Complete Glossary & Vocabulary Explained
Golf Terms for Beginners
Golf Terms for Beginners
A complete guide to golf terms and vocabulary for beginners. Learn the meaning of every golf term, from “birdie” to “bogey,” so you can enjoy and understand the game better.
Golf Terms in Alphabetical order
A
Ace – A hole-in-one; completing a hole with a single stroke from the tee.
Address – The stance and positioning a golfer takes before hitting the ball.
Aim – Aligning the clubface and body toward the intended target.
Albatross – A score of three strokes under par on a hole.
Approach Shot – A shot intended to reach the green.
Apron – The closely mown area around the green, between the fairway and the putting surface.
Address – The stance and positioning a golfer takes before hitting the ball.
Aim – Aligning the clubface and body toward the intended target.
Albatross – A score of three strokes under par on a hole.
Approach Shot – A shot intended to reach the green.
Apron – The closely mown area around the green, between the fairway and the putting surface.
B
Back Nine – Holes 10–18 of an 18-hole golf course.
Backspin – A backward rotation of the ball that makes it stop quickly or roll backward after landing.
Backswing – The part of the swing where the club is moved away from the ball.
Ball Marker – A small, flat object used to mark the position of a golf ball on the green.
Ball Striking – The quality of contact between the clubface and the ball.
Banana Ball – A slang term for an extreme slice shot.
Best Ball – A game format where the lowest score among team members on each hole counts as the team score.
Birdie – One stroke under par on a hole.
Bite – When the ball stops quickly due to high backspin.
Bogey – One stroke over par on a hole.
Break – The direction a putt curves due to the slope of the green.
Bunker – A sand trap; a hazard filled with sand.
Backspin – A backward rotation of the ball that makes it stop quickly or roll backward after landing.
Backswing – The part of the swing where the club is moved away from the ball.
Ball Marker – A small, flat object used to mark the position of a golf ball on the green.
Ball Striking – The quality of contact between the clubface and the ball.
Banana Ball – A slang term for an extreme slice shot.
Best Ball – A game format where the lowest score among team members on each hole counts as the team score.
Birdie – One stroke under par on a hole.
Bite – When the ball stops quickly due to high backspin.
Bogey – One stroke over par on a hole.
Break – The direction a putt curves due to the slope of the green.
Bunker – A sand trap; a hazard filled with sand.
C
Caddie – A person who carries a golfer’s clubs and offers advice.
Carry – The distance a ball travels through the air before landing.
Chip Shot – A short shot played close to the green with minimal airtime.
Choke Down – Holding the club lower on the grip for more control.
Clubface – The striking surface of a golf club.
Clubhouse – The main building at a golf course.
Compression – The flattening of the golf ball at impact.
Course Rating – A measure of the difficulty of a golf course for a scratch golfer.
Cut – 1) A controlled fade shot; 2) The score needed to continue playing in a tournament after a set number of rounds.
Carry – The distance a ball travels through the air before landing.
Chip Shot – A short shot played close to the green with minimal airtime.
Choke Down – Holding the club lower on the grip for more control.
Clubface – The striking surface of a golf club.
Clubhouse – The main building at a golf course.
Compression – The flattening of the golf ball at impact.
Course Rating – A measure of the difficulty of a golf course for a scratch golfer.
Cut – 1) A controlled fade shot; 2) The score needed to continue playing in a tournament after a set number of rounds.
D
Divot – A piece of turf displaced when striking the ball.
Dogleg – A hole that bends left or right before reaching the green.
Dormie – In match play, being ahead by as many holes as remain, making it impossible to lose.
Draw – A controlled shot that curves slightly from right to left (for a right-handed golfer).
Drive – A long-distance shot played from the tee.
Driver – The longest club used mainly for tee shots.
Duff – A poorly hit shot where the club hits the ground before the ball.
Dogleg – A hole that bends left or right before reaching the green.
Dormie – In match play, being ahead by as many holes as remain, making it impossible to lose.
Draw – A controlled shot that curves slightly from right to left (for a right-handed golfer).
Drive – A long-distance shot played from the tee.
Driver – The longest club used mainly for tee shots.
Duff – A poorly hit shot where the club hits the ground before the ball.
E
Divot – A piece of turf displaced when striking the ball.
Dogleg – A hole that bends left or right before reaching the green.
Dormie – In match play, being ahead by as many holes as remain, making it impossible to lose.
Draw – A controlled shot that curves slightly from right to left (for a right-handed golfer).
Drive – A long-distance shot played from the tee.
Driver – The longest club used mainly for tee shots.
Duff – A poorly hit shot where the club hits the ground before the ball.
Dogleg – A hole that bends left or right before reaching the green.
Dormie – In match play, being ahead by as many holes as remain, making it impossible to lose.
Draw – A controlled shot that curves slightly from right to left (for a right-handed golfer).
Drive – A long-distance shot played from the tee.
Driver – The longest club used mainly for tee shots.
Duff – A poorly hit shot where the club hits the ground before the ball.
F
Divot – A piece of turf displaced when striking the ball.
Dogleg – A hole that bends left or right before reaching the green.
Dormie – In match play, being ahead by as many holes as remain, making it impossible to lose.
Draw – A controlled shot that curves slightly from right to left (for a right-handed golfer).
Drive – A long-distance shot played from the tee.
Driver – The longest club used mainly for tee shots.
Duff – A poorly hit shot where the club hits the ground before the ball.
Dogleg – A hole that bends left or right before reaching the green.
Dormie – In match play, being ahead by as many holes as remain, making it impossible to lose.
Draw – A controlled shot that curves slightly from right to left (for a right-handed golfer).
Drive – A long-distance shot played from the tee.
Driver – The longest club used mainly for tee shots.
Duff – A poorly hit shot where the club hits the ground before the ball.
G
Divot – A piece of turf displaced when striking the ball.
Dogleg – A hole that bends left or right before reaching the green.
Dormie – In match play, being ahead by as many holes as remain, making it impossible to lose.
Draw – A controlled shot that curves slightly from right to left (for a right-handed golfer).
Drive – A long-distance shot played from the tee.
Driver – The longest club used mainly for tee shots.
Duff – A poorly hit shot where the club hits the ground before the ball.
Dogleg – A hole that bends left or right before reaching the green.
Dormie – In match play, being ahead by as many holes as remain, making it impossible to lose.
Draw – A controlled shot that curves slightly from right to left (for a right-handed golfer).
Drive – A long-distance shot played from the tee.
Driver – The longest club used mainly for tee shots.
Duff – A poorly hit shot where the club hits the ground before the ball.
H
Divot – A piece of turf displaced when striking the ball.
Dogleg – A hole that bends left or right before reaching the green.
Dormie – In match play, being ahead by as many holes as remain, making it impossible to lose.
Draw – A controlled shot that curves slightly from right to left (for a right-handed golfer).
Drive – A long-distance shot played from the tee.
Driver – The longest club used mainly for tee shots.
Duff – A poorly hit shot where the club hits the ground before the ball.
Dogleg – A hole that bends left or right before reaching the green.
Dormie – In match play, being ahead by as many holes as remain, making it impossible to lose.
Draw – A controlled shot that curves slightly from right to left (for a right-handed golfer).
Drive – A long-distance shot played from the tee.
Driver – The longest club used mainly for tee shots.
Duff – A poorly hit shot where the club hits the ground before the ball.
I
Divot – A piece of turf displaced when striking the ball.
Dogleg – A hole that bends left or right before reaching the green.
Dormie – In match play, being ahead by as many holes as remain, making it impossible to lose.
Draw – A controlled shot that curves slightly from right to left (for a right-handed golfer).
Drive – A long-distance shot played from the tee.
Driver – The longest club used mainly for tee shots.
Duff – A poorly hit shot where the club hits the ground before the ball.
Dogleg – A hole that bends left or right before reaching the green.
Dormie – In match play, being ahead by as many holes as remain, making it impossible to lose.
Draw – A controlled shot that curves slightly from right to left (for a right-handed golfer).
Drive – A long-distance shot played from the tee.
Driver – The longest club used mainly for tee shots.
Duff – A poorly hit shot where the club hits the ground before the ball.
J
Divot – A piece of turf displaced when striking the ball.
Dogleg – A hole that bends left or right before reaching the green.
Dormie – In match play, being ahead by as many holes as remain, making it impossible to lose.
Draw – A controlled shot that curves slightly from right to left (for a right-handed golfer).
Drive – A long-distance shot played from the tee.
Driver – The longest club used mainly for tee shots.
Duff – A poorly hit shot where the club hits the ground before the ball.
Dogleg – A hole that bends left or right before reaching the green.
Dormie – In match play, being ahead by as many holes as remain, making it impossible to lose.
Draw – A controlled shot that curves slightly from right to left (for a right-handed golfer).
Drive – A long-distance shot played from the tee.
Driver – The longest club used mainly for tee shots.
Duff – A poorly hit shot where the club hits the ground before the ball.
K
Divot – A piece of turf displaced when striking the ball.
Dogleg – A hole that bends left or right before reaching the green.
Dormie – In match play, being ahead by as many holes as remain, making it impossible to lose.
Draw – A controlled shot that curves slightly from right to left (for a right-handed golfer).
Drive – A long-distance shot played from the tee.
Driver – The longest club used mainly for tee shots.
Duff – A poorly hit shot where the club hits the ground before the ball.
Dogleg – A hole that bends left or right before reaching the green.
Dormie – In match play, being ahead by as many holes as remain, making it impossible to lose.
Draw – A controlled shot that curves slightly from right to left (for a right-handed golfer).
Drive – A long-distance shot played from the tee.
Driver – The longest club used mainly for tee shots.
Duff – A poorly hit shot where the club hits the ground before the ball.
L
Divot – A piece of turf displaced when striking the ball.
Dogleg – A hole that bends left or right before reaching the green.
Dormie – In match play, being ahead by as many holes as remain, making it impossible to lose.
Draw – A controlled shot that curves slightly from right to left (for a right-handed golfer).
Drive – A long-distance shot played from the tee.
Driver – The longest club used mainly for tee shots.
Duff – A poorly hit shot where the club hits the ground before the ball.
Dogleg – A hole that bends left or right before reaching the green.
Dormie – In match play, being ahead by as many holes as remain, making it impossible to lose.
Draw – A controlled shot that curves slightly from right to left (for a right-handed golfer).
Drive – A long-distance shot played from the tee.
Driver – The longest club used mainly for tee shots.
Duff – A poorly hit shot where the club hits the ground before the ball.
M
Divot – A piece of turf displaced when striking the ball.
Dogleg – A hole that bends left or right before reaching the green.
Dormie – In match play, being ahead by as many holes as remain, making it impossible to lose.
Draw – A controlled shot that curves slightly from right to left (for a right-handed golfer).
Drive – A long-distance shot played from the tee.
Driver – The longest club used mainly for tee shots.
Duff – A poorly hit shot where the club hits the ground before the ball.
Dogleg – A hole that bends left or right before reaching the green.
Dormie – In match play, being ahead by as many holes as remain, making it impossible to lose.
Draw – A controlled shot that curves slightly from right to left (for a right-handed golfer).
Drive – A long-distance shot played from the tee.
Driver – The longest club used mainly for tee shots.
Duff – A poorly hit shot where the club hits the ground before the ball.
M
Divot – A piece of turf displaced when striking the ball.
Dogleg – A hole that bends left or right before reaching the green.
Dormie – In match play, being ahead by as many holes as remain, making it impossible to lose.
Draw – A controlled shot that curves slightly from right to left (for a right-handed golfer).
Drive – A long-distance shot played from the tee.
Driver – The longest club used mainly for tee shots.
Duff – A poorly hit shot where the club hits the ground before the ball.
Dogleg – A hole that bends left or right before reaching the green.
Dormie – In match play, being ahead by as many holes as remain, making it impossible to lose.
Draw – A controlled shot that curves slightly from right to left (for a right-handed golfer).
Drive – A long-distance shot played from the tee.
Driver – The longest club used mainly for tee shots.
Duff – A poorly hit shot where the club hits the ground before the ball.
Complete Glossary & Vocabulary Explained
M
Divot – A piece of turf displaced when striking the ball.
Dogleg – A hole that bends left or right before reaching the green.
Dormie – In match play, being ahead by as many holes as remain, making it impossible to lose.
Draw – A controlled shot that curves slightly from right to left (for a right-handed golfer).
Drive – A long-distance shot played from the tee.
Driver – The longest club used mainly for tee shots.
Duff – A poorly hit shot where the club hits the ground before the ball.
Dogleg – A hole that bends left or right before reaching the green.
Dormie – In match play, being ahead by as many holes as remain, making it impossible to lose.
Draw – A controlled shot that curves slightly from right to left (for a right-handed golfer).
Drive – A long-distance shot played from the tee.
Driver – The longest club used mainly for tee shots.
Duff – A poorly hit shot where the club hits the ground before the ball.
Complete Glossary & Vocabulary Explained
M
Divot – A piece of turf displaced when striking the ball.
Dogleg – A hole that bends left or right before reaching the green.
Dormie – In match play, being ahead by as many holes as remain, making it impossible to lose.
Draw – A controlled shot that curves slightly from right to left (for a right-handed golfer).
Drive – A long-distance shot played from the tee.
Driver – The longest club used mainly for tee shots.
Duff – A poorly hit shot where the club hits the ground before the ball.
Dogleg – A hole that bends left or right before reaching the green.
Dormie – In match play, being ahead by as many holes as remain, making it impossible to lose.
Draw – A controlled shot that curves slightly from right to left (for a right-handed golfer).
Drive – A long-distance shot played from the tee.
Driver – The longest club used mainly for tee shots.
Duff – A poorly hit shot where the club hits the ground before the ball.
M
Divot – A piece of turf displaced when striking the ball.
Dogleg – A hole that bends left or right before reaching the green.
Dormie – In match play, being ahead by as many holes as remain, making it impossible to lose.
Draw – A controlled shot that curves slightly from right to left (for a right-handed golfer).
Drive – A long-distance shot played from the tee.
Driver – The longest club used mainly for tee shots.
Duff – A poorly hit shot where the club hits the ground before the ball.
Dogleg – A hole that bends left or right before reaching the green.
Dormie – In match play, being ahead by as many holes as remain, making it impossible to lose.
Draw – A controlled shot that curves slightly from right to left (for a right-handed golfer).
Drive – A long-distance shot played from the tee.
Driver – The longest club used mainly for tee shots.
Duff – A poorly hit shot where the club hits the ground before the ball.
M
Divot – A piece of turf displaced when striking the ball.
Dogleg – A hole that bends left or right before reaching the green.
Dormie – In match play, being ahead by as many holes as remain, making it impossible to lose.
Draw – A controlled shot that curves slightly from right to left (for a right-handed golfer).
Drive – A long-distance shot played from the tee.
Driver – The longest club used mainly for tee shots.
Duff – A poorly hit shot where the club hits the ground before the ball.
Dogleg – A hole that bends left or right before reaching the green.
Dormie – In match play, being ahead by as many holes as remain, making it impossible to lose.
Draw – A controlled shot that curves slightly from right to left (for a right-handed golfer).
Drive – A long-distance shot played from the tee.
Driver – The longest club used mainly for tee shots.
Duff – A poorly hit shot where the club hits the ground before the ball.
Golf Terms in category order
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