Basic Golf Terminology

I’ve composed a list of common golf terms to help ensure that even new golfers will know what they are doing on the golf course!

1)  Back Nine:  Ths black nine consider as an in the golf course is last nine Hole.

2) Birdie:  A birdie occurs when you finish any hole one shot below the par rating for that hole. For example, if you are on par 5 and you only take 4 shots to get your ball in the hole, then you have scored a birdie on that hole.

3) Bogey:  A bogey is the opposite of a birdie. A bogey occurs when you hit the ball into the hole using one more strike than par. So if you are on par 5 and you take 6 shots to get your golf ball in the hole, then you have scored a bogey.

4) Cup:  In golf terminology, a cup is a plastic inside of each hole that holds the flag up and also traps the ball once it has rolled inside.

5) Divot:  A divot is a piece of turf that is lifted as a result of swinging your golf club. Golf etiquette states that the turf should be repaired or replaced when this occurs.

6) Dog Leg:  A dogleg is a left or right bend in the fairway.

7) Double Bogey:  A double bogey occurs when you score two over the par on a hole. For example, if you are on par 5, you would score a double bogey if you take 7 swings to get your ball in the hole.

8) Draw:  If you are a left-handed golfer, a draw describes the intentional flight of a ball that moves from the left to the right. For right-handed golfers, a draw is a shot that moves from the right to the left.

9) Eagle:  In golf terms, an eagle occurs when you hit the ball into the hole using two fewer strokes than par. For instance, on par 5 you can score an eagle if you get the ball in the hole with 3 strokes.

10) Fade:  A fade is basically the opposite of a draw. A fade occurs in golf when the ball is moved from the left to right for right-handed golfers and right to left for left-handed golfers.

11) Fairway:  The fairway is the playing area between the tee and the green. This does not include hazards.

12) Flagstick:  A flagstick is a movable marker that shows the location of the hole.

13) Fore:  Golf players yell the word ‘Fore’ to warn other players that a ball is heading in the direction of another golfer.

14) Front nine:  Front nine refers to the first nine holes of a golf course.

15) Green:  The green typically refers to the putting surface.

16) GUR:  GUR stands for Ground Under Repair in golf terminology.

17) Handicap:  A handicap is a system of adjustments to the scoring method that enables golfers of different skill levels to compete with each other on equal terms.

18) Hazard:  A hazard is a bunker, sand trap or water on the golf course that may cause golfers difficulty.

19) Hole in one:  Just as it sounds, a hole in one is when you hit the ball into the hole with only one swing.

20) Hook:  A hook is a golf ball that is hit in a way that causes it to move right to left with right-handed golfers and left to right with left-handed golfers.

21) Iron:  The term iron refers to a golf club that has a metalhead.

22) Match Play:  Matchplay is a type of competition in which each hole is a separate game. The winner of a match play game is whoever wins the most holes.

23) OB: OB stands for Out Of Bound. When a ball is OB, it should not be played.

24) Par:  One of the most basic golf terms, par is the number of strokes assigned to each hole. This can range from anywhere between 3 to 6 strokes.

25) Pin:  A pin is a movable marker that shows the location of the hole. This is also known as a flagstick.

26) Putting:  Putting is the act of hitting the golf ball when on the green.

27) Putting Green:  The putting green is the area around the hole that is specifically prepared for putting.

28) Rough:  According to golf language, the rough refers to the high grassy area close to the fairway and green.

29) Stroke:  A stroke is a contact, or an attempt at contact, with the golf ball. A stroke is the forward movement of a golf club that aims to hit the golf ball.

30) Stroke Play:  Stroke play is a competition that is based upon the number of strokes each golfer takes for a given round.

31) Tee:  A tee is a small peg in the ground onto which the golf ball is placed.

32) Wedge:  A wedge is a club specifically designed to be used for short shots.