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Golf Glossary - The A to Z of Golf

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

I

J

K

L

M

N

O

P

Q

R

S

T

U

V

W

X

Y

Z

A

Above, the hole

A putting term referring to anything that is uphill from the hole. See also Below the Hole

Ace

A hole-in-one. Usually on a par 3 hole where the ball enters the hole on the player’s first shot for that hole.

Address

The position that the golfer takes up directly before swinging the club.

Aimline (aim line)

An imaginary line that you intend to start the ball travelling upon. In a neutral stance when the golfer aims to hit the ball straight, this line is pointed directly at the target (usually the hole).

Albatross

A score of three shots under par on a golf hole. This is very rare and usually happens when a score of 2 strokes is obtained on a par 5. Rarer still is a hole-in-one on a par 4.

All square

When opposing players (or teams) have an equal number of points or holes in their favour.

Alloy

This is a combination of different metals blended together to gain benefits from the mixture of the two substances.

Approach shot

Any shot which you aim to reach the green with.

Apron

The area of well trimmed grass surrounding the green.

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B

Back nine

The second nine holes on an 18 hole course, also known as the inward nine, or simply “in”.

Back weighting

Usually found in woods to promote a higher trajectory and stability, or in mallet putters to promote a better roll of the ball and a more stable club.

Backspin (back spin)

Backspin is needed to gain maximum distance on all shots as it provides the ball with aerodynamic lift. It also lets the ball stop quickly when the ball lands, and on some shots can cause the ball to travel back towards the golfer after landing.

Backswing (back swing)

This is the part of the golf swing that starts at the address position and ends at the top of the swing. To a large extent the backswing determines how the club is swung on the through swing.

Balance point

The precise location on the golf shaft where the club head end of the golf club and the grip end of the club balance when placed on a fulcrum.

Balata

This was the most popular choice for spin golf balls until the introduction of more durable materials like Surlyn. It is used to make the cover of the ball, but is notoriously easy to damage when playing golf.

Ball marker

Any object that is used to mark the position of a ball on the green.

Ball retriever

A device which is used to collect the ball from awkward places like areas of water. They are often telescopic and designed to fit in a golf bag.

Bandit

A term used to describe someone that plays golf better than their handicap suggests.

Baseball grip

Also know as the ten finger grip, this is a way to hold the golf club. All ten fingers make contact with the grip, with the left hand high and the right hand low on the grip (for a right handed player). It is seldom taught, however some junior players and people with weak hands often find this grip helpful.

Belly putter (mid putter)

A putter that is longer than a conventional putter, whereby the butt of the club rests on the torso of the golfer, which is used as a pivot point for the club to travel around.  They are typically over 40 inches long.  When they reach around 45 inches they become Long Putters.  This is a putter type that is surrounded by controversy due to claims that it makes putting too easy and violates the spirit of the game. See also Broom Handle Putter, Long Putter

Below, the hole

Referring to the low side of the hole, the ground that lies downhill of the hole.

Bent shaft (Double-bend shaft)

This is a type of shaft used with some putters to allow for different amounts of offset and for visual purposes. For example some allow a clearer view of the golf ball at address giving a better view for alignment.

Beta-titanium

A type of titanium with a very high tensile strength, making it well suited to use in the club face of woods.

Better ball

A format of team matchplay where each golfer plays with his own ball. The player who gets the best score wins the hole for his team.

Birdie (bird)

A score of one under the par of the hole.

Blade

This can mean several things. With putters it is used to describe one with a narrow club head from front to back. In relation to irons it is the hitting area of the club but also can mean a type of iron which is traditional in shape and has no cavity back.

Blast shot

A shot used predominantly in bunkers, which aims to strike the ground underneath the ball at a precise depth so that the ball is not directly hit by the club, but rather is moved with the sand or other material.

Block, shot

To hit the ball straight and to the right of the target (for a right handed player). The same as a push shot.

Bogey

A score of one over the par of the hole.

Bore-Through

A way of attaching the golf shaft to the club head. A hole is drilled in the club head for the shaft to enter.  In a bore-through club head, the hole continues through the bottom of the club head. Manufacturers like Callaway use this method and claim that it allows the redistribution of weight to more important areas.

Borrow

This is how far to one side of the hole you have to aim to account for the slope of the green.

Bounce

Most commonly referred to when describing wedges (although all clubs have a value), this is the angle of the bottom surface of the club in relation to the ground. A high bounce in a wedge is useful for soft surfaces like sand, while low bounce angles are good for tighter and harder lies.

Break

When putting or chipping this is how much the ball moves due to the slope of the green.

Breaking wrists

When chipping or putting, many teachers advocate the use of stiff wrists, meaning that the hands should not remain at a constant angle to the forearms. The breaking of wrists is an unwanted trait that reduces consistency and is a common cause of topping the ball, chilli dipping and excessive power. Players revert to this way of playing when trying to gain extra height on chips and pitches, or for more power on putts.

Broom handle putter (Broomhandle)

See long putter

Buggy

An electric car used to transport golfers and their equipment around the course.

Bulge

The convex curve found from heel to toe in woods which corrects the shots that hit the heel and toe of the club.

Bump-and-run, shot

When a shot is deliberately played along the ground or at a very low trajectory with several bounces before it reaches the target. This shot is used extensively on links courses which have notoriously hard greens and windy conditions which do not favour high lofted shots. The purpose is to roll the ball up to the green or to feed the ball into toward the hole much like a chip shot.

Bunker

An area on the course which is emptied of turf and prepared as a hazard by filling it with sand or a similar substance. The lip of a bunker that is not covered in grass is also considered part of the bunker.  Certain rules apply when playing from bunkers that are different to normal play.

Butt

This is the very end of the club on the side where the grip is located. Often there is a hole in the top of the butt.  This is often used as a reference point in golf instruction.

Buzzard

A score of two shots over the par for a hole.

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C

Caddy (caddie)

An attendant that accompanies you around the course, usually with good local course knowledge. Caddies often give advice and are expected to carry and clean your clubs during the round.

Carpet

Generally an area of shorter grass such as the fairway or the green.

Carry

The distance the ball travels through the air before hitting the ground.

Cart (buggy)

This is a small electric vehicle that is used to transport people around the golf course.

Cast (casting)

The process by which, or having the properties of, a clubhead that is created by pouring molten metal into a cast. This is an easier way to mass-produce golf clubs compared with forging.

Casting, the club

When the wrists unhinge too early in the downswing resulting in a loss of clubhead speed.

Casual Water

An area of water that is not a fixed feature of the course which a player may take relief from. It must be visible before or after the player takes his stance to qualify as casual water.

Cavity back

Irons that have a hollowed out area at the back of the club. This is so that the weight taken out can be redistributed elsewhere. The redistribution of weight then creates a more forgiving club.

Centre of gravity (CG)

This is the location in space where the weight of the club head is centred. It may be located either on or off the club head and is often misinterpreted as the sweetspot. A low centre of gravity gives a club a higher trajectory shot than a club with a higher CG, provided the loft is the same.

Centre-shafted

A putter which has the connection between the clubhead and the shaft in the centre of the clubhead, as opposed to the heel on all other golf clubs.

Check

Another word for backspin.

Chilli dip

See fat

Chip

This is used to describe a shot that is propelled towards the green and onto the green from a short distance at a low height.

Chip-and-run

An attempt to play the ball along the ground as a chip is performed, although from a greater distance.

Chip-in

A chip shot which results in the ball being holed.

Chipper

A club designed and used solely for chipping the ball. They are mainly an aid for golfers who struggle while chipping with other clubs.

Choke, down

Holding the grip of the club lower down (towards the club head) than normal. This has the effect of shortening the club and decreasing distance and increasing control. This is commonly done when a player finds himself in-between clubs.

Chunk

See Fat

Claggy, lie

A British term for a muddy or wet lie.

Closed, face

When the club face is aligned so that its face points to the left of the aimline (for a right handed player).

Closed stance

A stance that sees the golfer position his feet in such a way that if you were to draw a line from toe to toe, the line would aim to the right of the aimline in front of the golfer (for a right handed player).

Club head speed

The velocity of the club head, usually measured as the top speed reached at impact with the ball.

Club length

The length from the sole of the club to the end of the grip butt. Often used when measuring the area in which you can drop or tee a golf ball.

Clubhead (club head)

The part of the club that is used to strike the ball. This is connected securely to the shaft of the club.

Cock, wrists

A motion that is used in certain golf shots. If you hold your hands out in front of you with your palms touching, it is the movement in you wrists which brings your hands up and closer towards you.

Collar

See fringe

Commit

To commit to a shot is maintain your spine angle throughout the shot and not lift your head (and shoulders). It is also used to mean a complete follow-through, especially in a chip or putt. Not committing to a shot often results in topped shots in the full swing and poor distance control and hitting the ball heavy when chipping.

Component

Any of the parts of the golf club. These include the club head, shaft grip and ferrule.

Compression

The process which the ball undergoes when it is hit. The club head deforms the ball, and the rate of the deformation is termed compression or softness.

Concede, putt, hole, match

To acknowledge that you do not have a likely chance of winning the hole or match and allowing your opponent the privilege of not having to complete a putt, hole-out or finish the match. This is most commonly done when the opponent has a very short putt which he is not likely to miss, and is a sporting gesture rather than an admission of defeat.

Condor

A score of four under par, therefore a score of 2 on a rare par 6 hole, or a hole in one on a par 5 hole.

COR (Coefficient of restitution)

This is the efficiency of energy transfer from one object to another. With regard to drivers, this is the efficiency of the clubhead in transferring energy to the ball. Although there are many other factors to consider, a higher COR will allow greater ball speed and greater distance in drivers. The Legal COR limit set by the R&A and USGA which came into effect in early 2008 is 0.83. The COR can range from 0 (where there is no transfer of energy) to 1 (where all energy is transferred). See also Trampoline Effect.

Core strength

This relates to the power stored in the muscles of the abdominals and back.

Course handicap

The par for the course, i.e. the score that a scratch golfer would be expected to score. See also Stroke Index

Cross handed, grip

Also known as left hand low, this is a grip of the club which sees the right handed placed higher up the grip than the left (in right handed golfers). This is the opposite of the conventional grips used in golf. Although not exclusively, it is predominantly used in putting by players who wish to eliminate the problem of wrist break or the “yips”.

Crown,

This the top part of the club head on a wood. Some woods like the ERC Fusion series incorporate a lightweight carbon-fibre crown with a titanium club face and sole.

Cubic centimetres (CC)

The measurement of the volume of a club head, used to determine the size of fairway woods and drivers. The limit for a driver as stipulated by the R&A and the USGA is 460cc.

Cup,

A description of the hole, including the plastic or metal base and sides often found in holes.

Cut, missing the

When a player does not reach the required score to proceed on to the next round of the tournament. This is usually after 36 holes in a 72 hole competition

Cut shot

A shot which results in a higher trajectory than normal with greater backspin and sidespin to the right (for a right handed player).  It is used to help keep the ball on the green after it lands.

Cut, 1st, 2nd

The first cut is the area of grass adjacent to the fairway and is usually of a constant length (often the called light rough). The second cut lies beyond the first cut and is longer grass (often called the heavy rough).

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D

Dawn patrol

Golfers that get their round underway early in the morning to avoid congestion on the course.

Dead, weight

Hitting a ball dead is to hit a shot that leaves the next putt a certainty.

Deep face

A club face that is relatively high from top to bottom. This is the opposite of a shallow face or low profile.

Deep rough

Any grass which is long enough to significantly affect the striking of the ball.

Dimple (dimple pattern)

Each golf ball has a series of indentations on the surface of the ball. These dimples allow the ball to travel more aerodynamically (and further) than if the ball was smooth. Dimple patterns are a way to maximise the aerodynamic properties of the golf ball.

Divot

The turf or grass that is removed from the ground during a golf shot, or the hole that is left behind. This is a normal occurrence on the fairway or in the rough (or if using an iron from the tee). Etiquette suggests that you should retrieve the displaced turf and cover the hole as best as you can, or in some cases placing sand in the hole to assist re-growth.

Dogleg (dog leg)

A hole that has a significant turn in the fairway (left or right).

Dormie

During match play this is a situation where one player (or team) is leading by the same number of holes remaining. So if they are one up with one hole left to play then the match is dormie.

Double bogey

A score of two over the par for the hole.

Double eagle

See Albatross

Downswing (down swing)

The part of the golf swing that starts when the golfer changes the direction of the club and starts to swing the club toward the ball. It occurs between the backswing and impact with the ball.

Draw

A slight and controlled spin to the left (for a right handed player). This results in a slightly lower shot with less backspin and more roll than a fade or straight shot.

Drive the green

To hit the ball onto the green in one shot. This is usually reserved for par 4 or 5 holes although is sometimes used on long par 3 holes.

Driver

The longest golf club. It is usually 43 to 45 ½ inches long and has a loft that varies from 7 degrees to 14 degrees (sometimes higher especially in ladies clubs). The head size is generally between 300cc and 460cc although they used to be considerably smaller. The primary material used by top drivers is titanium, although steel is often used and other materials like aluminium and graphite/carbon fibre are also occasionally used.

Driving iron

Another name for the 1 or 2 iron, often one with a larger more forgiving head than usual.

Duff

To mis-hit a shot, usually hitting it fat.

Duffer

A golfer that hits many poor shots.

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E

Eagle

A score of two under the par for the hole. Therefore it is a score of 3 on a par 5, or 2 on a par 4.

Effective loft

The loft of the golf club at impact. By opening up the face of the club, the ball can be hit on a higher than normal trajectory, thereby it has a higher effective loft. The kick point of the shaft can also change the loft at impact.

Elastomer

A synthetic material that is sometimes used in golf balls, grips and putter face inserts.

Elevated green

A green which is higher up than the area around it.

Etiquette

This refers to the behaviour you are expected to show while you play golf as well as around the golf club. This can be hard to learn without first-hand experience as etiquette often follows unwritten guidelines rather than rules. Much of the guidelines are based in common sense and consideration for other players, such as not distracting other players, realising who has right of way, looking out for the safety of others and keeping a good pace of play.

Even par

A score equal to the par of the course.

Explosion shot

See Splash shot

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F

Face angle

Often used in golf instruction, this term describes the orientation of the club face in relation to the aim line. The face angle can be square, open or closed (shut).

Face balanced, putter

A feature in some putters that allows the putter to be more stable. When balancing the putter shaft on your hand and allowing the shaft to rotate freely, the club face of a face balanced putter will face straight up. This is very useful for straight back – straight through putting strokes.

Face insert

In putters this is a harder or softer material used in the striking area of a putter than used for the rest of the club.

Face,

The surface of the club that is used for striking the ball. With irons, putters and wedges, the face is flat. In woods the face is often not flat and has a bulge and roll.

Fade

A slight and controlled spin to the right (for a right hand player). This gives a slightly higher, shorter and softer landing shot than a straight or draw shot.

Fairway

The area of a golf hole which is well trimmed and therefore easier to hit golf shots from than other parts of the golf course. It is found between the tee box and the green.

Fairway bunker

A bunker that lies next to, or on the fairway. They are placed to make the course more difficult and discourage players from hitting certain shots.

Fat (heavy)

Hitting the ball fat means that instead of hitting the ball first and then the ground, you hit the ground and then the ball. This slows down the club significantly and as a result the shot usually ends up well short of where you desired it.

Featherie (feathery)

One of the earliest successful golf balls that was used up until the mid 1800’s. They were an expensive ball which required a skilled artisan to make them. They were made of a leather outer shell stuffed with boiled goose down (hence feathery).

Feel,

This is a general term usually used to describe the sensation in the hands when striking the ball with a golf club.

Ferrule

A ferrule is a small plastic ring that is a purely cosmetic attachment used to cover the join between the club head and shaft.

First cut

See cut

Flag (flagstick)

This refers to the flag (and the shaft that holds the flag) that is found on the green of a golf hole. In some cases it is used to mean the hole in general.

Flange

The part of a golf club head that extends from the leading edge at the sole of the club to the back of the club.

Flat, lie

A flat lie is one where the angle between the sole of the club and the shaft is less than normal. A club which is designed for a shorter player typically has a “flatter” lie angle while a taller player suits a more upright lie angle.

Flat swing

A swing which travels on a plane that is more horizontal than normal. This is the opposite of an upright swing.

Flatstick (Flat stick)

A slang term for the putter.

Flex

Used in the describing of shafts to denote the flexibility or bendy-ness. These are usually listed as: Junior, Senior (A or M), Ladies (L), Regular (R), Stiff (S), Extra Stiff (XS).

Flier (flyer, flier lie)

This happens when a ball is hit and travels much further than expected or wanted. This is because something has become trapped between the ball and clubface during impact (usually grass). A flier lie is a situation where you could reasonably expect a flier to occur based on the assumption that the contact with the ball will be compromised.

Flight

The movement of the ball through the air.

Flop shot

Usually used by more advanced players, this shot is used to hit the ball on a very high trajectory. Using a sand wedge or lob wedge the face of the club is opened to increase the effective loft. The result is a high shot that only travels 40 yards or less and lands very softly on the green, often staying where it lands with very little roll.

Fluff

See fat

Flush

Generally this means that something fits well or was done perfectly. More specifically it can mean when a ball is struck from the sweetspot of the club resulting in a pleasant sensation in the hands during impact.

Flyer

See flier

Follow through

This describes the part of the golf swing after impact with the ball.

Fore

A golfer will shout FORE to warn another golfer of his presence. It is also shouted when a ball is hit towards another golfer or to an area which the person striking the ball cannot determine if there is anyone there.

Forged, clubs, irons (Forging)

A manufacturing process whereby heated metal is pressed into shape rather than cast into moulds. This process is thought to create golf clubs with better feel than by casting.

Forgiving

A quality in a club that makes poor golf shots less damaging to your potential to score well when compared with other clubs.

Fourball (four ball)

A match where four players compete with two players on each side. Each player hits his own ball.

Foursome

Also known as “alternate shot”, this is a form of competition play where two teams of two players compete against each other. Each team shares a golf ball and alternates the player that hits the ball after each shot.

Frequency matching

A club fitting term used for the measuring and standardising of shaft frequency throughout your clubs. Shafts vibrate during the swing and it is thought that frequency matching improves the feel and performance of your set of clubs.

Fried egg, lie

When a ball is hit into a bunker it sometimes creates a pattern on the surface of the bunker which resembles a fried egg. The ball stays where it lands and is only partly visible.

Front nine

The first nine holes of an 18 hole golf course, also known as the outward nine.

Full swing

Generally used to describe the most common swing in golf. It has a full backswing and through-swing and is used for most iron and wood shots. Other swings are used for flop shots, chips, pitches and putting.

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G

Gear effect

This happens in clubs where the curvature of the club face is convex from heel to toe (known as bulge). As the club strikes the ball it is constantly rotating around its centre of gravity, with the toe of the club travelling faster than the heel. When a ball is hit on the toe of the club by a right handed player, the ball spins to the left because of the club’s rotation about its centre of gravity. To counteract this spin the face is convex which starts the ball on a trajectory further to the right while the spin stays the same. Therefore the ball ends up straighter than it would have done with a straight-faced club. The same rules apply but in the opposite direction for an impact toward the heel of the club.

Gimmie (gimme, gimmee)

This is a putt that has an opponent has conceded to you in a matchplay situation. Usually very short putts are conceded as a sporting gesture and as recognition that the player would have holed the putt. There are no rules about gimmies as to what is an acceptable length to give or refuse, however sportsmanship and general politeness should be exercised. It is considered rude to request a Gimmie, but it is also considered petty to refuse a putt that is so short the other player cannot miss. It is completely up to the discretion of the opponent however, and he is perfectly entitled to never give a Gimmie.

GIR (green in regulation)

See green in regulation

Glove

A golf glove is used by most but not all golfers, and predominantly on the opposite hand to their strong hand. A right handed golfer will use a glove on the left hand and a left handed player on their right hand. Some players use gloves on both hands but this is very rare. The left hand is gloved (for the right handed player) because the majority of the grip pressure used to hold the club is applied by three fingers on the left hand, and so more grip is needed there.

Golf club,

Any of the various types of club used to strike the golf ball during a round of golf. Players are restricted to the use of a maximum of 14 clubs during competitions. A conventional set may include a driver, 3 wood, 5 wood, 3 iron to 9 iron, pitching wedge, sand wedge, lob wedge and a putter. Modern club sets now can also include hybrids, rescues, chippers and other specialist clubs.

Gorse

This shrub is found across the UK and parts of Europe. It is particularly spiny and difficult to play golf shots from.

Grain

This is the direction that grass grows. It is mostly considered when trying to read putts on the green as it can have a significant effect on the roll of the ball and the distance travelled. The grain can vary from green to green and even within a green. Grain can have a much more noticeable effect on the ball with some grasses like Bermuda grass.

Graphite

A composite material that is particularly strong for its weight. It is used for the shafts of nearly all drivers, most fairway woods and many irons.

Grass bunker

Despite the name this is not considered a hazard, rather it is just area on the course that resembles a bunker due to its appearance and is grassy rather than filled with sand.

Green fee

The money that is paid so that you can play on a golf course.

Green in regulation (GIR)

To hit the ball onto the green within a specified number of shots. The GIR changes depending on the par of the hole. For a par 3 it is 1, for a par 4 it is 2 and for a par 5 it is 3. It is used as a statistic to show the accuracy of a golfer’s approach shots.

Green jacket

This is the prestigious jacket that is awarded yearly to the champion of the US Masters Golf tournament held in Augusta Florida. It is presented to the champion by the champion of the previous year.

Green,

The area on a golf hole that has the shortest grass. This is the putting surface and is where the hole is located that the golfer tries to hit the ball into.

Greenies

This is a wager whereby the player that hits the ball closest to the hole in regulation (see GIR) wins the bet.

Greenkeeper (green keeper)

The person who is responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of the golf course.

Greenside bunker

A bunker located adjacent to the green.

Greensome

A form of matchplay similar to a foursome, where each player from each team hits a tee shot. Each team then chooses the tee shot they prefer, and continue playing the hole in alternation.

Grooves,

The horizontal depressions on the face of a golf club. They provide grip when striking the ball which is essential for creating backspin and lift. There are two main types in irons and wedges, called V and U (square) grooves.

Gross, score

The score you get for the hole or round before you take away any handicap you may have.

Ground, the club

To let the club touch the ground. When you are in a hazard such as a bunker you are not allowed to ground the club under penalty of losing 2 strokes in stroke play or the loss of the hole in match play.

Ground under repair (GUR)

An area of the course that the course committee has marked out as ground under repair. Although it has to be stated by the course committee to be so, it usually means that the ball is not meant to be played from this area to poor condition.

Gutta percha

A type of rubber that was used in the manufacture of golf balls.

Guttie

A ball made from gutta percha that over took the feathery as the predominant ball of the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. It was the first readily available mass-produced golf ball.

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H

Hack

To swing wildly at the ball, or to make a poor attempt to hit the ball.

Hacker

An impolite term used to describe a poor golfer.

Half set

A set of golf clubs that has fewer that the normal number of 14 clubs. Often used by beginners, it is a cheap way to start playing golf

Halve, a hole, a match

When a hole or match is tied in matchplay golf.

Handicap

A scoring system that takes into account the ability of the golfer before they are awarded a score. It is used so that golfers of different abilities can compete together. The higher a handicap is, the worse the golfer is (generally speaking!). A golfer who plays off a handicap of 0 is called a scratch golfer. It is possible for very good golfers to have a plus handicap where they add their handicap to the score rather than taking it away.

Hang time

The amount of time that the ball stays in the air before landing.

Hanging lie

When the ball lies below the level of the golfer’s feet at address.

Hardpan

A lie which is very hard and has no grass.

Hazard

A bunker or water hazard on the golf course. They are used to increase the difficulty of the golf course and change how golfers manage their way around it.

Head cover (headcover)

A cover used to ensure that the club is not damaged when being moved around.

Heavy (fat)

Hitting the ball heavy means that the instead of hitting the ball first and then the ground, you hit the ground and then the ball. This slows down the club significantly and as a result the shot usually ends up well short of where you desired it.

Heel

The part of the club head that is closest to the hosel (the point where the club attaches to the shaft), as opposed to the toe.

Heel-toe, weighting

When weight is strategically placed at the heel and toe rather than the centre of the club head. It increases the MOI of a golf club and so reduces energy lost due to twisting and creates a more forgiving club.

Hickory, shaft

These wooden shafts used to be the commonplace in golf clubs before steel shafts were introduced. Some putters, although very rarely, still use hickory shafts

High modulus graphite

A type of graphite that is very stiff.

High side

See above the hole

Hold the green

To hit a shot that lands on the green and which also remains on the green.

Hole high

To hit the ball the exact distance required, but not necessarily with the accuracy needed.

Hole in one

To hit the ball into the hole with the first stroke of the ball of any given hole.

Hole out

To continue playing the hole until the ball enters the hole.

Hole,

Either the hole in the ground on the green that you aim to place the ball; or the name for each of the 18 playing areas that make up a (standard) golf course. The former is usually 4 ¼ inches in diameter and at least 4 inches deep. The latter is marked by boundaries to determine the playing area of that hole.

Holed (to hole)

When a shot is hit directly into the hole it is said to be holed.

Honour,

Having the privilege of teeing off first. This is usually decided by a coin toss for the first hole. Whichever player (or team) gets the lowest score for a hole has the honour for the next hole. Where a hole is halved, the team with the lowest score on the previous hole retains the honour.

Hood (hooding)

It usually means intentionally closing the clubface to reduce the loft of the club.

Hook

A shot that spins sharply to the left (for a right handed player).

Hosel

The part of the golf club that accommodates the shaft or is attached to the shaft. Putters can have varied types of hosel design.

Hybrid

Known by many different names such as rescue, utility, safety and trouble clubs, they are versatile and suited to play from many situations. They can be played from the rough, fairway and tee and are also used for chipping by some golfers. They are now replacing the long irons in many players’ sets of clubs as they are more forgiving and give a higher ball flight.

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I

Impact

The moment in time where the club makes contact with the ball

Insert

A material which is placed inside the clubface which has differing characteristics to the material the club is made of. Most commonly seen in putters it is usually done to create a softer feel at impact.

Inside,

In golf instruction, inside refers to the position of the clubhead in relation to a neutral swing plane. If it is inside, the clubface is on a steeper trajectory than a outside line. If your ball is inside your opponents then you are nearer to the hole than he/she is.

Intended line

See aimline

Interlocking, grip

A commonly used way to grip the club. For a right handed player the club is gripped in the conventional manner (right hand lower down the club) with the small finger of the right hand interlocked between the index and fore finger of the left hand. See also Vardon Grip

Investment casting

See cast

Irons (iron)

A type of golf club that ranges from the 1 iron to the 9 iron. Each iron has a different loft angle and length. The one iron has the smallest degree of loft and the longest shaft, while the 9 iron has the shortest length and the highest loft. They are designed this way to provide a set of clubs that cover a wide range of distances.

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J

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K

Kick point

The point on the golf shaft where it bends the most. It is mid, low or high depending on its location. A low kick point is located closest to the clubhead and creates a higher launch angle. A high kick point creates a lower launch angle.

Kil, the ball

To hit the golf ball very hard.

Knock down, shot

See Punch shot

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L

Lag, putt

When a golfer wishes to get as close to the hole as possible but does not necessarily aim to hole the putt, he lags the putt. Often used on long putts, the priority of lag putting is to leave the ball in a position where you have a good chance to hole the next putt.

Laid off

At the top of the backswing, a club is said to be laid off if the shaft points to the left of the target (for a right handed golfer).

Lake ball

Balls that are often, but not always, salvaged from lakes to be sold again. In fact many “lake” balls are simply balls that have been lost in the rough or out of bounds. Lake ball sets often include x-out balls.

Launch angle

The angle in degrees of the ball’s trajectory after it leaves the clubface, in relation to the ground. This is often used comparatively to describe a high, mid or low launch angle.

Lay up

When a tactical decision is made to play a shot short of the green. If you have the opportunity to play the ball onto the green but decide not to because of the risk factor involved, you have laid up.

Leading edge

The front part of the bottom of the face of the club. The part of the golf club that enters the ground first.

Leak,

Similar to a fade or slice, when the ball leaks it moves away from the target to the right (for a right handed golfer).

Lie angle

The angle of the shaft in comparison to the sole of the club

Lift,

A mechanical term for the force acting upwards on the ball.

Line up

To determine the slope or break of the green to decide which way to hit the ball.

Line,

Usually used to describe the path the ball takes from its current position to the hole. This need not be a straight line, and for putts it seldom is.

Links, course

A course that is located close to the sea. They often a characterised as having windy conditions, hard and fast greens and narrow fairways.

Lip out

This happens when the ball looks like it is going to enter the hole but rolls around the edge of the hole instead, changing direction at the same time.

Lip,

The edge of the hole that you try to get the ball into.

Lob wedge

A golf club with more loft than the sand wedge, with a loft ranging from 58-62 degrees.

Lob,

To hit a high shot.

Loft,

The angle of the club-face in relation to a line drawn vertically from the base of the club.

Long game

The collection of shots that are used from outside approximately 180 yards (for the average male golfer).

Long irons

Any of the 1, 2 or 3 irons. They are notoriously hard to hit due to the small clubface, low loft and long club length.

Long putter

A putter that has an extra long shaft and is designed to be held at the butt of the club with the left hand (for a right handed player) and lower down with the right hand. Used mostly by people who struggle with the yips. It ranges from 45 inches or longer, so that the butt is used as a pivot point on the chest or near the chin

Low, side

See below the hole

Low handicapper (low handicap)

A golfer with a handicap in single figures, i.e. less than 10.

Low profile

A club that has a comparatively short clubhead height from the sole to the crown in comparison with its length from heel to toe. This usually means a lower centre of gravity that makes it easier to hit the ball on a high trajectory.

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