Address

The deciding moment for the fate of the ball. The act of setting the body and the club up to the ball or "addressing the ball" when preparing to take a stroke.

Air Shot

When a golf player completely misses the ball; this is still counted as a strike.

Albatross

Three under par. For example, if par is five but the player completes the play in two.

All Square

Several players have the same number of holes; in other words the match is tied.

Amateur

Plays golf as a hobby sport.

Approach

Advancing the ball to the green, directly next to the hole.

Apron

The zone surrounding the Green.

Arc

The nearly circular curve the golf swing makes around the body of the golf player.

As It Lies

The player must play the ball from the position that it comes to a rest from after a stroke.

Back Door

The ball rolls by the rear of the hole.

Backspin

A reverse- spin is put on the ball so that it stops short on the green, rather than continuing to roll forward.  

Backswing

Starting from the ground and going back over the head, the backward part of the swing.

Bag

A golf bag is used to carry the players golf clubs and any other equipment.

Ballooning

The ball is struck in such a way that it travels high into the air.

Baseball Grip

The club is gripped with all ten fingers on the grip.

Benzinger

A ball that jumps only once.

Betterball

Two against two, whereby for each team the lowest number of hits is recorded. 

Birdie

One stroke under par.

Bisque

A specific stroke that a player can employ for a particular hole.

Bite

The backspin imparted on the ball that makes it stop dead as soon as it hits the ground. 

Blade

The part of the iron clubhead used for hitting, the sweetspot, being in the center, must be struck exactly for a good stroke.

Blaster

A club that is used for hitting the ball from difficult spots.

Blind Hole

The player cannot see the hole as he approaches it on the putting green; the hole is called blind. 

Bogie

One stroke over par.

Bogey Competition

The players play against a fixed score at each hole. 

Borrow

The tendancy to play to one side of the hole or the other.  

Bounce

Sideways jump of the ball.

Break

The way the ball rolls or bounces; a break from the straight path of the ball. 

Bulge

The curve, or slightly convex face, of a woodenclub that works to correct the less than perfect strokes.

Bunker

A sand-filled hole, which makes the game more complex and challenging.

Butt

The wider end of the shaft of the club to which the rubber handel is attached. 

Caddy

The Caddy (also the term for the golf cart) is not only responsible for carrying the players golf bag, but he also helps him in matters concerning decisions about clubs, gives precious tips and keeps track of the score.

Canon Start

All players tee off at the same time so that there is no waiting time to play each hole. 

Carry

The distance the ball travels in the air.

Cart

Motorized trolley especially designed for the golf course.

Cavity Back

A club with a hollowed out back iron.

Chip

The approach from a close distance, which allows the ball to roll for a bit. 

Cocoa

The hardest and least popular rough.

Composite Shafts

Shafts composed of different materials.

Course

The playing area where one plays golf.

Cross Bunker

A bunker (rather lengthy) situated across the fairway.

Cross- Golf

A different way of playing golf where almost everything is allowed. 

Cut

The score that reduces the field to a pre- determined number that must by achieved by players for the to move on and take part in the final rounds. 

Dead

A ball that is sure to be sank on the next shot. 

Digger

Fairway wood with ridges on the sole to be able to better control the direction of the ball in problem zones.

Dimples

Dimples are the little impressions on golf balls which allow the golf ball to travel up to four times the expected distance in the air (in relation to the swing strength). 

Divot

The turf that is displaced when the ball is hit with the golf club leaving a hole in the lawn.

Dogleg

The direction of an individual golf hole; a hole that bends either to the right or to the left is called a dogleg.

Double Bogey

Two strokes over par.

Down

The number of holes that the player has already completed.

Downswing

From the highest point of the backswing, the head of the golf club starts it's descent back towards the ball.

Draw

When the flight path of the ball curves gently from the right to the left (for a right handed player); this can also cause the ball to continue rolling after hitting the ground and add a few extra yards.

Drive

The first hit from the tee with a driver.

Driver

The golf club, made of wood, used mainly just for the drive. 

Driving Range

Part of the golf course used for practice (or for practicing hitting balls).

Drop

When the ball is dropped with the hand, arm streched out at shoulder height, to be put back into play. 

Duffing

When the head of the golf club grazes the ground before even hitting the ball. 

Eagle

Two strokes under par.

Eclectic

Several rounds of golf are played but only the best result for one hole counts. 

Etiquette

Rules behaviors or manners that should be followed on the golf course. 

Even Par

When a player's score is equivalent to par. 

Explosion Shot

A shot that removes large amounts of sand and dirt in addition to, hopefully, the ball. 

Extra Holes

Holes that are played in addition to the regular number of holes in case of a tie.

Face

The striking surface of the club head.

Fade

The shot that gently curves from the left to the right and abruptly comes to a rest once it hits the ground. 

Fairway

The fairway is the lawn between the tee and green.

Fairway Wood

All woods except for the driver. 

Fat

Hitting the ball before the ground so that the ball travels higher than usual but not very far. 

Feedback

The response that a player gets from his club after hitting the ball.

Ferrule

A cap where the shaft inserts into the head to make the transition smoother. 

Flange

The back edge of the bottom of an iron club, which is supposed to make the head of the golf club heavier and stronger. 

Flat

A very shallow swing. 

Flight

Two to four players playing together.

Fluff

A missed hit.

Flyer

A shot that flies further than desired.

Follow Through

The continuation of the golf swing after the club has made impact with the ball. 

Fore

Usually yelled loudly to warn other players of the incoming flight of a ball.

Forecaddie

The caddie (accompanying the player) who is sent ahead to inspect the landing area and who is able to quickly identify the position of the ball.

Four- ball

A match between two pairs of players where each player plays their own ball throughout. 

Foursomes

A group of four players playing together. 

Gimme

A short putt that the player does not have to bother playing if the playing partner concedes. This speeds up the game. 

Golf Cart

A two wheeled wagon, which is attached to the golf bag, making it easier to carry. 

Green

The name for the whole area around the hole.

Green Fee

If a player wants to play the course rather than on the driving range, he has to pay a green fee.

Green Keeper

Term used for the individual in charge of maintaining the premises, the lawn and the course.

Greensome

One of each of the partners of a foursome hits a tee shot, and the best ball is used to play until the end. 

Grooves

Grooves are the long furrows going lengthwise down the club.

Gross Results

The number of actual strokes per round.

Hacker

An inexperienced player who focuses on actually striking the ball rather than a smooth swing through the ball.

Half Shot

A shot with a club with which the ball would probably go too far, with a less than full swing. 

Halve

A hole that both players completed with the same number of shots, a tie on a given hole. 

Handicap

A handicap describes the all- around playing ability of a golfer. The less strikes a player needs the better his handicap.

Heel

The part of the club head that is closest to the shaft.

Hole

A hole in the ground into which the ball is played. The term also includes the area of play in the immediate vicinity of the teeing ground to the putting green. 

Hole-in-one

A hole-in-one means the ball reaches the target with only one strike. An "Ace" is always a sensation because it happens very rarely.

Hook

A shot that has gone astray and travels sharply from the right to the left. 

Hookspin

A ball that who's flight path is off too one side because the club head is turned during the swing. 

Hustler

A golfer who exagerates his handicap just so that he can win tournaments. 

Impact

The split second in which the club head makes contact with the ball during the swing. 

Inch

2. 54 cm

Interlocking Grip

The hands are placed on the club in such a way that the pinky of the bottom hand interlocks with the index finger, so that it lies between the middle and index fingers.  

Iron

Golf club, with a head made of steel or iron, used for semi- long shots.

Jerk

The backwards movement as a result of the swing. 

Jigger

Term for the pitching wedge, with a short shaft used for playing in the area around the green.

Juniors

Adolescents, who due to their skill, already have a single- value handicap. 

Leading Edge

The lowest and most forward part of the club head. 

Lie

The position of the ball at a stand- still.

Licence to play German golf courses

After successfully achieving this licence the players are allowed to play on non-public courses as well.

Line

The path that the ball will take to roll to the hole.

Lip

The edge of the hole, above the cup.

Lipping

A ball thought to have gone in the hole, jumps back out over the edge, because the player putted with too much strength. 

Loft

The angle of the clubface relative to the shaft.

Longest Drive

The golf player with the stroke that goes the furthest from the fairway wins the Longest Drive competition. 

Long Game

A player needs to use long, wide swings, played long woods and irons for a game.

Long Hitter

A player with very far- reaching swings.

Marker

The position of a golf ball is marked with a marker.

Match

A game played by two or more players. 

Match Play

Scoring by the number of holes scored regardless of the number of strokes needed. 

Mulligan

Taking a second attempt at a missed shot without a penalty, mainly done by private players.

Net

The players score after the personal handicap has been deducted. 

No Return

On in the case of serious matters can a game be ended prematurely. 

Order of Merit

The European list ranked according to prize money won.

Out-of-Bounds

In this domain the striking of the ball is forbidden; should a golfer hit his ball into this area he receives a penalty-stroke.

Overclub

Picking the wrong club; the result is a stroke where the ball travels way too far. 

Overlapping Grip

A grip whereby the pinky finger of the bottom hand rests on the index finger of the top hand.

Overspin

The ball rolls forwards after initial contact.

Par

It is a benchmark which states, how many strokes a player should require to complete play to the hole.

Pin

To make the holes more visible from a distance, a pin (flag) is put into each one of them.

Pin High

The ball is at the height of the hole but slightly off to one side or the other. 

Pin Position

The exact location of the pin (pin flag) that marks the hole.

Pitch

A relatively short but high shot that is designed to land softly so as not to roll much further. 

Pitchfork

A fork- like utensil that is used to improve the putting surface.  

Pitching Range

Is used to practice short shots and wedge shots.

Pitching Wedge

A short iron club used for the approach.

Pivot

The rotation of the upper body during a golf swing. 

Playing Pro

A professional golf player make a living  from the prize money and endorsements.

Pro

Short for professional; a golf player who makes his or her living from playing golf. 

Pro- Am

A tournament where professional and amateurs play together.

Pot Bunker

A bunker that is difficult to play because it is small and deep with steep sides.

Punch Shot

A low shot played with a half- swing against the wind. 

Putt

A putt is usually played on the putting green, causing the ball to roll rather than carry.

Putter

Used on the putting green, to get short balls to roll into the hole.

Putting Green

A closely cut, smooth part of the lawn specifically prepared for putting; also where the hole is. 

Rabbit

A beginner in golf.

Range Fee

For using the drill ground one has to pay a range fee.

Read

Processing the way to the hole that the ball should take. 

Recovery

Managing to get the ball out of a difficult spot and away from a hazard. 

Roll

The distance the ball travels on the ground.

Rough

Areas with longer grass, shrubs, or perhaps tress, next to the fairways and greens.

Round

A game of 18 holes.

Round Robin

A game variation where every player plays against every other player. 

Ryder Cup

A tournament that takes place every two years where American golf players play against European golf players.

Sclaffing

See "Duffing".

Score

The total number of strokes taken.

Score Card

Every player has his or her own score card with which scores can be kept track of, as well as details for each hole. 

Scratch Player

A player with a handicapof 0.

Semi- rough

A semi- high rough area that lies between the fairway and the rough. 

Senior

A golf player of the age of 50.

Set

The whole collection of golf clubs of a golfer with a maximum of 14. 

Shanking

A shot that hits the neck before hitting the club face and goes off in a completely errant direction. 

Skin

A tournament style with a few amount of players; especially popular in America due to the shorter duration of the game. 

Slice

A poor shot where the ball goes off to the right (for a right- handed player) and usually ends up in a rough or in the water. 

Slope

The relative degree of playing difficulty of a golf course calculated from an average golfer's handicap. 

Sole

The bottom of the club head.

Spin

The sideways rotation of the ball.

Starting Time

A fixed time for the start of a game; an appointment or reservation to play. 

Stroke Index

Each hole is ranked according to the degree of difficulty.

Sudden Death

When two or more players are tied, the play one final hole to determine the winner.

Sweet- spot

The location on the face of the golf club for optimal ball- striking results.

Swing

The movement to hit the ball. 

Target Line

An imaginary line between the ball and the hole (the target) on the green.

Tee

Before it gets hit down a fairway, the ball is placed on the tee, a pin-like object which raises the ball off the ground and therefore makes it easier to hit.

Teeing Ground

Where the tee markers are; the starting point for a hole.

Teeing Up

Starting the game.

Tee- time

The time assigned to begin play on the first hole. 

Texas Wedge

A putter is used to play outside from outside of the green. 

Thin

A ball that is hit too high and does therefore not gain any height; a low shot with little spin.

Through the Green

The whole course excluding the teeing ground, the putting green of the hole being played and all hazards. 

Tip

The end of the shaft that is attached to the head.

Toe

The furthest end of the club head from tip, shaft, and grip. 

Token

Coins for the ball dispensing machine on a golf course.

Topped

When the ball is hit on the upper half and it hits the ground or rolls instead of flying.  

Triple Bogey

Three strokes over par.

Trouble Shot

This is a difficult shot, for example, a shot that must be played through two branches or around a tree.

Trouble Woods

These special woods, with grooves on their soles, are used to get the ball out of difficult situations. 

Turf

The lawn or grass.

Up and Down

Getting the ball into the hole in only two stroles from any position outside of the green.

Waggling

A movement, for example the shaking of the wrists and hands, to loosen up the muscles and get a feel for the club for a better swing.

Wedges

A short iron, mainly used for shorter, lofting strokes.

Winter Green

The green on which golf is played on in the winter so as not damage the normal green. 

Woods

A golf club made of wood used for long shots.

Yards

The distances on the golf course are measured in yards and not in meters.

Yips

Muscletwitching mainly during a putting stroke.