As we get ready for the golf season, there’s lots of new golfers out there or people who are interested in the game but don’t know how to start learning. With snow still on the ground, there’s lots of indoor driving ranges, simulator facilities, and even mini putt courses you can check out to get your swing spring ready.
Find an Off COurse Facility Near you
For now though, let’s do some classroom work and study on the basic golf terms you’ll come across this season!
Scoring Terminology
Scoring in golf is based on the par of a hole. On all scorecards there’s a listed par for each hole and a total par for the course. Players will either be on par at the end of the round, over par for the round which would be the number of total strokes over the listed number for the course, or under par which would be the number of total strokes under the listed number.
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Hole In One
This term refers to anytime someone puts the golf ball into the hole on their first shot, commonly referred to as their tee shot. This is most common on holes that are a par 3, however sometimes it will happen on short par 4’s.
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Albatross
This is commonly referred to as a double eagle, and is three under par for a hole. This is only possible on a par 5, if a player scores a two on the hole.
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Eagle
This is a score of two under par, this means a player played hole in two strokes less than the listed par for the hole. Most common on a par 5, this means a player scored a 3.
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Birdie
This is a score of one under par, meaning they played the hole one shot less than the listed par for the hole.
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Par
This score means a player was even on the hole. Par is the listed number on the scorecard for and is predetermined. It is determined by the golf course as the number of strokes it should take to complete the hole. Par is used as the measuring stick for the rest of the scoring terms.
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Bogey
This refers to someone who was one stroke more than the listed par on a hole. There’s different kinds of bogeys, a double bogey which is two over par, or a triple bogey which is three over par.
Types of Equipment
Golfers all have a variety of equipment on their person and in their bags to ready them for a round of golf. Here are the basics, besides a golf ball, that you’ll need to play a round!
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Tee
A small wood or plastic device with a sharp tip that is used to pierce the ground. The other side has a flat circle area for you to rest the golf ball on. This can be used for any tee shot
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Driver
This is your longest club in your bag and is used to tee off on most holes during your round. It has a large hollow head and predominantly is hit off a tee.
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Wood
A long-range club similar to that of a driver, usually features a smaller head compared to driver but usually shaped similar to that of a driver. Predominantly used off the tee or in the fairway
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Hybrid
A medium to long range club that combines features of a wood and an iron. It’s designed to provide players the most versatility
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Irons
A medium range club with a flat face. Irons usually come in a set and have numbers listed on the top of them to help distinguish which club to hit from certain distances. A 9 iron is your highest lofted iron which mean it will go a shorter distance and higher in the air. A 3 iron is the most common iron at the other end of a set, and is the flattest iron meaning it will go farther and likely won’t go as high.
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Wedge
This is a short-range club, often used around the greens. They’re high lofted clubs so it will go high in the air. These also come in different lofts like a 60 degree, 52 degree and 56 degree.
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Putter
This is the flattest club in your bag and is used on the putting green to roll the ball into the hole
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Ball Marker
A ball marker is an artificial item that players will use to mark their golf ball on the green before picking the ball up. The item used is up to each player, coins are common but players can buy actual ball markers at any pro shop in the city.
Areas of The Course
Every golf course has different areas of the course that players should know. Under the Rules of Golf, there are only five areas but this can be confusing, so we’ve laid it out a little simpler than that!
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Tee Box
Commonly referred to as the teeing area, this is where you begin each hole. All golf courses have different tee box options with different yardages to allow players of different skill levels to play from a distance that will be enjoyable. This is where using a tee is allowed
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Fairway
This is the intended landing area for a players tee shot, it’s the area of shortly mown grass to reward players that are able to hit a better tee shot
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Rough
This is the area of grass that often surrounds the fairway, it’s often left longer compared to a fairway to penalize players that miss the intended area
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Putting Green
This is the putting surface at the end of each hole, where the hole is located. It’s mown very tightly and short to allow the ball to roll on the surface.
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Hole
This is the small finishing point on each golf hole where players are trying to make the ball go into to end it before going to the next tee box.
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Bunker
These are the specific areas on the course that are filled with sand, and exist to challenge golfers to avoid them
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Penalty Areas
Another obstacle to be avoided, commonly referred to as a red penalty area. It’s marked by red or yellow stakes, red or yellow paint, or a combination of both. These areas often filled with water and players will incur a penalty stroke if their ball comes to rest in these areas in most cases.
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Out of Bounds
These areas of the course that are not actually part of the golf course and play from these areas is not allowed. If a ball comes to rest in here players will have to take penalty strokes. These are marked by white stakes, white paint, or a combination of both
Other Important Terms
Finally, we have a list of some just generic terms that you might hear when on the golf course or even taking a lesson!
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Approach Shot
A shot hit from either the fairway or rough into a green
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Backswing
The motion when a player takes the club back from the golf ball
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Downswing
This is the motion a player makes from the top of their backswing back towards the ball to make contact
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Follow Through
This is the motion after making contact with the ball to complete a swing
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Draw
A shot intentionally hit with side spin on the ball to curve it while in the air. For a right-handed golfer, this means the ball will go right to left. Left-handed golfers will see the opposite curve.
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Hook
A hook is an accidental draw, and usually has much more curve to it
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Fade
A shot intentionally hit with side spin on the ball to curve it while in the air. Right-handed golfers will see the ball go left to right, while left-handed golfers will see the opposite flight
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Slice
A slice is an accidental fade, and usually has much more curve in the air
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Stance
This is when you address the ball and refers to a players feet