Basics: Golf-Terms Library A-Z

Golf has its own unique language. When you start playing, you quickly hear terms like birdie, bogey, handicap, fade, scramble, or stroke play, and it’s not always obvious what they mean.

To help you understand the game better, we have created this A–Z glossary of the most important golf terms. Use this golf glossary as a quick reference whenever you come across a term you don’t know. During practice, on the course, or while watching professional tournaments.

Enjoy exploring the most important golf terms from A–Z!

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A

Ace — A hole-in-one; when the ball goes directly from the tee into the hole with one stroke.

Address — The player's position when standing over the ball before starting the swing.

Adjusted Gross Score — A player’s gross score adjusted for handicap calculation.

Adjustable Club — A club with adjustable loft, lie, or weight settings.

Aim — The direction a golfer intends to hit the ball.

Aim Point — A specific target point the golfer focuses on.

Alignment — The positioning of feet, hips, shoulders, and clubface toward the target.

Alignment Stick — A training aid used to practice proper alignment.

Albatross — A score of three strokes under par on a hole.

All Square — A match play situation where both sides are tied.

Amateur — A golfer who does not play professionally for prize money.

Angle of Attack — The angle at which the clubhead approaches the ball at impact.

Approach — A shot played toward the green.

Approach Shot — A shot intended to land the ball on the green.

Apron — The closely mowed grass surrounding the green.

Above the Hole — A ball position above the hole on a sloping green, resulting in a downhill putt.

Away — The player whose ball is farthest from the hole.

B

Back Nine — The last nine holes of an 18-hole round.

Backspin — Reverse spin on the golf ball that helps it stop quickly on the green.

Backswing — The first part of the golf swing where the club moves away from the ball.

Ball Flight — The trajectory or path the golf ball travels through the air.

Ball Marker — A small object used to mark the ball's position on the green.

Ball Position — The placement of the ball relative to the golfer’s stance.

Bandit — A player suspected of having a handicap that is too high.

Baseball Grip — A ten-finger grip style where all fingers hold the club.

Below the Hole — A ball position below the hole on a green, resulting in an uphill putt.

Best Ball — A format where the lowest score among teammates counts.

Birdie — A score of one stroke under par.

Blade — A thin shot struck high on the clubface.

Blind Shot — A shot where the landing area or target cannot be seen.

Block — A shot that starts right of the intended target (for right-handed players).

Bogey — A score of one stroke over par.

Borrow — The estimated curve of a putt due to slope.

Bounce — The angle between the leading edge and the sole of a wedge.

Break — The curve a golf ball takes while rolling on the green.

Bore-Through — A club design where the shaft runs through the clubhead.

Bump and Run — A low shot that lands early and rolls toward the hole.

Bunker — A sand hazard on the golf course.

Bunker Shot — A shot played from a bunker.

Buried Lie — A ball embedded deep in sand or grass.

Buggy — Another term for a golf cart.

C

Caddie — A person who carries a player's bag and provides advice.

Carry — The distance a ball travels through the air before hitting the ground.

Carry Distance — The length the ball flies before landing.

Casual Water — Temporary water on the course.

Cavity Back — A clubhead design with weight distributed around the edges.

Center of Gravity — The balance point of a clubhead.

Centre-Shafted Putter — A putter where the shaft connects near the center of the clubhead.

Chip — A short shot played near the green.

Chip Shot — A shot with minimal flight and more roll.

Chip-In — A chip shot that goes directly into the hole.

Choke Down — Gripping the club lower on the handle.

Chunk — A shot where the club strikes the ground before the ball.

Closed Clubface — A clubface pointing left of the target (for right-handed players).

Closed Stance — A stance where the body aims slightly right of the target.

Club — A golf stick used to hit the ball.

Clubface — The striking surface of the club.

Clubhead — The head of the golf club.

Clubhead Speed — The speed of the clubhead at impact.

Club Selection — Choosing the appropriate club for a shot.

Club Championship — A tournament to determine the best player in a golf club.

Clubhouse — The main building of a golf club.

Compression — The squeezing of the ball against the clubface at impact.

Concede — In match play, allowing an opponent’s putt without requiring them to hit it.

Course — The golf playing field.

Course Handicap — A handicap adjusted for a specific course.

Course Management — Strategic decision-making on the course.

Course Rating — Difficulty rating for scratch golfers.

Cross Bunker — A bunker placed across the fairway.

Cup — The container inside the hole.

Cut — The score required to continue in a tournament.

D

Deep Rough — Thick grass beyond the fairway.

Dew Sweepers — Golfers playing early in the morning.

Dimples — Small indentations on a golf ball that affect aerodynamics.

Divot — Turf removed during a shot.

Dogleg — A hole that bends left or right.

Double Bogey — Two strokes over par.

Double Break — A putt that curves in two directions.

Downhill Lie — A ball lying on a downhill slope.

Downswing — The movement of the club toward the ball.

Draw — A controlled right-to-left ball flight (for right-handed players).

Drive — A long shot played from the tee.

Driver — The longest club used for tee shots.

Driving Iron — A long iron designed for distance.

Driving Range — A practice area for hitting golf balls.

Drop — Placing a ball back into play according to rules.

Duff — A poorly struck shot.

E

Eagle — Two strokes under par.

Early Extension — A swing fault where the body moves toward the ball.

Edge — The rim of the hole or green.

Etiquette — Proper conduct and courtesy on the golf course.

Even Par — A score equal to par.

Explosion Shot — A bunker shot where sand is thrown with the ball.

F

Face Angle — The orientation of the clubface at address or impact.

Fade — A controlled left-to-right ball flight.

Fairway — The short grass area between tee and green.

Fairway Bunker — A bunker located in the fairway.

Fairway Wood — A wood used for long shots from the fairway.

Fat Shot — A shot where too much ground is struck before the ball.

First Cut — The first level of rough beside the fairway.

Flag — The flag attached to the pin.

Flagstick — The pole in the hole with a flag.

Flier — A shot from rough that travels farther than expected.

Flop Shot — A very high, short shot with little roll.

Follow Through — The continuation of the swing after impact.

Fore — Warning shouted when a ball may hit someone.

Forward Press — A small forward movement before the swing.

Front Nine — The first nine holes.

Fringe — The area surrounding the green.

Full Swing — A complete golf swing.

G

Gap Wedge — A wedge between pitching and sand wedge.

Gear Effect — Spin created from off-center hits.

Get Up and Down — Getting the ball in the hole in two strokes around the green.

Gimme — A short putt considered holed.

Golf Cart — A motorized vehicle used on the course.

Grain — The direction grass grows.

Green — The putting surface.

Green Fee — Fee paid to play a course.

Green in Regulation (GIR) — Reaching the green in the expected number of strokes.

Green Speed — How fast the ball rolls on the green.

Greenside Bunker — Bunker near the green.

Greenkeeper — Person responsible for course maintenance.

Grip — How the golfer holds the club.

Grip Pressure — The firmness of the grip.

Grooves — Lines on the clubface that affect spin.

Gross Score — Total strokes taken before handicap adjustment.

Ground Under Repair — Area of the course under maintenance.

H

Handicap — A numerical measure of a golfer’s playing ability.

Handicap Index — The standardized handicap number.

Handicap Allowance — The percentage of handicap used in certain formats.

Hazard — An obstacle such as water or sand.

Headcover — Protective cover for clubheads.

Hole-in-One — A ball holed in one stroke from the tee.

Hook — A ball flight sharply curving left.

Hybrid — A club combining features of woods and irons.

I

Impact — The moment the clubface strikes the ball.

Iron — A metal-headed club used for approach shots.

L

Lag Putt — A long putt aimed to stop near the hole.

Launch Angle — The angle the ball leaves the clubface.

Lay Up — A conservative shot played short of a hazard.

Lie — The ball’s position on the ground.

Loft — The angle of the clubface.

M

Match Play — A scoring format based on winning individual holes.

Medal Play — Another name for stroke play.

Mulligan — An unofficial second shot allowed after a mistake.

N

Net Score — Score after handicap strokes are applied.

O

OB (Out of Bounds) — Area outside the course boundary.

P

Par — Standard number of strokes expected for a hole.

Penalty Area — Area where penalty strokes apply.

Pitch — A short shot with more height than a chip.

Pitching Wedge — A wedge used for approach shots.

Playoff — Extra holes played to determine a winner.

Pro Shop — Store at a golf course selling equipment.

Provisional Ball — A second ball played if the first may be lost.

Putt — A stroke played on the green.

Putter — A club used on the green.

R

Rangefinder — Device used to measure distances.

Ready Golf — Playing when ready rather than strict order.

Rough — Longer grass beside the fairway.

S

Sand Wedge — Wedge designed for bunker shots.

Scorecard — Card used to record scores.

Scratch Golfer — A player with a handicap of zero.

Short Game — Shots played around the green.

Slice — A ball that curves sharply right.

Slope Rating — Measurement of course difficulty for average golfers.

Stableford — A scoring system awarding points per hole.

Stroke — A swing intended to hit the ball.

Stroke Play — Scoring format counting total strokes.

Swing — The motion used to strike the ball.

T

Tee — A small peg used to elevate the ball.

Tee Box — The starting area of a hole.

Tee Time — Scheduled start time.

Texas Scramble — A team format using the best shot each time.

Trajectory — The path of the ball in flight.

U

Unplayable Lie — A ball position declared impossible to play.

V

Vardon Grip — A widely used overlapping grip style.

W

Waggle — Small movement of the club before the swing.

Water Hazard — Water obstacle on the course.

Wedge — A club designed for short approach shots.

Wood — A club used for long shots.

Y

Yardage — Distance measurement on the course.

Yardage Book — Guidebook showing distances and course layout.

Yips — Nervous involuntary movement affecting putting.

Z

Zone — A mental state of intense focus and performance.

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Golf has a rich vocabulary that can feel confusing at first, especially for beginners. Terms like handicap, birdie, bogey, slice, draw, chip, or scramble are used constantly on the golf course and during tournaments.

Understanding these words will help you communicate better with other golfers, follow professional tournaments more easily, and improve your overall understanding of the game.

This glossary of important golf terms from A–Z is designed to be your quick reference whenever you encounter a new expression in golf. As you continue learning and practicing, these terms will quickly become a natural part of your golf language.

If you want to improve your golf knowledge even further, explore more in our Masterclass ,,Beginners Series by Michael Wolf''