New to the game of golf and looking to make sure you know all of the proper terms of the golf vocabulary? Yes, we understand it can be confusing, but we are here to help. We have 47 of the most important golf terms that you should know.
To make sure you are ready for the course, consider reading about our post Golf Etiquette for the Beginner Golfer.
Scoring
Ace – A shot holed on the first shot. Typically takes place on a par 3, but sometimes a par 4.
Eagle – When a shot is holed two shots prior to par. For example a 2 on a par 4 or a 3 on a par 5.
Birdie – When a shot is holed one shot prior to par. For example a 2 on a par 3, a 3 on a par 4 or a 4 on a par 5.
Par – The expected number of shots to get the ball in a hole for a scratch golfer. For example a 4 on a par 5.
Bogey – When a golfer scores one higher than the par. For example a 5 on a par 4.
Double Bogey – When a golfer scores two shots over par. For example a 7 on a par 5.
Snowman – When a golfer scores an 8 on a hole.
Scratch Golfer – A golfer that is expected to shoot around par for the course.
Handicap – Often a USGA sponsored system that calculates how many shots over a par a golfer would shoot, the course rating could be utilized.
Up and Down – When a golfer is able chip a shot and make the put in 2 shots or less.
Green in Regulation – When a golfer reaches a par 3 in 1, a par 4 in 2, or a par 5 in 3.
Fairways Hit Percentage – How many fairways the golfer is able to hit out of how many were possible.
Gimmie – When a putt is conceded. Typically if the put is 2 feet or closer.
Mulligan – When a golfer is allowed by his or her playing partners to re-hit a shot.
Breakfast Ball – Same thing as mulligan, but usually on the first shot of the day.
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Golf Game Formats
Scramble – When all four golfers hit a tee shot, select the best positioned ball and then all hit from the same spot again. This is followed until a shot is holed. Can also be played in a two person format.
Read more about a Golf Scramble: Golf’s Most Popular Outing Format
Best Ball – When the golfers on a team all play the hole and then the lowest scored for each hole is calculated throughout the round.
Bramble – When all four golfers hit a tee shot, select the best positioned ball and then play their own shot until they hole out.
Press – When a second bet is placed during a round and typically runs congruent to the first bet. Typically for the same amount as the first bet.
Golf Swing
Slice – A shot that curves significantly from left to right for a right handed golfer or significantly from right to left for a left handed golfer.
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Hook – A shot that curves significantly from right to left for a right handed golfer or significantly from left to right for a left handed golfer.
Fade – A shot that curves from left to right for a right handed golfer or from right to left for a left handed golfer.
Draw – A shot that curves from right to left for a right handed golfer or from left to right for a left handed golfer.
Wind Shot – A shot that stay low to attempt to lessen the impact by a strong wind.
Fried Egg – A shot in the bunker that is half buried. Received this name because it looks simlar to fried leg.
Bad Lie – When the ball is sitting down in the rough or a bad spot in the fairway (maybe in an old divot).
Short Sided – When a golfer misses to the green to the side where a pin maybe close to the edge of the green resulting in a difficult chip shot.
Lag – When a golfer has hit the ball on the green, but is a significant distance from the hole. Often times the goal becomes to get the ball within 3 feet for a more simple putt.
Worm Burner – A shot that barely leaves the ground and skims on the ground.
Flyer Lie – When a ball is sitting up in the rough, resulting in a shot that might carry further.
Banana Ball – A sliced shot that often curves significantly.
Over the Top – When a golfer makes a swing that aggressive swings to the left as a right handed golfer or to the right as a left handed golfer.
Early Extension – When a golfer fires his or her hips early in the swing sometimes causing inconsistently in ball contact.
Flop Shot – A chip shot that flies high in the air and often lands softly. This shot is often used when short sided.
Bump and Run – A chip shot that stays low to the ground and rolls out for the remainder of the shot.
Golf Etiquette – The proper way to conduct oneself on the golf course.
Fore – Yelled by a golfer when a shot is headed to another group. Oftentimes the shot is offline and headed and may cause potential injury.
Away – The golfer who is furthest from the hole and should hit next.
90 Degree Cart Rule – When carts should only be driven across the fairway and not straight down the driveway. This is used to keep the fairways in good condition.
Ready Golf – Whoever is ready to hit, may hit. This is used to speed up play.
Ball Mark – The little hole left on a green from an approach shot.
Course Characteristics
Dogleg – A shot that has an angle to it. Sometimes as much as 90 degrees.
Tree Lined – A hole that has a significant amount of trees on both sides of the fairway.
Drivable Par 4 – A short part 4 that could be hit with the first tee shot.
Stimpmeter – Tool used to measure the speed of the greens.
Bunker – The area where sand is placed on a course. This is considered a hazard.
Out of Bounds – Often marked by white stakes, an area you cannot play from. You have to play from the spot where you hit the original shot and are now hitting 3 if it was your tee ball.
Hazard – Sand traps and areas marked by red or yellow stakes. You can play from a hazard, but cannot ground your club prior to the shot.
Golf can be one of the greatest games around, but at first it may seem a bit overwhelming. Between all the terms and making sure that you are following golf etiquette that first round can be intimidating. Stick with it, be polite and your playing partners will help guide you through the process as well. Don’t play scared and of course enjoy the weather, the socialization and the challenge of playing golf.
If you are new to the game of golf and would like a comprehensive overview on how to play golf, we have written an overview that answers the nine questions listed below.
- What Golf Equipment Do I Need?
- How Do I Swing the Club?
- What Basic Golf Terms Should I Know?
- Playing At A Course!
- What Etiquette Do I need to Know?
- What Rules Do I Need to Know?
- How Do I Get Better at Golf?
- Should I Take Golf Lessons?
- What Are The Best Youtube Videos on the Golf Swing Basics?
