bump and Run – A chip shot around the green involving a low lofted iron. This type of chip is great for a large part of the green to work with.
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 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 the center of gravity in golf?
Center of Gravity – While this term can also be used to talk about a player it is generally related to the design and balancing of the golf club. To keep the concept simple, the farther back and lower the center of gravity (CG), the higher the trajectory will be according to the loft angle. This will give golfers an easier launch that generally has good backspin. Low handicap players do not need this advantage as much and tend to prefer a progressive CG with a higher CG on the longer irons.
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 is alternate shot golf?
In the alternate shot golf format, the two of you don’t get to play your own ball. Rather you share a ball throughout taking shots alternately on each hole. One player hits the tee shots on the odd-numbered holes, the other on the even. It’s important to remember this point.
What is the rule for penalty shots?
As Rule 22, which covers the format, says: “Any penalty shots do not change which of you and or your partner must play the next stroke.”
How many clubs can alternate shot partners share?
Alternate shot partners may share clubs as long as the total number of clubs they have together does not exceed 14.
What happens if you play a bad shot?
With only one ball in play, alternate shot is less forgiving. If you play a bad shot, your partner will have to deal with the consequences. If you’re playing badly overall, it will be difficult for your pair to do well however well your partner plays.
Is 18:14 a good name?
18:14. In some ways, it is a better name because it does exactly what it says on the tin. It tells you pretty much all you really need to know about the format. At most golf clubs alternate shot is much rarer than fourball, which is undoubtedly a more forgiving form of pairs golf. It tends to prevail at the more traditional golf clubs ...
Can you say sorry for a bad shot in alternate shot golf?
One unwritten rule of the alternate shot golf format is to never say sorry! No-one plays a bad shot on purpose and we’re all human.
Can you say sorry for a bad shot in golf?
One unwritten rule of the alternate shot golf format is to never say sorry! No-one plays a bad shot on purpose and we're all human. Constantly apologising for mistakes is unlikely to help the team cause, especially at handicap level where mistakes might be frequent from both players.
