The complete A to Z guide of golf terms and golf slang you need to know for when you’re out on the golf course.
A
Aim Line
The intended path a golfer plans for their ball to travel towards the target.
All Square (A/S)
A match play term indicating that the score is even between competitors.
Ace
Achieving a hole-in-one, where the ball goes directly from the tee into the hole with one stroke.
Approach shot
A stroke aimed to land the ball on the green.
Albatross
Scoring three strokes under par on a single hole.
Apron
The grass surface on the perimeter of the green, also known as the fringe.
Above The hole
A ball positioned on the green’s slope, higher than the hole.
Address
The stance a golfer takes before making a stroke, including the positioning of the feet and club.
B
Blade
A type of iron with a thin, flat, and sharp-edged clubhead, offering precision at the cost of forgiveness. Can also mean a thin putter.
Ball retriever
A telescopic tool to recover balls from water hazards or difficult-to-reach places.
Ball marker
A small flat object used to mark the position of a ball on the green.
Belly putter
A longer putter that the golfer anchors against their stomach for stability during the putt.
Buggy
A motorised cart used to transport golfers and their equipment around the course.
Back weighting
Adding weight to the club’s grip end to alter balance and potentially improve swing.
Broomhandle
A long putter, similar to a belly putter, but often anchored against the chest.
Back Swing
The initial part of the swing where the club is taken back from the ball.
Bandit
A golfer whose handicap is higher than their actual skill, giving them an unfair advantage in competitions.
Bounce
The angle between the leading edge and the lowest point of the sole, helping prevent the club from digging into the ground.
Baseball Grip
Holding the club with all ten fingers directly on the grip, without interlocking or overlapping.
Below The Hole
A ball positioned on the green’s slope, lower than the hole.
Balance Point
The exact middle of a golf club, where it can be balanced horizontally on a finger.
Balata
A soft, rubber-like material once used for golf ball covers, offering high spin and soft feel.
Block
A shot that travels straight but to the right of the intended target for right-handed players (left for left-handed players).
Break
The curve a ball will make on the green due to the slope.
Bent Shaft
A putter or club shaft that has been intentionally bent to alter its characteristics, often to improve alignment or feel.
Broom Handle Putter
Another term for a very long putter, which may be anchored against the body.
Backspin
The backward rotation of the ball in flight, which can make it stop quickly or even roll backward upon landing.
Back Nine
The last nine holes of an 18-hole golf course.
Breaking wrists
The unwanted movement of the wrists during a putt or chip, leading to less control.
Buggy
A vehicle used for transporting players and their equipment, also known as a cart.
Butt
The end of the club’s grip.
Bump and Run
A low shot intended to hit the green and roll towards the hole.
Borrow
The amount of lateral movement a golfer expects and allows for on a putt due to the slope of the green.
Bunker
A sand-filled hazard that is often strategically placed near the green or along the fairway.
Better ball
A team format where each player plays their own ball, and the lowest score on each hole counts for the team.
Blast Shot
A type of bunker shot where the golfer hits the sand behind the ball forcefully to loft the ball out.
Birdie
Scoring one stroke under par on a hole.
Bogey
Scoring one stroke over par on a hole.
C
Clubhead
The end of the golf club that strikes the ball.
Casual Water
Temporary water accumulation on the course, allowing for a free drop.
Choke Down
Gripping the club lower to shorten its length for more control.
Cross Handed Grip
A putting grip where the lead hand is below the trailing hand.
Compression
The flattening of the ball at impact.
Concede
To give an opponent a stroke, usually a short putt typically in match play.
Chunk
Hitting the ground before the ball, resulting in a poor shot.
Chilli Dip
Another term for chunk, hitting the ground before the ball.
Cut, 1st, 2nd
The rough’s two levels of height near the fairway.
Chip-in
A chip shot that lands in the hole.
Chip
A short, low-flying shot intended to land on the green.
Cup
The hole on the green or its liner.
Closed Stance
Feet aligned to the right of the target for a right-handed player.
Collar
The grass bordering the putting green.
Carry
The distance a ball flies in the air.
Check
A ball’s brief stop due to backspin before rolling.
Chipper
A club designed for short chip shots.
Course Handicap
Adjusted strokes given to a player based on course difficulty.
Centre Shafted
A putter with the shaft attached at the head’s centre.
Carpet
Slang for the putting green.
Closed Face
A clubface angled towards the player’s body at address.
Coefficient of Restitution
A measure of the energy transfer from club to golf ball.
Claggy Lie
A ball lying in wet, sticky ground.
Cut Shot
A shot with a slight fade trajectory.
Club length
The length from a club’s butt to its head.
Club Head Speed
The speed at which the clubhead moves through impact.
Cavity Back
A clubhead design with a hollowed rear for more forgiveness.
Casting The Club
Releasing the wrists too early in the downswing.
Crown
The top surface of a clubhead.
Centre of Gravity
The point in a clubhead where it balances.
Cock Wrist
Bending the wrist upwards in preparation for a swing.
Chip-and-run
A low chip shot that rolls towards the target.
Caddy/Caddie
A person who carries a player’s clubs and offers advice.
Cart
Also known as a buggy, a vehicle used for transporting players and their equipment.
Commit
Fully engaging in a swing or shot without hesitation.
Cast
The process of making a clubhead by pouring molten metal into a mold.
D
Deep Rough
The thickest grass area on a course, challenging to play from.
Double Eagle
Scoring three under par on a hole.
Divot
The turf displaced by a swing hitting the ground.
Driving iron
A long iron used for tee shots, offering control and distance.
Dimple
An indentation on a golf ball that affect its flight.
Dimple Pattern
An array of dimples across the golf ball.
Drive The Green
Hitting the ball onto the green with the tee shot.
Duff
A poorly executed shot where the ball barely moves.
Downswing
The part of the swing moving the club towards the ball.
Driver
The club used to hit the ball the farthest, typically on tee shots.
Dead Weight
A putt hit with just enough force to reach the hole.
Deep Face
A taller clubface often found on drivers for more forgiveness.
Double Bogey
Scoring two over par on a hole.
Dormie
A match play term where the leading score matches the remaining holes.
Draw
A shot that curves slightly to the left for a right-handed player.
Double-bend Shaft
A putter shaft that creates a specific angle for better alignment.
Dogleg
A hole that bends left or right, requiring strategic play.
E
Etiquette
The customary code of polite behaviour on the golf course.
Effective Loft
The actual loft of a club at impact, affecting ball trajectory.
Even Par
Scoring exactly the designated par for the course or hole.
Eagle
Scoring two under par on a hole.
Explosion Shot
A bunker shot that lifts the ball out with a burst of sand.
Elevated Green
A green situated higher than the surrounding area.
F
Foursome
A match where two teams of two compete, alternating shots.
Flush
Hitting the ball solidly in the centre of the clubface.
Flyer
A shot that travels unexpectedly farther, often from the rough.
Face
The part of the clubhead that makes contact with the ball.
First Cut
The area of slightly longer grass bordering the fairway.
Forgiving
A club design that minimizes the effects of mis-hits.
Feel
The golfer’s responsiveness to the club during a shot.
Flight
The path and behaviour of the ball through the air.
Face Insert
Material inserted into the clubface to affect feel and performance.
Fairway
The closely mown area between the tee box and the green.
Flex
The degree of bend in a shaft under force, affecting shot trajectory.
Face Balanced
A putter design where the face points upwards when balanced.
Face Angle
The direction the clubface is pointing at address, relative to the target.
Flagstick
The pole marking the location of the hole on the green.
Flat Swing
A swing path that is more horizontal than vertical.
Fluff
A lie where the ball sits up high in the grass.
Flight Control Technology
Adjustable club technology to change loft and lie angles.
Flier
A ball that travels further than expected due to reduced spin.
Follow Through
The continuation of the swing after the ball has been struck.
Forged
A process of shaping clubheads by hammering metal, enhancing feel.
Flop Shot
A high, soft shot, typically over an obstacle to the green.
Fairway Bunker
A sand trap located on or adjacent to the fairway.
Fourball
A match format where each player plays their own ball, best score wins.
Ferrule
A decorative piece where the clubhead and shaft meet.
Full swing
A complete golf swing used for maximum distance shots.
Fat
Hitting the ground before the ball, resulting in a poor shot.
Flange
The bottom part of the clubhead that contacts the ground.
Fried Egg Lie
A ball buried in sand, resembling a fried egg.
Flat Lie
A club angle that is less upright, suited for shorter golfers.
Fade
A shot that gently curves to the right for a right-handed golfer.
Fore
A warning shouted when a ball is heading towards another person.
Front Nine
The first nine holes of an 18-hole golf course.
Flatstick
Slang term for a putter.
G
Greenside bunker
A sand trap located near the green, challenging precision in short game shots.
Greensome
A team format where both players tee off, then select the best ball to play alternately.
Ground the Club
Touching the clubhead to the ground before taking a swing, not permitted in hazards.
Glove
A protective covering worn on one hand to improve grip on the club.
Golf Club
A tool designed for striking the golf ball, consisting of a shaft, grip, and head.
Graphite
A lightweight material used in shaft construction, offering flexibility and speed.
Gimme
A putt close enough to the hole that it’s assumed to be made without playing.
Gorse
A dense, thorny bush commonly found on links courses, difficult to play from.
Green in Regulation (GIR)
Reaching the green in two strokes under par, indicating effective approach play.
Gear Effect
The spin imparted on a ball due to off-centre hits, affecting direction and flight.
Greenkeeper
An individual responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of a golf course.
Green Fee
The charge for playing a round of golf at a course.
Green Jacket
The iconic prize awarded to the Masters Tournament winner at Augusta National.
Ground Under Repair
Areas under maintenance where play is prohibited or altered.
Gross Score
The total number of strokes taken during a round without handicap adjustments.
Green
The closely mown area surrounding the hole, designed for putting.
Grooves
The lines etched into a club’s face to impart spin on the ball.
Grass Bunker
A depression filled with grass rather than sand, offering a different challenge.
Grain
The direction in which grass grows on the green, affecting putt speed and direction.
Greenies
A side bet awarded for landing closest to the pin on par threes.
H
Hole High
A ball that stops even with the hole, regardless of distance away.
High Side
The uphill side of the hole on a sloped green.
Hybrid
A club combining features of woods and irons for versatility.
Heel
The part of the clubhead closest to the shaft.
Hanging Lie
When the ball lies on a slope, making contact challenging.
Heel-toe Weighting
Distribution of weight in the clubhead to increase stability and forgiveness.
Hook
A shot that curves sharply to the left for a right-handed player.
Half set
A reduced set of clubs, typically for beginners or casual play.
Hosel
The part of the clubhead that connects to the shaft.
Hole
The target in golf, also refers to each playing area on the course.
Hickory Shaft
A traditional shaft material, now mostly replaced by steel and graphite.
Hooding
Closing the clubface to decrease loft and alter ball flight.
Hack
A rough, unskilled swing at the ball.
Heavy
Hitting the ground before the ball, causing a loss of distance.
Halve
To tie a hole in match play.
Hang time
The duration a ball remains in the air after being struck.
Holed
Successfully putting the ball into the cup.
Hardpan
A compacted, hard area of ground, offering little to no cushion for the ball.
Hole Out
Completing a hole by getting the ball into the cup.
Hazard
Any bunker or water body that presents an obstacle on the course.
Hole In One
Striking the ball directly from the tee into the hole with one shot.
Hold The Green
A shot that remains on the green after landing.
Honour
The right to tee off first, typically determined by the best score on the previous hole.
Handicap
A numerical measure of a golfer’s potential ability, used to level the playing field.
Headcover
A protective cover for a golf club’s head.
I
Impact
The moment the clubhead makes contact with the ball.
Insert
A piece of material set into the clubface to alter feel and performance.
Irons
Clubs with metal heads designed for a variety of shots, numbered 1 through 9.
Intended Line
The path a player aims to have their ball travel.
Investment Casting
A process for creating precise and complex metal clubheads.
Interlocking Grip
A grip where the pinkie of one hand interlocks with the index finger of the other.
Inside Path
A swing path where the club moves inwardly at impact, often causing a slice.
K
Kick Point
The area of the shaft that bends the most during a swing, affecting trajectory.
Kill The Ball
Hitting the ball with maximum force.
Knock Down Shot
A controlled shot designed to fly lower and shorter.
L
Loft
The angle of the clubface, determining the trajectory and distance of a shot.
Leading Edge
The forward edge of the clubface that first contacts the ball.
Long Irons
Irons with lower lofts and longer distances, typically 1-4.
Lag Putt
A long putt aimed more for proximity to the hole than for making it.
Launch Angle
The initial angle at which the ball leaves the clubface.
Low Side
The downhill side of the hole on a sloped green.
Links Course
A coastal golf course, often with undulating terrain and few trees.
Lip
The rim of the hole or the edge of a bunker.
Lob
A high, short shot designed to land softly on the green.
Lay Up
Choosing to hit a shorter shot to avoid hazards.
Lie Angle
The angle between the shaft and the ground when the club is in a proper stance.
Line Up
The act of aligning oneself and the club towards the target.
Lake Ball
A used ball recovered from water hazards, often sold cheaply.
Line
The intended path of the ball towards the target.
Long Game
Shots played from the tee and fairway, typically requiring longer distances.
Lift
The upward force on the ball caused by its spin and speed.
Lip Out
When a ball rims the cup but does not drop in.
Low Profile
A clubhead design with a lower centre of gravity to facilitate easier ball lifting.
Laid Off
A swing position where the club is pointed left of the target at the top of the backswing.
Low Handicapper
A skilled golfer with a low handicap.
Lob Wedge
A high-lofted wedge used for short, high shots.
Long Putter
A putter longer than standard, often used to stabilize the stroke.
Leak
A shot that unintentionally veers off to the right.
M
Misread
Incorrectly judging the slope or speed of a green.
Missing The Cut
Failing to qualify for the latter rounds of a tournament.
Mid Putter
A putter of intermediate length between standard and long putters.
Municipal Course
A public golf course owned by a local government.
Mid Iron
Irons that offer a balance between distance and control, typically 5-7.
Mallet
A putter with a larger, often square or rounded, head.
Muscleback
Irons with a full back, preferred by skilled players for their feel and control.
MWT
Movable Weight Technology, allowing golfers to adjust the clubhead’s weight distribution.
Matchplay
A scoring system where players compete to win individual holes.
Make The Cut
Qualifying for the final rounds of a tournament.
Mashie Niblick
A historical term for a 7-iron.
Mis-club
Choosing an incorrect club for a shot.
Mid Mashie
An old term for a 3-iron.
Majors
The most prestigious annual golf tournaments. Four in the mens game and five in the womens game.
Moment Of Inertia
The clubhead’s resistance to twisting upon impact with the ball.
Metal Wood
A wood-type club made with a metal head, offering durability and distance.
Mulligan
Another go at a shot, not counted in official play.
Mashie
A historical term for a 5-iron.
Milled
A precision manufacturing process for creating flat, consistent surfaces on clubfaces.
Mashie Iron
An old term for a 4-iron.
N
Nineteenth Hole
Slang for the clubhouse or bar where golfers relax after a round.
Neck
The narrow part of the clubhead connecting to the hosel.
Never Up, Never In
A putt that doesn’t reach the hole has no chance of going in.
Net Score
A player’s score after handicap adjustments.
Niblick
An old term for a 9-iron or wedge.
O
Off-centre Hit
A strike where the ball contacts the clubface away from the sweet spot, often affecting accuracy and distance.
Open Face
A clubface angle that points right of the target at impact for right-handed players, promoting a fade or slice.
Oversize
Clubs with larger than standard heads, designed to increase forgiveness on mis-hits.
Overlapping Grip
A grip style where the little finger of the trailing hand overlaps the index finger of the lead hand.
Open Stance
A body alignment where the feet are positioned left of the target line for right-handed players, facilitating a fade.
Out of Bounds (OB)
Areas designated as outside the field of play, from which recovery incurs a penalty.
Out To In
A swing path that moves outside to across the line, resulting in a slice or a pull shot.
Onset
The clubhead position where the leading edge aligns forward of the shaft’s centre, rare in modern clubs.
Offset
The design feature where the clubhead’s leading edge is set back from the hosel, aiding in hitting the ball higher.
P
Push
A shot that starts right of the target without curving, for right-handed players.
Pot Bunker
A small, deep bunker requiring precise shots to escape.
Preferred Lie
A temporary local rule allowing players to improve their lie without penalty under certain conditions.
Pull
A shot that starts left of the target and flies straight, for right-handed players.
Plugged
When a ball finishes up in it’s own pitchmark.
Pin
The flagstick which marks the location of the hole on the green.
Par
The designated number of strokes an expert golfer is expected to need to complete a hole.
Punch Shot
A low trajectory shot designed to minimize the effect of wind or to navigate under obstacles.
Pin High
A ball that stops at the same distance as the hole but may be off to the side.
Progressive Offset
Clubs designed with increasing offset in longer irons to aid in launch and control.
Provisional Ball
A second ball played if there is uncertainty whether the first may be lost or out of bounds.
Pre-shot Routine
A consistent set of actions performed before every shot to enhance focus and consistency.
Putter
A club with a flat face used primarily on the green to roll the ball into the hole.
Perimeter Weighting
Distribution of weight around the clubhead’s perimeter to increase forgiveness on off-centre hits.
Putting
The action of using a putter to roll the ball towards the hole on the green.
Q
Quitting On The Ball
Decelerating the club before impact, often resulting in a poor shot.
R
Reading The Green
Analysing the contours, slope, and grain of the green to predict the ball’s path.
Run
The distance a ball travels after landing, especially in reference to approach shots and drives.
Roll
The action of the ball moving along the ground after landing, particularly in putting.
Reverse Overlap
A common putting grip where the index finger of the lead hand overlaps the fingers of the trailing hand.
Rescue
A hybrid club designed to combine the best features of woods and irons for difficult lies.
Range Ball
Balls used on the driving range, often marked and constructed differently from standard balls.
Rake
A tool used to smooth the sand in bunkers after play.
R & A
The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews, one of the governing bodies of golf.
Recovery
A shot from a challenging position that returns play to a more favourable situation.
Release
The point in the swing where the hands and clubhead pass the body, crucial for power and direction.
Rhythm
The tempo and timing of a golf swing, contributing to consistency and power.
S
Stepless Shaft
A golf shaft design without the traditional steps, offering a smooth profile.
Sweet Spot
The optimal point on a clubface for contact with the ball, providing the best feel and distance.
Shotgun Start
A tournament start method where groups begin simultaneously from different holes.
Stroke
The act of swinging the club to hit the ball, counting towards the score.
Square Grooves
Clubface grooves designed to impart more spin on the ball, now regulated in competition.
Stimpmeter
A tool used to measure the speed of a green, indicating how fast putts will roll.
Swing Speed
The velocity of the clubhead at the moment of impact with the ball.
Sink A Putt
To successfully roll the ball into the hole with a putter.
Short Game
Golf shots played on or near the green, including putting, chipping, and pitching.
Scratch Golfer
A golfer with a handicap of zero, able to play to the course’s par.
Spike Mark
Indentations made on the green by golf shoes, which can affect the roll of the ball.
Sand Iron
Another term for a sand wedge, designed for escaping from bunkers.
Spin Rate
The rate at which the ball rotates after being struck, affecting its flight and roll.
Shaft
The long, tapered tube which connects the clubhead to the grip.
Slice
A shot that curves dramatically to the right for right-handed players, often due to an open clubface at impact.
Stepped Shaft
A shaft that features visible steps or tiers, common in steel shafts.
Stroke Play
A scoring format where the total number of strokes is counted over one or more rounds of golf.
Spring Effect
The flexing and rebounding of a clubface at impact, enhancing ball speed.
Strong Loft
A club with less loft than traditionally associated with its number, promoting longer distances.
Shank
A mis-hit where the ball strikes the hosel of the club, veering sharply to the side.
Sand Save
Successfully scoring par or better after playing from a bunker.
Shot Making
The skill of executing various types of golf shots as required by the situation.
Stymie
An outdated rule where a ball obstructed the line of putt for another player without penalty relief.
Spikes
Protrusions on the sole of a golf shoe, providing traction.
Swing Weight
A measure of how the weight of the club feels during a swing, affecting control and feel.
Stroke Index
A ranking of holes by difficulty from 1 to 18, used in handicap adjustment.
Sole
The bottom part of a club that rests on the ground at address.
Sand Wedge
A club designed specifically for playing out of sand bunkers, typically with a loft between 54 and 58 degrees.
Swing Plane
The path that the clubhead travels upon during the swing.
Surlyn
A durable material used in the cover of golf balls, known for its resistance to cuts and abrasions.
Soft Tipped
Describes a shaft that flexes more at the tip, aiding in higher ball flights.
T
Top The Ball
To strike the upper half of the ball with the club, resulting in a low, often unintended shot.