M

Major

Term used for the most significant tournaments of the golf season. On the PGA TOUR it’s the Masters, U.S. Open, British Open and PGA Championship.

 

Marshal

On course representative in charge of managing pace of play on a golf course.  The guy I normally blame for poor shots when he sidles near the group.

 

Mashie

Historic term for a long iron.  Mashie meant 5 iron. Mashie Niblick meant 4 iron.

 

Match Play

Format, basically keeping score by holes rather than strokes, even though strokes are used to determine winner of holes.  The way golf was originally played.

 

Medalist

The winner of stroke (medal) play tournaments.

 

Medal Play

aka “stroke play” ,  uses numbers like 272 to determine winners.

 

Member’s Bounce

Slang term for a very favorable or sometimes lucky kick of the golf ball.

 

Middle Iron

Usually referred to as the set of clubs from 5-iron to 7-iron.

 

Misread

The act of disregarding, through mental or bodily function, the line of a putt.

 

Modified Stableford

Tournament where the method of scoring is determined by points for certain results.. 5 for Eagle, 2 for birdie, 1 for par and so on.

 

Moment of Inertia

Club manufacturer’s term, MOI. The term applied to a clubhead’s resistance to twisting when the ball is struck.

 

Movable Obstruction

An obstruction is defined a movable if it can be – without unduly delaying play, causing any damage or requiring unreasonable effort – moved.  Or in the case of Tiger Woods and that boulder in Phoenix, have twenty gallery members move it for you.

 

Mulligan

Friend to non-rule-abiding golfers everywhere. Phrase that rationalizes the free replay of a ball, usually off the tee.

 

Municipal Course

aka “Muni” , any course owned and operated by city or county municipalities.  Range in scale from shabby to U.S. Open quality as in the case of Bethpage Black and Torrey Pines.

 

N

 

Nassau

The most popular betting format.  Contains three bets; front side, back side, overall, based upon a predetermined dollar figure for each bet.

 

Nearest Point of Relief

Players can drop without penalty within one club length of the “nearest point of relief” when there is interference from an immovable obstruction or abnormal ground condition, or when the player’s ball is on the wrong putting green. “Why ruin that killer lie?”

 

Net Score

Your actual score (gross) minus your established handicap gives you your net score.  Used for scoring individual holes and complete rounds.

 

Niblick

Historic term for short iron,  most equivalent to the modern day 9-iron.

 

Nineteenth Hole

Your favorite hole on the grounds. Quench your sorrows at the bar or lounge after the round. 

 

O

 

Oak Hill

Just to clear up the difference between these clubs often mistaken for one another. Rochester, NY , Donald Ross, 1925

 

Oakland Hills

Bloomfield Hills, MI , Donald Ross 1918

 

Oakmont

Oakmont, PA, Henry Fownes 1903

 

Obstruction

Anything artificial on the course, can be moveable or immovable.

 

Offset

Used in club fitting to make the club naturally more closed at address. For those whose balls are magnetized to the right side of the course.

 

Open Face

A hell of a sandwich and what you normally do with your sand wedge to create maximum loft.   Also used as a term for the position of the club head at ball impact.

 

Out of Bounds

aka “OB”,  Any area outside the golf course grounds. Marked with white stakes.  Penalized with stroke and distance people! You don’t get to play 3 beside the OB stake.

 

Overlapping Grip

aka “Vardon Grip” Placing the hands on the club such that the pinky finger of the bottom hand rests on the index finger of the top hand, or between the index and middle fingers of the top hand.

 

Overseeding

The art of planting new grass seed directly into existing turf. Most commonly done by courses that use bermudagrass, which goes dormant in winter.

 

 

P

 

Pace of Play

The factor that determines how long your round of golf will last.  In tournaments, slow pace is punishable by penalty stroke.

 

Par

aka “even par” or “Old Man Par”. The standard number of strokes in which a scratch player would be expected to complete a hole or course.  “You’re wondering if Old Man Double Bogey exists?”

 

Pebble Beach

The Oceanside course in California that is near the top of every golfer’s wish list.  It’s also public. $300 or more, but still public.

 

Penalty Stroke

A stroke that must be added to the score in accordance with the rules of golf.  The non-serious golfer discounts about 5-7 per round.

 

PGA of America

Named Professional Golfer’s Association, yet deals almost strictly with golf professionals, just like your local club pro.

 

PGA TOUR

This organization deals with professional golfers, not golf professionals. The organizing body of the entire season long tour, minus the four majors, which nonetheless count toward the tour standings.

 

Pin

The stick or pole that rests in the cup and holds the flag.

 

Pin High

Phrase used to describe a ball that travels the correct distance and is even to the pin but is wayward in direction, right or left.

 

Pinehurst

Village in North Carolina’s Sandhills that has become synonymous with golf. Home to famous Pinehurst Resort and nearly 40 other courses.

 

Pitch Shot

Part of the short game repertoire. Opposite of chip, designed to fly farther than it rolls.

 

Pitch Mark

aka “ball mark” and remember, you fix them with a divot tool.

 

Pitching Wedge

Lofted short iron usually between 47-52 degrees.

 

Play Through

Passing the group in front of you for a variety of reasons, while they wait.

 

Plumb bob

Method of reading putts where the putter is hung from the finger tips in front of your visual field, and with one eye closed, dominant eye open you create a vertical reference for how your putt will break.  

 

Poa annua

Grass that grows on golf courses in moist climates. Found mostly on greens and can be really bumpy when mixed with other grasses.

 

Pot Bunker

A small deep bunker, usually with steep sides. Difficult to escape for the pro, jail for the hacker.

 

Power Fade

Usually termed for a tee shot. Tight, powerful left to right ball flight. Jack Nicklaus made history with this shot. 

 

Practice Round

Round of golf, usually pre-tournament that players use to familiarize themselves with the course.  Or what you call your round after you’ve blown up at 14.

 

Preferred Lies

aka “lift, clean and place”  or “winter rules” balls (fairway only) may be picked up, cleaned and replaced without penalty.

 

Preshot Routine

Waggles, dances, meditation, anything you do to prepare yourself to hit the golf ball.  John Daly cannonballs a Marlboro with a  Diet Coke. Whatever works.

 

Press

Betting term, adding to, or augmenting, an existing bet. Called normally after the original bet has begun.

 

Primary Rough

The main cut of rough on the golf course. Usually about 2 inches for you, and closer to 4 for the professionals.

 

Professional Golfer

Any player who calls golf his profession and makes money from such.

 

Pro Shop

Shouldn’t it be called the Pro’s Shop. The way it’s written it sounds like not everybody can shop there.

 

Provisional

An additional shot played in a situation where it is believed that the original ball may be out of bounds or lost. Another rule that some don’t adhere to.

 

Pull

aka “yank” or “jerk”, a shot or putt that sails left of the intended target for right-handers.

 

Punch Out

Something more people need to learn how to do.  Escaping tricky lies with low, short position shots in order to avoid additional damage.

 

Punch Shot

aka “knockdown shot” valuable three-quarter to half swing best for control under certain lies and weather conditions.

 

Push

aka “shove” or “block”  opposite of pull.  A shot or putt that sails right of the intended target for right-handers.

 

 

Q

 

Q School

aka “Qualifying Tournament” Professional event to determine a certain number of qualifiers for the next season’s play on a pro tour.

 

Quacker

aka “duck hook” or “snap hook”  A low, violent right to left ball flight, usually leading to trouble

 

Quit

The act of not following through completely or decelerating through impact. The usual result is a slice or block to the right.

 

R

 

R&A

aka “Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews” One of golf’s main governing bodies.  Established in 1754. Governs European and Canadian Tours and British Open Championship.

 

Rake

Used to tidy up the bunker that you just took three to get out of. 

 

Range Ball

Can be striped, cracked, bald and otherwise misshapen…or pristine.

 

Ready Golf

The term used for speeding up, as much as possible, a round of golf.  Ready golfers throw the term “honors” out the window. Whoever is ready, hits, at least until the group is back on pace.

 

Release

In terms of ball movement, it’s point where a ball stops spinning backwards, and starts rolling forwards.

 

Relief

Rules terminology meaning, pick up the ball and move it away from some condition or obstacle.

 

Reload

aka “retee” It’s the expression made when a ball is clearly forsaken off the tee.

 

Reverse C

A finish position to the full swing where the hips are dramatically thrust out toward the target and the head is leaning back with the spine also arched backward.  Used to be the norm on pro tours, now a lost art.

 

Rough

The main defense of most any golf course. The longer grass can play havoc on your ability to make clean contact with the golf ball.

 

Rub of the Green

Term generally meaning “tough break” , an accident that is not the fault of anyone associated. If a ball is accidentally deflected or stopped by an outside agency (caddie, forecaddie, animal, etc.) the ball is played where it comes to rest. No penalty is assessed.

 

Ryder Cup

Professional team matches between the United States and Europe that take place every second year. Event is organized in the U.S. by the PGA of America.

 

S

 

Sandie

Betting term for making par or better, up and down after playing out of any sand trap or waste bunker.

 

Sand Save

Statistic that signifies one putting and saving par, following a play from the sand.

 

Sand Wedge

Lofted club, typically between 52-58 degrees, added flange for use in sand.

 

Sandbagger

Some of you know who you are. A person who is untruthful about their ability in order to gain an upper hand in a match or wager.  Normally submits unusually high scores in order to inflate his/her handicap.

 

Sawgrass

TPC in Ponte Vedra Beach Florida. PGA TOUR Headquarters are located on the grounds.

 

Scorecard

The little paper with eraser marks and a mustard stain that looked promising 12 holes ago.

 

Scramble

aka “Captain’s Choice” method of outing or tournament where all four players play the groups best shot from each position until the ball is holed.

 

Scratch Golfer

Zero handicap, no handicap strokes deducted.

 

Semi Private Course

A club that allows public play, but also provides memberships and special  functions and amenities for members.

 

Shamble

Tournament or outing format. Similar to scramble. Best drive of the group is selected off the tee, however each member plays their own ball on the hole from there on out.

 

Shank

The golf equivalent of the death blow.  Ball connects with hosel or edge of toe causing a wild low and right ball flight.  The ugliest shot in golf bar none.

 

Short Game

“My short game is too short and my long game is not long enough.” If I had one choice, I would improve the short game, where improved pitching, chipping and putting can save strokes in a hurry.

 

Short Grass

aka “fairway”

 

Short Side

Playing to a portion of the green or fairway that offers the least amount of error.  Usually a mistake to aim for the short side of a pin, because should you miss, up and downs then become more difficult

 

Shotgun Start

Outing or tournament format in which groups all tee off at the same time, each on a different hole. Some holes, though usually not par-3s, can accommodate an A and B group.

 

Side-Hill Lie

One of the hardest shots to learn to hit well. When the ball lies on an uneven slope, with either the ball above the feet or below the feet.

 

Signature Hole

Designated by the golf course because of a particular popularity, beauty or challenge. The signature hole is often used in advertisements and as hype regarding playing the course.

 

Skins

A type of competition amongst a group of competitors where only a uniquely low score can win a hole. Consists of halved holes, carrying over to the next and so forth until “skins” are won.

 

Skull

aka “blade” “thin” or “belly” – hard liner to center.

 

Slice

Hard, right path of the ball caused by a number of swing maladies, making it the most common shot path in golf.

 

Slope Rating

The formula for slope rating is course bogey rating minus course rating times a set factor (of 5.381 for men, 4.24 for women), e.g., if course rating is 72 and bogey rating is 95 the slope for men would be 95 – 72, or 23 X 5.381 = (rounded to a whole number) 124. *Source: PGAProfessional.com

 

Snowman

Named for the resemblance of the number 8 to a snowman.  Any score of 8 on a hole is referred to as a “snowman.”

 

Snap Hook

aka “duck hock” or “quacker” hard low and left. Like a whip.  There’s nothing good short and left off of most tee boxes.

 

Split Fairway

Any hole that offers players two options to play to an area of fairway.

 

Spring-Like Effect 

The bouncing back of a club’s face adding force to the shot, the maximum level is limited by the rules of golf.

 

Square Face

Refers to the position of the club either at address, the top of the swing or at impact.  Your lack of success attaining a square face is the single reason you spray the ball so.

 

 

St. Andrews

The storied Scottish town that is home to the R&A, as well as the Old Course at St. Andrews. The most famous golf course in the world.

 

Stimpmeter

Device used to determine the speed of greens. Involves rolling a ball off of an inverted plate to gauge distance traveled. An average of 12 feet of roll means the greens have a stimp of 12.

 

Stinger

Style of shot made famous recently by Tiger Woods.  A low penetrating long shot, typically hit with long iron or wood.

 

Stroke

aka “shot” the process of swinging the club with the intention of hitting the ball.

 

Stroke and Distance

When you lose a ball it’s counting one stroke for the stroke itself and one stroke for the distance traveled by the ball, meaning the ball must be replayed from the original point.

 

Stroke Play

aka “Medal Play” Format that is designed around total number of shots, not holes won, as is the case in “match play.”

 

Stymie

The lost Little Rascal.  Actually, before marking the ball on the green was legal,  the term referred to one player’s ball blocking the path to the hole of another’s.

 

Summer Rules

Another way of saying that the ball will be played down, or as it lies.

 

Sweet Spot

The area of the clubface that contains the most spring like effect.  It’s the area you rarely hit, but you feel it when you do.  Small as a dime or as big as an Oreo, depending on the club.

 

T

 

Takeaway

The action of beginning the golf swing.  Movement of the club away from the ball and target.

 

Tap in

Term for a very short putt or “gimmie” that is certain to be made.

 

Target Golf

The style of golf found on most American “non links” layouts. Characterized by well defined landing areas instead of long stretches of continuous playable ground between the tee and green.

 

Tee

The beginning point for each and every hole.

 

Tee Markers

Two equal markers of differing sizes and shapes used on the tee to define hitting area.  Ball may be teed up two club lengths behind markers but not even an inch ahead of them.

 

Tee Time

It’s the time your group has assigned to begin tackling the course.

 

Texas Wedge

Usually describes using a putter from off the green, especially from a distance that you would normally chip the ball.

 

Thin

Action of hitting the ball on the leading edge of the club, as opposed to the clubface.

 

Three-Jack

aka “three-putt” taking three to get down, from any point on the putting green is not good for morale.

 

Through the Green

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

 

Tiger Woods

The single biggest phenomenon to hit sports in our lifetime.  14 Major Championships, nearly 90 world-wide victories and the host of Washington, D.C.’s PGA TOUR event, the AT&T National Hosted by Tiger Woods.

 

Tight Lie

When your ball is sitting in a lie, with very little grass or other surface below your ball to slide the club underneath.  Must be hit crisply or there is a chance of a bladed shot.

 

The Tips

All the way back baby. Playing each hole from it’s maximum possible yardage from the far back tee box.

 

Toe

The farthest end of the club head, opposite of heel.

 

Top

A miss-hit shot, occurs with the bottom sole of the club makes contact above the middle of the ball. The ball immediate hits the ground and stays there.

 

TPC

aka “Tournament Players Club” series of golf courses owned by the PGA TOUR that were built specifically for tournament golf and viewing. Utilize stadium moundings for spectators.

 

Trap

Term used to describe sand filled bunker, also a descending blow at impact that squeezes or traps the ball between the club head and ground usually with the intention of hitting a draw or hook.

 

Transition

The action the occurs when the backswing turns into the downswing.

 

Twilight Rate

Typically the cheapest round of golf that the pro shop charges.  Discounted fee based on limited daylight and increased availability of tee times.

 

U

 

Underclub

Most common move in club selection, involves not taking enough club to reach a given target.

 

Undue Delay

aka “slow play” not keeping up with the pace of play.

 

Undulation

Typically associated with putting greens. Wavy contours in the ground creates multiple breaks in the surface.

 

Unplayable Lie

Any lie that a player deems impossible to advance their ball out of. 

 

Up and Down

A ball holed in two shots from anywhere off the green.

 

Uphill Lie

The ball rests on an uphill slope meaning that it will be launched higher. Take one more club to make up for the increased loft.

 

USGA  

aka “United States Golf Association” The governing body of golf in the United States. 

 

Utility Wood

aka “hybrid wood” any wood with playing characteristics similar to irons.

 

V

 

Valhalla

Louisville, KY designed by Jack Nicklaus (1986) This was the host course for the 2008 Ryder Cup. Site of the United States’ first win since 1999.

 

Validate

Term associated with skins games and used in the professional skins game every Thanksgiving. A skin is not awarded until the winning player at least ties the best score of the group on the next hole, therefore validating.

 

Vardon Grip

aka “overlap grip” the most widely used grip in golf today. Named for legendary golfer Harry Vardon.

 

Verticut

In course maintenance, the process of cutting grass vertically to promote blade growth and smoother greens and fairways.

 

W

 

Waggle

Customized movement that players have during address, usually involves wrist and club head movement. Some take an eternity to pull the trigger.

 

Walk On

Person or group who avoids the normal tee time reservation procedures and crams his way in anyway. 

 

Waste Bunker

aka “waste area” usually sand or pebble filled, but not considered hazards like normal bunkers. You may drive the cart and ground your club in a waste bunker.

 

Water Hazard

Any body of water, or dried bed, whether containing water or not.  Usually marked with yellow stakes or lines.

 

Water Hole

This is a hole featuring some type of water feature or hazard. Put up the expensive ball, get out the yellow one.

 

WD

aka “withdraw” When a player takes himself out of a tournament before completion.   A monthly ritual for John Daly.

 

Whiff

“Strike Three” Right up there with the double hit as the most embarrassing shots in golf.

 

Winged Foot

Mamaroneck, N.Y.—A.W. Tillinghast (1923).  This is in here because I don’t think there is a better course name in golf.

 

Winter Rules

Local rule, player can improve his lie without penalty.

 

Wood

Driver, fairway woods, utility woods. Originally had a wooden head…now Volkswagens.

 

Wormburner

A favorite of mine.  A shot with low trajectory that skims the ground.

 

Wrong Ball

Doesn’t need explanation.  It’s the act of mistakenly hitting another competitor’s ball.

 

 

X

 

X

The unsightly mark that you place on your scorecard for not finishing a hole. You have ruined any chance at keeping score for this round. Time to practice.  See practice round.

 

X-Factor

The difference in the amount of rotation between the shoulders and the hips, made famous by the teachings of instructor Jim McLean.

 

X-Out

The black sheep  of the golf ball manufacturing families. For one reason or another they are rejected in the first pass and sold at half the value as x-outs.  One of the best values in golf.

 

Y

 

Yank

aka “pull” or “jerk” shot that starts and finishes well left of the target line.

 

Yardage Book

Small pocket sized book that serves as a blueprint for each hole. Distances to hazards and greens are clearly marked.

 

Yips

No one is immune from the almighty yip.  It’s a nervous jerk or twitch in the putting stroke that can make even the shortest putts an adventure.  Mentally draining, especially for those who can’t putt as it is.

 

 

Z

 

Zoeller 

Fuzzy Zoeller, wise-cracking made him famous, as well as infamous.  Won the Masters in his very first appearance at Augusta National.

 

Zoysia

Creeping, wiry grass, often used in warm and dry regions.  Characterized by the nature in which the ball sits on top of the blades.  Normally known for great lies in the shortgrass.

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