Golf can seem like a daunting sport for newcomers, not least because of the jargon that gets thrown around on the course
But fear not. Here’s a handy guide to some of the most common terms you’ll encounter while navigating the fairways and greens.
Read on, and soon enough, you’ll be chatting like a seasoned golfer.
Scoring terms
Par: This is the number of strokes (shots) a golfer is expected to take to complete a hole or a full round. Courses consist of a mix of Par 3’s, Par 4’s, and Par 5’s.
Birdie: Achieving a score of one under par on a hole. A satisfying feeling and a cause for a quiet fist pump.
Eagle: Scoring two under par on a hole. A rare and impressive feat!
Albatross: Scoring three under par on a hole. Also called a ‘double eagle,’ this is a truly spectacular achievement.
Bogey: Scoring one over par on a hole. Not ideal, but not a disaster either!
Hole in one: Every golfer’s dream! When a player sinks the ball in the hole directly from the tee shot.
Types of shots
Air shot: When you swing at the ball but completely miss it. We’ve all been there—don’t worry, it happens!
Draw: A shot that gently curves from right to left (for right-handed golfers) and finishes at the intended target.
Fade: The opposite of a draw; a shot that curves gently from left to right and lands where you aimed.
Hook: A more extreme version of a draw, where the ball sharply curves from right to left and veers off course.
Slice: The dreaded shot where the ball dramatically curves left to right (for right-handers) and ends up nowhere near the target.
Other essential terms
Fore: The universal warning cry of golfers. If your shot is heading towards another player, shout “Fore!” to give them a chance to duck.
Gross score: The total number of strokes taken during a round, including penalty strokes.
Handicap index: system that levels the playing field by assigning each golfer a numerical value based on their ability. A lower handicap means a more skilled golfer.
Lost ball: If you can’t find your ball within three minutes of searching, it’s officially lost, and you’ll need to play a penalty stroke.
Marker: The person responsible for recording your score during a round. In competitions, this is an important role to ensure fair play.
Net score: Your gross score minus any handicap strokes you’re entitled to. This helps level out skill differences among players.
Provisional ball: A second ball played if you suspect your first ball is lost or out of bounds. This saves time rather than trudging back to the original spot if your first ball is indeed lost.
Ready golf: A pace-of-play etiquette where players hit when they’re ready, rather than sticking to strict turn-taking. A great way to keep the game moving smoothly.
