Basic Golf Vocabulary
Golf is a sport with a very extensive terminology. Below are some of the most common terms, intended to introduce beginners to a series of concepts that may be helpful in understanding the sport.
Albatross
We score an albatross when we hole the ball out in three strokes less than par. For example, when we score a par 5 in 2 strokes.
All Square
This means that the tie is being tied whether playing medal, stableford points or match play.
Approach
A short shot to approach the green. It is usually executed with clubs called wedges.
Referee
This is the person appointed by the Committee to accompany the players in order to decide matters of fact and apply the Rules of Golf. They will act on any infraction they observe or are informed of. An umpire should not attend to the flagstick, stand by or mark the position of the hole, or lift the ball or mark its position.
Go to top
It means that the game is being won (one up, two up, three up, etc.).
Backswing
It's a backswing effect imparted to the ball. Once the ball bounces on the ground, it returns in the opposite direction to the trajectory of the shot.
Flag
It is an indicator with or without fabric or other material incorporated, centered in the hole to indicate its position.
Proclamation
It is a player, or two or more players who are teammates.
Bars
These are the markings placed on the tees to indicate the starting areas. The white and yellow markings are for men, and the red and blue markings are for women and children.
Birdie
We score a birdie when we sink the ball in one stroke less than par for the hole. For example, when we score a par 5 in 4 strokes.
Bogey
We make a bogey when we sink the ball in one stroke more than par for the hole. For example, when we shoot a par 5 in 6 strokes.
Ball Hole
A ball is "holed" when it rests within the circumference of the hole and is entirely below the level of the edge of the hole.
Brasei
It is the name that was formerly used to designate wood number 2.
Bunker
It is an obstacle where the grass or ground has been replaced by sand or a similar material. A ball is in a bunker when it lies in, or any part of it touches, the bunker.
Buy
It's a rematch of a match that was decided before the 18th hole, in which the remaining holes are played to complete the round. Usually, half of the bet from the original match is wagered.
Bye
He is the player who has been exempted from the first round of eliminations in a match-play competition.
Caddy
This is the person who carries a player's clubs during the game and assists them according to the Rules.
Drop
It's the slope of the terrain. This term is usually used more on the green, "Reading the break".
Street
It is the area of the hole where the grass is cut shorter because that is where the shots should be played.
Field
It is any area where play is allowed.
Chop
Piece of grass that is torn off by the head of the stick when hitting the ball.
Tie
It happens when, upon kicking, the ball catches the edge of the hole and goes around it without entering it.
Dadaist
It's the ball that has come so close to the hole that the opponent considers the putt unmissable and doesn't play it. Balls can only be given in match play. It's considered good etiquette not to continue playing a given ball.
Double Bogey
We make a double bogey when we sink the ball in two strokes over par for the hole. For example, when we shoot a par 5 in 7 strokes.
I slept
In match play, the player who has achieved an advantage of holes won equal to the number of holes remaining to be played up to the 18th is put dormie, so they can no longer lose.
Dog Leg
A hole makes a "dog leg" when it is not straight but turns (to the right or to the left) with little or no visibility of the path.
Draw
It is the effect by which the ball goes straight towards the target, but in the last part of its journey it turns slightly to the left.
Drive
It's the shot hit with the driver.
Driver
It's the club that achieves the greatest distance: the one wood. It's the club with the longest shaft and its head has very little loft.
Dropar
It is the replacement of a ball (due to going out of bounds or due to the application of a Rule) by dropping it to the ground with the arm extended at shoulder height.
Eagle
We score an eagle when we sink the ball in two strokes under par for the hole. For example, when we score a par 5 in 3 strokes.
Stakes
They indicate the obstacles according to the route: white, out of limits; blue, terrain under repair; red, lateral water; yellow, frontal water.
Fade
It's the effect by which the ball travels directly towards the target, but in the final part of its trajectory it curves slightly to the right. This is due to the turf being torn up by the clubhead upon impact.
Fairway
It is the English name of the street, that is, the part of the route where the grass is cut more.
Sharp edge
A shot where the club strikes the ball with its edge. This usually occurs due to an error in the swing execution.
Finnegan
It's more than a mulligan because, in addition to repeating the tee shot, you can choose either one. For example, you could hit the first ball off the tee but lose the second one in the woods.
Follow through
It is the phase of the swing after the impact with the ball.
Foursome
A doubles format where each side plays a single ball, with alternating drives and shots. It is the most difficult doubles format, commonly used in championships.
Out of bounds
This is the area where play is prohibited. A ball is out of bounds when it lies entirely outside the boundaries. A player may move out of bounds to play a ball that lies within the boundaries.
Bang
It is the movement of the stick towards the ball with the intention of hitting and moving it, so if a player voluntarily stops the downward swing of the stick before reaching the ball, it is considered that he has not executed a stroke.
Green
It is all the area of the hole that is specially prepared for putting. A ball is on the green when any part of it touches the green.
Greensome
A doubles format where both players tee off on each hole, choose the best-placed tee (the other is collected), and continue playing it alternately until the hole is finished. It is commonly used in club competitions.
Greensome-Chapman
A doubles format where both players tee off, each player uses their partner's ball for the second shot, and then chooses one of the two balls for the third shot. Play continues until the hole is completed with alternate shots. This is a more forgiving variation of the previous format, used for local prizes.
Grip
It's the way a player holds or grips the club. The part of the club that is held to make the swing is also called the grip.
Halved
Proposal for a tie in a round of holes: the remaining putts would be awarded to each other. Anyone is free to request, accept, or reject this proposal. It is often suggested with malicious intent, as part of psychological warfare.
Handicap
It is the number of strokes advantage (certified by the Federation) that one player has over another or over the course.
Irons
These are the most used clubs in the bag and are used to hit medium-distance street shots.
Honor
It belongs to the one who has to play first on the next tee, who is the one who got the best result on the previous hole.
Hook
This is when the ball goes towards the target and takes a strong spin to the left (also called a hook).
Hole
This is the place where we intend to put the ball. It has a diameter of 108 mm (4 1/4 inches) and is at least 100 mm (4 inches) deep.
Hole1
On a golf course, each hole of the course is made up of the area between the starting tee and the green.
Hole2
Within the green, the hole is where we intend to land the ball. It has a diameter of 108 mm (4 1/4 inches) and is at least 100 mm (4 inches) deep. A piece of turf is torn off by the clubhead when the ball is struck.
Hole in one
It occurs when, on a par 3, the ball is put directly into the hole on the first stroke.
Loft
Indicates the degree of inclination (angle) of the stick face.
Mulligan
In friendly matches, it is the option to repeat the tee time on the first hole.
Pair
We make par when we sink the ball with the strokes that the course card indicates should be made in a hole.
Pro-Am
Competition in which a professional and one or more amateurs form a team.
Putt
It is a shot made with the putter and is usually performed on the green.
Putter
It is the club we use for "putting", usually within the Green.
Rough
It is the area of the hole where the grass is not cut flush.
Scramble
A team format for two or more players. They all tee off, choose the best-placed ball, and then play the next shot from that point, repeating this process until each hole is completed. It's used to match competitors of different handicaps and in situations where the priority is having fun.
Slice
This is when the ball goes towards the target and takes a strong spin to the right.
Stableford
Stableford is a scoring system where each hole is awarded points relative to par: 1 point for a bogey, two for par, three for a birdie, and four for an eagle. If a player cannot finish the hole within the number of strokes required for scoring, they pick up their ball. It is the only system where the player with the highest total wins. Stableford is currently very popular in local tournaments because it is faster than other systems and allows players to pick up their ball.
Stance
It is the position the player takes in front of the ball to make the shot.
Swing
It is the movement of the stick to hit the ball or to practice.
Tee
It is the starting point for play on a hole. It is a rectangular area two club-lengths deep, the front and sides of which are defined by the outer edges of two markers. A ball is out of bounds when it lies entirely outside this area.
Threesome
It's a three-player game.
Topar
It is making a faulty shot that consists of hitting the ball on its upper part, making it come out flat.
Wedge
It's the generic name applied to the clubs used in the short game: pitching wedge, lob wedge, and sand wedge (blaster). They are characterized by being short and having a very open face. They give the ball greater lift.
Rules Committee
All the information about the Rules of Golf, Regulations, Local Rules, Books, etc. for the correct application of the Rules of Golf in Spain
Game modes
Explore all game modes. From the most well-known, such as Stableford or Match Play, to the more exciting options like Scramble or Maximum Score.