How to Understand Golf Terms and Terminology

Like all sports, golf has its own terminology in reference to many aspects of the game. For example, when you make a shot from the tee box of a par-4 or par-5 hole, it is called the drive or tee shot in golf terms.

On a par-3, it is called just the tee shot. If your next move is to hit the ball onto the green and you are at a distance of at least 100 yards away, the shot you are about to take his called an “approach shot”. A pitch describes the same shot, but from a distance of only 40 to 90 yards. As you can see these golf terms are almost another language!

When a player hits the ball, there are several descriptions which reflect each of those shots within a few seconds after the ball is in the air. Below is a brief description of each type of shot a golf player can make and what it is called in golf terms:

Golf Terms and Basic Terminology

The Slice: The slice is often referred to the type of shot a beginner may make. Most new golfers tend to put a sidespin on the ball Instead of hitting square from the face of the club. Typically, this hit comes from the “outside-in”, which describes the way a club approaches the ball from the right side to its left. This causes the ball to spend the opposite way, hence the name slice. Of course, left-handed shooters would reverse that description.

The Fade: The fade is basically like a slice, but with a lesser curve shot. The fade is often intentional by more experienced players.

The Hook: Considered to be the opposite of the slice, a hook is when the ball is hit from the “inside-out” and causes a spin from right to left. Like the slice, this is not a desirable shot.

The Draw: The draw is a positive shot, one that is desirable. The ball floats in a gradual right to left spin, and is more stable and under control than the above mentioned shots.

The Push: A push describes a shot in which the ball travels on a straight path to the right of your target area.

The Pull: The pull is essentially just like the push, but the ball moves in the opposite direction, pulling to the left.

The Fat: Nobody likes to have a shot described as “fat”. When this happens, you have basically hit more ground than you did the ball. The ball may pop up in the air, and fall short.

The Top: A top shot is when you hit the ball on its topside and it typically does not become airborne, instead it just glides down the path and becomes a “worm burner”, as they say.

The Shank: A shank shot is when the ball is hit from the club’s side instead of the face, causing the ball to shoot sharply to the right.

The Chili Dip: A chili dip is typically done on purpose and describes a shot that is made “fat” in order to get the ball onto the green from a relatively short distance.

The Stiff: The stiff has only one meaning: A perfect shot!

I hope this short introduction to golf terms and basic terminology will assist you to get more enjoyment from your game.

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