Common Golfing Terms

Address the Ball

 - 

When a player has grounded their club immediately in front of or immediately behind the ball, whether or not they have taken their stance

Air Shot

 - 

Shot where the player addresses the ball, swings, and completely misses the golf-ball - it still counts as a shot on the scorecard

Albatross

 - 

Three under Par

Birdie

 - 

One under Par

Bogey

 - 

One over Par

Carry

 - 

Distance the ball flies in the air

Chip

-

Short shot played around the green intended to travel a very short distance through the air and roll the remainder of the way to the hole

Closed Grip

 - 

Both hands on the grip are turned away from the target - also known as a "strong grip"

Divot

-

Turf displaced when the club strikes the ground

Dormie

-

Position in match play when one team needs to win all the remaining holes in order to draw level  e.g. "Dormie 2" would be after the 16th hole when a team is 2 holes down with 2 holes left to play 

Double Bogey

 - 

Two over Par

Draw

 - 

Ball initially flies straight then curves slightly to the left in the air towards the end of the trajectory (due to slight spin on the ball)

Eagle

 - 

Two under Par

Fade

 - 

Ball initially flies straight then curves slightly to the right in the air towards the end of the trajectory (due to slight spin on the ball)

Fairway

 - 

The cut grass area between the tee and the putting green

Follow Through

 - 

Latter part of the swing from striking the ball to completion of the motion

Ground

-

When the club touches the ground or water in a hazard before playing the shot - results in a penalty shot

Hazard

 - 

Any Bunker or Water Hazard (such as a lake, pond, stream or ditch)

Hook

 - 

Ball curves sharply right to left in the air (more ball spin and more pronounced than a Draw)

Lie

-

Position of the ball when it comes to rest.

Lob

-

Short, high shot usually played with a wedge

Open Grip

 - 

Both hands on the grip are turned towards the target - also known as a "weak grip"

Par 

 - 

The number of shots an accomplished player is expected to take on a hole

Pitch

-

Approach shot usually played with a higher lofted club and using a less than full swing

Pitch and Run

-

Short approach shot followed by considerable run

Plugged Lie

-

When the ball comes to rest in its own pitch mark

Slice

 - 

Ball curves sharply left to right in the air (more ball spin and more pronounced than a Draw)

Through the Green

 - 

Any part of the course except the tee boxes, putting green and all hazards