nassau
Bet in which a round of 18 holes is divided into three - front nine,back nine, and full 18.
net score
Score for a hole or round after handicap strokes are deducted.
never up, never in
Annoying saying coined for a putt that finishes short of the hole.
niblick
Old term for a 9-iron.
nine
Half of a course.
19th hole
The clubhouse bar.
0
O.B. (Oscar Bravo, set it free)
Out-of bounds.
off-center hit
Less than a solid strike.
offset
Club with the head set farther behind the shaft than normal.
one-putt
To take only a single putt on a green.
one up
Being one hole ahead in the match score.
open face
Clubface aligned to the right of the target at address, or to the right of its path at impact. Can lead to a shot going to the rightof the target.
open stance
Player sets up with the left foot pulled back, away from the ball.
open up the hole
When your tee shot leaves the best possible angle for the nextshot to the green.
out-of-bounds
Area outside the boundaries of the course, usually marked with whiteposts. When a ball finishes "O.B.," the player must return to the original spot and play another ball under penalty of one stroke. He or she thus loses stroke and distance.
outside
Area on the far side of the ball.
outside in
Swing path followed by the clubhead into the ball from outside the ball target line. (See inside out.)
over the green
Ball hit too far.
overdub
To use a club that will hit the ball too far.
overlapping
A type of grip where the little finger of the right hand lies over theindex finger of the left hand.
P
pairings
Groups of two players.
par
The score a good player would expect to make on a hole or round.
partner
A player on your side.
penal
Difficult.
persimmon
A wood from which many wooden clubs are made.
PGA
Professional Golfers' Association.
Piccolo grip
A very loose hold on the club, especially at the top of the backswing.
pigeon
An opponent you should beat easily.
pin
The pole placed in the hole.
pin-high
See hole high.
pin-placement
The location of the hole on the green.
pitch
A short, high approach shot. Doesn't run much on landing.
pitch and putt
A short course. Or getting down in two strokes from off the green.
pitch-and-run
Varies from a pitch in that it flies lower and runs more.
pitching-niblick
Old term for an 8-iron.
pivot
The body turn during the swing.
plane
The arc of the swing.
playoff
Two or more players play extra holes to break a tie.
play through
What you do when the group in front of you invites you to pass.
plugged lie
When the ball finishes half- buried in the turf or a bunker.
plumb-bob
Lining up a putt with one eye closed and the putter held vertically in front of the face.
pop-up
High, short shot.
pot bunker
Small, steeply faced bunker.
practice green
Place for working on your putting.
preferred lies
Temporary rule that allows you to move the ball to a more favorable position because of wet conditions.
press
You've lost your match, but you want your money back. This new bet takes place over any remaining holes.
private club
A club open to members and their guests only.
Pro-Am
A competition in which professional partners team with amateurs.
professional
A golfer who plays or teaches for his or her livelihood.
pro shop
A place where you sign up to start play and can buy balls, clubs, and so on.
provisional ball
You think your ball may be lost. To save time, you play another from the same spot before searching for the first ball. If the first ball is lost, the second ball is in play
public course
A golf course open to all.
pull
A straight shot that flies to the left of the target.
punch
A shot hit lower with the ball back in the stance and a shorter-than-normal follow- through.
push
A straight shot that flies to the right of the target.
putter
A straight-faced club generally used on the greens.
Q
quail high (stealth, skull, rat-high)
Low.
qualifying school
A place where aspiring professional golfers try to qualify for thePGA and LPGA Tours. A punishing week of pressure golf.The ultimate grind.
quitting
Not hitting through a shot with conviction.
R
rabbit
A beginning player.
rake
Device used to smooth the sand after you leave a bunker.
Device used to smooth the sand after you leave a bunker.
range
Practice area.
Practice area.
range ball
Generally a low-quality ball used on a driving range.
Generally a low-quality ball used on a driving range.
rap
To hit a putt firmly.
To hit a putt firmly.
read the green
To assess the path on which a putt must travel to the hole.
To assess the path on which a putt must travel to the hole.
regular
A shaft with normal flex.
A shaft with normal flex.
regulation
Par figures.
Par figures.
release
The point in the downswing where the wrists uncock.
The point in the downswing where the wrists uncock.
relief
Where you drop a ball that was in a hazard or affected by an obstruction.
Where you drop a ball that was in a hazard or affected by an obstruction.
reverse overlap
Putting grip in which the little finger of the right hand overlaps the index finger of the left hand.
Putting grip in which the little finger of the right hand overlaps the index finger of the left hand.
rhythm
The tempo of your swing.
The tempo of your swing.
rim the cup
See lip out.
See lip out.
ringer score
Your best-ever score at each hole on the course.
Your best-ever score at each hole on the course.
Road Hole
The 17th hole at St. Andrews the hardest hole in the world.
The 17th hole at St. Andrews the hardest hole in the world.
roll
On wooden clubs, the curve on the clubface from the top to the bottom of the face.
On wooden clubs, the curve on the clubface from the top to the bottom of the face.
rough
Unprepared area of long grass on either side of the fairway.
Unprepared area of long grass on either side of the fairway.
round
Eighteen holes of golf.
Eighteen holes of golf.
Royal & Ancient Golf Club
The organization that runs the British Open.
The organization that runs the British Open.
rub of the green
Luck.
Luck.
run
The roll on the ball after landing.
The roll on the ball after landing.
run up
A type of shot to play when the ground is firm. You bounce the ball onto the green and let it roll to the hole.
A type of shot to play when the ground is firm. You bounce the ball onto the green and let it roll to the hole.
S
sandbagger
A golfer who lies about his or her ability/handicap to gain an advantage.
sandbagger
A golfer who lies about his or her ability/handicap to gain an advantage.
sand trap
A bunker.
A bunker.
sandy
Making par after being in a bunker.
Making par after being in a bunker.
scorecard
Where the length, par, and rating of each hole is recorded. Also, your score.
Where the length, par, and rating of each hole is recorded. Also, your score.
scoring
The grooves on the clubface.
The grooves on the clubface.
scramble
To play erratic golf but still score well. Or a game where ateam of, say, four all tee off and then pick the best shot. All then play their balls from that spot; continues witheach set of shots.
To play erratic golf but still score well. Or a game where ateam of, say, four all tee off and then pick the best shot. All then play their balls from that spot; continues witheach set of shots.
scratch play
No handicaps used in this type of game.
No handicaps used in this type of game.
scratch player
One with a 0 handicap.
One with a 0 handicap.
second cut
Second level of rough, higher than first cut. Some courseshave three cuts of rough.
Second level of rough, higher than first cut. Some courseshave three cuts of rough.
semiprivate
A course with members that is also open to the public.
A course with members that is also open to the public.
semirough
Grass in the rough that is not too long, not too short.
Grass in the rough that is not too long, not too short.
setup
See address.
See address.
shaft
The part of the club that joins the grip to the head.
shag
To retrieve practice balls.
The part of the club that joins the grip to the head.
shag
To retrieve practice balls.
shag bag
To carry practice balls.
To carry practice balls.
shallow
Narrow clubface. Or a flattish angle of attack into the ball.
Narrow clubface. Or a flattish angle of attack into the ball.
shank
Shot struck from the club's hosel; flies far to the right of theintended target.
shooting the lights out
To play very well.
Shot struck from the club's hosel; flies far to the right of theintended target.
shooting the lights out
To play very well.
short cut
Cut of grass on the fairway or green.
Cut of grass on the fairway or green.
short game
Shots played on and around the green.
Shots played on and around the green.
shut
Clubface aligned left at address or impact; looking skyward at the top of the backswing. Results in a shot that goes to the left of the target.
Clubface aligned left at address or impact; looking skyward at the top of the backswing. Results in a shot that goes to the left of the target.
sidehilllie
Ball either above or below your feet.
Ball either above or below your feet.
sidesaddle
Putting style where a player faces the hole while making the stroke.
Putting style where a player faces the hole while making the stroke.
sink
To make a putt.
To make a putt.
sit down (full flaps, pull a hamstring, develop a limp)
A polite request for the ball to stop.
A polite request for the ball to stop.
skins
Betting game where the lowest score on a hole wins the pot.If the hole is tied, the money carries over to the next hole.
Betting game where the lowest score on a hole wins the pot.If the hole is tied, the money carries over to the next hole.
skull (hit it in the forehead)
See blade or thin.
See blade or thin.
sky
Ball flies off the top of the clubface - very high and short.
Ball flies off the top of the clubface - very high and short.
sleeve of balls
Box of three golf balls.
Box of three golf balls.
slice
Shot that curves sharply from left to right.
Shot that curves sharply from left to right.
smile
Cut in a bail caused by a mishit.
Cut in a bail caused by a mishit.
smother
To hit the ball with a closed clubface, resulting in a horrible,low, hooky shot.
To hit the ball with a closed clubface, resulting in a horrible,low, hooky shot.
snake
Long putt.
Long putt.
snap hook
Severe hook.
Severe hook.
socket
See shank.
See shank.
sole
Bottom of the clubhead.
Bottom of the clubhead.
sole plate
Piece of metal attached to the bottom of a wooden club.
Piece of metal attached to the bottom of a wooden club.
spade-mashie
Old term for a 6-iron.
Old term for a 6-iron.
spike mark
Mark on the green made by a golf shoe.
Mark on the green made by a golf shoe.
spin-out
Legs moving too fast in relation to the upper body on the downswing.
Legs moving too fast in relation to the upper body on the downswing.
spoon
Old term for a 3-wood.
Old term for a 3-wood.
spot putting
Aiming for a point on the green over which the ball mustrun if it is to go in the hole. .
Aiming for a point on the green over which the ball mustrun if it is to go in the hole. .
square
Score of a match is even. Or the clubface and stance are aligned perfectly with the target.
Score of a match is even. Or the clubface and stance are aligned perfectly with the target.
square face
Clubface looking directly at the hole at address/impact.
Clubface looking directly at the hole at address/impact.
square grooves
USGA banned them from clubfaces.
USGA banned them from clubfaces.
St. Andrews
Located in Fife, Scotland, the home of golf.
Located in Fife, Scotland, the home of golf.
stableford
Method of scoring by using points rather than strokes.
Method of scoring by using points rather than strokes.
stance
Position of the feet before the swing.
Position of the feet before the swing.
starter
Person running the order of play (who plays when) from the first tee.
Person running the order of play (who plays when) from the first tee.
starting time
When you tee off at the first tee.
When you tee off at the first tee.
stick
The pin in the hole.
The pin in the hole.
stiff
A shaft with reduced flex. Or very close to the hole.
A shaft with reduced flex. Or very close to the hole.
stimpmeter
Device used to measure the speed of greens.
Device used to measure the speed of greens.
stroke
Movement of club with the intent to hit the ball.
Movement of club with the intent to hit the ball.
stroke hole
Hole at which one either gives or receives a shot, according to the handicap of your playing.
Hole at which one either gives or receives a shot, according to the handicap of your playing.
stymie
Ball obstructing your route to the hole - now obsolete.
Ball obstructing your route to the hole - now obsolete.
sudden-death
Form of playoff whereby the first player to win a hole wins the match.
Form of playoff whereby the first player to win a hole wins the match.
superintendent
Person responsible for the upkeep of the course.
Person responsible for the upkeep of the course.
surlyn
Material from which most balls are made.
Material from which most balls are made.
swale
Depression or dip in terrain.
Depression or dip in terrain.
sway
To move excessively to the right on the backswing withoutturning the body.
To move excessively to the right on the backswing withoutturning the body.
sweet spot
Perfect point on the clubface with which to strike the ball.
Perfect point on the clubface with which to strike the ball.
swing plane
Angle at which the club shaft travels around the body during a swing.
Angle at which the club shaft travels around the body during a swing.
swing weight
Measure of a club's weight to its length.
Measure of a club's weight to its length.
T
takeaway
Early part of the backswing.
takeaway
Early part of the backswing.
tap-in
Very short putt.
Very short putt.
tee
Wooden peg on which the ball is set for the first shot on a hole. Also, the area from which that initial shot is hit.
Wooden peg on which the ball is set for the first shot on a hole. Also, the area from which that initial shot is hit.
teeing ground
Area in which you must tee your ball, between the tee markers and neither in front of them nor more than two club lengths behind them.
Area in which you must tee your ball, between the tee markers and neither in front of them nor more than two club lengths behind them.
tee it up
To start play.
To start play.
tempo
The rhythm of your swing.
The rhythm of your swing.
temporary green
Used in winter to save the permanent green.
Used in winter to save the permanent green.
Texas wedge
Putter when used from off the green.
Putter when used from off the green.
that'll play
A kind reference to mediocre shot.
A kind reference to mediocre shot.
thin
To hit the ball around its equator - don't expect much height.
To hit the ball around its equator - don't expect much height.
three-putt
Undesired number of strokes on a green.
Undesired number of strokes on a green.
through the green
The whole course except hazards, tees, and greens.
The whole course except hazards, tees, and greens.
Tiger tee
Slang for the back tee.
Slang for the back tee.
tight
Narrow fairway.
Narrow fairway.
tight lie
The ball on bare ground or very short grass.
The ball on bare ground or very short grass.
timing
The pace and sequence of movement in your swing.
The pace and sequence of movement in your swing.
titanium
Metal used in lightweight shafts and in golf balls.
Metal used in lightweight shafts and in golf balls.
top
Ball is struck on or above the equator. See thin.
Ball is struck on or above the equator. See thin.
torque
Twisting of the shaft at impact.
Twisting of the shaft at impact.
tour
Series of tournaments for professionals.
Series of tournaments for professionals.
tradesman's entrance
Ball goes in the hole from the rear of the cup.
Ball goes in the hole from the rear of the cup.
trajectory
Flight of the ball.
Flight of the ball.
trap
See bunker.
See bunker.
triple bogey
Three over par on one hole. Not good.
Three over par on one hole. Not good.
turn
To make your way to the back nine holes. Or the rotation of the upper body during the backs wing and forward swing.
To make your way to the back nine holes. Or the rotation of the upper body during the backs wing and forward swing.
twitch
See yips.
See yips.
U
uncock
See release.
uncock
See release.
underclub
To take at least one club less than needed for distance.
To take at least one club less than needed for distance.
unplayable lie
You can't hit the ball. One stroke penalty is your reward.
You can't hit the ball. One stroke penalty is your reward.
up
Ahead in the match. Or the person next to play. Or reaching the hole with a putt.
Ahead in the match. Or the person next to play. Or reaching the hole with a putt.
up and down
To get the ball into the hole in two strokes from somewhere off the green.
To get the ball into the hole in two strokes from somewhere off the green.
upright
To swing with a steep vertical plan
To swing with a steep vertical plan
USGA
United States Golf Association. The ruling body for gg olf in the United States.
United States Golf Association. The ruling body for gg olf in the United States.
U.S. Open
National men's golf championship of America.
National men's golf championship of America.
U.S.. Women's Open
National women's golf championship of America.
National women's golf championship of America.
V
Vardon grip
See overlapping.
Vardon grip
See overlapping.
W
waggle
Movement of the clubhead prior to the swing.
waggle
Movement of the clubhead prior to the swing.
water hazard
Body of water that costs you a shot to leave.
Body of water that costs you a shot to leave.
wedge
Lofted club (iron) used for pitching.
Lofted club (iron) used for pitching.
whiff
See airball.
See airball.
whipping
The string around the shaft/head of a wooden club.
The string around the shaft/head of a wooden club.
whippy
A shaft more flexible than normal.
A shaft more flexible than normal.
windcheater
Low drive.
Low drive.
winter rules
See preferred lies.
See preferred lies.
wood
Material that long clubs used to be made of.
wormburner
Low mishit.
Y
yips
When a golfer misses short putts because of bad nerves, which reduces the afflicted unfortunate to jerky little snatches at the ball, the putterhead seemingly possessing a mind all its own.
yips
When a golfer misses short putts because of bad nerves, which reduces the afflicted unfortunate to jerky little snatches at the ball, the putterhead seemingly possessing a mind all its own.
Z
oopps... there is no such a thing start with Z!
