Ace - A hole in one.

Acceleration - The act of speeding up.

Active season - The time of the year when courses have acceptable playing conditions and handicaps may be posted.

Address - Where the golfer takes his stance to the ball with the club grounded behind it.

Adjusted gross score - The score total after accounting for the maximum allowed by the USGA?s equitable stroke.

Advice - Any counsel suggestion or hint that could influence a player in deciding his shot.

Aeration - The process where small plugs soil plugs or cores out of the green, tees, or fairways.

Aerification - Also called aeration.

Aerosol - A name given to a player that is not very consistent with his shots and sprays his ball in various directions.

Against the grain - When a putt is made with the grass growing toward you. This will result in a slower roll.

Aggregate score - A total score made by two or more players as a team over several rounds.

Aggressive putter - A golfer that strikes the ball hard for the distance it has to travel, does not lag his putt or have the ball die at the hole.

Aim - When you place the leading edge of the golf club to the target line.

Air shot - A missed attempt at the ball.

Albatross - The same as a double eagle which is three under par.

Alignment - Arranging or positioning oneself in a straight line.

All square - In match play when the competitors on each team have the same amount of points.

Amateur - One engaged in as study or sport as a pastime not as a professional.

Amateur’s side - The low or downhill side of the putt.

Approach - A shot that is made to land on the green.

Approach wedge - Name given to a gap wedge

Apron - The grass area surrounding the green separating the green from the rough.

As it lies - A rule that prohibits you from moving your ball.

Association - A group of people (Golfers) who enter voluntarily into an agreement for a specific purpose.

Attack wedge - Name given to a gap wedge.

Attend (flagstick) - When a player or a caddy holds and removes the flagstick for another player.

Attest - To verify a score.

Attire - Proper clothing to be worn on the course.

Austin - The name given to a ball that lands off the green and continues on an imaginary line through the flag stick.

Away - The player whose ball is furthest away from hole.

Axis - The straight line that the upper body rotates around.

Back door - The rear end of the cup is called the back door.

Back foot - For the right handed golfer it is your right foot.

Back lip - The name given to the end of the cup.

Back nine - The last nine holes of a golf course that has eighteen holes.

Back spin - Spin put on the ball so that the ball stops after it lands on the green.

Back swing - The first part of the swing is also called the back swing.

Baffle - A name given to a 5 wood.

Baffy - Alternate name given to the 4 wood.

Bag drop - The area where the clubs are left to be loaded on the carts is named the bag drop.

Bail out - A shot that is played out to a safe area of the course.

Balata - A resilient substance use to make the cover for rubber cored balls

Balance - A state of equilibrium.

Balance point - The point at which a shaft has the weight evenly distributed on both sides.

Ball - A round object used in golf with specifications allowed in golf.

Ball at rest - When the ball has come to a complete stop in the fairway or on the green, it is at rest.

Ball mark - A depression on the green made when the ball lands on it.

Ball marker - Usually a coin or token placed behind the ball on the putting surface so that the ball may be lifted.

Ball position - Where the ball is placed in relation to your stance is known as the ball position.

Ball retriever - A pole used to retrieve balls from hazards.

Ball washer - A device found near the tee box, used to wash the golf ball.

Balloon - A shot that loses it forward momentum due to windy conditions.

Baseball grip - When a golfer holds the golf club with ten fingers as in baseball, there is no interlocking or overlapping.

Beach - Alternate name for the sand trap.

Bellied wedge shot - When the ball is at the edge of the fringe and the golfer putts the ball with leading edge of the wedge.

Belly putter - A type of putter with a long shaft. The golfer may anchor the putter on his stomach.

Bent grass - A type of grass found in golf courses in the North.

Bermuda grass - A type of grass that is found in southern courses in the United States.

Best Ball - A match in which one the best score is chosen among partners.

Beveled sole - The curved portion of the club sole mainly on irons is the beveled sole; it allows the club to pass smoothly without digging.

Beverage cart - A cart used to service golfers with drinks, snacks, and sandwiches.

Birds nest - The name that is given to the ball cupped in thick deep grass.

Birdie - A score of one less than par.

Bite - When the ball hits the green and stops quickly due to back spin.

Blade - The head of the iron.

Blade putter - A metal putter. It has a straight face and a square top edge. It can also have a flange at the bottom.

Bladed shot - a missed shot as a result of the leading edge of an iron used to hit the golf shot.

Blast - A shot out of the sand trap taking out more sand than usual in order to send the ball out.

Blind hole - A hole on the course not visible as you are approaching the green.

Blocked shot - A golf shot that is pushed to the right. It may be due to turning too quickly during the swing. Results when the rotation of the wrist is stopped during the swing. The club head is not square, thus a slice.

Bogey - The score of one over the par for the hole.

Bold - An aggressive approach to a tight or well protected pin.

Bore-through - A design of the club that has the shaft going through the club and can been seen through the club’s sole.

Borrow - To make use of one side of the hole in order to compensate for the slope of the green.

Bounce - The width of the flange and the angle between the leading and trailing edges.

Boundary - The outer limits of the legal playing area on a golf course.

Bounds - The lines or limits on the golf course.

Bowed - Bent slightly inward.

Bowker - A ball that goes haywire and bounces from one object to another finally ending back in play.

Brassie - The number two wood.

Breaking point - The area on the green where the ball starts to turn towards the hole is known as the breaking point.

Breaking putt - A putt that moves from left to right and vice versa.

Breach - An infraction of a golf rule.

Break - The turning of the ball during a putt due to various elevations, tiers, slopes, grain and wind.

Bulge - The curve across the face of a wooden club.

Bull’s eye putter - A putter made of soft, yellow brass weighted with delicate balance.

Bump and run - A term given to a short game shot where the ball is stroked with a short iron, lands a short distance, then continues to roll towards the pin.

Bunker - A hazard which has been designed to hold sand may be called a bunker.

Bunt - A an intermediate short shot.

Buried lie - A plugged ball; a golf shot that ends buried in sand, mud or soft grass.

Burrowing animal - A type of mammal that makes a hole in the ground.

Buzzard - The score of two strokes over par.  Another name for a double boggie.

Bye - A free advance to the next round against a player.

Caddy - An individual that assists a golfer with his clubs gives advice, moral support to the golfer without any penalty.

Caddy master - An employee of the club that is in charge of all the caddies.

Caddy shack - The building where the caddies reside on the golf course.

Calcutta - Type of bet where golfers bid auction style on a team or individual golfer. The money raised goes in a pool and the player that wins gets a percentage of the pool.

Callaway system - A handicap system used in events where most golfers do not have a handicap.

Cambered sole - The curvature of the sole is the club’s camber.

Cap - Where the shaft inserts into the club head.

Can - To sink a putt.

Card - Refers to the card that gives the professional golfer the status and privileges to play in PGA events.

Carry - The distance the ball is airborne.

Cart - A vehicle used on the course to carry clubs and players.

Cart barn - The building that stores the golf carts.

Cart path - Area where golf carts travel. The cart path is an immovable obstruction from which you can take relief.

Casual water - Water, ice or snow that temporarily stands on the course.

Cast iron - A club made by a process where molten metal is poured in a ceramic shell. Later pieces are broken away leaving the finished head.

Cavity back - A design where the back of the iron is hollowed out and the weight distributed around the edges of the club.

Centre - shafted - A putter that has the shaft joined in the center of club.

Centrifugal force - The action in a rotating body that causes the mass to move away from the center of your swing.

Chart course - To pace each hole to determine how far from the green they are.

Chicken wing - A flaw in the swing when the elbow bends at an angle pointed away from the body.

Chip - A short low approach shot usually hit with a short iron when close to the green.

Chip in - A holed chip shot

Choking - The inability of a golfer to perform consistently under pressure.

Choke down - To grip down on the shaft for a shorter distance or for better control.

Chop - To strike the ball with a hacking motion.

Clearing the hip - To clear the hips one makes an anti clockwise movement of the hip.

Cleat - A device on the bottom of golf shoe which aids in slipping, sliding and balance.

Cleek - An alternate name for the one iron or a narrow bladed iron.

Closed stance - When you place the back foot from the target line, you have a closed stance.

Club head - The area on the club that strikes the golf ball.

Clubhouse - The principal building on the golf course.

Cock - The breaking of the wrists.

Coil - The amount of shoulder turn in relationship to your legs and hips.

Collar - The grass growing the putting surface of the green that is slightly cut slightly higher. Also it is known as the fringe.

Coming over the top - When a player uses his hands and arms to swing his club left instead of rotating the shoulders first. The downswing path is above the desired plane causing the path of the club through impact to be across from outside to inside the line to the target.

Committee - A group of individuals in charge of competitive golf.

Competitor - A player in stroke play competition.

Composites - Two or more materials added together used in club making.

Compression - How hard or easy a ball compresses at impact. The degree of resilience a ball has.

Concession of hole - When a golfer gives the opponent the hole in match play concedes the hole. It may not be declined or withdrawn.

Condor - A triple eagle. Four under par. A hole in one on a par five.

Connection - The hands and arms in relation to the body during the set up and throughout the swing.

Conformity - The act of being in accordance with prevailing golf standards, attitudes, and practices.

Contour - The undulation in a putting green.

Control shot - A shot that is played with less aggression.

Core - The inner part of the golf ball usually made of rubber or a thermoplastic elastomeric compound.

Course - The whole area within any boundaries established by the committee.

Course management - Using the best strategies and instincts and having a keen awareness of your strengths and weaknesses as you play your round.

Course rating - The degree of difficulty a course has.

Cover - The outside of the golf ball.

Crack - To fall apart under pressure

Cross-bunkering - Playing from one long bunker to another bunker situated across the fairway.

Cross bunker - A long, wide bunker that runs across the fairway instead of running adjacent or parallel to the fairway.

Cross handed grip - A grip placing your left hand below your right hand.

Cross wind - A wind blowing at right angles to a given direction.

Crossing the line - A phrase used in golf when you have gone too far at the top of his golf swing.

Crowned Green - A golf green which has its sides lower than its middle area.

Cup - The container inside the hole that holds the flagstick.

Cuppy lie - A ball found in a divot, depression, or sitting down is a cuppy lie.

Custom fitting - Making a club to fit an individual by considering various grip sizes, club lie, loft, length, and shaft flex.

Cut - A score used to reduce the field in a tournament to a pre-determined number of competitors.

Cut shot - Shot played with the club slightly open. The ball stops immediately on the green.

Dead hands - When the hands are not aggressive, quiet and not overactive they are given the term dead hands.

Deceleration - Slowing down.

Deep-faced - A club that is thick from the top to the bottom is deep-faced

Deuce - A golf term also referring to a hole made in two strokes.

Dimple - Small round indentations on the golf ball. They form various patterns to aid in the flight of the ball.

Disqualification - The removal of a player from a tournament.

Ditch - A small trench on the golf course designed for drainage.

Divot - A chunk of turf or grass cut out by the golf club.

Divot repair tool - A small two-pronged fork-like tool used for repairing ball marks on the green’s surface.

Dog leg - A bend in the fairway that goes from left to right or vice versa.

Dominant eye - The principal or prevailing eye.

Dormie - In match play you lead by same numbers that are left to play.

Double bogey - On a hole a stroke of two over par.

Double breaking putt - When a putt has two different breaks.

Double eagle - A score consisting of three strokes under par made on a hole.

Down swing - The second part of the swing.

Down wind - When the wind is blowing from behind the golfer.

Downhill lie - When the ball is on the down slope of the hill. The ball is below your feet.

Downhill putt - A putt that rolls towards the bottom of the green is a downhill putt.

DQ - Slang used when a player or team has been disqualified.

Draw - A ball flight from right to left.

Drive - The distance made with your driver.

Driver - A club that is known as the number one wood.

Drop - When a golfer positions his ball according to the rules of golf.

Drop area - The marked area where relief is taken from various situations.

Dub - A shot that is missed or a very poor stroke.

Duffer - An unskilled player also know as a hacker.

Eagle - A score of two less than par.

Elevated green - A putting green made higher than its surrounding areas.

Embedded ball - The name that is given to a ball that is found in its own pitch mark.

Environmental areas - Designated areas marked do not enter for protection of wildlife.

Equator - The area that goes exactly around the middle of the ball.

Equipment - Anything used or carried by the golfer, partners, or caddy.

Equitable stroke - The highest score a golfer may take on a given hole based on his handicap.

Etiquette - A code of conduct.

Explosion shot - A shot out of the sand trap that takes out a lot of sand.

Extra hole - A hole played after a round to break a tie.

Face - The part of the club head that makes contact with the ball.

Face angle - The angle of the face of the club relative to the target is called the face angle.

Fade - A ball flight left to right.

Fan - Miss the golf ball completely.

Fanning - An exaggerated opening of the club as it is taken back in the swing.

Fairway - An integral part of the course which is the easiest way to follow.

Fairway bunker - A bunker that is lies next to the fairway.

Fat shot - A result of lowering the right side too much thus hitting behind the ball.

Feathery - An old ball stuffed with compressed feathers.

Feel - Sensation or touch.

Fellow competitor - A golfer that is not a partner in the competition is fellow competitor.

Field - Players in a tournament.

Finalist - A contest in the final session of a competition.

First cut - Refers to the thickness of the rough. It is not as cut as high as the second cut.

Flags - A competitive format in which golfers are given a number of strokes and play golf till they use up all their strokes.

Flag stick - A movable stick that goes in the center of the hole to indicate its position.

Flange - A protrusion of the sole of the club.

Flanged putter - A blade putter

Flat lie angle - When the club is soled the toe of the club is pointed down touching the ground and the heel of the club is slightly elevated.

Flat swing - A golf swing characterized by golfer’s hands, arms, and club below shoulder level. This occurs during the back swing.

Flex - The amount a golf clubs’ shaft will bend during a golf swing.

Flex point - The point of maximum bending of the shaft. It is measured by bending the shafts toward each other.

Flier - A shot that goes farther than intended. This usually happens out of the rough because there is grass trapped between the ball and the club face at the moment of impact.

Flier lie - A term used when a golf ball is found sitting down in the rough

Flight - The trajectory of the ball.

Flight - Designed to place players by abilities in a tournament. Examples: Championship flight, first flight, second flight etc. 

Flip - As you arrive to your ball if your arm stops and your hands flick the club head through, the result is a flip.

Flip shot - A high trajectory shot executed with a short iron with the face open.

Floater lie - A lie that is in the deep thick rough.

Flop shot - An advanced specialty shot made with a wide opened faced wedge and a long slow steep swing.

Flow weighted - A way to distribute the weight of the club’s head to the toe of the longer iron through the set.

Flub - A poor shot making contact with the ground before striking the ball.

Fluffy - A golf lie where the ball is found sitting up in the grass.

Follow through - The continuation of the golf swing after hitting the ball.

Foot flare - A term used in golf where a golfer spreads his foot outward.

Footwork - How you move your feet (toes and heels) during a swing.

Fore - A verbal warning to golfers ahead to beware of an errant shot headed their way.

Forecaddie - An outside agent that assists players by indicating the position of the balls. He helps to spot the ball. He does not carry the golfers club.

Forged irons - Irons made of soft steel that is hammered, shaped, cooled, grounded and polished into its final shape.

Forgiving - A club is said to be more forgiving when by design it allows the golfer to hit the sweet spot easier.

Forward foot - The foot that is closest to the target line is the forward foot.

Forward swing - The second part of the swing.

Forward tee - The tee box that is closest to the green, commonly used by junior golfers or ladies is called the forward tee.

Forward press - The action of the hands prior to the start of the takeaway.

Four piece golf ball - A golf ball that has a small inner core surrounded by the actual core.

Foursome - A group of four players.

Free drop - A drop allowed without penalty.

Freezing - A nervous condition that causes a player to play poorly.

Fried egg - A ball half-buried or plugged in the sand.

Fringe - same as apron; the grass surrounding the green separating the green from the rough.

Frog hair - Same as fringe or apron

Front nine - The first nine holes of an eighteen hole round.

Frost delay - A waiting period assigned until the frost no longer occurs on the course, especially on the greens.

Gallery - The spectators of a golf tournament.

Gap wedge - The name given to a 50 degree or 52 degree wedge that is used to close the gap between a pitching wedge and a sand wedge. -

Gimmie - When a player is given the putt. This is not allowed under the rules of golf.

Glove - A device used by golfers to protect their hands when holding the golf club.

Golf - A sport that may be played socially or competitively on an open course.

Golf club - A club that has a slender shaft and has a head made of wood or iron.

Golf bag - A bag used to carry you clubs.

Golfer - An individual that plays golf.

Gopher - A mammal that was popular in Caddy  Shack.

Gorse - Thick rough that is high and gnarly often prickly.

Graphite - A material used in golf clubs made up of wound and spun carbon fibers.

Grain - The direction in which the grass on the green lies. Glossy sheen the putt rolls faster as opposed to a dull sheen.

Grand slam - When a golfer has won all four major tournaments. (The Masters, the British Open, the US Open, and the PGA Open).

Grass bunker - A grassy depression on the golf course that is similar to a sand trap yet has no sand in it.

Green - The area that surrounds the hole

Green fee - How much is charged to play a round of golf.

Green Jacket - The prize awarded at the Master’s tournament.

Green side - The area adjacent to the putting green is known as the green side.

Green side bunker - A bunker that runs along the side of the green.

Greenie - Hitting green in regulation and being closest to the pin.

Greens keeper - An individual that is in charge of maintenance of the golf greens on the course.

Grip - The manner in which the hands are placed on the club.

Grip - The part of a club where you place your hands usually made or leather, rubber or synthetic rubber.

Grip pressure - How tight you hold the golf club.

Gross score - The total number of strokes taken in a round.

Ground under repair - Any part of the course that is marked by the committee, where work is being done.

Grooves - Crevices on the face of the golf club designed to impart spin on the ball.

Grounding a club - When you place the club down on the ground your are grounding the club.. You are not allowed to ground your club in any hazard.

Grounds keeper - An individual that takes care of the golf course.

Group - You and the golfers playing with you.

Group lesson - A golf lesson that is given to a group of golfers all at one time.

Gross score - Every stroke the golfer has taken in the round.

Gutta Percha - Material used in the manufacture of early golf balls.

Hacker - An unskilled golfer is called a hacker.

Halved hole - A hole that is tied is halved.

Handicap - A number used to make players of different abilities equal.

Handicap allowance - How much of your handicap will be allowed during certain competitions.

Handicap differential - A number used in calculating the handicap index.

Handicap Index - A number to the decimal point that represents a golfer’s potential for scoring.

Hanging lie - A ball resting on an uphill slope.

Hard pan - An area on the course where there is no grass growing.

Handsy - When there is too much movement occurring with the wrists.

Hazard - An area of difficulty, such as a sand trap, water, areas marked by yellow stakes and red stakes.

Head wind - A wind coming from in front bearing toward the head.

Heather - Thin tall grasses which may border the rough.

Heel - The part of the golf club that is nearest the shaft.

Heel shafted putter - The shaft of the putter is connected at the heel.

Heel-toe weighting - A method of design used so that the weight is distributed to balance the club face at the toe.

Hickory club - Antique clubs made of heavy hardwood from hickory trees.

Kick point - The point along the shaft’s length where there is the greatest bend when the tip is pulled down.

High kick point - A high kick point lowers the trajectory of the ball.

High side - The side of the hole that a putt breaks away from.

Hit - Play a stroke or a shot.

Hitting down - Striking the ball as the club head is traveling slightly downward at the point of impact.

Hole - The hole on the green is 4 1/4 inches in diameter and 1 in below the putting green surface.

Hole - In golf it consists from the teeing ground to the back of the green.

Hole out - To complete the hole.

Hole in one - A shot made from the tee box to the green into the hole with one stroke.

Holed - When the ball is at rest and all of it is below the level of the lip of the hole.

Honey pot - A bonus prize in a tournament.

Honors - The privilege of being up first on the tee box determined by coin toss on the first hole and later by lowest score on the previous hole.

Hooding - Closing the club face by placing the hands ahead of the ball both at impact and at address.

Hook - A ball flight severely to the left.

Hosel - The part of the club head that protrudes vertically from the heel area of the club and secures the shaft.

Hustler - See sand bagger.

Hybrid - A club that functions as a wood and iron but is neither one nor the other.

Image - A mental picture formed of something.

Immovable obstruction - An obstruction that is on the course which may not be removed without incurring a penalty stroke.

Impact - When the club head strikes the ball.

In - The second set of nine holes (the back nine) on an eighteen hole golf course.

Inside line - The line that is inside the target line.

Inside out - The act of swinging the club from a direction inside the target line to outside the target line.

Inside the leather - The distance from the bottom of the grip to the club head.

Integrity - Having moral and ethical principles.

Intended line - A line that you expect the ball will travel after it has been struck.

Interlocking grip - A grip style that has the pinkie of the right hand hooked around the index finger of the left hand.

In the zone - Implies is increased focus and attention allowing for peak performance.

Invitational - A golf event or tournament restricted to invited participants.

Inward nine - The back name may be called the inward nine because it leads back in towards the club house.

Iron - A club that is not a wood. It has a metal head.

Island - A mass of land entirely surrounded by water.

Jab putt - A stroke with the putter with no follow through.

Jigger - Another name for the number four iron.

Junior tee - Tee box designated for junior golfers.

Jungle - A slang word used for very thick rough.

Jut - To extend part of your body beyond the main body is called a jut.

Kick - A bounce resulting from the ball hitting a sprinkler head, divot, slope or other object.

Kill the ball - To hit a very long ball.

Kinesiology - The study of the mechanics of body movements.

Kinetic energy - The energy of motion is kinetic energy.

Knee flexes - The bend in your knee.

Knock down shot - A shot made with an iron. The ball is back in the stance and hit with a short choppy swing.

Knoll - A small round hill or mound.

Ladies Day - A day designated by clubs when ladies gather together to play a round of on a weekly basis.

Ladies skirt - the entrance to the green.

Lag - A long putt. A stroke delivered to get the ball close to the hole.

Lag putter - The golfer that putts to leave himself a simple follow-putt. He tries to die at the cup.

Laid off - When the shaft of the club is pointing left of parallel at the top of the swing.

Lake - A body of water surrounded by land.

Lateral water hazard - A water hazard situated in such a way that it is not practical to drop a ball behind the water hazard.  

Launch angle - The angle (measured in degrees) of accent immediately after impact.

Lay out - The design of a course.

Lay up - To play the shot short

Lead hand - The hand when you grip your club is on the top.

Leader board - A sign used to display the scores of a tournament.

Leading edge - The bottom edge of the sole of the golf club is its leading edge.

Lie - The angle formed between the shaft centerline and the sole of a club in playing position. It is also the position of the ball on the ground.

Lie angle - The angle between the sole of the club and the shaft of the club at address.

Lip - The outer edge of the cup.

Lift - To pick up your ball and place it in a better lie which in some cases is allowed without a penalty.

Line - The direction the golfer wishes his ball to follow after he has made a stroke.

Line of flight - The actual path the ball travels.

Links - A course that is built on land reclaimed from the ocean.

Lob shot - A short high shot that lands softly on the green.

Lob wedge - A wedge designed to hit a short high shot.

Local rules - Rules that may be adapted by some clubs based on the design of the course or the condition of the course.

Loft - The angle of the clubface that affects the height and distance of your shot.

Looking up - The act of raising your head prematurely in order to see the flight of the ball.

Loose impediments - Natural objects found on the course. Sand and dirt are loose impediments only on the green.

Long game - The part of the game where the players uses woods and long irons

Long irons - Usually the three iron and four iron in your bag.

Long thumb - When the lower thumb is straight down the top of the shaft.

Loop - A curve that does not intersect itself; seen in Jim Furyk’s swing

Lost ball - A ball that cannot be found within five minutes allotted.

Low kick point - The flex point in the shaft that may help raise the trajectory of the shot.

LPGA - Ladies Golf Professional Association

Majors - The four most prestigious events in golf: the Masters, Us Open, British open and the PGA Championship

Mallet head putter - A putter that by design has a large wide face that extends behind the shaft.

Marker - An individual appointed by the committee to record the players score.

Marker - A coin or flat round object used to mark the position of a ball on the green so that it may be lifted and cleaned.

Marshall - An individual employed on the course to see that players move with good pace.

Make the cut - Qualify for the final rounds of a tournament.

Mashie - The name for the seven iron used in the 1900’s.

Masters - A prestigious tournament. The first of the majors held in April at Augusta National in Augusta, Georgia.

Match play - A type of golf format where each hole is a separate competition. The player or team winning the most holes wins the event.

Medal play - A form of competition where the individual with the fewest strokes or lowest total score is the winner.

Medalist - The winner of a medal play tournament.

Member - One who belongs to a private club.

Mental game - The part of the golf game involving visualization, focusing your attention on what you want to happen.

Midsize iron - clubs with heads that are larger than standard but smaller than the oversized heads.

Mind set - A mental attitude that determines how you will interpret or respond to situation.

Mixed foursome - Two teams of male and female alternating shots constitutes a mixed foursome.

Mound - A small hill on the golf course.

Movable obstruction - An obstruction that can easily removed without delay of game.

Moved - A ball that has changed position has moved.

Mulligan - When a player is allowed to replay a shot. This is against the USGA rules.

Municipal Golf Course - A public golf course owned by a local government.

Nassau - A golf bet that involves three separate bets: the best score on the front nine, the back nine, and 18 holes.

Neck - The tapered projecting part of the club where the shaft and head meet.

Nearest point of relief - The closest point where you can take relief without penalty.

Net score - The gross score minus the golfer’s handicap is the net score.

Net - A net is used to catch balls at the golf range for everyone’s safety.

Neutral grip hold - A grip that is neither weak nor strong.

Nineteenth hole - The place where golfers go after a round of golf to socialize.  Also it is known as the club house.

Niblick - A name used in the 1900’s for the seven iron.

Nose - The toe of a wooden club.

Observer - An individual appointed by the committee to assist a referee.

Obstacle - A hazard or stumbling block on the golf course.

Obstruction - Anything artificial.

Offset - When the shaft is slightly in front of the club head.

Offset hosel putter - A putter that has the hosel of the head is positioned in front of the face of the putter.

Official - An Individual assigned to make decisions on the golf course during a tournament.

One piece ball - A golf ball that is made of a single high restitution synthetic rubber.

Open - A tournament not restricted to only invited golfers, but golfers must have gained entry through pre set qualifications.

Open stance - A stance in which the front foot is back from the target line.

Opponent - The gofer or team that you will play against.

Order of play - The legal lineup of players.

Orthodox grip - An established grip.

Out - On a score card the first or front nine of an eighteen hole golf course.

Out - A good shot out of a hazard.

Out of bounds - That which is beyond the boundaries of the course.

Outings - Social golf gatherings using different golf formats.

Outside agency - Any agent not part of a match.

Outside line - The imaginary line outside the target line.

Over club - To use a club that goes too far past the target.

Overlapping grip - The Vardon grip. The little finger of the right hand overlaps the index finger and middle finger of the left h

Over par - any number over the expected par for the hole.

Oversize club - A club with a longer clubface and heads that are up to twice that of the standard

Pace - The speed of play.  Also the speed at which a putt must travel to get to the hole.

Paddle grip - A putter grip that has a flat surface where the thumbs are placed.

Par - An assigned score that an accomplished player should make on a hole.

Paralysis by analysis -  A phrase that means one is trying to play too analytically.

Partner - A player on the same team.

Peg - A wooden tee used to place the golf ball on.

Pendulum - A body suspended from a fixed point so that it swings freely under the influence of gravity.

Penalty stroke - A stroke that is added to the score card of the player because had an infraction of a rule.

Pendulum stroke - A stroke that is made with a pendulum-like swing.

Perched lie - When ball rests atop a tuft grass it is called a perched lie.

Perimeter weighted - Club head weight that is distributed around the edges of the club making it more forgiving.

PGA - Professional Golf Association

Pick up - Taking up one’s ball before holing out.

Pin - Another name for the flag stick.

Pin high - Considered to be a ball that lands even with the pin but off to one side.

Pin sheet - A paper that has the shape of the greens and located where the pin is on each green. Some sheets give added information as to the yardage behind the green and along the sides of the green.

Pinch shot - A shot made with a crisp clean descending blow.

Pinsetter - The official that determines the pin placement for the course.

Pistol grip - A round shaped grip used on putters. It has a pistol shape underneath.

Pitch - A short high shot that lands on the green and stops quickly.

Pitch and run - A shot that is made lands on the green and continues to roll a greater distance than a pitch shot.

Pitch mark - A divot on the green caused by the ball as it lands on the green.

Pivot - The rotation of the shoulders torso and pelvis during a golf swing.

 Placement - Accuracy in targeting a shot

Plane - An imaginary line that describes the path and angle of the club during the swing.

Player - Another name used for a golfer.

Player assistance - An individual employed to assist golfers on the course.

Playing through - When a slower group of golfer gives permission to the faster players behind them to move ahead.

Plugged ball - A ball that comes to rest in its own pitch mark.

Plum-bobbing - A technique using your dominant to find the break in a golf putt.

Plunk - A lie where the ball is on the lip of the lake or water.

Plus - Refers to a handicap of less than zero. A 2+ means that the golfer must add two strokes to his score.

Pond - A body of standing water man made or natural.

Pop up - A ball that suddenly rises is very high.

Posting a score - The act of entering a score into the handicap system.

Post round - The next round.

Pot bunker - A small deep bunker with very steep sides.

Practice - To work on the part of your game that needs improvement.

Practice green - A green where you are allowed to practice you game it may be a putting or chipping green.

Practice swing - A swing made with no intention of hitting the ball.

Pre shot routine - A set of procedures a golfer goes through each time he is to make his stroke.

Preferred lie - A lie that may be improved by a golfer is known as a preferred lie.

Pre-round - A round of golf prior to a round.

Press - A type of bet or wager. A second bet that begins during the round running concurrently with the original bet.

Pressure - How light or tight you hold the club.

Private lesson - When a professional gives a lesson to one individual.

Private Course - A course that is not generally open to the public. It is open to members only.

Pro - A slang word for a professional golfer.

Pro Am - A tournament where a professional golfer and an amateur play together as partners.

Pronation - An action in the hands or palms turn inside out. The palm faces down.

Professional golfer - Someone who earns an income from teaching or playing golf.

Progressive offset - A design made where the leading edge of the club is set slightly behind the shaft to keep the hands in front of the ball.

Pro shop - The area in the golf club where players pay for the green fee, make tee times, and purchase merchandise.

Pro’s side - In a putting the term used for the upper side of the putt.

Provisional ball - A ball played when a player believes he cannot find his ball or if his ball may be out of bounds

Public - A course that allows any individual to play.

Pull - Flight of ball straight left of the target.

Pull cart - A mechanical device with wheels and a handle used to carry a golfers bag and clubs.

Pull hook - Same as a snap hook.

Pull slice - A pulled shot that slightly turns outward.

Punch shot - A low short shot using less than a full swing.

Push - Ball flight that starts straight to the right and continues in that path.

Push hook - A pushed ball that slightly turns inward.

Push slice - a pushed ball that slightly turns outward.

Putt - A stroke made with a putter on the green.

Putter - A club designed to be used on the green to hole the ball.

Putting green - An area at the end of the fairway that has closely cropped grass surrounding the hole.

Q-School - Qualifying school.

Qualifier - A round that is held to determine eligibility in a specific tournament.

Quail high - A ball low and with a flat trajectory.

Quiet hands - Minimizing an aggressive rotation of the hands. Hands should be driven by your body core.

Rake - a tool used to clean up and restore the sand in the trap where the golfer has walked and stood.

Range - A designated area to practice your various shots with various clubs.

Range balls - Balls used on the practice range. Some are made to float in water and others designed not too travel very far.

Range finder - A device used to determine distances.

Ranger - An employee that helps keep the pace of the golf game within a certain time period.

Rap - To putt a ball with a short and firm stroke.

Rating - Numbers given to a course based on its difficulty.

Read the green - To study the surface of the green in order to determine how the ball will roll toward the hole.

Ready golf - When playing ready golf, honors is eliminated. At the tee box, whoever is ready to is allowed to go first.

Recovery shot - A shot played back to a satisfactory place after the golfer has been in trouble.

Recreational golfer - The name given to those who play golf as a pastime.

Red state - A marker used to mark a lateral water hazard.

Referee - An individual appointed by the committee to answer questions relating to rules or act on any breach of a rule.

Regular shaft - A shaft with a normal amount of flex.

Re-grip - When you reposition your hands on a club.

Re-grip - When a club has the old grip replaced by a new one.

Reinstatement - To restore someone to a previous condition.  An example would be a professional retuning back to an amateur.

Release - The action when the ball hits the green and continues to roll forward.

Release - The act of returning the club head squarely to the ball at impact.

Relief - When you move your ball according to the rules of golf you have relief.

Rest - When a ball has stopped completely it is at rest.

Reverse overlap grip - A popular grip with the left index finger placed off the club and placed down the outside of your fingers on your right hand.

Reverse pivot - An incorrect move on the downswing when the weight is transferred to the back foot instead of the front foot.

Rhythm - A coordinated movement during the golf swing.

Ricochet shot - A shot that bounces from one tree or object to another tree or object.

Ride - Instead of walking on the course or pulling a caret you may ride. Drive a golf cart.

Rip it - Golf term used to hit it hard; give it all you have.

Rookie - A beginning player. When you get to a place for the first time, you may be called a rookie.

Rough - The long grass surrounding the fairway and the green.

Routine - An individualized method established by a golfer repeated each time before stroking the ball.

Rub of the green - When a ball in motion is deflected or stopped by an outside agency.

Rule - The laws or regulations or accepted procedures for conduct or action.

Run - The distance a ball will travel once it hits the ground.

Ryder cup - A team tournament made up of professional US men golfers competing against the European team of professional men golfers.

Rye grass - A type of grass that grows well in the cold weather.

Sand - A hazard on the golf course.

Sand wedge - An iron designed to be used in the sand trap.

Sand bag - To enter only scores that will give you an unfair advantage over another player.

Sandy - A name given when a player hits out of the trap and the next strokes he holes the ball.

Scooping - An improper swing when the club has a digging motion or when the player tries to lift the ball.

Score - The amount of strokes taken on a hole.

Scorecard - Used to write down strokes per hole.

Scorer - The individual who writes down the score on the score card.

Scotch Foursome - Players play in a team of two hitting the same ball but alternating shots. They alternate driving as well.

Scramble - To recover from a poor shot or trouble.

Scramble - A type of tournament where everyone on the team hits off the tee and the best ball is chosen and hit by each player from that spot. This format is continued till the ball is holed.

Scruffy - A type of wager a golfer makes after he tees of that he will par the hole.

Second cut - Refers to the thickness of the rough; it is higher than the first cut.

Set up - How you position the various parts of your body at address.

Senior tee - A tee box designed for seniors golfers.

Shaft - The metal or graphite handle of the golf club.

Shank - When the ball is hit off the hosel.

Shape - The flight of the ball.

Shaping the shot - Curving the shot for a given situation.

Shoe cleaner - A device made of bristles that is found outside the proshop to be used by a golfer to clean his shoes.

Short game - The part of the golf game where golfer uses the short irons and putter.

Short irons - Usually the clubs used for chipping.

Short thumb - When the thumb is not completely extended down the shaft it is known as a short thumb.

Shrimp - A very severe hook.

Shot - The stroke a golfer makes.

Shut - The position in the golf swing when the club face is closed relative to the target line.

Side spin - When the ball is rotating at an angle to its direction of movement. The ball spins horizontally.

Side hill lie - When a ball is on an uneven slope. The ball is rising to the left.

Single - One player.

Sit - Telling the ball to land softly and not to roll after it lands on the green.

Skied shot - A shot that results in a very high trajectory.

Skins - What a golfer wins in a skins game. Holes are not halved, but are carried over to the next hole and added to the value of the following hole.

Skull - To contact the ball near the middle with the leading edge of an iron.

Sky ball - A ball hit very high as a result of hitting underneath it.

Sleeve - A package of balls usually three or four.

Slice - A ball flight severely to right.

Slope - A small incline in the terrain.

Slope rating - A term trademarked by the USGA is the measurement of the relative difficulty of a golf course for a bogey golfer relative to the course rating.

Slot - A specific time on the tee sheet.

Slot - The place in your forward swing when you are ready to swing down into the ball.

Slow play - Play that is not within the allowed time.

Snap hook - It is also known as a pull hook.  The snap hook has a flight that goes extremely from right to left.

Snipe - An eight on a hole.

Snowman - An eight on a hole.

Softee - A shot originally from Seve Ballesteros that uses seven fingers.  It is a shot played out of the sand trap that allows the ball to go very high come straight down and sit tight after it lands.

Sole - The part of the club closest to the ground.

Solheim cup - A professional ladies golf tournament contested by teams representing the United States and Europe

Span - When you move your marker on the putting surface because it is in the line of another golfer’s putt.

Splash shot - A shot out of the sand trap that expels a lot of sand.

Spine angle - The angle that is created as we bend from our hips to take the stance.

Spikes - Protrusions on the bottom of the golf shoe that provide traction; they may be soft or metal.

Spot - Another term for marking the balls so that it can be lifted on the green.

Spot putting - Putting to an intermediate target that has been lined up with the blade of the putter is spot putting.

Sprinkler head - A cover on the irrigation sprinkler on the course. Sometimes the head has numbers on it indicating the distance to the middle of the green.

Square stance - The position taken at address where the hips are neither open nor closed and both feet in line with the target.

Stableford system - A scoring system used in formats where the high total wins not the low. The final score is based on points given for an eagle, birdie or par.

Stakes - markers usually made of wood to mark hazards or out of bound areas.

Stance - The position of the feet at address.

Standard lie angle - The correct lie angle for the player using his club based on the player’s posture.

Starter - The individual that is near the first hole that sends the groups out according to their tee time.

Stiff shaft - A shaft with the least amount of bend.

Stipulated round - A round played with the holes in their correct sequence.

Steel - A material used to make golf clubs.

Sticks - Refers to an area of the golf courses that is densely wooded.

Stimpmeter - Device used to determine the speed of the putting surface.

Stipulated round - Consists of the holes of the coursed in their correct sequence.

Straight - A ball whose flight has a straight path.

Stroke - The forward movement of the club made with the intention of striking the ball.

Stroke play - A form of competition that adds together the number of strokes taken on each hole.

Strokes - A given number of additional shots given to players in a friendly match to make it fair.

Strong grip - When the hands are slightly rotated to the right on the club.

Stymie - When another players ball blocks the path necessary for the opponent’s ball to travel.

Substituted ball - A ball that is put in play for the original ball that is lost or out of bounds.

Suck back - A ball that returns back from forward movement due to the spin imparted on the ball and the condition of the green.

Sudden death - A method used to break up a tied match.

Summer rules - Ordinary rules.

Superintendent - The individual that in charge of the maintenance of the golf course.

Supinate - To allow the palms of your hand to face upward.

Swale - A low lying or depressed area on the course.

Sway - To make an exaggerated lateral movement of your body resulting with the weight on the outside of your shoes.

Surly - The part of the golf course bordering the fairway that is not cut short.

Sweeping action - The act of swinging the golf club as you would sweep the floor.

Sweet spot - The spot on the face of the golf club or putter directly opposite the center of gravity.

Swing - The mechanics of striking a ball with a club sending it towards an intended target.

Swing line - The imaginary line on the ground as you swing the club.

Swing path - The path your club travels during a swing.

Swing plane - An imaginary surface that describes the path and angle of the club during the swing.

Swing weight - The weight relationship between the grip end and the head end of the club expressed in a letter number designation.

Take away - The initial movement of club away from the ball.

Tail wind - A wind that is coming from behind.

Tap in - A very short putt left to be holed.

Target - An object that is shot to.

Target hand - The hand that is above the trail hand.

Target line - The imaginary line extending from the ball to the target.

Terrain - A piece of land.

Team - A group of golfers playing together.

Tee - Device used to set the ball on.

Tee box - The starting place for the hole to be played.

Tee markers - Markers located on the tee indicating starting points.

Tee off - To start the round or play the shot off the tee.

Tee sheet - Where you record the tee times.

Tee time - A specific time slot on a tee sheet allotted for play on a given day.

Tee up - To place the ball on the tee.

Tempo - The speed of the swing.

Temporary tee box - An area on the course assigned as a tee box while the regular tee box is being fixed.

Tending the flag - Is when a golfer holds the flagstick so that a fellow golfer can see the hole. He removes it once the ball is hit. .

Ten-finger grip - All ten fingers on the club with the hands placed next to each other.

Texas wedge - A term used when a players uses a putter from off the green.

Thin shot - Is the result of either pulling up the body on the shot or releasing the hands too early in the down swing. Also results when the leading edge of the club hits the middle of the ball instead of slipping underneath the ball.

Thread - Is to direct a ball through a very narrow opening.

Three piece ball - A golf ball made of a large synthetic core a thin mantel and a coat.

Three quarter shot - A shot played with a shortened back swing and lessened arm speed.

Threesome - A group of three golfers.

Through the green - The whole area of the course except hazards, the teeing ground and putting green of the hole being played.

Tie - When the score is even. Each player of team has the same score.

Tiers - Different elevations on the green’s putting surface

Tiger tee - This is a slang name given to the very back tees.

Tight fairway - A fairway that is narrow on both sides.

Tight lie - When there is very little grass beneath the ball.

Timing - The sequence of motions (takeaway, forward swing and follow through) within the golf swing.

Titanium - A very light metal that is stronger than steel.

Toe - The part of the club head opposite the heel.

Toe line - A line in front of the toes.

Toed shot - A toed shot is hitting off the toe of the club.

Topdressing - A mixture of sand, soil and fertilizer added to quicken the growth of a recently aerated green.

Topped shot - Is a shot that is caused when the bottom of the club strikes the top half of the ball.

Topspin - The forward rotation of a ball in flight.

Torque - The twisting of the body as the golfer swings the club and strikes the ball.

Touch - Finesse, accuracy, feel.

Touch shot - A delicate, accurate stroked shot.

Tour - A series of professional golf tournaments.

Towel - A piece of fabric used to clean you ball.

Trail hand - The hand that when gripping your club is on the bottom.

Trailing edge - The part located farthest to the rear of the sole of the club.

Trajectory - The flight of the ball.

Transition - The change of direction in the golf swing that is from the backswing to the forward swing.

Trap - A land hazard or bunker.

Trapped ball - A ball hit at the outside quadrant of the ball rather than at the inside quadrant.

Trouble - Areas on the golf course where play is difficult.

Turf - A layer of ground that contains matt and roots.

Turkey - Three consecutive birdies in a row.

Turn - When a golfer starts the back nine.

Twitch - A muscular spasm of hands or arms during putting stroke.

Two piece golf ball - Dual-structure balls in which a high restitution core is wrapped in a cover.

Twosome - A group of two golf players.

Umbrella - A device used for protection from adverse weather.

Under clubbing - Choosing a club that does not make the intended distance.

Under par - A score that is below the established par for the hole.

Undue delay - Is taking more time than allowed.

Unfit for play - When a ball or club is not fit for play.

Unplayable ball - A ball that is out of bounds or in the water.

Unplayable lie - A lie determined by the golfer in which he is unable to hit the ball.

Up and down - A term used when you hit out of the trap or near the green and the next stroke is holed.

Uphill lie - When the ball is above your feet.

Uphill putt - A putt going upward.

Upright lie angle - The club when soled has the toe in the air and the heel touching the ground.

Upright swing - A swing that results when the club is taken back directly back and upward away from the ball.

USGA - United States Golf Association

U swing - A swing shaped like a u which results in a lower trajectory shot.

Utility wood - A specially designed wood used in difficult lies.

Vaulting dormie - In match play when a player converts a lead into a win without passing through dormie.

Vardon grip - The overlapping grip.

Valve box - A grey box that hides irrigation valves.

Vector - A quantity such as speed, completely specified by magnitude and direction.

Visualization - Making a mental image of a swing, a stroke or shot.

V swing - A swing that has a v shape. This results in a high ball.

Waggle - A movement of the body prior to striking the ball. It can also be a movement of the clubhead back and forth prior to the swing.

Walk - To move along on foot instead of using a power cart.

Waste bunker - A waste area on the course where you may ground your club. It may be very large and made of sand, rocks, pebbles, shells and vegetation.

Water hazard - Any water, pond, lake, drainage ditch, river on the course.

Water hole - A hole that has a stream, lake, or pond which a golfer needs to cross.

Weak grip - A grip where the hands are turned far to the left on the club.

Wedge - A golf club with a high loft.

Weight shift - A move from the back leg and then a shift to the front leg.

Wet - When a ball lands in the water, lake, river or ocean it is called wet.

Whiff - When the player attempts to strike the ball and misses it completely.

Whipping thread - Material that is used to wrap the space where the head and shaft are joined. Usually it is black in color.

Whippy - When the shaft of the club is too flexible for the golfer swinging it.

White stake - A marker is to indicate out of bounds.

Wind - Moving air.

Wind cheater - A ball played low against the wind with strong backspin resulting in a low shot only to rise at the end.

Winter rules - Rules permitted under certain conditions which may include improving one’s lie.

With the grain - Is when you putt with the grass growing away from you. The ball will roll faster in this situation.

Wood - A club with a wood, metal, or titanium head that is used for the greater distance.

Woods - An area on the course with a lot of trees.

Wound ball - A golf ball that has rubber thread wound around a liquid core or a core made of synthetic rubber. Then they are wrapped in either a balata or suryln cover.

Worm burner - A shot that is hit very low and usually hard.

Wrong ball - A ball that is not yours. If the ball is hit the golfer will incur a two point penalty stroke. In match play he loses the hole.

X-Out - Balls that have slight imperfections sold for a lesser amount or used on golf ranges.

Yardage books - Golf aids that show the lay out and yardage of the holes. They show the yardage to traps and other hazards.

Yellow stake - A marker used to indicate a hazard other than a sand trap.

Yips - A nervous affliction. A golfer is unable to make short putts or be steady over the ball due to involuntary movements.

Zinger - A ball that is hit extremely high and hard.