Golf is an incredible game with hundreds of niche eccentricities and fine skills. However, if you want to sound like a true pro, you might need to brush up on the endless slang terms surrounding the game. Here, we invite you to read our glossary of golf terms so you can decipher what’s being said during your next game.
‘A’ game – a great performance that is repeated regularly.
Ace – hitting the ball into the hole with a single swing of a club.
Airmail – a shot that flies much further than intended.
Albatross – a score of three strokes under Par, also known as a double Eagle.
All square – when a game’s score is tied.
Backhander – nonchalantly tapping the ball into the hole with the wrong side of your putter.
Banana – when the ball travels with a curved flight, often from a slice shot.
Beach – sand bunker.
Birdie – a score of one under Par.
Bogey – a score of one over Par.
Buzzard – also known as a Double Bogey, a score of two over Par.
Cabbage – hitting the ball into a thick rough.
Carpet – the area surrounding the hole, also known as the Green.
Cat box – another term for sand bunker.
Chipping – a short shot usually made just outside the Green.
Chunk shot – hitting the ground before the ball.
Cup – a term given to the hole on the Green.
Dog track – refers to a course of poor conditions.
Drive – the first shot taken from the teeing ground at each hole.
Duff – a poor shot.
Duffer – an inexperienced or mediocre golfer.
Eagle – a score of two less than Par.
Flub – when a poor shot affects a golfer’s score.
Fore – a courtesy shout for when a ball is flying towards someone.
Handicap – represents a player’s ability in a numerical form.
Hook – when a right-handed player’s shot curves from left to right.
Iffy lie – refers to a ball landing in a dubious area where the player may not be able to strike it.
Juicy lie – contrastingly, a ball that lies invitingly on top of grass, perfectly set up to strike.
Lie – the position of the ball in play.
Loop – an 18-hole circuit around a course.
Mickey Mouse course – refers to a poorly maintained course with many short holes.
Pin – the flag that stands in the hole, also known as the stick.
Rainmaker – a shot with a very high trajectory.
Rough – long grass surrounding the fairway.
Tap-in – a short, easy shot.
Victory lap – the circle a Put makes around the hole as sinks.
Yank – when a shot is pulled sharply to the side and off target.
Hopefully, you can soon put these golf terms into good use on the fairway as you work on your game and get some well-earned fresh air and exercise. For all your golf needs and the latest in equipment, don’t forget to sign up to our newsletter.