| The game of golf has been around for more than | | | | deduct strokes when playing better players. It |
| 250 years and during that time it has accrued a | | | | levels the playing field for all players. High |
| lot to terms to describe the game and the people | | | | Handicapped players are less skilled. |
| who play it. If you are new to the game you | | | | - Hook: A stroke which curves the ball to the left |
| probably are lost for words or at least golf words. | | | | of the target, if made by a right handed player, |
| Here is a list terms or a glossary of golf words | | | | and to the right if made by a left handed player. |
| that will help you learn the great game of golf. | | | | - Iron: A set of clubs with iron faces that have |
| - Address: The stance you take before you take | | | | different angles to their club faces. They have |
| your swing | | | | numbers ranging from 2 to 9 to designate the |
| - Air shot or Whiff: A swing at the ball that | | | | angle and use. |
| misses | | | | - Loft: The angle of the club head, measured with |
| - Back Nine: The last 9 holes of an 18 hole course | | | | respect to the shaft. |
| - Bunker or Trap: Part of the course which has a | | | | - Match Play: A type of competition in which each |
| waterhole or sand to hinder the ball roll or flight. | | | | hole is a separate contest. (See "Stroke play") |
| - Birdie: One stroke below Par for the hole you | | | | The lowest number of strokes on a given hole |
| are on | | | | wins that hole. |
| - Bogey: One stroke over the par for the hole | | | | - Net Score: Gross score minus your handicap. |
| - Club Head: Part of the golf club that strikes the | | | | - Par: The number of strokes a hole is designed |
| ball | | | | to be completed in, based on its length. Also |
| - Divot: Turf or sod that is cut up when the ball is | | | | describes the number of strokes in which the |
| struck by the club. | | | | course should be played. |
| - Dog-leg: A hole that has a fairway that sharply | | | | - Pitching Wedge: An iron with a steep face for |
| turns on the way to the green. | | | | popping the ball up on to the green. |
| - Drive: The act of hitting the ball with a driver or | | | | - Putter: A flat sided club used when on the green |
| wood. | | | | to accurately place the ball in the cup or hole. |
| - Driver: Type of club also known as a wood that | | | | - Sand Wedge: A club with a steep face, used to |
| is used to drive the ball off the tee or grass | | | | hit or lift the ball out of a sand trap or high grass. |
| down the fairway. | | | | - Slice: A ball that curves to the right of target |
| - Eagle: Two strokes under par for a hole. | | | | when hit by a right handed player and to the left |
| - Flag: A flag on a pole that marks the hole on the | | | | of a left handed player. |
| green. | | | | - Stroke Play: Competition Play based on the total |
| - Fore: A warning that is shouted by a player to | | | | number of strokes taken over the entire 18 holes |
| warn other players that the ball is coming their | | | | of play. |
| way. | | | | - Tee: Small wood or plastic stick used to raise |
| - Front 9: The first 9 holes on an 18 hole golf | | | | the ball above the ground when driving off the |
| course. | | | | tee. |
| - Golf Swing: The act of swinging and hitting the | | | | - Wood: A large club that is made of wood or |
| ball with the golf club. | | | | metal used to drive the ball off the tee or for |
| - Handicap: A numerical average or measure of | | | | long distances on the fairway. |
| playing ability. It allows less skilled players to | | | | |