Ultimate Golf Glossary – A to Z of Golf Jargon Terms

From “ace” to “zinger,” this ultimate golf glossary covers all the jargon terms you need to know to become a pro on the course. Check it out now!

For those unfamiliar with golf terminology or looking for a refresher, this article provides explanations of less commonly known terms such as “stymie,” “fried egg,” and “yips,” in addition the more common terms like “bogey,” “birdie,” and “mulligan.”

Knowing golf terminology is important for effective communication with fellow golfers, watching matches on TV, or playing with friends. However, the abundance of terms can be daunting to remember. To assist you in mastering the language of golf, this article contains a comprehensive glossary from A to Z.

Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro, this glossary will provide you with the knowledge and confidence you need to talk the talk on the golf course. 

Golf Glossary

Golf is more than just hitting a ball and scoring the lowest number of strokes. It is a game that requires skill, knowledge, and precision. With various rules, equipment, and terminologies used in golf, it can be overwhelming to understand everything from the onset. This is where a golf glossary comes in handy. This article will explore golf’s most commonly used terms and jargon. Whether new to golf or seasoned, this golf glossary will help you better understand the game and its terminology.

The Basics of Golf Terminology

Golf is one of the most popular sports in the world. Whether you’re just starting or have been playing for years, here are the basic golf terms you should be familiar with.

Scoring in Golf:

1: The lowest possible score on a hole.

2: A birdie, or completing a hole in two strokes under par.

3: A par, or completing a hole in the number of strokes designated by the course.

4: A bogey, or completing a hole in one stroke over par.

5: A double bogey or completing a hole in two strokes over par.

6: A triple bogey, or completing a hole in three strokes over par.

7 or higher: Scores above a triple bogey can vary depending on the golfer’s skill level and the hole’s difficulty.

Types of Penalty Strokes:

One-stroke penalty: A penalty added to a player’s score for a rules violation (as discussed earlier).

Two-stroke penalty: A penalty added to a player’s score for a serious rules violation, such as hitting the wrong ball or taking an improper drop.

Three-stroke penalty: A penalty added to a player’s score for a serious rules violation, such as dislodging a loose impediment in a bunker before playing a stroke from that bunker.

Stroke and distance penalty: The player must return to the point where their previous stroke was played and play another stroke, resulting in a loss of both a stroke and distance. This penalty is typically incurred for hitting a ball out of bounds or into a hazard.

General penalty: A penalty of two strokes that can be given for certain rules infractions, such as playing the wrong ball.

Disqualification: A player can be disqualified from the tournament in serious cases of rules violations or misconduct.

Here are Some of the Commonly Used Terminologies in Golf:

18-hole golf course: A standard golf course with 18 holes for players to complete.

Ace: An ace is called an ace when a golfer hits the ball directly into the hole from the tee.

Approach shot: A golf shot played towards the green, usually played from the fairway.

Bad shot: A poorly executed golf shot that results in an unfavorable outcome.

Ball flight: The golf ball’s trajectory and path after being hit.

Birdie: When a golfer completes a hole one stroke under par, it is called a birdie.

Bunker shot: A golf shot played from a sand-filled hazard called a bunker or sand trap.

Caddy: A caddy is a person who carries the golfer’s clubs and assists in the game.

Casual water: Temporary standing water on a golf course may be caused by rainfall.

Chip shot: A golf shot played with a short swing and low loft, typically performed near the green.

Chunk Shot: A chunk shot is when the golfer hits the ground behind the ball, causing the ball to travel a shorter distance than intended.

Club head: The part of a golf club that makes contact with the ball.

Club selection: Choosing the appropriate golf club for a particular shot based on distance, lie, and other factors.

Divot: A divot is a piece of turf that is removed when a golfer takes a swing.

Eagle: An eagle is called an eagle when a golfer completes a hole two strokes under par.

Errant shot: A golf shot that goes in an unintended direction.

Fairway: The fairway is the golf course area between the tee and the green.

Fat shot: A golf shot where the club strikes the ground before hitting the ball, resulting in a poor shot.

Flop shot: A high, soft, and lobbed golf shot played with a high-lofted club.

Game of golf: A sport played on a golf course in which players use clubs to hit a ball toward a hole in as few strokes as possible.

Golf ball: The small, hard ball used to play the game of golf.

Golf club: The equipment used to hit the golf ball, which includes woods, irons, wedges, and putters.

Golf courses: The area of land designed and used for golf.

Golf hole: The designated area on a golf course where players must hit the ball to complete the hole.

Golf shot: A single swing of the golf club intended to hit the ball toward the hole.

Golf swing: The motion used to strike the golf ball, which includes the backswing, downswing, and follow-through.

Green: The green is the golf course area where the hole is located.

Handicap: A handicap is a numerical value assigned to a golfer that represents their skill level.

Harry Vardon: An influential professional golfer from the early 20th century known for his innovative swing and multiple championships.

Iron:  An iron is a type of golf club with a flat, angled face used for shots requiring precision and control.

Low-trajectory shot: A golf shot that travels at a low height and with a flat trajectory.

Lowest score: The fewest strokes required to complete the golf course.

Loss of distance: A decrease in the distance the golf ball travels, usually due to weather conditions, course conditions, or poor contact.

Mulligan: A mulligan is a do-over shot allowed in informal games.

One-stroke penalty: A penalty added to a player’s golf score for a rules violation.

Par: Par is the number of strokes a golfer must take to complete a hole.

PGA Tour: The highest level of professional golf competition globally.

Pitching wedge: A golf club used for short approach shots, typically around the green.

Poor shot: Any ineffective golf shot that fails to achieve the intended outcome.

Previous shot: The shot taken immediately before the current one, which can impact a player’s strategy for the next shot.

Provisional ball: A golf ball hit as a backup in case the first ball is lost or out of bounds.

Putter: A putter is a golf club used for short shots on the green.

Right-handed golfers/players: Golfers who use their right hand to grip the golf club and swing the club.

Rough: The rough is the golf course area outside the fairway and is usually longer and thicker than the fairway grass.

Sand bunker: this shallow pit filled with sand usually includes a raised lip or barrier, making it more challenging to play the ball than on grass.

Sand wedge: A club designed to hit the ball from a sand bunker.

Sand trap: A hazard on a golf course filled with sand intended to challenge golfers.

Scorecard: A document used to record a player’s score for each hole during the round.

Scratch Golfer: A scratch golfer has a handicap of zero. In other words, they are expected to shoot even par on any given golf course.

Shorter distance: A golf shot that travels a shorter distance and usually requires less power.

Shot without penalty: A golf shot where no penalty is assessed against the player due to rules or circumstances.

Skilled golfers: Golfers who have developed exceptional technique and consistency in their swing, resulting in lower scores and better performance.

Slang term: An informal expression used among golfers to refer to a particular shot or situation on the golf course.

Soft shot: A golf shot hit with less force or power than other shots, usually resulting in a higher, more delicate trajectory.

Tee: The tee is the area of the golf course where the golfer starts each hole.

Tee shots: The first shot of each hole, typically taken from a designated area known as the tee box.

Tiger Woods: One of the most well-known and successful professional golfers of all time, winner of numerous tournaments and major championships.

Water hazard: A hazard on a golf course that features water, usually as a pond or stream.

Wedge: A wedge is a type of golf club used for short, high shots requiring a lot of loft.

Worm burner: A low-flying golf shot that stays close to the ground and has a low trajectory.

 X-Out: An X-out is a golf ball with a cosmetic blemish but is otherwise perfectly playable.

Yardage:Yardage is the distance between the golfer and the hole, measured in yards.

Zinger: A zinger is a shot hit hard and fast, often with a lot of spin.