Play terms

Terms related to playing golf

  1. Tee - a small wooden or plastic peg used to hold the ball off the ground for the first shot of the hole
  2. Fairway - the area of the course between the tee and the green, typically consisting of shorter grass
  3. Green - the area of the course where the hole is located, typically consisting of closely mowed grass
  4. Rough - the longer grass surrounding the fairway and green
  5. Bunker - a depression filled with sand, used as a hazard on the course
  6. Putting - the act of hitting the ball on the green with a putter
  7. Chipping - a shot played from close to the green with a lofted club, used to get the ball onto the green
  8. Pitching - a shot played from a distance with a lofted club, used to get the ball onto the green
  9. Hole-in-one - a shot that goes directly into the hole on the first stroke from the tee
  10. Bogey - a score one stroke over par on a hole
  11. Double bogey - a score two strokes over par on a hole
  12. Birdie - a score one stroke under par on a hole
  13. Eagle - a score two strokes under par on a hole
  14. Albatross - a score three strokes under par on a hole
  15. Par - the standard number of strokes set for each hole on a course
  16. Handicap - a measure of a golfer's ability, used to adjust their score for tournament play
  17. Tee shot - the first shot of a hole, played from the tee
  18. Approach shot - a shot played from the fairway towards the green
  19. Chip shot - a shot played from close to the green with a lofted club
  20. Putt - a shot played on the green with a putter
  21. Break - the amount of curve on a putt due to the slope of the green
  22. Stance - the position of the feet and body in relation to the ball and target
  23. Grip - the way in which the hands are positioned on the club
  24. Swing - the motion of the clubhead through the hitting area
  25. Follow through - the continuation of the swing after impact
  26. Divot - a small piece of turf that is dislodged during a swing
  27. Fade - a shot that curves from left to right for a right-handed golfer
  28. Draw - a shot that curves from right to left for a right-handed golfer
  29. Slice - a shot that curves dramatically from right to left for a right-handed golfer
  30. Hook - a shot that curves dramatically from left to right for a right-handed golfer