Are you a total beginner when it comes to golf? Some of the terminology can feel overwhelming at first — but don’t worry, we got you!
Here’s a handy guide to the key golf terms you should know to find your way around the course like a pro.
Hole: Each golf course consists of multiple holes — either 9 or 18. Every hole has its own fairway, green, and cup, and “hole” often refers to both the cup itself and the entire playing area for that round.
Tee Box: Every hole starts from the tee, a designated area where you take your first shot. There are different tees for men, women, and sometimes juniors, with ladies’ tees generally positioned a bit closer to the hole.
Fairway: This is the neatly mowed area between the tee and the green where you ideally want your ball to land.
Divot: When you hit the ball and take a chunk of turf with it, that piece of grass is called a divot.
Rough: The area surrounding the fairway with longer grass. Playing from the rough is more difficult than from the fairway.
Green: The area around the hole with very short grass, specially maintained for putting.
Bunker: A sand trap placed as a hazard on the course.
Pin-Flag: The flag placed in the hole on the green, helping players see where they should aim.
Pin-Position: The location of the flag on the green changes regularly to create variety and new challenges.
Hole: Each hole has an actual hole into which the ball must be holed.
Putt-Linie: The (imaginary) straight line from your ball to the hole on the green.
Addressing the Ball: When you position yourself ready to hit the ball, you’re said to be “addressing” it.
Drive: The first, usually long shot from the tee at the beginning of each hole.
Fairway Shot: A stroke played from the fairway after your drive.
Pitch: A high, soft shot, often played from around 100 yards or less to approach the green.
Chip: A short, low shot from close to the green designed to roll toward the hole.
Lob: A very high shot that lands softly and rolls minimally, often used when you need to clear an obstacle near the green.
Bunker Shot: A shot played from the sand bunker.
Putt: A low-speed shot played on the green, aiming to roll the ball into the hole.
Penalty Stroke: An extra stroke added to your score as a result of rule infractions like hitting out of bounds.
Provisional Ball:If you’re unsure whether your original ball is lost or out of bounds, you may hit a second, provisional ball.
Drop: When you move an unplayable ball by dropping it according to the rules — usually from knee height.
Pitch Mark: The indentation a ball leaves when it lands on the green.
Scorecard: A card where you record your scores for each hole.
Par: The number of strokes a skilled golfer is expected to need to complete a hole.
Birdie: Completing a hole in one stroke under par.
Eagle: Completing a hole two strokes under par.
Albatros: Completing a par 5 hole three strokes under par — very rare!
Hole-in-one: Getting the ball into the hole with just one shot from the tee.
Bogey: Completing a hole one stroke over par (double or triple bogey means two or three strokes over par).
Handicap: A numerical measure of a golfer’s ability, allowing players of different skill levels to compete against each other fairly. The lower the handicap, the better the golfer.
Stableford (-Punkte): An alternative scoring system designed to encourage aggressive play and help beginners improve their handicaps faster.
Greenfee: The fee paid to play on a golf course.
Clubs: Golf sticks used to hit the ball — different clubs are used for different shots and distances.
Tee: A small peg used to raise the ball slightly off the ground for the initial shot of a hole.
Golf Ball: A small, dimpled ball designed for aerodynamic efficiency.
Golf Bag: A specialized bag for carrying golf clubs and equipment.
Golf-Cart: A small vehicle used to transport players and their gear around the course.
Divot Tool (Pitchfork): A tool used to repair the pitch marks left by balls landing on the green.
Golf Ball Retriever: A device used to collect balls easily without bending down, often used on the driving range.
Ball Scoop (Golf Ball “Fishing Rod”): A tool to retrieve balls from water hazards.
Bag Tag: A tag indicating a golfer’s membership to a particular club.
Ball Marker: A small, coin-like object used to mark the position of your ball on the green.
Fore!: A warning shout to alert others if your ball is heading toward them.
19th Hole: A fun term for the clubhouse, where players relax after a round.
Caddie: A person who carries a player’s clubs and often offers advice.
Mulligan: An informal, friendly second attempt at a bad shot — not allowed in formal play, but common among friends.
Armed with these basic terms, you’ll find it much easier to navigate a golf course and enjoy the game!
Golf can seem intimidating at first, but with practice and the right vocabulary, it quickly becomes an incredibly fun and rewarding sport.
