Golf Terms Flashcards
Refers to how the golfers address is aligned to the target. The stance could be square, open, or closed. A change in alignment will change the flight of the ball
Alignment
This term refers to a holders “set up” to hit the ball. It refers to the position of his feet, shoulders, hands, and ball position
Address
Refers to the person who is the farthest “away” from the hole. By honor, they are the first to play the next shot
Away
Refers to the act if the golfer starting the backswing. Most books will suggest that your take away be LOW and SLOW.
Take away
Refers to the spin applied to the ball with a short iron. Since the club travels under the ball with an open face it will produce some of this on the ball that will make the ball hit and back up when it comes in high on the green
Back spin
Usually a coin, the golfer uses it on the green to mark the spot of the ball when you lift it to clean it before putting
Ball marker
This format of scoring is used when there are two person teams. Each person on the team plays their own ball but when they record their score they need only to record the best score of the twosome
Best ball
This format is the most widely used in social outings and fund raisers because the ability of each player in the group is not showcased. Each of the four players hit the first shot off the tee and then you play only the best of those shots. Everyone else picks up their ball and plays their next shot at that same spot. This continues until the hole is played out. Since the best of the 4 shots are used it produces very low scores and everyone gets to contribute to the cause
Scramble
This is a one on one competition between two players where each player plays their own ball and the winner is declared by the lowest score on the hole. If 1 player shoots 4 and the other 6, the person would be one up going into the second hole. It doesn’t matter by how much the hole is decided. If the scores are tied on a certain hole it is considered even for that hole. The player would win the match when he or she is up by than the number if holes left to play
Match play
This form of competition is the most widely used in tournament play. Each player counts all the strokes with the player with the fewest strokes for the round or series of rounds winning the tournament. Most PGA events are 4(18) hole rounds
Stroke play
Refers to the distance you can hit the ball in the air or to the distance to a target. Ex. You must hit it 138 yards to carry the bunker
Carry
In reference to how to hit the ball, the angle tells all. It can be open, closed, or square to the target. Knowing how to align it will help you control ball flight
Club face
Refers to the long, steel or graphite length of the club from the club face to the grip. They come in different flexes that affect how the club feels depending on the golfers swing speed
Shaft
This refers to the leather or rubber covering on the shaft where the golfer will align their hands when they swing. Will affect the swing and ball flight
Grip
Refers to the ball flight of a right hander that curves slightly from right to left caused by an inside to outside swing pattern. It puts some over spin on the ball and makes the ball travel farther
Draw
This would be a major draw, where the ball flight of a right hander would curve dramatically to the left
Hook
Refers to the ball flight if a right hander that curves slightly it the right, caused by an outside to in swing pattern. The ball will normally travel higher and slightly shorter than with a draw
Fade
Refers to the ball flight of a right hander that curves dramatically to the right and away from the golfer. It is one of the primary faults suffered by amateur golfers
Slice
By hitting behind the ball and getting too much grass, it is said that you hit it fat causing you to lose distance
Hitting a shot, “FAT”
By hitting the ball in the center of the club because you lifted the club you will hit it thin causing the ball to travel low and fast off the clubface
Hitting a shot, “thin”
By hitting the shot off the hozel where the clubface attaches to the shaft it causes the ball to fly almost sideways off the face
Shank
Refers to a high arching shot developed by using a sand or lob wedge that “flops” or floats high onto a green and has so much arch and spin it will hit and die or possibly back up
Flop shot
The first cut of rough that surrounds the green
Fringe
Refers to the act of someone conceding a putt in a social round of golf. It is considered close enough to the hole to concede the round of golf. It is close enough to the hole to concede the next putt knowing that it is too easy to have to putt
Gimmie
Refers to the term in social golf where your playing partners agree to give you a free next shot off the tee with out penalty when you mess up the original tee shot. It is a do-over
Mulligan
Hitting the ball on the green in the appropriate amount of strokes. Ex. On a par 4, you should be on in 2 shots, and then hit two putts for a par. As long as you put it on the green on your second shot, you are considered, “on in regulation”
Green in regulation
The position of the pin or flag is important.
White- the hole is in the middle of the green
Red- hole is in front of the green
Blue- the hole is in the back of the green
Pin/flag
This term refers to the strategic decisions made by a golfer pertaining to how best to play the hole. One example would be club selection another example would be to choose to lay up on a par 5 to avoid the water or challenge the course by going for the green on your second shot and risk hitting the ball in the water
Course management
Based on your previous scores a golfer develops a handicap, which is an indicator of how they will perform based on past performances. If someone is a 6 handicap they will normally shoot a 78 for 18 holes, which is 6 over par. A handicap is used to make all golfers equal based on their handicap and it is an aid in golf betting
Handicap
Hitting a ball with the intention of hitting it not in the hole but close enough to the hole to insure that you can make the next putt easily
Lag putt
Not hitting the ball on the green but strategically “laying up” to avoid trouble such as water or sand traps
Lay up
Usually stakes or sprinkle heads that can be used by a golfer to determine how far they are from the center of the green
Red=100 yards
White=150 yards
Blue=200 yards
Yardage markers
If you think your ball is lost or out of bounds you are allowed to hit this from the same spot after taking a one stroke penalty. Indicate to your playing partners that you are hitting this ball and if you were unable to find your first ball you would play this ball
Provisional shot
The short cut of grass between the tee box and the green
Fairway
The longer grass that surrounds the fairways leading to the hole
Rough
A penalizing area of sand or water in which you cannot ground your club
Hazard
The area from which you hit the first shot on a hole. Your ball must be played inside the markers and within 2 club lengths of the markers. It is the only place where you can place the ball on this
Tee box
The angle of the club shaft relative to your body during the swing. The swing plane helps determine the ball flight
Swing plane
The unique characteristics of a golf ball after it is hit
Ex. Draw or fade
Trajectory
An international team competition for men between the us and Europe
Ryder cup
An international team competition for women between the US and Europe
Solheim cup
The governing body of professional golfers and golf instructors
P.G.A. Professional Golfers Association
The governing body of rules for the sport
U.S.G.A. The United States Golf Association
The governing body of professional women golfers
L.P.G.A. The Women’s Professional Golfers Association
Name the four majors for golf
Masters
Us open
British open
P.G.A. Championships
