Golfing Glossary

18-hole Round	Playing a complete round of golf, typically consisting of 18 holes.
9-hole Round	Playing a half round of golf, typically consisting of 9 holes.
Abnormal Course Condition	Any condition on the course that interferes with fair play, such as casual water or ground under repair.
Acceptable Score	A score that meets the criteria for submission towards a golfer's handicap.
Ace	Also known as a hole in one, it's when a golfer sinks their ball directly into the cup with their first stroke from the tee box.
Active Season	The period during which scores can be submitted for handicap purposes.
Address	The stance and position a golfer takes before hitting the ball.
Adjudicating Par	Determining the par for a hole or course.
Adjusted Gross Score	A player's gross score adjusted for any allowable deductions or penalties.
Ageing of Scores	The process by which older scores lose relevance in handicap calculations.
Albatross	Achieving three strokes under par on a single hole.
Alignment	The positioning of a golfer's body and club relative to the target.
Animal Hole	A hole or depression on the course caused by burrowing animals, allowing for free relief.
Approach Shot	A shot played toward the green from a distance, typically with a short or mid-iron.
Authorized Association	A golf organization approved to oversee handicaps and the rules of golf.
Authorized Golf Club	An authorized golf club is a golf organization recognized by the USGA and Allied Golf Association(s) to issue and maintain official Handicap Indexes for its members. It also follows all guidelines and regulations required by the USGA and its AGA.
Authorized Format of Play	Recognized formats of play for which scores can be submitted for handicap purposes.
Away	The player whose ball is farthest from the hole is said to be "away" and plays first.
Back Nine	Holes 10 through 18 on an 18-hole golf course.
Backspin	The backward rotation of the ball after impact, causing it to stop more quickly on the green.
Backswing	The initial part of the golf swing where the club is moved away from the ball.
Ball Flight	The trajectory and path of the ball after being struck.
Ball Marker	A small object used to mark the position of a ball on the green when it is lifted.
Ball Retriever	A telescoping tool used to retrieve golf balls from hazards or water.
Belly Putter	A putter with a longer shaft that is anchored against the golfer's body, typically against the belly.
Bermuda Grass	A type of grass commonly found on golf courses in warm climates, known for its tight lies and grainy texture.
Birdie	Scoring one stroke under par on a hole.
Bogey	Scoring one stroke over par on a hole.
Bogey Golfer	A golfer who typically shoots one stroke over par on most holes.
Bogey Rating	The course rating for a bogey golfer, used in handicap calculations.
Break	The curve or slope of the green that affects the path of a putt.
Bump and Run	A low, rolling shot played with a lofted club to keep the ball close to the ground.
Bunker	A hazard filled with sand, usually located near the green.
Bunker Rake	A tool used to rake and smooth the sand in a bunker after a player has played from it.
Caddie	A person hired to carry a player's clubs and provide advice and assistance during a round.
Calendar Year Membership	A membership type that is valid from January 1 to December 31, regardless of the joining date, and renews at the start of each new calendar year.
Cap	Limits the upward movement of a golfer's Handicap Index to prevent excessive increases.
Cart Path	A designated path for golf carts to travel on between holes.
Cart Path Only	A course condition where golf carts must remain on designated cart paths to protect the turf.
Casual Water	Temporary standing water on the course caused by rain or irrigation.
Chip	A short shot played with a lofted club, typically used to move the ball from just off the green onto the putting surface.
Chip Shot	A short shot played with a lofted club to lift the ball onto the green and roll toward the hole.
Club Sole	The bottom part of the clubhead that makes contact with the ground during the swing.
Clubface	The part of the clubhead that makes contact with the ball during a swing.
Clubhead Angle	The orientation of the clubhead at address, impact, and throughout the swing, influencing the direction of the shot.
Clubhead Speed	The velocity at which the clubhead is moving during the swing, influencing distance and trajectory.
Clubhouse	The main building at a golf course, typically containing facilities such as locker rooms, pro shop, and restaurant.
Course Handicap	A golfer's handicap index adjusted for the specific course being played.
Course Management	Strategic decision-making on the course to navigate hazards and maximize scoring opportunities.
Course Rating	A measure of the difficulty of a golf course for a scratch golfer, expressed as a number.
Cross-handed Grip	A putting grip where the lead hand is placed below the trailing hand on the grip.
Cup	The hole on the green where the ball is intended to be sunk.
Cut Shot	A controlled shot that curves from left to right for right-handed golfers, typically used to avoid obstacles.
Dead Hands	A putting technique where the hands are kept passive to reduce wrist movement and improve control.
Dead Straight	A shot that travels directly toward the target with no curve or deviation.
Divot	A piece of turf displaced by a golf club during a swing, typically replaced to maintain the course.
Dogleg	A hole that bends sharply to the left or right, requiring strategic shot placement off the tee.
Double Bogey	Scoring two strokes over par on a hole.
Downswing	The part of the golf swing where the club is brought back down towards the ball.
Draw	A controlled shot that curves away from a golfer's dominant hand, typically used to add distance.
Drive	A shot played from the tee box to start each hole, usually with a driver or other long club.
Driver	The longest club in the golfer's bag, typically used for tee shots on long holes.
Driving Range	A practice area with designated targets for golfers to practice their long shots.
Drop	The act of releasing a ball from shoulder height to take relief from a hazard or penalty area.
Duff	A poorly struck shot that results in little distance or trajectory.
Eagle	Scoring two strokes under par on a single hole.
Edge	The boundary between different areas of the golf course, such as the fairway and rough.
Embedded Ball	A ball that is partially or fully submerged in its own pitch mark in the ground, allowing for free relief.
ESR (Exceptional Score Reduction)	A reduction applied to a golfers Handicap Index after an exceptionally low score relative to their handicap.
Etiquette	The customary code of behavior expected of golfers, including consideration for others and respect for the course.
Expected Score	The score a player is expected to achieve on a course, used for calculating handicaps.
Fade	A controlled shot that curves from left to right for right-handed golfers, or right to left for left-handed golfers, typically used to avoid troublesome areas.
Fairway	The closely mown area of grass between the tee box and the green.
Flagstick	The marker placed in the hole on the green to indicate its location, which can be removed when putting.
Flex	The stiffness of a golf club's shaft, influencing the feel and trajectory of the shot.
Follow-through	The final part of the golf swing where the club continues its motion after striking the ball.
Fore	A warning shouted by golfers to alert others of an errant shot that may be headed their way.
Four-Ball Match Play	A match where two teams of two players compete, which the best score on each hole counting.
Four-Ball Stroke Play	A stroke play format where two players form a team, and the better score on each hole counts.
Fringe	The closely mown area surrounding the green, sometimes referred to as the apron.
General Area	The entire area of the course except for the teeing area, putting green, and hazards.
General Play	Casual, non-competitive rounds of golf that can be submitted for handicap purposes.
GHIN	The Golf Handicap and Information Network is a system designed by the USGA to manage and calculate golf handicaps.
Gimme	A putt that is conceded by other players, typically for short distances.
Golf Ball	The spherical object used in the game of golf, typically featuring dimples for aerodynamic flight.
Golf Cart	A motorized vehicle used to transport golfers and their equipment around the course.
Golf Club	The equipment used by golfers to hit the ball, consisting of various types including woods, irons, wedges, and putters.
Golf Course	The playing area where golf is played, consisting of 9 or 18 holes with teeing areas, fairways, greens, and hazards.
Golf Grip	The method by which a golfer holds the club, influencing control and feel during the swing.
Golf Shoes	Specialty footwear designed for traction and stability on the golf course, typically featuring spikes or cleats.
Golf Swing	The coordinated motion used by golfers to strike the ball, consisting of a backswing, downswing, and follow-through.
Green	The finely manicured surface surrounding the hole, where putting takes place.
Greenside Bunker	A bunker located near the green, requiring a short shot to escape and land on the putting surface.
Gross Score	The total number of strokes a golfer takes to complete a round or hole, without any adjustments or handicap considerations.
Ground Under Repair	Areas of the course designated by course officials as undergoing repair, allowing for free relief.
Grounding the Club	The act of touching the ground with the club before making a stroke, which may incur penalties in certain situations.
Guardian	An adult responsible for the care and supervision of a minor or junior golfer.
Handicap Allowance	A percentage of a player's handicap used in certain formats of play to ensure equitable competition.
Handicap Committee	A group within a golf club or association responsible for overseeing the accurate calculation, adjustment, and maintenance of members' handicaps, ensuring fair play.
Handicap Freeze	Temporary suspension of a player's handicap adjustments.
Handicap Index	A numerical measure of a golfer's playing ability, used to calculate a course handicap.
Handicap Only Membership	A membership type allowing a golfer to maintain an official handicap without full club membership privileges.
Handicap Review	An evaluation of a golfer's Handicap Index to ensure it accurately reflects their current playing ability.
Hazard	A feature on the golf course that presents a challenge or obstacle to be avoided, including bunkers, water, and rough.
Headcover	A protective covering for the clubhead, typically made of fabric or leather and used to prevent damage during transport.
Hole	A designated area on the golf course marked by a cup into which the ball must be sunk.
Hole in One	The rare achievement of hitting the ball into the cup from the tee on a par-3 hole with a single stroke.
Home Club	The primary golf club responsible for maintaining a player's handicap.
Hook	A shot that curves sharply from right to left for right-handed golfers, typically caused by excessive spin.
Hybrid	A type of golf club that combines the characteristics of both irons and woods, featuring a larger head and shorter shaft.
Immovable Obstruction	Any artificial object on the course that cannot be moved without damaging it or the course.
In the Leather	A phrase used to describe a putt that is close enough to the hole to be conceded without being measured. In social play, not competition.
Inactive Season	Period during which scores are not accepted for handicap purposes due to season course conditions.
Incomplete Round	A round where not all holes are played, but a score can still be submitted for handicap purposes.
Individual Match Play	A format where two players compete head-to-head, hole by hole.
Individual Stroke Play	A format where each player competes against all others based on their total stroke count.
Iron	A type of club with a metal head and a shorter shaft, used for a variety of shots from the fairway or rough.
Junior	A junior is any golfer under the age of 19 and must be properly identified by a valid birthday. Any golfer under the age of 13 is further classified a a minor.
Jurisdiction	The area or group of clubs and courses governed by a specific golf association.
Lag Putt	A long putt played with the intention of leaving the ball close to the hole for an easy second putt.
Layup	A shot intentionally played short of a hazard or other obstacle to set up a better position for the next shot.
Lie	The position of the ball in relation to the ground, affecting the trajectory and difficulty of the shot.
Lob	A high, soft shot played with a high-lofted club, used to clear obstacles and land softly on the green.
Loft	The angle of the clubface relative to the ground, which affects the trajectory and distance of the shot.
Lost Ball	A ball that cannot be found within the allowed time limit, resulting in a penalty.
Low Handicap Index	The lowest Handicap Index a player has had in the past 12 months.
Mallet Putter	A type of putter with a larger, more forgiving head shape, typically used for a straight-back, straight-through putting stroke.
Marker	A device used to indicate the position of a ball on the green when it is lifted, typically a small coin or disc.
Minor	A minor is defined as a golfer who is under 13 years of age per the date of birth in their golfer profile. Their profile must be linked to a guardian who can access ghin.com or the GHIN Mobile App and post on their behalf.
Modification	Adjustments made to a player's handicap or scores for fairness.
Most Likely Score	The score a player is most likely to make on a hole they did not complete, used in score submission.
Mulligan	A do-over or second chance given to a golfer for a poorly struck shot, typically in casual or friendly play.
N	Used by WHS to indicate a nine-hole round.
Net Double Bogey	A scoring method used in some formats of play where a player's score is limited to a maximum of double bogey plus any handicap strokes they receive on a hole.
Net Par	The adjusted par for a hole after accounting for a golfer's handicap strokes.
Net Score	The gross score adjusted by subtracting the golfer's handicap strokes, used to level the playing field among golfers of different abilities.
NH (No Handicap)	A golfer who has not logged at least 54 holes of golf, which can be a combination of 9-hole and 18-hole rounds.
Out of Bounds	Areas outside the boundaries of the golf course where play is not allowed, typically marked by white stakes or lines.
Outside Influence	Any external factor that affects a golf ball in play, such as wind or wildlife.
Over Clubbing	Using a club with too much loft or distance for the shot at hand, resulting in overshooting the target.
Overseed	The process of planting new grass seeds over existing turf, typically done during the cooler seasons to maintain a lush, green appearance on the course.
Pace of Play	The speed at which a group progresses around the golf course, important for maintaining flow and avoiding delays.
Par	The predetermined number of strokes that an expert/scratch/skilled golfer is expected to take to complete a hole or course.
Par Plus	A score calculation method where the par for a hole is increased by the number of handicap strokes a player receives on that hole.
PCC (Playing Conditions Calculation)	An adjustment made to account for abnormal course weather conditions on the day of play, affecting the calculation of scores.
Peer Review	The process by which golfers review and attest each other's scores for accuracy and integrity.
Penalty Area	An area on the golf course where a specific rule allows for penalty relief.
Penalty Score	A score assigned by a handicap committee when a player fails to submit a score.
Penalty Stroke	An additional stroke added to a player's score as a penalty for violating a rule.
Pitch	A high, short shot played with a lofted club, typically used to approach the green from a moderate distance.
Pitch and Putt	A style of golf course featuring short holes where players typically use only a pitching wedge and putter.
Pitch Shot	A high, lofted shot played with a pitching wedge or similar club, typically used to approach the green from a moderate distance.
Pitching Wedge	A type of wedge club with moderate loft, used for approach shots and pitches around the green.
Play Through	Permission granted by a slower group to a faster group to pass ahead on the course.
Playing Handicap	The number of strokes a golfer receives as a handicap allowance for a particular round or match.
Playing the Ball as it Lies	The principle that a golfer must play the ball as it comes to rest, without improving its position.
Plugged Ball	A ball that is embedded in its own pitch mark in the ground, typically caused by a high approach shot.
Pops	Informal term for the handicap strokes allocated to a golfer on specific holes based on their handicap index.
Power Draw	A controlled shot that curves slightly from right to left for right-handed golfers, typically used for added distance.
Power Fade	A controlled shot that curves slightly from left to right for right-handed golfers, typically used for added distance.
Punch Shot	A low, penetrating shot played with a shorter backswing and follow-through, typically used to control trajectory in windy conditions.
Push	A shot that flies to the right of the target for a right-handed golfer, typically caused by an open clubface at impact.
Putt	A stroke made on the green with the intention of rolling the ball into the hole.
Putter	A flat-faced club used primarily for putting on the green.
Rangefinder	A device used to measure the distance to a target on the golf course, typically using laser technology.
Relief	The act of taking relief from a situation that interferes with a player's ability to make a stroke.
Revision	The GHIN Handicap Service automatically updates handicap indexes at the server level around midnight on the 1st and 15th of each month. However, the World Handicap System (WHS) allows players to receive an updated index the day after posting a score and not all score postings will lead to a revision of a Handicap Index.
Revolving Year Membership	A membership type that lasts for a full year from the date of joining and renews annually on the anniversary of the start date.
Rough	Longer grass located off the fairway, which can make shots more challenging.
Rules of Golf	The official regulations and guidelines governing the game of golf.
Sand Save	Successfully getting up and down from a greenside bunker to save par.
Sand Wedge	A type of wedge club with a high loft, used primarily for shots out of sand bunkers and high, soft shots around the green.
Score Differential	The difference between a player's adjusted gross score and the course rating, factoring in slope rating.
Scoring Average	The average number of strokes taken per round of golf, used to measure a golfer's performance over time.
Scramble	A format of play where golfers on a team each hit a shot, then choose the best one to play from.
Scratch Golfer	A golfer who plays with a high level of skill and consistency, usually playing at or below "par".
Short Game	The aspect of golf involving shots played from close to the green, including chipping, pitching, and putting.
Slice	A shot where the ball curves sharply away from the intended line of travel, typically caused by an errant swing.
Slope/Slope Rating	A measure of the relative difficulty of a golf course or hole for a bogey golfer compared to a scratch golfer.
Snowman	Slang for a score of 8 on a single hole, typically resulting from multiple penalty strokes.
Stableford	A scoring system where points are awarded based on the number of strokes taken at each hole.
Stance	The positioning of a golfer's feet and body relative to the ball and target, influencing balance and power.
Stinger	A low, penetrating shot hit with a long iron or fairway wood, typically used to control trajectory in windy conditions.
Stroke	A single swing of the club made with the intention of striking the ball.
Stroke Allocation	Stroke allocation assigns difficulty ratings to each hole, from 1 (hardest) to 18 (easiest). This helps determine where handicap strokes are applied in match play, allowing higher handicap players to receive strokes on the toughest holes for fair competition.
Stroke Index	A Ranking of holes on a course indicating their difficulty, used for handicap stroke allocation.
Stroke Play	A format of golf where each player counts the total number of strokes taken over the entire round or tournament.
Swing Plane	The imaginary plane formed by the club shaft during the swing, influencing the path and angle of the clubhead at impact.
Taking a Drop	A procedure where a golfer is allowed to drop a ball away from a hazard or obstruction, usually with a penalty stroke.
Tee	A small peg used to elevate the ball for the first stroke of each hole, typically made of wood or plastic.
Tee Box	The area from which a golfer plays their first stroke on each hole.
Tee Markers	Indicators on a golf course denoting the starting point for each hole and tee box.
Tempo	The rhythm and timing of a golfer's swing, influencing consistency and power.
Temporary Water	Standing water on the course caused by rain or irrigation, usually allowing for free relief.
Texas Wedge	Slang for using a putter from off the green instead of a lofted club.
Thin Shot	A shot where the clubhead strikes the ball too high on the face, resulting in a low trajectory and excessive distance.
Three-Putt	Taking three putts to hole out on a green, typically resulting in frustration and loss of momentum.
Time Frame	The period during which certain actions, such as score submission, must be completed.
Topped Shot	A shot where the clubhead strikes the top of the ball, resulting in a low, rolling trajectory.
Trajectory	The flight path of the ball through the air, influenced by factors such as club selection, swing speed, and wind conditions.
Unfair Advantage	An improper benefit gained by a player, often against the rules of golf.
Unplayable Ball	A ball in a position where the player believes it cannot be played as it lies, allowing for relief options.
Up and Down	Successfully getting the ball into the hole in two strokes after missing the green in regulation.
USGA	The USGA (United States Golf Association), in collaboration with The R&A (The Royal and Ancient Golf Club), oversees the Rules of Handicapping and the Course Rating System globally, with the USGA governing the United States and Mexico and The R&A governing the rest of the world.
Waggle	A small, rhythmic movement of the club before initiating the swing, used to promote relaxation and fluidity.
WD (Withdrawn)	A handicap index withdrawn by the Handicap Committee
Wedge	A type of iron club with a high loft, designed for short, high shots around the green.
Whiff	A swing and miss where the club fails to make contact with the ball, resulting in a stroke penalty.
WHS (World Handicap System)	A unified system for calculating golf handicaps globally, designed to ensure consistency and fairness across different courses and regions.
Winter Rules	Local rules allowing for relief from certain course conditions, such as preferred lies or lift, clean, and place.
Wrong Ball	A ball that is not the player's own, leading to a penalty if played.
Yips	A nervous condition that causes involuntary jerking or twitching of the hands during putting strokes, resulting in inconsistent performance.
Zigzag	A slang term for hitting the ball back and forth across the fairway, typically resulting in a high score.