50 Common Golf Terms

Here’s a list of 50 common golf terms with their meanings:

Golf Basics

1. Par: The number of strokes a golfer is expected to take to complete a hole.
2. Birdie: Scoring one stroke under par on a hole.
3. Eagle: Scoring two strokes under par on a hole.
4. Bogey: Scoring one stroke over par on a hole.
5. Double Bogey: Scoring two strokes over par on a hole.
6. Hole-in-One: Hitting the ball directly into the hole from the tee in one stroke.
7. Tee: A small stand used to elevate the ball for the first stroke on each hole.
8. Fairway: The area of the course between the tee and the green, where the grass is cut short.
9. Green: The area of the course around the hole with very short grass, designed for putting.
10. Rough: Areas of longer grass surrounding the fairway and green.

Equipment and Clubs

11. Driver: The longest club, used for long-distance shots from the tee.
12. Iron: A type of club used for a variety of shots, numbered based on the angle of the clubface.
13. Wedge: A club used for short, high-accuracy shots, typically near the green or in bunkers.
14. Putter: A club used to roll the ball into the hole on the green.
15. Hybrid: A combination of wood and iron, used for versatility and distance.
16. Shaft: The long, thin part of the golf club.
17. Grip: The part of the club the golfer holds.

Shots and Techniques

18. Drive: A long-distance shot made from the tee.
19. Approach Shot: A shot intended to land on the green.
20. Chip: A short shot designed to lift the ball briefly into the air and roll it toward the hole.
21. Pitch: A high, soft shot used to land on the green with minimal roll.
22. Putt: A gentle stroke used on the green to roll the ball into the hole.
23. Hook: A shot that curves sharply to the left for right-handed players.
24. Slice: A shot that curves sharply to the right for right-handed players.
25. Draw: A controlled shot that curves slightly to the left for right-handed players.
26. Fade: A controlled shot that curves slightly to the right for right-handed players.
27. Shank: A mishit shot where the ball strikes the club’s hosel, causing an erratic trajectory.
28. Duff: A poorly executed shot that doesn’t travel far.
29. Top: A shot where the club strikes the top of the ball, causing it to roll rather than fly.

Scoring and Rules

30. Stroke: A single swing of the club to hit the ball.
31. Penalty Stroke: An additional stroke added to a player’s score as a penalty.
32. Handicap: A numerical measure of a golfer’s skill level, used to level the playing field.
33. Mulligan: An unofficial do-over shot, often allowed in casual play.
34. Out of Bounds (OB): Areas outside the course limits, resulting in a penalty stroke.
35. Water Hazard: A pond, lake, or other water feature that adds challenge to the course.

Course Features

36. Bunker: A sand trap designed to challenge golfers.
37. Tee Box: The starting area for each hole.
38. Flagstick (Pin): A marker placed in the hole to indicate its location.
39. Dogleg: A hole where the fairway bends left or right.
40. Rough: Taller grass that surrounds the fairway and green.
41. Fringe: The slightly longer grass surrounding the green.

Tournament and Etiquette

42. Match Play: A format where players compete hole-by-hole.
43. Stroke Play: A format where the player with the fewest strokes overall wins.
44. Fore: A warning shout to alert others of an incoming golf ball.
45. Caddie: A person who carries a golfer’s clubs and offers advice.
46. Honor: The privilege of teeing off first, typically awarded to the player with the best score on the previous hole.
47. Foursome: A group of four players.
48. Provisional Ball: A second ball played when the first might be lost or out of bounds.
49. Gimme: A short putt conceded by an opponent in casual play.
50. Up and Down: Completing a hole in two strokes from off the green (e.g., chip and putt).