ADDRESS — The position you take before making a swing.
ALBATROSS — Three strokes under par on a hole.
APPROACH SHOT — A shot played toward the green.
AWAY — The ball furthest from the hole, played first.
BACK NINE — Holes 10–18.
BACKSPIN — Spin that makes the ball stop or roll backward.
BIRDIE — One stroke under par.
BOGEY — One stroke over par.
BUNKER — A sand-filled hazard.
CADDIE — Someone who carries clubs and gives advice.
CHIP — A short shot that rolls onto the green.
CLUBHOUSE — The main building at a golf course.
CONDOR — Four strokes under par.
DIVOT — A piece of turf removed by a shot.
DOGLEG — A hole that bends left or right.
DOUBLE BOGEY — Two strokes over par.
DRAW — A controlled shot that curves right to left for a right-handed player.
DRIVER — A club designed for long tee shots.
DRIVE — A shot, usually played from the tee.
EAGLE — Two strokes under par.
EVEN — A score equal to par.
FADE — A controlled shot that curves left to right for a right-handed player.
FAIRWAY — The closely mown route from tee to green.
FLAG — The marker showing the hole’s location.
FORE — A warning shouted when a ball may hit someone.
FRONT NINE — Holes 1–9.
GIR — Green in regulation: reaching the green within the expected number of strokes.
GREEN — The smooth putting surface around the hole.
GIMME — A short putt informally conceded by playing partners.
GRIP — How you hold the club, or the covering on its handle.
HANDICAP — A number representing playing ability.
HAZARD — An area such as sand or water that makes a shot more difficult.
HOLE IN ONE — Completing a hole with one stroke.
HOOK — A strong right-to-left curve for a right-handed player.
IRON — A club used for controlled approach shots.
JAB — A short, abrupt putting stroke.
KICK — A bounce or change of direction after the ball lands.
LAG — A long putt played close to the hole.
LATERAL HAZARD — A water hazard marked so relief can be taken to the side.
LIE — How the ball is resting on the ground.
LINKS — A traditional coastal golf course style.
LIP — The edge of the hole or bunker.
LOFT — The angle of a clubface.
MATCH PLAY — A format scored by holes won or lost.
MEDAL PLAY — A format scored by total strokes.
MULLIGAN — An informal second chance shot.
NASSAU — A match format usually split into front nine, back nine and overall scores.
NET SCORE — Gross score adjusted for handicap.
OUT OF BOUNDS — An area outside the course boundary.
PACE OF PLAY — The speed at which a group completes its round.
PAR — The expected score for a hole or course.
PIN — Another name for the flagstick.
PITCH — A high, soft shot toward the green.
PROVISIONAL — A second ball played when the first may be lost or out of bounds.
PUTT — A stroke played along the ground on the green.
PUTTER — A club designed for putting.
ROUGH — Longer grass beside the fairway.
ROUND — A complete set of holes played.
SAND SAVE — Getting up and down from a bunker in two strokes or fewer.
SCRATCH — A player with approximately zero handicap.
SHANK — A shot struck near the club’s heel that flies sharply right for a right-handed player.
SLICE — A shot that curves strongly left to right for a right-handed player.
STROKE — A forward movement of the club intended to hit the ball.
STROKEPLAY — A format scored by total strokes.
STABLEFORD — A points-based scoring format.
TEE — A small peg used to raise the ball for a shot.
TEE BOX — The area where a hole begins.
TEMPO — The rhythm and speed of a swing.
TIGER LINE — A bold or direct route around an obstacle.
UNPLAYABLE LIE — A ball position from which you choose to take relief.
VARDON GRIP — An overlapping hand grip.
WAGGLE — A small club movement before the swing.
WATER HAZARD — A body of water that affects play.
WEDGE — A short-game club with high loft.
WHIFF — A swing that misses the ball.
WINTER RULES — Temporary local rules that improve a ball’s lie in poor conditions.
YARDAGE — The distance to a target.
YIPS — Involuntary movements that affect a stroke.
ZONE — A focused state where your swing and decisions feel connected.

BIRDIE — One under par.
BOGEY — One over par.
BUNKER — A sand-filled hazard.
DIVOT — Turf removed by a shot.
DRIVE — A long shot, usually from the tee.
FAIRWAY — The short grass leading to the green.
FORE — A warning that a ball may be heading your way.
GREEN — The smooth surface around the hole.
HANDICAP — A number showing playing ability.
MULLIGAN — An informal second chance.
PAR — The expected score for a hole.
PACE OF PLAY — Keeping your group moving at a steady speed.
PUTT — A stroke played along the green.
ROUGH — Longer grass beside the fairway.
TEE BOX — The starting area for each hole.