Golf gifts and accessories glossary of gofing terms

ACE
A slang expression for a hole-in-one.

ADDRESS
The player's position while preparing to play a shot .

ALIGNMENT
The aiming of your body at address, including the feet, knees, hips and shoulders.

ALBATROSS
A score of 3 under par on a hole, usually called double eagle.

ALL SQUARE
A phrase meaning the score is tied in match play.

AMATEUR
A golfer who plays for pleasure without remuneration.

APPROACH
Any shot played with the intent of reaching the green.

APRON
The area surrounding the green where the grass is cut shorter than on the fairway but not as short as on the green. Also referred to as the fringe.

ATTEST
Vouching for a competitor's score by signing her scorecard at the end of a round.

AWAY
The ball lying furthest from the hole, and therefore the next ball to be played.

BACKDOOR
A putt which rolls around the cup and into it from the back side.

BACK NINE
The second nine holes of an eighteen hole course.

BANANA BALL
A slang term for a ball which curves wildly from left to right.

BEST BALL
A match in which one golfer plays against the best ball of three players or the better ball of two players.

BIRDIE
One stroke under par.

BITE
A ball struck with enough backspin to make it stop quickly.

BLADE
A putter with a thin head.

BLASTER
An old term for a broad-soled bunker club; now called sand wedge.

BLIND SHOT
A shot in which the target area cannot be seen.

BOGIE
One stroke over par.

BORROW
To allow for slope (or occasionally wind) when putting the ball.

BRASSIE
An old word for a #2 wood.

BUNKER
See SAND TRAP

CADDIE
A person who carries the clubs of a golfer.

CARRY
The distance a ball travels from where it was struck to where it lands.

CASUAL WATER
A temporary accumulation of water not part of a water hazard.

CHIP
A short approach shot taken from near the green intended to have a short flight and a longer roll.

CHOKE DOWN
Hold the grip closer to the shaft than normal to add control or lessen distance.

CLOSED STANCE
The left foot is closer to the target line than the right foot at address.

CONCEDE
A player may "concede" an opponent's putt in match play, meaning the opponent is considered to have putted out on the next stroke.

COURSE
The whole area within which play is permitted.

COURSE RATING
The evaluation of the playing difficulty of a course for scratch golfers stated in yardage.

CURTIS CUP
The competition between amateur women golfers of the United States and Britain.

CUT SHOT
A ball struck with an intentional outside-in swing path giving a clockwise spin to the ball causing it to curve from left to right.

CLICKA TUBE

CLICKER TUBE

DEAD
A ball which stops so close to the hole that the next putt is a certainty.

DIMPLES
Small concave markings on the golf ball helping the ball rise in flight.

DIVOT
A piece of turf dislodged by a golf swing.

DOGLEG
A hole with a fairway which bends sharply to the right or left.

DORMIE
In match play, when a player or team is leading by the number of holes remaining to be played.

DOUBLE BOGEY
A score of two strokes over par. The words "triple" or "quadruple" are linked to bogey to signify 3 or 4 strokes over par.

DOUBLE EAGLE
A score of three strokes under par, also called an albatross.

DOWN
The number of holes a golfer or a team is behind in match play.

DRAW
A ball that starts straight at or a little right of the target and then curves slightly to the left with counter-clockwise spin, causing it to roll more when it lands. It is caused by the club moving on a slight inside-out path with a square club face at impact.

DRIVE
To hit the ball off the tee or with a driver.

DRIVER
A #1 wood.

DUB
A poorly skilled golfer or a poor shot.

DUCK HOOK
A ball that curves sharply from right to left, also called a snap hook.

DUFFER
A slang term for a poor golfer, also called a hacker.

EAGLE
A score of two strokes under par on a hole with a par of more than 3 strokes.

EXPLOSION SHOT
A shot hit in the sand trap where the club slides under the ball and displaces a large amount of sand.

FACE
The part of the club head that strikes the ball.

FADE
A ball hit straight towards the target and then curving slightly to the right. It is caused when the ball is struck across on an outside-in path with a square club face at impact, imparting a slight clockwise spin on the ball.

FAIRWAY
The part of the golf course between the tee and the green where the grass is cut fairly short.

FAT SHOT
Hitting too much ground under the ball, causing the club head to lose speed thus lessening the distance the ball travels.

FLAG STICK
The pole in the cup on the green, usually with a flag attached, also called the pin.

FLAT SWING
A swing in which the club is closer to a horizontal than vertical plane.

FLIER
A ball that goes further than intended because grass is caught between the club and ball at impact reducing the effect of the grooves on the club face; usually hit from the rough.

FOLLOW-THROUGH
During the swing, the movement of the hands and arms after the ball has been struck.

FORE
A warning cry that lets people know an errant shot is headed their way.

FORWARD PRESS
The slight forward motion of the hands or the legs just prior to the beginning of the swing.

FOURSOME
Four golfers playing together; sometimes required to speed up play.

FRONT NINE
The first nine holes of an eighteen hole course.

GIMMIE
A slang word for a putt that is conceded in match play.

GOLF WIDOW(ER)
The slang term for the non-golfing spouse of a golfer.

GREEN
The part of the golf hole surrounding the cup where the grass is closely cropped to facilitate putting.

GRAIN
The direction in which the flat grass on a green lies.

GROOVES
The parallel lines on a club face designed to keep the ball from running up the face.

GROSS SCORE
The total number of strokes taken without regard to handicap.

GROUND THE CLUB
To place the club head on the ground behind the ball prior to taking the swing.

GROUND UNDER REPAIR
Areas on a golf course which are designated as being under repair, and from which a free drop may be taken.

HACKER
A poor golfer, also called a duffer.

HALVED
A term used when players have the same score on a hole in match play.

HANDICAP
A number indicating a player's skill allowing players with different skill levels to play together on a relatively equal basis.

HAZARD
The designation for a bunker, water area or water hazard.

HEAD
The part of the club furthest from the shaft with which the ball is struck.

HEEL
The part of the club face nearest the shaft.

HIGH SIDE
The part of the green above the hole on a sloping green.

HOLE
A 4 1/4 inch round hollow on the green into which one hits the ball, also called the cup; or the area from the tee box through the green, normally numbering 18 or 9 on a course.

HOLE IN ONE
The act of hitting the ball from the tee into the hole in one shot.

HOLE HIGH
Hitting the ball to a spot parallel to but not into the hole.

HOLE OUT
Stroking the ball into the hole.

HOLLYWOOD HANDICAP
A slang expression for a handicap which is too low, making the golfer sound "like a star."

HONOR
The privilege of hitting first from the tee box, based on who won the most recent hole.

HOODING THE CLUB
Shutting the face of the club, usually by playing the ball closer to the right foot than normal.

HOOK
A ball which may start towards the target but then curves greatly to the left with a counter-clockwise spin. It is caused by hitting the ball on an exaggerated inside-out path with a closed club face at impact.

HOSEL
The extension of the head of the club into which the shaft fits.

IN
The designation found on the scorecard for the second 9 holes of an 18 hole course.

INSIDE THE LEATHER
A slang expression for a short putt, no longer than the leather (or synthetic) grip; sometimes conceded in friendly play by an opponent.

INTERLOCK
A grip in which the left forefinger and the right baby finger are intertwined.

LAG
To putt the ball with the intention of having it end up close to the cup.

LATERAL WATER HAZARD
A water hazard that runs parallel to a hole or green.

LIE
The situation of the ball on the ground after it has been played.

LINKS
In strict terms a seaside course, but used to refer to any golf course.

LIP
The edge of the hole; also to hit a putt to the edge of the hole which does not fall in.

LOCAL KNOWLEDGE
The useful information a golfer acquires by playing the same course many times.

LOFT
The backward slope on the face of the club, defined in degrees for each club.

LOOSE IMPEDIMENTS
Natural objects such as leaves or loose stones which may be moved as long as the lie of the ball is not changed.

LOW SIDE
The part of the green below the hole on a sloping green.

LPGA
Ladies Professional Golf Association.

MASHIE
An old term for a #5 iron.

MATCH PLAY
Competition based on the number of holes won or lost by each side.

MEDAL PLAY
Competition based on the number of strokes taken by each golfer; also called stroke play.

MILITARY GOLF
A slang term for a person who hits a ball to the right, then one to the left, etc., from "Right, Left, Right, Left."

MIXED FOURSOME
A foursome in which a female golfer is paired with a male golfer on each side.

MULLIGAN
A second shot allowed after a poor first shot from the first tee in friendly play.

NASSAU
A three-way bet made on both the front nine and the back nine as well as the total round.

NET SCORE
The score for a round or a hole after the handicap has been deducted from the gross score.

NEVER UP NEVER IN
A cliche of golf meaning that unless a putt is struck hard enough to reach the hole it has no chance of falling into the cup.

NIBLICK
An old term for a #8 iron.

NINETEENTH HOLE
An expression for the club bar, or having a friendly drink at the end of the round.

OFFSET
A club with a head that is set back from the hosel, putting the hands further in front to help square the club at impact.

OPEN STANCE
The left foot is further from the target line than the right foot at address.

OUT
The designation for the first 9 holes of an 18 hole course on the scorecard.

OUT OF BOUNDS
Areas where play is prohibited, often marked by red stakes or listed in the course scorecard.

OVERLAPPING
A grip in which the right baby finger laps over the left forefinger.

PAR
A fixed number of strokes for each hole used as a standard of excellence, allowing for 2 putts and additional strokes depending on distance.

PIN
The pole in the cup on the green, also called the flag stick.

PITCH
An approach shot to the green which has a high arc and stops quickly.

PREFERRED LIE
A relaxation of the rules under poor conditions which allows the golfer to move his ball on the fairway; also called winter rules.

PRESIDENT'S CUP
A competition between the male professional golfers of the United States and the "rest of the world" except Europe held every four years.

PRO SIDE OF CUP
The side above the hole when the cup is cut on a sloping green, since the professional usually allows for the slope better than the amateur.

PRO SLEEVE
Ball retrival and collection device - best in the world
PROVISIONAL BALL
A ball played when a golfer is unsure whether it will be possible to find or play the first shot, i.e. a ball that may be lost, out of bounds, or in a water hazard. It is picked up without penalty if the first ball may be legally played.

PULL
A shot that goes directly to the left because of the action of the club (outside-in swing with a closed face at impact).

PUSH
A ball that goes directly to the right because of the action of the club (inside-out swing with an open face at impact).

PUTT
A short stroke taken on or near the green intended to put the ball in the hole.

PUTTER
A short club with a straight face designed for use on the green; also the person putting the ball.

RAP
To hit a putt with a short but very firm backswing and follow-through.

REVERSE PIVOT
An incorrect move made during the downswing when the weight is transferred to the back foot instead of the front foot.

ROUND
The playing of an agreed upon number of holes, usually 18 but sometimes 9; named after the circular design of early golf courses.

ROUGH
Any part of the course off the fairway where the grass or weeds are allowed to grow freely or are cut only slightly.

ROB OF THE GREEN
When a ball in motion is stopped or deflected by an outside agency (a spectator, bird, etc.), it is called the "rub of the green" and the ball must be played as it lies.

RYDER CUP
A competition between the male professional golfers of the United States and Europe held every four years.

SAND TRAP
A depressed area filled with sand. Because it is a hazard, the club may not touch the sand before the ball is struck in a sand trap.

SAND WEDGE
A high lofted club with a flange (bottom of the club) which is lower than the leading edge, allowing the club to move through the sand easily. This design feature is called bounce.

SCOTCH FOURSOME
A match in which two teams compete, each team using one ball and hitting it alternately.

SCRATCH PLAYER
A player who averages par.

SHAFT
The long part of the club to which the grip and the club head are attached.

Shag Bag
A bag to carry practice balls.
Shagging
Picking up golf balls from practice ranges.

SHAGGER
Device for collecting golf balls

SHANK
A ball struck sharply to the right; normally the result of being hit on the neck or hosel of the club.

SIDE
A player or two or more golfers playing as a team.

SKYING
A ball hit with a wood which goes almost straight up with little forward distance; caused by too steep an angle of descent in the downswing.

SLICE
A ball curving sharply to the right due to an outside-in swing path and an open club face at impact.

SLOPE
A handicap index rating the playing difficulty of a course for above scratch golfers.

SOLE
The bottom of the club.

SOLHEIM CUP
A competition between the female professional golfers of the United States and Britain held every four years.

SPOON
An old term for the #3 wood

SQUARE STANCE
The toes of the golfer are at equal distance from the target line at address.

STANCE
The position of the golfer's feet at address.

STIFF
A ball struck very close to the hole.

STROKE PLAY
Competition based on the number of strokes taken by each player; also called medal play.

SWEET SPOT
The best spot on the club face to hit the ball, somewhere about equal distance from the toe and the heel.

SUDDEN DEATH
Extra holes played at the end of a competition between players who have tied for the lead.

TAKEAWAY
The initial part of the golf swing.

TARGET LINE
An imaginary line which runs from the ball to the intended target.

TEE
The section of the course from which one hits the first shot on every hole; also a small conical piece of wood or plastic (originally a small earthen mound) on which one places the ball to hit the first shot on each hole.

TEXAS WEDGE
A nickname for the putter when it is used to stroke a ball from off the green.

THIN SHOT
A ball hit with the leading edge of the club at precisely the middle causing a low shot with lessened distance.

THROUGH THE GREEN
A designation for the entire course including hazards except the tee box and the green of the hole being played. The "green" was the name given to early courses.

TOE
The part of the club head furthest from the shaft.

TOPPING
Striking the ball above the middle with the leading edge of the club, causing the ball to roll or bounce forward for only a short distance.

TORSION
A degree of twist occurring in the shaft of the club during the golf swing.

TRAJECTORY
The flight of a golf ball while in the air.

TURN
The transition from the first nine holes to the second nine holes of play.

UNPLAYABLE LIE
A ball not resting in a water hazard which is deemed unplayable by its owner.

UPRIGHT SWING
A swing in which the club is closer to the vertical than the horizontal plane.

USGA
United States Golf Association.

WAGGLE
The to-and-fro motion of the hands and club prior to hitting the ball.

WALKER CUP
The amateur competition between men from the United States and Britain.

WEDGE
A short high lofted club intended to make the ball go high but not long. A pitching wedge usually has a loft of 48 degrees or more, while lob wedges have a 60 degree or higher loft.

WHIFF
A swing which is intended to hit the ball but misses entirely; counts as one stroke.

WINTER RULES
A relaxation of the rules under poor conditions which allows the golfer to move his ball on the fairway; also called preferred lie.

YIPS
A slang term for the psychological affliction that makes a golfer afraid that short putts will be usually missed.