Golf Terms You Should Know

1. Ace – A hole-in-one; hitting the ball directly from the tee into the hole.
2. Birdie – Completing a hole one stroke under par.
3. Eagle – Completing a hole two strokes under par.
4. Albatross / Double Eagle – Completing a hole three strokes under par.
5. Bogey – Completing a hole one stroke over par.
6. Double Bogey – Completing a hole two strokes over par.
7. Triple Bogey – Completing a hole three strokes over par.
8. Par – The expected number of strokes set for each hole.
9. Fairway – The closely mowed area between the tee and the green.
10. Green – The smooth, grassy area around the hole.
11. Tee – The starting point for each hole.
12. Drive – The first shot played from the tee box.
13. Putt – A shot played on the green, usually with a putter, to roll the ball into the hole.
14. Slice – A shot that curves dramatically from left to right (for a right-handed golfer).
15. Hook – A shot that curves dramatically from right to left.
16. Shank – A bad shot where the ball is struck with the hosel of the club, resulting in a low, squirting shot.
17. Fore! – A warning shout if a shot is heading toward someone.
18. Driver – A club used mainly for long-distance shots from the tee.
19. Iron – Clubs used for a variety of shots, numbered from 3 to 9 depending on loft.
20. Wedge – A type of iron used for short, high shots, such as pitching or bunker shots.
21. Bunker – A sand trap near or on the course.
22. Lie – The position in which the ball is resting.
23. Handicap – A numerical measure of a golfer’s potential ability, used to level the playing field.
24. Match Play – A scoring system where players compete hole-by-hole.
25. Stroke Play – A scoring system where the total number of strokes is counted over a round or tournament.
26. Mulligan – A “do-over” shot, usually informal and not allowed in official play.
27. Dogleg – A hole that bends left or right, resembling a dog’s leg.
28. Up and down – Getting the ball into the hole in two shots from off the green.
29. Clubhouse – The building where players can gather, eat, and register.
30. Lie – The position and condition of the ball on the ground.
31. Putting green – The area with very short grass where putting occurs.
32. Rough – The longer grass outside the fairway.
33. Flagstick / Pin – The the pole that holds the flag on the green.
34. Double Eagle – Same as eagle; three strokes under par on a hole.
35. Parting shot – A final shot or effort, often before leaving.
36. Playing through – When a faster group overtakes a slower group on the course.
37. Slice – A shot that curves severely from left to right.
38. Fade – A controlled shot that gently curves from left to right.
39. Draw – A controlled shot that gently curves from right to left.
40. Penalty stroke – An extra stroke added as a penalty for rules infractions.