Golf is a way of life with a language of its own. There are more than 1000 golf terms and phrases. Understanding fundamental golf terms is very important, even if you are only playing golf just for the fun of it and as a way to have a fuller life socially. This article will explain some of the most popular and essential terms.
GOLF COURSE
– Hazard: Permanent features on the golf course designed to obstruct play.
– Fairway: The playing area between the tee and the green, does not include hazards.
– Front Nine: The first nine holes of an 18 hole course.
– Back Nine: the last nine holes of an 18 hole course.
– Bunker: a hazard filled by sand or grass that is placed where a fairway shot may end (by a green or driving distance from the tee). You are not allowed to practice swing or ground your club in a bunker.
– Caddie: A person who carries a players clubs. Assists a player on deciding distances and club selection. Helps player when deciding on the line of a putt.
– Cart: Powered buggy used to transport golfer and equipment around the course.
– Club: Used as a shorten name for a golf course or the equipment used to strike a ball. Golf Club, refer to the Rules for full specifications and restrictions.
– Clubhouse: A golf club’s administration, recreational and facilities building.
– Course rating: Used by organisations to rate the degree of difficulty of a course.
– Driving range: An area set aside for practice.
– Green: The area of short grass surrounding the hole where the ball is hit using a putter.
– Layout: The design of the course.
– Links: Golf course within 4 miles of the coast.
– Narrow fairway: A Fairway (the cut grass area between tee and green) that is only a few yards across.
– Nineteenth Hole: The clubhouse bar after playing 18 holes.
– Pin: The pole in the centre of the green with a flag attached.
– Pro Shop: Shop at golf club where golfing equipment may be purchased.
– Putting green: The area of short grass surrounding the hole way the ball is hit using a putter.
– Sand trap: A sand bunker
– Scorecard: The card on which a golfer records his score during play.
– Tee: A small peg stuck into the ground on which a golf ball is placed. Also area where golfers play first stroke of any given hole.
– Tee time: Scheduled start time.
– Water hazard: Ponds, lakes, rivers or ditches on the course, always marked by yellow or blue posts.
GOLF SCORING TERMS
– Hole in one: The ball goes straight into the hole from your tee shot.
– Birdie: One under par for the hole.
– Bogey: One over par for the hole.
– Ace: A hole in one.
– Double bogey: Two shots over the hole par.
– Eagle: To score two under par for a hole.
– Over par: A score higher than the indicated par for a hole or round.
– Par: The number of shots a low handicapper should take for a hole or round.
The hole par is measured by the number of shots needed to reach the green plus two for the putting.
The round par is calculated by adding all the hole par’s together.
GOLF PLAYING TERMS
– Approach: Hitting the ball at the green.
– Chip and run: A shot played like a chip over a greater distance.
– Backswing: When the golfer takes the club away from the addressed ball,
continues until the club is moved back towards to ball.
– Gross score: Your score over 18 holes before you reduce it by taking your handicap away.
– Handicap: The number of strokes a player is given to adjust his score to that of standard scratch.
It allows golfers of different abilities to compete on equal terms.
– Line of putt: The intended travel of the ball after it has been struck on the green.
– LPGA: Ladies Professional Golfer’s Association.
– PGA: : Professional Golfer’s Association.