Glossary of Golf S - Z
Golf Glossary - 'S'
sandbagger - a golfer who understates his/her handicap with the hope that this will give him/her an advantage when playing against other golfers in a handicapped event. Example: "Sean's such a sandbagger! I played against him last week and he said he was a 14 handicap and proceeded to shoot a 79 gross."
sand iron - (aka: "sandwedge", "sand wedge") one of the irons that is specifically designed to be used to extricate the ball from a sand trap. The flange is usually larger than other irons to ensure that the club does not dig too far into the sand. Can also be used on the fairway when attempting a flop shot. Example: "I like to use my sand wedge in deep rough right next to the green."
sand save - (aka: "sandy") holing out in two from the sand trap (i.e. one shot to get out of the trap the next shot is in the hole). Example: "I made the sand save for par on the third hole."
sand trap - (aka: "trap", "bunker", "sand bunker", "beach") a common term used to describe the and filled depressions on a golf course. Example: "The third green is well protected by three sand traps."
sand wedge - see "sand iron".
sandy - see "sand save"
score - (aka: "shoot") the number of strokes a particular golfer required in order to complete a specific task. Example: "Hey Julie! What did you shoot ont he front nine?"
scorecard - (aka: "card") the paper or cardboard card used to keep the players score for each hole. Example: "We got to the second tee before we realized that nobody had brought a scorecard with them."
scoring - any markings on the face of a golfclub including those that are meant to be there (grooves, dimples, etc.) as well as those that are not (scratches, etc.).
scramble - a tournament format in which all players in a group (foursome or otherwise) hit a shot from the tee, then choose the best shot and each hit from that spot until the ball is holed. Example: "A scramble tournament is good for corporate events as it keeps the poor golfers moving and does not slow play down too much."
scramble - (aka: "recover") to be able to get out of trouble on the golf course with reasonable success. Example: "Tim was hardly on the fairway at all. He scrambled all the way to the green and then one putted for par."
scratch - a player with a 0 handicap. Example: "Joshua has been a scratch golfer since he was 18 years old."
semi-private course - a course that has members but is also open to public play. Example: "Many courses in the Toronto area are semi-private but almost always run through many tournaments."
set - when the wrists are cocked at the top of the backswing.
set up - (aka: "setup", "address", "address position") the position and the routine that a player goes through when setting up to take a shot. Example: "To be a consistent golfer you need to set up consistently."
shaft - the long straight part of a golf club on which the grip is placed. At the opposite end the shaft is inserted into the clubhead. Example: "I saw a set of clubs the other day with bamboo shafts!"
shag bag - a container usually made of heavy fabric used to carry balls for practice. May also be constructed so as to assist with the picking up of practice balls after they have been hit. Example: "I brought a shag bag full of balls with me to the practice bunker."
shank - (aka: "lateral") to hit the ball laterally unintentionally. Usually the result of hitting the ball with the toe or heel of the club. Example: "I shanked my first three shots on Sunday!"
shoot - the act of playing a golf shot. Example: "Though the water loomed ominously, I decided to gamble and shoot right at the pin." also see "score".
short game - the part of the game of golf played near or on the green consisting of pitching, chipping, sand play, and putting. Example: "If you have a good short game you will score well at Royal Woodbine."
short iron - any of the irons (typically with shorter shafts) from 8 iron up to the shortest wedge. Example: "If you hit a good drive to the top of the hill it will roll down about 30 yards and you'll only have a short iron into the green."
shotgun - (aka: "shotgun start") a term used to describe a tournament or start of any game where everyone starts, on different holes, at the same time. Golfers travel in groups to different holes before the start of an event and then when a signal is given everyone starts play together. Often a shotgun is fired into the air as the signal to begin play. Hence the term. Example: "Q: What time is our tee off? A: The tournament is a 1:00 shotgun start."
side - ("back side", "front side", "front", "back") a term used to describe 9 holes of an 18 hole course. Example: "He was excited to play the back side after shooting 38 on the front."
sidehill lie - a term used to describe the position of the ball as it lies on the side of a hill causing the golfer's feet to be at a different height than the ball and generally harder to hit properly. Example: "My drive stayed in the fairway but I ended up with a sidehill lie and my feet were a good 8 inches below the ball."
skins - (aka: "skin game", "skins game") similar to match play. A type of golf game played where each hole represents one skin and in order to 'win' that skin a golfer needs to beat the other competitors outright on that hole. A skin that is not won outright is 'carried over' to the next hole. At the end of 18 holes the total number of strokes does not matter. the winner is determined by the player with the most skins. Each skin may be assigned a value (i.e. $5) should the players want to make a monetary wager on the round. Example: "We were tied after 13 holes and then the next three holes carried over so the 18th hole was worth 5 skins!"
skull - (aka: "blade", hit it thin", "belly", "scull") the action of hitting the ball with the leading edge of the flange of any iron. The result is that the ball flies with lower trajectory and longer than intended. Example: "My drive set me up directly in front of the green about 80 yards out but I lifted my head and skulled my SW into the sand trap on the far side of the green."
sky - (aka: "skyball", "pop up", "rainmaker") to hit a ball extremely high. Usually unintentionally and often on a drive when the ball was teed up too high so that the top of the clubhead makes contact with the ball causing it to travel almost straight up in the air and a much shorter distance than intended. Example: "All I had to do was par the 14th hole to win my match but I skyed my drive and let Mats back into the match."
slice - (aka: "banana ball") a shot that travels from left to right (for the right handed golfer) at a more dramatic pace than a fade. Usually unintentionally. Also a shot that curves to the right (for the right hander) uncontrollably. Example: "Most beginners struggle trying to get rid of their slice."
slope - (aka: "slope rating") trademark of the USGA, it is a number indicating the difficulty of a course for bogey golfers relative to the course rating. The minimum slope is 55 and the maximum is 155. A course of average difficulty is slope rated at 113. The most important role of slope is to level the playing field for players of different skill levels. Example: "A course with a slope rating of 145 is far more difficult than one with a slope of 112."
slow play - (aka: "undue delay") to play slower than the group in front of you. A commonly used term used by almost all golfers but also an official term in the USGA rules. Usually judged by the distance behind the group in front. Example: "The ranger accused us of slow play on the fifteenth hole but the group in front of us had just left the green, so I don;t really think that we were playing slow."
smother - (aka: "hood") to make the trajectory of a shot lower by closing the face of the club somewhat. sometimes unintentional but also used intentionally to to hit a ball under foliage that is between the golfer and the intended target. Example: "I my drive rolled behind a tree and I had to smother my 6 iron to get it under the leaves - but I came up short anyway."
snap hook - (aka: "duck hook", "snapper", "quacker") a shot that travels like a hook but more pronounced and quicker. A shot that curves uncontrollably to the left (for a right handed golfer) right off the face of the club. Example: "Patty snap hooked her drive into the lake 25 yards left of the tee box."
spike - (aka: "cleat") points extending from the sole of a golf shoe intended to prove additional traction when swinging a golf club. 'Soft Spikes' are made of plastic and leave less severe marks on the green. Most courses now require soft spikes and will not permit any other type. Example: "Greg's feet slipped as he swung because his spikes were all worn down."
spray - to hit the ball in any direction other than that intended. Example: "After getting off the tee very well during my last round - I sprayed the ball all over the place today."
square - to be exactly perpendicular or at right angle to (i.e. 90°). Example: "At the address position both the face of the club and the player him/herself should be square to the target."
Stableford - a scoring system where players earn points based on their score in relation to par (e.g., in The International tournament on the PGA Tour, par = 0 points, birdie = 2, eagle = 5, double eagle = 8, bogey = -1, double bogey or worse = -3). The winner is determined not by the lowest score but instead by the player with the highest number of points.
starter - (aka: "tee master", "master of the tee") an employee of the golf course whose responsibility it is to ensure that each foursome tees off the correct tee in the correct order at the correct time. Often this person is also responsible to ensure that the players all know the local rules and have paid to play their round. Example: "I had just started putting on the practice green when the starter said we were up next on the tee."
starting time - (aka: "tee time") the time at which a particular round is scheduled to start. A reservation to begin play at the golf course. Example: "We have a regular tee time at my local club for 8:15 Saturday mornings."
stick - 1. an alternative term (slang) for the flagstick 2. (aka: "stiff") to put a shot close to the hole. 3. to hit an approach shot that lands and remains on the green. Example: 1. "I was thirty yards over the green but it was right at the stick!" 2. "From inside 80 yard Doug can stick it right next to the pin." 3. "The greens are really hard today so its really tough to stick your approach shots."
stiff - (aka: "stick it") to hit a shot that finishes in the immediate vicinity of the hole/pin. Example: "Doug was thirty five yard out on the 8th hole and hit it stiff to about a foot and a half!"
stroke - 1. (aka: "shot") the unit of measure used in golf which counts one each time a club is swung with the intent of contacting the ball. 2. the qualitative aspect of the swing (most frequently associated with putting). Example: "After 5 strokes Mark wasn't even near the green yet." 2. "Vanessa has an extremely smooth putting stroke."
stroke play - (aka: "medal play") to play golf and score by counting the total number of strokes.
sweet spot - (aka: "sweetspot", "screws", "nut") the center of the clubface. The spot on the clubface where the golfer intends to contact the golfball and off of which the ball is expected to fly truest. Example: "It sure felt good to be the first off the with about 20 colleagues watching and hit my drive right on the sweet spot/screws"
swing - to cause the golf club to be lifted and dropped with the intention of contacting the ball or in practicing to contact the ball. Example: "Julie has such a smooth swing. She hits the ball 180 with her driver and it looks effortless."
swing plane - (aka: "plane") most easily visualized as the plane that the shaft of the club or of the clubhead's arc during the swing.
swing weight - the measurement of golf clubs balanced at the 14-inch fulcrum. An industry standard ranging from A-0 to G-2 with the average standard at about D-0. Example: "The swing weight of a club is different than its overall weight or dead weight."
sandbagger - a golfer who understates his/her handicap with the hope that this will give him/her an advantage when playing against other golfers in a handicapped event. Example: "Sean's such a sandbagger! I played against him last week and he said he was a 14 handicap and proceeded to shoot a 79 gross."
sand iron - (aka: "sandwedge", "sand wedge") one of the irons that is specifically designed to be used to extricate the ball from a sand trap. The flange is usually larger than other irons to ensure that the club does not dig too far into the sand. Can also be used on the fairway when attempting a flop shot. Example: "I like to use my sand wedge in deep rough right next to the green."
sand save - (aka: "sandy") holing out in two from the sand trap (i.e. one shot to get out of the trap the next shot is in the hole). Example: "I made the sand save for par on the third hole."
sand trap - (aka: "trap", "bunker", "sand bunker", "beach") a common term used to describe the and filled depressions on a golf course. Example: "The third green is well protected by three sand traps."
sand wedge - see "sand iron".
sandy - see "sand save"
score - (aka: "shoot") the number of strokes a particular golfer required in order to complete a specific task. Example: "Hey Julie! What did you shoot ont he front nine?"
scorecard - (aka: "card") the paper or cardboard card used to keep the players score for each hole. Example: "We got to the second tee before we realized that nobody had brought a scorecard with them."
scoring - any markings on the face of a golfclub including those that are meant to be there (grooves, dimples, etc.) as well as those that are not (scratches, etc.).
scramble - a tournament format in which all players in a group (foursome or otherwise) hit a shot from the tee, then choose the best shot and each hit from that spot until the ball is holed. Example: "A scramble tournament is good for corporate events as it keeps the poor golfers moving and does not slow play down too much."
scramble - (aka: "recover") to be able to get out of trouble on the golf course with reasonable success. Example: "Tim was hardly on the fairway at all. He scrambled all the way to the green and then one putted for par."
scratch - a player with a 0 handicap. Example: "Joshua has been a scratch golfer since he was 18 years old."
semi-private course - a course that has members but is also open to public play. Example: "Many courses in the Toronto area are semi-private but almost always run through many tournaments."
set - when the wrists are cocked at the top of the backswing.
set up - (aka: "setup", "address", "address position") the position and the routine that a player goes through when setting up to take a shot. Example: "To be a consistent golfer you need to set up consistently."
shaft - the long straight part of a golf club on which the grip is placed. At the opposite end the shaft is inserted into the clubhead. Example: "I saw a set of clubs the other day with bamboo shafts!"
shag bag - a container usually made of heavy fabric used to carry balls for practice. May also be constructed so as to assist with the picking up of practice balls after they have been hit. Example: "I brought a shag bag full of balls with me to the practice bunker."
shank - (aka: "lateral") to hit the ball laterally unintentionally. Usually the result of hitting the ball with the toe or heel of the club. Example: "I shanked my first three shots on Sunday!"
shoot - the act of playing a golf shot. Example: "Though the water loomed ominously, I decided to gamble and shoot right at the pin." also see "score".
short game - the part of the game of golf played near or on the green consisting of pitching, chipping, sand play, and putting. Example: "If you have a good short game you will score well at Royal Woodbine."
short iron - any of the irons (typically with shorter shafts) from 8 iron up to the shortest wedge. Example: "If you hit a good drive to the top of the hill it will roll down about 30 yards and you'll only have a short iron into the green."
shotgun - (aka: "shotgun start") a term used to describe a tournament or start of any game where everyone starts, on different holes, at the same time. Golfers travel in groups to different holes before the start of an event and then when a signal is given everyone starts play together. Often a shotgun is fired into the air as the signal to begin play. Hence the term. Example: "Q: What time is our tee off? A: The tournament is a 1:00 shotgun start."
side - ("back side", "front side", "front", "back") a term used to describe 9 holes of an 18 hole course. Example: "He was excited to play the back side after shooting 38 on the front."
sidehill lie - a term used to describe the position of the ball as it lies on the side of a hill causing the golfer's feet to be at a different height than the ball and generally harder to hit properly. Example: "My drive stayed in the fairway but I ended up with a sidehill lie and my feet were a good 8 inches below the ball."
skins - (aka: "skin game", "skins game") similar to match play. A type of golf game played where each hole represents one skin and in order to 'win' that skin a golfer needs to beat the other competitors outright on that hole. A skin that is not won outright is 'carried over' to the next hole. At the end of 18 holes the total number of strokes does not matter. the winner is determined by the player with the most skins. Each skin may be assigned a value (i.e. $5) should the players want to make a monetary wager on the round. Example: "We were tied after 13 holes and then the next three holes carried over so the 18th hole was worth 5 skins!"
skull - (aka: "blade", hit it thin", "belly", "scull") the action of hitting the ball with the leading edge of the flange of any iron. The result is that the ball flies with lower trajectory and longer than intended. Example: "My drive set me up directly in front of the green about 80 yards out but I lifted my head and skulled my SW into the sand trap on the far side of the green."
sky - (aka: "skyball", "pop up", "rainmaker") to hit a ball extremely high. Usually unintentionally and often on a drive when the ball was teed up too high so that the top of the clubhead makes contact with the ball causing it to travel almost straight up in the air and a much shorter distance than intended. Example: "All I had to do was par the 14th hole to win my match but I skyed my drive and let Mats back into the match."
slice - (aka: "banana ball") a shot that travels from left to right (for the right handed golfer) at a more dramatic pace than a fade. Usually unintentionally. Also a shot that curves to the right (for the right hander) uncontrollably. Example: "Most beginners struggle trying to get rid of their slice."
slope - (aka: "slope rating") trademark of the USGA, it is a number indicating the difficulty of a course for bogey golfers relative to the course rating. The minimum slope is 55 and the maximum is 155. A course of average difficulty is slope rated at 113. The most important role of slope is to level the playing field for players of different skill levels. Example: "A course with a slope rating of 145 is far more difficult than one with a slope of 112."
slow play - (aka: "undue delay") to play slower than the group in front of you. A commonly used term used by almost all golfers but also an official term in the USGA rules. Usually judged by the distance behind the group in front. Example: "The ranger accused us of slow play on the fifteenth hole but the group in front of us had just left the green, so I don;t really think that we were playing slow."
smother - (aka: "hood") to make the trajectory of a shot lower by closing the face of the club somewhat. sometimes unintentional but also used intentionally to to hit a ball under foliage that is between the golfer and the intended target. Example: "I my drive rolled behind a tree and I had to smother my 6 iron to get it under the leaves - but I came up short anyway."
snap hook - (aka: "duck hook", "snapper", "quacker") a shot that travels like a hook but more pronounced and quicker. A shot that curves uncontrollably to the left (for a right handed golfer) right off the face of the club. Example: "Patty snap hooked her drive into the lake 25 yards left of the tee box."
spike - (aka: "cleat") points extending from the sole of a golf shoe intended to prove additional traction when swinging a golf club. 'Soft Spikes' are made of plastic and leave less severe marks on the green. Most courses now require soft spikes and will not permit any other type. Example: "Greg's feet slipped as he swung because his spikes were all worn down."
spray - to hit the ball in any direction other than that intended. Example: "After getting off the tee very well during my last round - I sprayed the ball all over the place today."
square - to be exactly perpendicular or at right angle to (i.e. 90°). Example: "At the address position both the face of the club and the player him/herself should be square to the target."
Stableford - a scoring system where players earn points based on their score in relation to par (e.g., in The International tournament on the PGA Tour, par = 0 points, birdie = 2, eagle = 5, double eagle = 8, bogey = -1, double bogey or worse = -3). The winner is determined not by the lowest score but instead by the player with the highest number of points.
starter - (aka: "tee master", "master of the tee") an employee of the golf course whose responsibility it is to ensure that each foursome tees off the correct tee in the correct order at the correct time. Often this person is also responsible to ensure that the players all know the local rules and have paid to play their round. Example: "I had just started putting on the practice green when the starter said we were up next on the tee."
starting time - (aka: "tee time") the time at which a particular round is scheduled to start. A reservation to begin play at the golf course. Example: "We have a regular tee time at my local club for 8:15 Saturday mornings."
stick - 1. an alternative term (slang) for the flagstick 2. (aka: "stiff") to put a shot close to the hole. 3. to hit an approach shot that lands and remains on the green. Example: 1. "I was thirty yards over the green but it was right at the stick!" 2. "From inside 80 yard Doug can stick it right next to the pin." 3. "The greens are really hard today so its really tough to stick your approach shots."
stiff - (aka: "stick it") to hit a shot that finishes in the immediate vicinity of the hole/pin. Example: "Doug was thirty five yard out on the 8th hole and hit it stiff to about a foot and a half!"
stroke - 1. (aka: "shot") the unit of measure used in golf which counts one each time a club is swung with the intent of contacting the ball. 2. the qualitative aspect of the swing (most frequently associated with putting). Example: "After 5 strokes Mark wasn't even near the green yet." 2. "Vanessa has an extremely smooth putting stroke."
stroke play - (aka: "medal play") to play golf and score by counting the total number of strokes.
sweet spot - (aka: "sweetspot", "screws", "nut") the center of the clubface. The spot on the clubface where the golfer intends to contact the golfball and off of which the ball is expected to fly truest. Example: "It sure felt good to be the first off the with about 20 colleagues watching and hit my drive right on the sweet spot/screws"
swing - to cause the golf club to be lifted and dropped with the intention of contacting the ball or in practicing to contact the ball. Example: "Julie has such a smooth swing. She hits the ball 180 with her driver and it looks effortless."
swing plane - (aka: "plane") most easily visualized as the plane that the shaft of the club or of the clubhead's arc during the swing.
swing weight - the measurement of golf clubs balanced at the 14-inch fulcrum. An industry standard ranging from A-0 to G-2 with the average standard at about D-0. Example: "The swing weight of a club is different than its overall weight or dead weight."
Golf Glossary - 'T'
takeaway - after the address the actual swing motion begins with the takeaway. Thus it is the first movement of the head of the club away from the ball and the beginning of the backswing. Example: "A smooth takeaway is essential in maintaining a consistent swing-plane."
tap in - (aka: "gimme") a golf shot that takes place on the green. The act, or potential act of putting the ball in the hole using your putter with little or no effort as a result of the distance left to the hole. Often referred to as a 'gimme' in informal situations because the competitor recognizes that there is no possible way to miss the shot given the proximity to the hole (note: a gimme is not permitted in any competitive stroke or medal play. The ball must always be holed in order to complete the golf hole) Example: "My 185 yard 4 iron into the green left me a tap-in for birdie."
target line - the imaginary straight line between the ball and the golfer's intended target. Example: "There was a large oak tree on my target line and so I needed to play my shot to the right side of the green and hope to get up and down from there."
tee - 1. (aka: "peg") the short straight device on which a golf ball is placed prior to hitting the first shot on any given hole. Usually made of wood and available in many different sizes and lengths as well as colors with or without branding. Plastic tees are also available. There is no rule in golf that a tee must be used. 2. the act of placing the ball on the tee is known as "teeing up the ball". 3. (aka: "the tee", "teeing ground", "tee area", or "tee box") the area of each hole from which the first shot is meant to be taken and where the tee blocks are located. The grass on the tee is usually cut shorter than the fairway but not as short as the green grass. Example: 1. "As I arrived at the first hole I realized that I didn't have any tees in my pocket and needed to borrow one from John on every hole." 2. "I had the lowest score on the previous hole so I ahead and teed my ball up." 3. "The starter was eager to get us on the tee so that groups behind us would not be late."
tee blocks - (aka: "blocks", "tee markers", "markers") the indicators placed on every hole to designate the area from which the first shot on that hole must be taken. Usually found in pairs of matching colours. Each tee box typically has a number of different colours signifying different levels of play/distances to the green. Example: "As I walked up to the 6th hole I almost teed by ball up between the blue markers/tee blocks by mistake."
tee markers - see "tee blocks".
tee off - the act of taking the first shot on any hole. In particular the first hole. Example: "Andy was goofing around getting his bag organized so I teed off even though it was his honour."
tee off time - the time at which a round of golf is intended to begin. Example: "Peter and I have a regular tee off time Thursdays at 4:30."
tee shot - (aka: "tee ball", "drive") the shot resulting from striking the ball off of the tee. The first shot of any golf hole. Example: "Vince's tee shot faded left and bounced into the creek."
teeing ground - see "tee" definition #3.
texas wedge - a term used to describe a putter when used from any location other than on the green. Example: "I was so close to the green and the pin was in the front location, so I played my texas wedge to within about 3 feet."
thin - (aka: "skinny") when the ball is not contacted in the sweet spot of the face of the club head, but instead by the leading edge of the flange. Typical flight path of a shot hit thin is much lower and produces less spin than intended or than is typical of a shot with the same club. Example: "I laid up perfectly but then hit my wedge thin and sailed it over the green into a bunker."
third wedge - (aka: "utility wedge") a wedge carried in a golfer's bag in addition to the pitching wedge and sand wedge. Example: "My third wedge is a 60° lob wedge - and its my favorite club."
through the green - 1. a official golf term/description used in the rules of golf to describe the entire hole/course. Any location "in play" is considered "through the green". 2. A ball hit so that it travels onto and over the green. Example: 1. "Candy stayed through the green during her entire round on Saturday and didn't take any penalty strokes at all!" 2. John hit his three iron 200 hundred yards right at the stick but it didn't hold and went right through the green."
tight - 1. a term used to describe a particularly narrow area of play in golf. 2. a slangish term used to describe two locations in very close proximity. Example: 1. "A lot of people don't like Royal Woodbine G.C. because it's so tight you often lose a lot of balls." 2. "On the fourth hole Marty hit it his 8-iron so tight that we thought it was going to drop in for his second hole in one!"
toe - from a golfer's position at address, the edge of the club head facing away from the golfer. When looking a the face of the club face the area of the club farthest away from the shaft/hosel. Example: "I hit the ball with the toe of my club and it went almost directly right into the pond beside the tee."
toe hook - a shot that hooks as a result of contacting the ball with the toe of the club. Example: "Melissa toe hooked it right into the woods on the 8th hole."
top - 1. (aka: "dub" or "duff") to strike the top half of the ball usually with the an area on the club face lower than the sweetspot. The result of a topped shot is that the ball travels directly to the ground after contact without any meaningful time in flight and typically travels a much shorter distance than intended. 2. the point of any golfers swing when his/her hands are at their highest location. Example: "I topped my approach shot and had to settle for a double bogie!" 2. "Pam's wrists were way too weak at the top of her swing."
touch - (aka: "feel") a per son who is able to play very sensitive or speed specific shots is said to have great 'touch'. Touch is particularly important for shots around/on the green. Example: "Sean could hit the ball a mile off the tee but he had no touch around the green so his score was well over one hundred."
tournament - (aka: "tourney", "open", "invitational") a golf competition played amongst many golfers. Example: "Doug had only played in amateur tournaments. This was his first tournament as a professional."
trouble shot - (aka: "recovery", "recovery shot") a shot taken from any location of particular difficulty. Example: "Tim was hitting trouble shots all day but still managed to break 80!"
turn - 1. term used to describe the rotation of a golfers body during a golf swing. 2. the transition between the front nine and the back nine (between the 9th and 10th holes) 3. the curve of a shot whether it be from off of a tee or not. 4. another description for a break in a putt. Example: 1. "Tiger Woods isn't a huge person but he has a great turn that gives him a great deal of power!" 2. "I was one under par at the turn but finished with an eighty three." 3. "Pam's approach shot turned from left to right and rolled through the green." 4. "The putt turned left when the read was that it would go right!"
takeaway - after the address the actual swing motion begins with the takeaway. Thus it is the first movement of the head of the club away from the ball and the beginning of the backswing. Example: "A smooth takeaway is essential in maintaining a consistent swing-plane."
tap in - (aka: "gimme") a golf shot that takes place on the green. The act, or potential act of putting the ball in the hole using your putter with little or no effort as a result of the distance left to the hole. Often referred to as a 'gimme' in informal situations because the competitor recognizes that there is no possible way to miss the shot given the proximity to the hole (note: a gimme is not permitted in any competitive stroke or medal play. The ball must always be holed in order to complete the golf hole) Example: "My 185 yard 4 iron into the green left me a tap-in for birdie."
target line - the imaginary straight line between the ball and the golfer's intended target. Example: "There was a large oak tree on my target line and so I needed to play my shot to the right side of the green and hope to get up and down from there."
tee - 1. (aka: "peg") the short straight device on which a golf ball is placed prior to hitting the first shot on any given hole. Usually made of wood and available in many different sizes and lengths as well as colors with or without branding. Plastic tees are also available. There is no rule in golf that a tee must be used. 2. the act of placing the ball on the tee is known as "teeing up the ball". 3. (aka: "the tee", "teeing ground", "tee area", or "tee box") the area of each hole from which the first shot is meant to be taken and where the tee blocks are located. The grass on the tee is usually cut shorter than the fairway but not as short as the green grass. Example: 1. "As I arrived at the first hole I realized that I didn't have any tees in my pocket and needed to borrow one from John on every hole." 2. "I had the lowest score on the previous hole so I ahead and teed my ball up." 3. "The starter was eager to get us on the tee so that groups behind us would not be late."
tee blocks - (aka: "blocks", "tee markers", "markers") the indicators placed on every hole to designate the area from which the first shot on that hole must be taken. Usually found in pairs of matching colours. Each tee box typically has a number of different colours signifying different levels of play/distances to the green. Example: "As I walked up to the 6th hole I almost teed by ball up between the blue markers/tee blocks by mistake."
tee markers - see "tee blocks".
tee off - the act of taking the first shot on any hole. In particular the first hole. Example: "Andy was goofing around getting his bag organized so I teed off even though it was his honour."
tee off time - the time at which a round of golf is intended to begin. Example: "Peter and I have a regular tee off time Thursdays at 4:30."
tee shot - (aka: "tee ball", "drive") the shot resulting from striking the ball off of the tee. The first shot of any golf hole. Example: "Vince's tee shot faded left and bounced into the creek."
teeing ground - see "tee" definition #3.
texas wedge - a term used to describe a putter when used from any location other than on the green. Example: "I was so close to the green and the pin was in the front location, so I played my texas wedge to within about 3 feet."
thin - (aka: "skinny") when the ball is not contacted in the sweet spot of the face of the club head, but instead by the leading edge of the flange. Typical flight path of a shot hit thin is much lower and produces less spin than intended or than is typical of a shot with the same club. Example: "I laid up perfectly but then hit my wedge thin and sailed it over the green into a bunker."
third wedge - (aka: "utility wedge") a wedge carried in a golfer's bag in addition to the pitching wedge and sand wedge. Example: "My third wedge is a 60° lob wedge - and its my favorite club."
through the green - 1. a official golf term/description used in the rules of golf to describe the entire hole/course. Any location "in play" is considered "through the green". 2. A ball hit so that it travels onto and over the green. Example: 1. "Candy stayed through the green during her entire round on Saturday and didn't take any penalty strokes at all!" 2. John hit his three iron 200 hundred yards right at the stick but it didn't hold and went right through the green."
tight - 1. a term used to describe a particularly narrow area of play in golf. 2. a slangish term used to describe two locations in very close proximity. Example: 1. "A lot of people don't like Royal Woodbine G.C. because it's so tight you often lose a lot of balls." 2. "On the fourth hole Marty hit it his 8-iron so tight that we thought it was going to drop in for his second hole in one!"
toe - from a golfer's position at address, the edge of the club head facing away from the golfer. When looking a the face of the club face the area of the club farthest away from the shaft/hosel. Example: "I hit the ball with the toe of my club and it went almost directly right into the pond beside the tee."
toe hook - a shot that hooks as a result of contacting the ball with the toe of the club. Example: "Melissa toe hooked it right into the woods on the 8th hole."
top - 1. (aka: "dub" or "duff") to strike the top half of the ball usually with the an area on the club face lower than the sweetspot. The result of a topped shot is that the ball travels directly to the ground after contact without any meaningful time in flight and typically travels a much shorter distance than intended. 2. the point of any golfers swing when his/her hands are at their highest location. Example: "I topped my approach shot and had to settle for a double bogie!" 2. "Pam's wrists were way too weak at the top of her swing."
touch - (aka: "feel") a per son who is able to play very sensitive or speed specific shots is said to have great 'touch'. Touch is particularly important for shots around/on the green. Example: "Sean could hit the ball a mile off the tee but he had no touch around the green so his score was well over one hundred."
tournament - (aka: "tourney", "open", "invitational") a golf competition played amongst many golfers. Example: "Doug had only played in amateur tournaments. This was his first tournament as a professional."
trouble shot - (aka: "recovery", "recovery shot") a shot taken from any location of particular difficulty. Example: "Tim was hitting trouble shots all day but still managed to break 80!"
turn - 1. term used to describe the rotation of a golfers body during a golf swing. 2. the transition between the front nine and the back nine (between the 9th and 10th holes) 3. the curve of a shot whether it be from off of a tee or not. 4. another description for a break in a putt. Example: 1. "Tiger Woods isn't a huge person but he has a great turn that gives him a great deal of power!" 2. "I was one under par at the turn but finished with an eighty three." 3. "Pam's approach shot turned from left to right and rolled through the green." 4. "The putt turned left when the read was that it would go right!"
Golf Glossary - 'U'
underclub - when the club used to hit a shot does not provide adequate distance to reach the intended target when a another club would have provided enough distance to make a successful shot. Example: "You don't what to underclub your shot into the third green with the water all along the front edge."
under par - (aka: "sub-par") Completing a hole or group of holes in fewer strokes than indicated by the established par. Example: "To win money on the PGA Tour you need to regularly shoot under par."
undue delay - (aka: "slow play") playing at a pace less than that of general play as determined by the committee. Example: "Because of the amount of time Garcia takes in addressing the ball and reading his putts he was finally penalized two strokes for undue delay."
uneven lie - (aka: "sidehill lie", "uphill lie", "downhill lie") the situation where the ball lies in a location causing the player to have to place his/her feet with either the ball above or below the feet, and/or one foot higher than the other. Example: "I hit the ball well off the tee but ended up with an uneven lie making the shot into the green harder than was deserved."
unplayable lie - when the ball lies in a location deemed not to be reasonably playable. Example: "Sometimes it worthwhile to take the one stroke penalty for declaring your ball unplayable in order to get out of a particularly difficult situation."
up - relating to the score of participants indicating that one is ahead of the other. Example: "After only two holes I was up on Ruby by three strokes"
up and down - to put the ball into the hole in two strokes with the first one taking place from off of the green. In particular when getting the ball in the hole within two strokes will result in the player making par. Example: "Trevor's approach shot was way left of the green but his short game is excellent so he should be able to get up and down from there."
uphill lie - when the ball lies on an uphill slope such that if an imaginary line were drawn directly from the ball to the target the first part of the line would travel up a hill or incline. Example: "I find it very difficult not to lose my balance during my backswing when faced with an uphill lie."
upright - either a steep or relatively vertical swing plane, stance, or lie angle. Example: "Taller players usually have a more upright swing plane than do players of shorter stature."
USGA - an acronym for the United States Golf Association, an organization hat governs golf and makes rules for golf particularly in the USA and along with the R & A (Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews in Scotland). Example: "The golf rules of the USGA are subject to copyright."
utility wedge - (aka: "third wedge") a wedge carried in a golfer's bag in addition to the pitching wedge and sand wedge. Example: "My utility wedge is 60° - and its my favorite club!"
underclub - when the club used to hit a shot does not provide adequate distance to reach the intended target when a another club would have provided enough distance to make a successful shot. Example: "You don't what to underclub your shot into the third green with the water all along the front edge."
under par - (aka: "sub-par") Completing a hole or group of holes in fewer strokes than indicated by the established par. Example: "To win money on the PGA Tour you need to regularly shoot under par."
undue delay - (aka: "slow play") playing at a pace less than that of general play as determined by the committee. Example: "Because of the amount of time Garcia takes in addressing the ball and reading his putts he was finally penalized two strokes for undue delay."
uneven lie - (aka: "sidehill lie", "uphill lie", "downhill lie") the situation where the ball lies in a location causing the player to have to place his/her feet with either the ball above or below the feet, and/or one foot higher than the other. Example: "I hit the ball well off the tee but ended up with an uneven lie making the shot into the green harder than was deserved."
unplayable lie - when the ball lies in a location deemed not to be reasonably playable. Example: "Sometimes it worthwhile to take the one stroke penalty for declaring your ball unplayable in order to get out of a particularly difficult situation."
up - relating to the score of participants indicating that one is ahead of the other. Example: "After only two holes I was up on Ruby by three strokes"
up and down - to put the ball into the hole in two strokes with the first one taking place from off of the green. In particular when getting the ball in the hole within two strokes will result in the player making par. Example: "Trevor's approach shot was way left of the green but his short game is excellent so he should be able to get up and down from there."
uphill lie - when the ball lies on an uphill slope such that if an imaginary line were drawn directly from the ball to the target the first part of the line would travel up a hill or incline. Example: "I find it very difficult not to lose my balance during my backswing when faced with an uphill lie."
upright - either a steep or relatively vertical swing plane, stance, or lie angle. Example: "Taller players usually have a more upright swing plane than do players of shorter stature."
USGA - an acronym for the United States Golf Association, an organization hat governs golf and makes rules for golf particularly in the USA and along with the R & A (Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews in Scotland). Example: "The golf rules of the USGA are subject to copyright."
utility wedge - (aka: "third wedge") a wedge carried in a golfer's bag in addition to the pitching wedge and sand wedge. Example: "My utility wedge is 60° - and its my favorite club!"
Golf Glossary - 'V'
Vardon grip - (aka: "overlap grip", "overlapping grip") named after historic player Harry Vardon who introduced the grip to the golfing public. The pinky of the lower hand rests on the index finger or between the index finger and the middle finger of the upper hand. This is probably the most popular grip in use today. Example: "It is sometimes difficult for players with smaller hands to be comfortable using the Vardon grip."
Vardon grip - (aka: "overlap grip", "overlapping grip") named after historic player Harry Vardon who introduced the grip to the golfing public. The pinky of the lower hand rests on the index finger or between the index finger and the middle finger of the upper hand. This is probably the most popular grip in use today. Example: "It is sometimes difficult for players with smaller hands to be comfortable using the Vardon grip."
Golf Glossary - 'W'
waggle - the movement of a player and his golf club prior to or during the address position. A waggle is specific to each individual golfer and may involve the back and forth movement of the club head in an attempt to get comfortable or stay loose prior to making the anticipated shot.
waste area - an area of the golf course that is in play but is relatively unkempt such that it acts as a hazard area but is not necessarily played under the strict rules of a hazard.
water hazard - any sea, lake, pond, ditch, etc. whether or not there is any water in it. Usually marked with either red or yellow stakes (sometimes lines) (see also "lateral hazard"). Example: "The course had numerous water hazards and they were all in very difficult locations."
wedge - (aka: "pitching wedge", "sand wedge", "lob wedge", "third wedge", "utility wedge") one of the shortest clubs in a players bag. An iron with greater than 48 degrees loft causing much higher loft than when the ball is played with other irons. As a result a wedge is typically used to play shorter distance shots. Example: "On the third hole Jo-anne played driver , 3 iron, and a wedge to get on the green in regulation but proceeded to make a bogie."
whipping - a very thin waxed string type substance similar in strength and texture fut thinner than fishing line used to assist in the attaching of a golf shaft into a wooden clubhead. Given that most woods are now constructed of metal, whipping is seldom seen anymore. Example: "The whipping on Adrienne's old driver is coming unraveled and she doesn't know where to get it fixed."
winter rules - (aka: "preferred lies", "improved lies", "bumping it") a local rule under which a player can improve his lie without penalty.
wood - Originally used to differentiate the clubs with wooden heads from the irons which were constructed of metal. In modern day golf more often used to describe a club whose clubhead is particularly large and shaped like a driver. The term metal wood is now often used instead of wood as it more accurately describes the type of material and the particular club in question. Example: Phil has only one [metal] wood in his bag and prefers to use his two iron off the tee."
wormburner - (aka: "worm burner") a shot with such a low trajectory that it skims the ground such that the ball would be burning up any worms on the surface of the ground. The result of striking the ball particularly thin. You can usually hear a wormburner and although the shot may be effective it is never intentional. Example: "Looking at Joe's swing you would think he hit the ball a mile but he hit a wormburner that ended up about 75 yards down the fairway."
waggle - the movement of a player and his golf club prior to or during the address position. A waggle is specific to each individual golfer and may involve the back and forth movement of the club head in an attempt to get comfortable or stay loose prior to making the anticipated shot.
waste area - an area of the golf course that is in play but is relatively unkempt such that it acts as a hazard area but is not necessarily played under the strict rules of a hazard.
water hazard - any sea, lake, pond, ditch, etc. whether or not there is any water in it. Usually marked with either red or yellow stakes (sometimes lines) (see also "lateral hazard"). Example: "The course had numerous water hazards and they were all in very difficult locations."
wedge - (aka: "pitching wedge", "sand wedge", "lob wedge", "third wedge", "utility wedge") one of the shortest clubs in a players bag. An iron with greater than 48 degrees loft causing much higher loft than when the ball is played with other irons. As a result a wedge is typically used to play shorter distance shots. Example: "On the third hole Jo-anne played driver , 3 iron, and a wedge to get on the green in regulation but proceeded to make a bogie."
whipping - a very thin waxed string type substance similar in strength and texture fut thinner than fishing line used to assist in the attaching of a golf shaft into a wooden clubhead. Given that most woods are now constructed of metal, whipping is seldom seen anymore. Example: "The whipping on Adrienne's old driver is coming unraveled and she doesn't know where to get it fixed."
winter rules - (aka: "preferred lies", "improved lies", "bumping it") a local rule under which a player can improve his lie without penalty.
wood - Originally used to differentiate the clubs with wooden heads from the irons which were constructed of metal. In modern day golf more often used to describe a club whose clubhead is particularly large and shaped like a driver. The term metal wood is now often used instead of wood as it more accurately describes the type of material and the particular club in question. Example: Phil has only one [metal] wood in his bag and prefers to use his two iron off the tee."
wormburner - (aka: "worm burner") a shot with such a low trajectory that it skims the ground such that the ball would be burning up any worms on the surface of the ground. The result of striking the ball particularly thin. You can usually hear a wormburner and although the shot may be effective it is never intentional. Example: "Looking at Joe's swing you would think he hit the ball a mile but he hit a wormburner that ended up about 75 yards down the fairway."
Golf Glossary - 'X'
X - For whatever reason when a score on a particular hole cannot be accurately determined an X is recorded on the scorecard. Example: "After ending up in the gully George took so many swings that he lost count and ended up taking an X on the hole."
X - For whatever reason when a score on a particular hole cannot be accurately determined an X is recorded on the scorecard. Example: "After ending up in the gully George took so many swings that he lost count and ended up taking an X on the hole."
Golf Glossary - 'Y'
yank - (aka: "pull", "jerk") When a shot is hit such that it goes severely left (for a right-handed player) of the golfer's intended target to the point that the shot can either no longer be called a hook (i.e. its too gone to be a hook anymore) or its such a horrible hook that it is considered, 'yanked'. Example: "Diego teed up on the first tee and promptly proceeded to yank his drive into the lake surrounding the 18th green."
yardage - (aka: "yardage book", "yardage marker") the measurement of distance, typically provided in yards. Example: "Some golf courses have yardage markers on all relevant sprinkler heads."
yardage book - a booklet either provided by the golf club (sometimes at a price) or written by the golfer with or without the assistance of a caddie that provides measurements not only of the distance from tee to green but also of all other relevant distances that may be of interest or useful to somebody playing a particular hole (including distances to the beginning of water hazards etc.) together with notes to assist in the playing of the hole/course. Example: "I always ask at the pro shop if there is a yardage book available when I am playing a course with which I am not familiar. It makes my club selections much easier."
yips - the either real or imaginary nervous twitching of muscles at the most inopportune time in a golf swing or putt. Example: "For the past three rounds Stacy's been missing all her putts to the left. Its the worst case of the yips I've seen in a while!"
yank - (aka: "pull", "jerk") When a shot is hit such that it goes severely left (for a right-handed player) of the golfer's intended target to the point that the shot can either no longer be called a hook (i.e. its too gone to be a hook anymore) or its such a horrible hook that it is considered, 'yanked'. Example: "Diego teed up on the first tee and promptly proceeded to yank his drive into the lake surrounding the 18th green."
yardage - (aka: "yardage book", "yardage marker") the measurement of distance, typically provided in yards. Example: "Some golf courses have yardage markers on all relevant sprinkler heads."
yardage book - a booklet either provided by the golf club (sometimes at a price) or written by the golfer with or without the assistance of a caddie that provides measurements not only of the distance from tee to green but also of all other relevant distances that may be of interest or useful to somebody playing a particular hole (including distances to the beginning of water hazards etc.) together with notes to assist in the playing of the hole/course. Example: "I always ask at the pro shop if there is a yardage book available when I am playing a course with which I am not familiar. It makes my club selections much easier."
yips - the either real or imaginary nervous twitching of muscles at the most inopportune time in a golf swing or putt. Example: "For the past three rounds Stacy's been missing all her putts to the left. Its the worst case of the yips I've seen in a while!"
Golf Glossary - 'Z'
zinger - (aka: "zinner") a shot that takes off from the head of the club and files toward the target reminiscent of a line drive in baseball. Often associated with a shot hit thin. Example: "Julie hit a great drive over the water but then on her approach shot hit a zinger over the green."
zinger - (aka: "zinner") a shot that takes off from the head of the club and files toward the target reminiscent of a line drive in baseball. Often associated with a shot hit thin. Example: "Julie hit a great drive over the water but then on her approach shot hit a zinger over the green."
