Welcome to my A to Z of Golf Terms and Jargon
From “Ace” to “Zinger,” I have compiled a list of some of the key phrases used in golf, complete with clear definitions to help you.
Let’s dive in and master the language of golf!
A
Ace
Another term for a hole-in-one, which means hitting the ball directly into the cup with one stroke on a par-3 hole
Address
The stance taken by a golfer while setting up to hit the ball. It includes the positioning of the feet, body, and club
Approach Shot
The shot taken to get the ball close to the green, usually from the fairway or rough
B
Birdie
Scoring one stroke under the designated par for a hole (e.g., a score of 3 on a par-4 hole)
Bogey
Scoring one stroke over the designated par for a hole (e.g., a score of 5 on a par-4 hole)
Bunker
A sand-filled hazard on the golf course, also known as a sand trap.
C
Caddie
A person who carries a golfer’s bag and provides assistance during a round
Chip Shot
A short, low-trajectory shot played near the green to get the ball onto the putting surface.
Check out our video coaching that shows you how to play chip shots
Cut
Making the second-round score in a professional tournament, where the field is reduced typically to 70 players and ties. Although this amount does vary by tournament and Governing body
D
Divot
A piece of turf that is cut out when a golfer hits the ball, usually with an iron or wedge
Dogleg
A hole that bends to the left or right, typically requiring two shots to navigate the bend
Draw
A controlled shot that curves gently from right to left for right-handed golfers (opposite for left-handed golfers)
E
Eagle
Scoring two strokes under the designated par for a hole (e.g., a score of 2 on a par-4 hole)
Etiquette
The code of behaviour and respect for others’ play while on the golf course.
Executive Course
A shorter golf course with mostly par-3 and par-4 holes
F
Fade
A controlled shot that curves gently from left to right for right-handed golfers (opposite for left-handed golfers)
Fairway
The mowed area between the tee and the green, where players aim to land their tee shots
Fore
A warning shout to alert other players of an errant shot that might hit them
G
Green
The well-manicured putting surface surrounding the hole
Grip
The way a golfer holds the club.
Also the handle covering the end of the club where the hands are placed to hold the club.
Grounding
Touching the sand in a bunker with the club before making a shot, which results in a penalty
H
Handicap
A numerical measure of an Amateur golfer’s ability, used to level the playing field in competitions (allegedly)
Hook
An unintended shot that curves severely from right to left for right-handed golfers (opposite for left-handed golfers).
Hole-in-One
Scoring a hole with just one stroke (an ace). Usually happens on a Par 3, sometimes on a Par 4, and very rarely on a Par 5
According to Time magazine, American golfers accomplished an impressive 1,200 holes in one in 1922.
As of January 2021, there have been five recorded instances of a condor (four under par) hole-in-one on a par 5 hole, which was achieved by leveraging thin air at high altitudes or strategically cutting corners on doglegged or horseshoe-shaped holes.
I
Irons
A type of golf club with a metal head, designed for various distances and trajectories
Interlocking Grip
A grip style where the little finger of the trailing hand interlocks with the index finger of the lead hand.
J
Jigger
A very old term for a short iron club used for playing chip shots
K
Knockdown Shot
A shot played with reduced trajectory to control distance and battle wind
Kick Point
The part of the shaft that bends the most during a swing
Knuckle Ball
A shot that flies without much spin, making it unpredictable, usually goes longer
L
Lag Putt
A long putt that is intended to get the ball close to the hole without trying to hole it
Lip
The edge of the hole, where the flag-stick sits
Links
A type of golf course typically located near the sea and characterised by natural hazards and undulating terrain
M
Mulligan
A “do-over” or a second chance to take a shot without penalty, usually limited to friendly games and mainly only in the USA
Match Play
A golf format where players compete hole-by-hole rather than counting strokes for an entire round
Medal Play
A golf format where the total number of strokes is counted for the entire round
N
Niblick
An old term for a short iron club, similar to a modern-day nine-iron or pitching wedge
Nineteenth Hole
Informal reference to the clubhouse bar or lounge where golfers socialise after their round
No Gimmes
The practice of not conceding putts to opponents in a competitive match
O
Out of Bounds (OB)
Areas outside the course boundaries where golfers are not allowed to play and result in penalty shots if they do
Overclubbing
Using a club that will hit the ball farther than necessary for the shot, often used playing into the wind or up a hill
Over Par
A score higher than the designated par for a hole or round
P
Par
The standard number of strokes that a skilled golfer should make on a hole or course
Pitch Shot
A shot played with a higher trajectory than a chip shot, typically used to get the ball close to the hole.
Putter
A club designed for putting, with a low loft and used on the green
Q
Qualifier
A tournament or round used to determine which players will advance to the next stage of competition, and also for handicap adjustment purposes.
R
Rough
The longer grass surrounding the fairway or green, making shots more challenging
Round Robin
A tournament format where every player competes against every other player in the field
S
Slice
An unintended shot that curves severely from left to right for right-handed golfers (opposite for left-handed golfers)
Sand Wedge
A high-lofted club designed for bunker shots and shots around the green
Stroke Play
A golf format where the total number of strokes is counted for the entire round or tournament
T
Tee Box
The designated area to start a hole, where the tee is placed for the first shot
Trap
Another term for a bunker, a hazard filled with sand
Texas Wedge
Using a putter from off the green to roll the ball onto the putting surface
U
Unplayable Lie
A situation where a golfer’s ball cannot be played as it lies, allowing the player to take relief with a penalty
Up and Down
Successfully completing a hole with two shots from around the green
V
Vardon Grip
A grip style named after golfer Harry Vardon, where the pinkie finger of the trailing hand overlaps the index finger of the lead hand. These days it’s also called the over-lapping grip
W
Wedge
A type of golf club with a high loft, designed for short shots and accuracy
Winter Rules
Local rules that allow for certain relaxed conditions during the winter months, often permitting preferred lies
Wood
A type of golf club with a larger, rounded head, historically made of wood (now mostly made of metal or composite materials)
X
X-Out
A golf ball with minor imperfections that are sold at a discounted price
X-Stiff
Extra-stiff flex rating on golf club shafts, indicating less flexibility
Y
Yardage
The distance from a specific point on the golf course, typically measured in yards
Yips
A psychological condition that causes involuntary tremors or jerks when making short putts
Z
Zero Friction Tee
A type of golf tee designed to reduce friction between the ball and the tee, promoting longer drives (according to the marketing)
Zero Putts
A hole where a golfer makes the ball in the cup without needing to putt (e.g., holing out from the fairway or tee)
I am planning to continually update and expand my A-Z list of golf terms and jargon to ensure you have the most comprehensive and up-to-date resource at your disposal.
Cheers
Steve