GOLF TERMS AND DEFINITIONS

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GOLF TERMS AND DEFINITIONS
ACE - A score of one for a hole. Commonly called a
hole-in-one.
ADDRESS - Position taken by a player in preparing to
start a stroke.
APPROACH - A stroke played to the putting green.
APRON - The last few yards of fairway before and around
the green. Commonly referred to as the "fringe."
AWAY - The ball furthest from the hole. Such a ball has
priority in playing unless ruled otherwise.
BACK SIDE - The final nine holes of play (also BACK
NINE).
BIRDIE - A score one stroke under par for the hole.
BLIND GREEN - A green that cannot be seen from where
the player is hitting.
BOGEY - A score one stroke over par for the hole.
BUNKER - A depression where the turf or soil has been
removed and replaced with sand. It is a hazard. Commonly
but improperly called a “sand trap.”
CASUAL WATER - A temporary accumulation of water
which is not recognized as a hazard on the course. The
player receives free relief.
DIVOT - A piece of sod or turf cut loose by a player’s club
after making a stroke.
DOG-LEG HOLE - A golf hole which does not follow a
straight line from tee to green.
DOUBLE BOGEY - A score two strokes over par for the
hole.
DOUBLE EAGLE - A score three strokes under par for
the hole.
DRAW - A shot, hit by a right-handed player, which curves
slightly left.

DRIVE - A shot played from the teeing area, usually with
a wood.
EAGLE - A score two strokes under par for the hole.
EQUIPMENT - Anything used, worn, or carried by or for
a player (such as his clubs, clothing, golf bag, golf cart,
etc.), except for a ball in play.
FADE - A shot, hit by a right-handed player, which curves
slightly right.
FAIRWAY - The closely cut, well-kept portion of grass
between the teeing area and putting green.
FLAGSTICK - A movable straight indicator, with or without
bunting or other material attached to the top, centered in
the hole to show its position. Commonly but improperly
called the “pin."
FORE - A warning shouted to let a person know that a
ball in flight may hit him/her or come very close.
FRINGE - The closely mown collar around a putting
green.
FRONT SIDE - The first nine holes of play (also FRONT
NINE).
GROUND UNDER REPAIR - Areas on the golf course
that are marked with white circles of paint to indicate
“free relief” from abnormal playing surfaces. This area is
in need of repair by the green superintendent.
GRIP - The handle of a golf club.
GROSS - The amount of strokes taken without handicap.
HANDICAP INDEX - A number which represents the
current level of a player’s golfing ability based on the golf
course being played.
HAZARD - Any bunker or water hazard.
HOLE - Located on the green, it is a round receptacle
that is 4 and 1/4 inches in diameter and at least 4 inches
deep. The liner should be at least 1 inch below the level
of the ground.

HOLED - A ball at rest within the circumference of the
hole and all of it is below the level of the lip of the hole.
When this occurs, a player has “holed out."
HONOR - The side or player entitled to play first from the
teeing area. Usually the side or player with the lowest
score on the previous hole.
HOOK - A shot, hit by a right-handed player, which curves
severely left.
LINE OF PUTT - Path in which the ball is intended to
travel over the putting green to the hole. Do not step on
a player’s line of putt while on the green.
LOOSE IMPEDIMENT - Any “natural” object not growing
or fixed, such as fallen leaves, broken-off twigs and
branches.
LOST BALL - A ball that is not found within five minutes
of searching.
MATCH PLAY- Competition in which results are determined
by the number of holes won (lowest score).
NET - The amount of strokes taken with handicap included.
OBSTRUCTION -Artificial objects erected, placed or left
on the golf course.
OUT OF BOUNDS - Ground on which play is prohibited,
usually outside the golf course’s property. Usually marked
with white stakes or boundary fences. A ball is out of
bounds when “all” of it lies out of bounds.
OUTSIDE AGENCY - Anything that is not part of the match,
or, in stroke play, not part of a competitor’s side. Includes
a referee, a marker, an observer, or a forecaddie.
PAR - The score an expert golfer would be expected to
make for a given hole.
PENALTY STROKE - A stroke added to a player’s score
for breach of a rule.
PROVISIONAL BALL - A ball played for the original ball
which may be lost outside of a water hazard or may be
out of bounds.

PULL - A shot, hit straight by a right-handed player, but
to the left of the target.
PUSH - A shot, hit straight by a right-handed player, but
to the right of the target.
PUTTING GREEN - Includes all of the ground surrounding
the hole being played which is specially prepared
for putting or otherwise defined as such. A ball is on the
putting green when any part of it touches the putting
green surface.
ROUGH - Area of long, heavy grass that surrounds the
fairway and putting green.
SLICE - A shot, hit by a right-handed player, which curves
severely right.
STANCE - The position of the feet at time of address.
STROKE - Forward movement of the club made with the
intent of striking the ball.
STROKE PLAY - Competition in which results are determined
by the number of strokes played. Also referred to
as MEDAL PLAY.
TEE - A peg (usually wooden) used to support a ball on
the teeing area. Also the teeing ground.
TEEING GROUND - Often called the tee or tee box,
it is the starting point for each hole on the course. It is
rectangular in shape, and two club lengths in depth. The
front and sides are indicated by tee markers.
THROUGH THE GREEN - The whole area of the course
except the teeing area and putting green of the hole being
played, and all hazards.
(THE) TURN - After nine holes, a group makes “the turn”
between the front and back sides.
WATER HAZARD - Any area, lake, pond, river, ditch or
open water course, whether or not it contains water, is
designated to be a water hazard. Lateral water hazards,
defined by red lines and/or stakes, run alongside a hole.
Water hazards, defined by yellow lines and/or stakes,
cross the fairway or are in front of the green. A ball is in
a hazard if it touches the line which forms the boundary
of the hazard.


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