Golf words · Intermediate

The words that make the commentary make sense. They build on the beginner words.

I · Intermediate · 28 words · Step 2 of 2

Basic setup terms

Players with disabilities

Rule 25 of the Rules of Golf changes certain Rules for players with disabilities, for example allowing an aide, or a wider lateral relief area for players who use a wheeled mobility device.

Scoring terms

Stableford

A form of stroke play in which a player scores points on each hole by comparing their strokes with a fixed target score. The player with the most points wins.

Maximum score

A form of stroke play in which the score on a hole is capped at a maximum number of strokes set by the Committee, for example twice par.

Scoring and shot terms

Albatross

Finishing a hole three strokes under par, an extremely rare achievement.

Also called: double eagle
See also: Hole

Gimme

An informal agreement to count a very short putt as holed without playing it. In match play, a player may concede the opponent's next stroke, hole or match. In stroke play there are no concessions: every ball must be holed, or the player is disqualified.

See also: Hole, Stroke play, Match play, Putt

Fade

A shot that curves gently from left to right for a right handed golfer.

Draw

A shot that curves gently from right to left for a right handed golfer.

Punch shot

A low, controlled shot used to keep the ball under wind or tree branches.

Lay up

Deliberately hitting a shorter, safer shot instead of trying to reach the green in fewer strokes.

Yips

A loss of confidence or control, usually affecting short putts, caused by nerves or mental blocks.

Course and rules terms

Dogleg

A hole where the fairway bends left or right rather than running straight from tee to green.

Out of bounds

All areas outside the boundary edge of the course, which the Committee marks, usually with white stakes or lines. A ball out of bounds is no longer in play, and the player takes a penalty stroke and plays again from where the previous stroke was made.

See also: Course, Committee, Penalty stroke

The ruleWhat happens when a golf ball goes out of bounds?

Provisional ball

Another ball played in case the ball just hit may be out of bounds or lost outside a penalty area. It is not the ball in play unless it becomes so under Rule 18.3c.

Drop

Letting go of the ball from knee height so it falls straight down, without touching the player or their equipment, and comes to rest in the relief area the Rule sets.

Local rules

Specific rules set by an individual course or tournament that adjust standard golf rules for local conditions.

Stroke and distance

The penalty and procedure when a player plays again from where the previous stroke was made: one penalty stroke, and the gain in distance from that stroke is lost.

Unplayable ball

A ball the player judges cannot be played, for example one in a bush. The player takes a one-stroke penalty and chooses relief: play again from where the last stroke was made, drop behind the ball on a line back from the hole, or drop within two club-lengths of the ball and no nearer the hole.

Abnormal course condition

One of four things from which a player may take free relief: an animal hole, ground under repair, an immovable obstruction or temporary water.

Loose impediment

An unattached natural object such as a stone, leaf, branch or worm cast. It is not loose if it is attached, growing, solidly embedded or sticking to the ball.

Embedded ball

A ball in its own pitch-mark from the previous stroke, with part of it below the level of the ground.

The ruleDo you get relief for a plugged ball in golf?

Wrong ball

Any ball other than the player's ball in play, provisional ball or second ball. Playing a wrong ball breaches the Rules.

Advice

A comment or action intended to influence a player's choice of club, stroke or play. Public information, such as the position of the hole, the distance to it, the wind direction or the Rules, is not advice.

Club-length

The length of the longest club in the player's bag other than the putter. It is the unit used to size the teeing area and relief areas.

Tournament terms

Grand slam

Winning all four of golf's major championships, an extremely rare career achievement.

Ryder cup

A biennial team event between golfers from Europe and the United States, played in a match play format.

World ranking

An ongoing points based system ranking professional golfers globally based on tournament results.

Playoff

An extra round or holes played to break a tie at the end of a tournament.

Sudden death

A playoff format where the first player to win a hole outright wins the tournament.