A
- AceHole-in-one
- Holing the ball from the tee in a single stroke. The most celebrated achievement in golf. On a par-3 it equals an eagle; on a par-4 it equals an albatross.
- Address
- The position a player takes when setting up to the ball before making a stroke — feet set, club grounded (or held), body aligned.
- AlbatrossDouble eagle
- A score of 3 under par on a hole — a hole-in-one on a par-4 or reaching a par-5 green in one and holing the putt. One of the rarest achievements in golf. In Stableford: 5 points.
- Approach
- A shot played toward the green from the fairway or rough, with the aim of getting the ball close enough to the hole to putt.
- Away
- The player whose ball is furthest from the hole — they play first according to the order of play rules (Rule 5.4).
B
- Birdie
- A score of 1 under par on a hole. In Stableford: 3 points. Often the realistic target on holes where a player receives a handicap stroke.
- Bogey
- A score of 1 over par on a hole. In Stableford: 1 point. For high-handicap players, a net bogey on a stroke hole can equal a gross par.
- Bogey golfer
- A player whose typical score is approximately 1 over par per hole, equivalent to roughly a 20 Handicap Index for men. Used as a reference in the Slope Rating calculation.
- Bump and runChip and run
- A low-trajectory shot designed to land short of the green and roll toward the hole. Preferred in firm conditions, links golf, or when wind affects high approach shots.
- Bunker
- A hazard consisting of prepared sand. The club cannot touch the sand before the stroke (with limited exceptions). Must be raked after play. Rule 12.
C
- Caddie
- A person who carries or handles a player's bag and may give advice on strategy, distances, and Rules. Any breach by the caddie is applied to the player. Only one caddie is allowed at a time. Rule 10.3.
- Chip
- A short, low-trajectory shot played from near the green, usually with a mid or short iron, to run the ball toward the hole.
- Condor
- A score of 4 under par on a hole — a hole-in-one on a par-5 or a 2 on a par-6. The rarest score in golf; it has only been documented a handful of times in history.
- Course Handicap
- The number of handicap strokes a player receives on a specific course, calculated from the Handicap Index using the course's Slope Rating and Course Rating.
- Course Rating
- A numerical value representing the expected score of a scratch golfer on a specific course under normal conditions. Used alongside Slope Rating to calculate Course Handicap.
D
- Divot
- A piece of turf displaced when the club strikes the ground. Basic etiquette: always replace the divot or fill the hole with the sand/seed mix provided.
- Dog-leg
- A hole where the fairway bends sharply left or right. Dog-legs present the choice between cutting the corner (more risk) or following the laid-out route.
- Double bogey
- A score of 2 over par on a hole. In Stableford: 0 points — the minimum score in standard Stableford format.
- Draw
- A shot that curves gently from right to left (for a right-handed player). A controlled draw typically produces extra distance as the ball rolls after landing. An exaggerated draw becomes a hook.
- DriverWood 1
- The club with the lowest loft (7°–12°) and longest shaft. Designed for maximum distance off the tee on long holes. The hardest club to control, but the most powerful when struck well.
- Drop
- The act of putting the ball back into play when taking relief. Since 2019, the ball is dropped from knee height (previously shoulder height). Rule 14.3.
E
- Eagle
- A score of 2 under par on a hole. In Stableford: 4 points. On a par-5 typically achieved with two strong shots and one putt.
- Embedded ballPlugged lie
- A ball that is stuck in its own pitch mark in the general area. The player may take free relief by lifting and dropping near where the ball was. Rule 16.3.
F
- Fade
- A shot that curves gently from left to right (for a right-handed player). Many elite players prefer a fade for its soft landing. An uncontrolled fade becomes a slice.
- Fairway
- The closely mown grass between the tee and the green. Playing from the fairway gives the cleanest ball contact conditions.
- FlagstickFlag / Pin
- The movable marker in the hole indicating its position. Since 2019, players may leave the flagstick in while putting with no penalty if the ball strikes it. Rule 13.2.
- Fore!
- A warning shout given immediately when a ball may strike another person on the course. An etiquette and safety obligation.
- Four BallBetter Ball
- A format where two-player teams play their own balls, and the better net score of the two counts. Playing Handicap is 85% of Course Handicap. Rule 23.
- FoursomesAlternate Shot
- A format where two-player teams share one ball and take alternate shots. Tee shots alternate per hole. Handicap allowance is 50% of the combined total. Rule 22.
- FringeCollar / Apron
- The narrow band of slightly longer grass surrounding the putting green. Technically not the green itself, though many players putt from the fringe without penalty.
G
- General area
- The part of the course not covered by the other four defined areas (teeing area, penalty areas, bunkers, putting green). The largest area; replaces the pre-2019 term "through the green."
- Gimme
- In match play: a conceded short putt. The stroke is counted but the ball doesn't need to be holed. Gimmes don't exist in official stroke play.
- GreenPutting green
- The specially prepared putting surface around each hole. Only putting is permitted on the green. Another player's line of putt must not be stepped on or touched.
- Green fee
- The fee paid to play a round at a golf course, typically separate from any cart or caddie fees.
- Green in RegulationGIR
- Reaching the green in the expected number of shots: 1 on a par-3, 2 on a par-4, 3 on a par-5. A key performance metric — the more GIRs, the more birdie chances.
- Grip
- How the player holds the club — the most fundamental skill in golf. Also refers to the rubber or leather covering on the club handle itself.
H
- Handicap Index
- A portable measure of a player's playing ability calculated by the World Handicap System (WHS) from the best rounds submitted. It's the number that travels with you from course to course.
- HonourThe honor
- The right to play first from the tee. Goes to the player with the lowest score on the previous hole (stroke play) or who won the previous hole (match play). Rule 5.4.
- Hook
- A shot that curves sharply and uncontrollably from right to left (for a right-handed player). Unlike a controlled draw, a hook is usually unintentional and can result in significant accuracy loss.
- HybridRescue club
- A club that combines features of a long iron and a fairway wood — easier to hit than long irons, more versatile than woods. Often replaces 3- and 4-irons, especially for beginners and high-handicap players.
I
- Immovable obstruction
- A fixed artificial object on the course (sprinkler head, paved path, immovable sign) that interferes with the player's stance or swing. Free relief is available. Rule 16.1.
- Iron
- Clubs numbered 1 through 9, plus wedges. Short irons (7–9) produce high, controlled shots; long irons (1–4) produce lower, longer shots. The workhorses of approach play.
L
- Lateral hazardRed penalty area
- A penalty area marked with red stakes where the player has an additional lateral relief option (drop within two club-lengths of where the ball crossed the margin). Rule 17.
- Lay up
- A deliberate short shot that avoids a hazard or positions the ball for a better next shot, instead of going for maximum distance. A smart strategic choice when the risk of going for the green is too high.
- Lie
- The position of the ball on the ground. A "good lie" means the ball is sitting up cleanly; a "bad lie" or "plugged lie" means it's sitting down in grass or sand.
- Line of putt
- The path the player expects the ball to travel from its position to the hole. It must not be touched or stepped on. Rule 13.2.
- Local rules
- Special conditions established by the course or competition Committee that modify the standard Rules of Golf for a specific course (special areas, winter rules, areas under repair).
- Loft
- The angle of the clubface relative to vertical. Higher loft = higher trajectory, shorter distance. A driver has the least loft (7°–12°); a sand wedge has the most (54°–60°).
- Loose impediment
- A natural object (stone, leaf, broken branch, loose soil) that may be removed without penalty anywhere on the course, except when both the ball and the impediment are in a bunker. Rule 15.1.
- Lost ball
- A ball not found within 3 minutes of searching. Penalty: stroke and distance — the player must replay from where the previous shot was made. Rule 18.2.
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M
- Marker
- In stroke play competitions: the fellow competitor who records and signs a player's scorecard. Also the disk (coin or plastic marker) used to mark a ball's position on the green. Rule 3.3b.
- Match play
- A hole-by-hole competition format. The player who takes fewer strokes on a hole wins that hole. The match ends when one player is more holes up than there are holes left. Rule 3.2.
- Medal playStrokeplay
- A format where every stroke across all 18 holes is counted. The lowest net total wins. Rule 3.3.
- Movable obstruction
- An artificial object that can be moved without much difficulty (rake, portable sign, yardage marker). It may be moved without penalty anywhere on the course. Rule 15.2.
- Mulligan
- An informal "second chance" shot replayed without penalty. Not permitted under the Rules of Golf in any official form. Exclusive to casual social golf.
N
- Nassau
- A popular betting format: three separate bets in one round — the front 9, the back 9, and the full 18 holes. Each is decided independently.
- Net Double Bogey
- The maximum score per hole for handicap calculation purposes: par + 2 + any handicap strokes received on that hole. Any score worse than this is capped at this value when calculating the Score Differential.
- Net score
- A player's gross score minus their handicap strokes received. Competitions played with handicap are won on net score.
O
- Out of BoundsOB
- Areas outside the course boundaries, marked with white stakes. Penalty: stroke and distance — you must replay from where the previous stroke was made. Rule 18.2.
P
- Par
- The standard number of strokes an expert golfer is expected to take on a hole or an entire round. Holes are par-3, par-4, or par-5. Most 18-hole courses have a total par of 70–73.
- Penalty area
- Areas of water, waste ground, or other defined terrain marked with red or yellow stakes. If a ball enters a penalty area, the player takes 1-stroke penalty relief. Rule 17.
- Penalty stroke
- An extra stroke added to a player's score as a consequence of a Rules breach or when taking certain types of relief (unplayable ball, penalty area, stroke and distance).
- Pitch
- A high-trajectory approach shot that lands softly on or near the green, used when an obstacle lies between the ball and the green or minimal run-out is needed.
- PitchmarkBall mark
- The indentation made when a ball lands on the putting green from height. Must always be repaired. Since 2019, spike marks and other damage may also be repaired. Rule 13.1c(2).
- Playing Handicap
- The handicap used in a specific competition, obtained by applying an allowance percentage to the Course Handicap (e.g. 95% for Medal/Stableford, 100% for Match Play).
- Preferred liesWinter rules
- A local rule allowing players to lift, clean, and place their ball in the fairway without penalty, usually applied in wet winter conditions to protect the course.
- Provisional ball
- A second ball played from where the previous stroke was made, while searching for a ball that may be lost or out of bounds. Saves time returning to the tee if the original is found. Rule 18.3.
- Putt
- A stroke played on the putting green with a putter to roll the ball toward or into the hole.
- Putter
- A club with a flat or nearly flat face designed for putting on the green. It is typically the most-used club in any round.
R
- Rangefinder
- An optical or GPS device used to measure distances on the course. Permitted unless prohibited by local rule. Some competition committees ban electronic devices during official events.
- Ready Golf
- The R&A and USGA-endorsed practice of playing when ready and safe to do so, without waiting for strict honour order. Recommended in stroke play. Can save a group 20–40 minutes per round.
- Relief
- The process of taking the ball out of a situation (penalty area, abnormal course condition, unplayable lie) and putting it back in play, often with a penalty stroke.
- Relief area
- The defined zone (typically one or two club-lengths from a reference point) within which the ball must be dropped and come to rest when taking relief. Rule 14.3.
- Rough
- The longer, less-maintained grass bordering the fairway. Shots from the rough are typically harder to control due to the greater resistance of the grass on the club.
S
- Score Differential
- The number that measures a round's performance adjusted for course difficulty: (Adjusted Gross Score − Course Rating) × 113 ÷ Slope Rating. Your Handicap Index is the average of the 8 best from your last 20 rounds.
- Scorecard
- The official document on which hole-by-hole scores are recorded. In stroke play it must be signed by the marker and the player at the end of the round. Rule 3.3b.
- Scratch
- A Handicap Index of 0. A scratch player is expected to complete a course in par under normal conditions. Used as the baseline in the WHS handicap system.
- Skins
- A social format where each hole has a "skin" (a set value) at stake. If two or more players tie the best score, the skin carries over to the next hole. The winner of the next hole takes all accumulated skins.
- Slice
- A shot that curves sharply and uncontrollably from left to right (for a right-handed player). The most common mistake for beginners — causes significant loss of distance and accuracy. A controlled version is called a fade.
- Slope RatingSlope
- A number between 55 and 155 (standard: 113) measuring a course's difficulty for a bogey golfer relative to a scratch golfer. A high Slope means the course is relatively harder for higher-handicap players.
- Snowman
- Slang for a score of 8 on any hole — the figure 8 looks like a snowman. Nobody wants to write one down.
- Stableford
- A points-based scoring format: 1 point for bogey, 2 for par, 3 for birdie, 4 for eagle. A terrible hole scores 0 and is forgotten. The most popular amateur format in most countries. Rule 21.1.
- Stroke IndexSI
- A number 1–18 assigned to each hole indicating the order in which handicap strokes are allocated. The hole with SI 1 is the first to receive an extra stroke when a player's handicap allows.
- StrokeplayMedal
- A format where every stroke over 18 holes is counted. The lowest net total wins. The most exacting format — every bad hole affects the final scorecard. Rule 3.3.
T
- Tee
- Either the defined area from which the hole begins (teeing area), or the small wooden or plastic peg used to elevate the ball for the first shot of a hole.
- Texas Scramble
- A team format where all players hit every shot, the best ball is selected, and all players play their next shot from that position. Ideal for social events and mixed-ability groups.
- Triple bogey
- A score of 3 over par on a hole. In Stableford: 0 points — same as a double bogey. Known as a "snowman" when it results in an 8 on a par-5.
U
- Unplayable ball
- A ball declared by the player as too difficult or impossible to play from its current position. Three relief options are available, each with a 1-stroke penalty. Only the player can declare their own ball unplayable. Rule 19.
- Up and down
- Getting the ball into the hole in two shots from off the green — typically a chip or pitch followed by one putt. Making an "up and down for par" from a tricky position is a solid recovery.
W
- Wedge
- A high-loft club (typically 44°–64°) used for short approach shots, chips, pitches, and bunker play. Common types: pitching wedge (PW), sand wedge (SW), gap wedge (GW), lob wedge (LW).
- WHSWorld Handicap System
- The unified global handicap system adopted in 2020, replacing multiple national systems. Calculates the Handicap Index from the best 8 of a player's last 20 submitted rounds.
- WoodFairway wood
- Large-headed clubs (now made of metal) for long shots from the fairway or tee. The most common are 3-wood and 5-wood. Easier to hit from the ground than a driver.
Y
- Yardage
- Distance measurement in yards (1 yard = 0.9144 m) used on course maps and in GPS apps. Most courses also provide metric distances.
- Yips
- Involuntary wrist or hand spasms that affect putting — one of golf's most notorious mental-physical problems. Can affect players at any level. No guaranteed cure exists, though grip changes and different putting styles can help.
