Golf Terms and Definitions

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Approach Shot - A golf shot that is made from a distance (rough or fairway) towards the green.

Apron - The grass surface on the perimeter of the green that separates it from the fairway.

Birdie - A score on a golf hole that is one less than Par.

Bogey - A score on a golf hole that is one more than Par.

Divot - This is the piece of grass that is often removed from the turf when a golf shot is made. It is common golf etiquette to replace the divot when possible.

Driver - This is typically the golf club that is used for the longest distance from the tee. This club has little loft so it can "drive" the golf ball a long distance and allow it to roll a long ways.

Eagle - A score on a golf hole that is two less than Par.

Fairway - This is the area of a golf hole between the Tee and the Green. It is closely mown in compared to the rough making it easier to strike the golf ball cleanly.

Green - This is where the golf hole resides. The grass is very short and very smooth. Once the golf ball is on the Green, it is typically putted toward the hole.

Handicap - The Handicap is a number or rating of a golfer's ability designed to allow players of different skill levels to compete.

Hole - Can refer to each section of a golf course from the tee to the green as well as the actual hole or cup in the ground where the golfer is trying to hit the ball into. There are typically 18 holes on a given golf course or round.

Hook - A shot that curves quickly to the left (for a right-handed golfer). Usually this is a miss-hit and not something the golfer is trying to do.

Iron - A golf club that has a flat metal head. There are different lofts given by numbers for each type of Iron club. The higher the number the more loft. Irons are used from most any position on the golf course except for the green.

Par - This is the score that an expert golfer would be expected to make for the hole or golf course. Holes can have a Par score of 3, 4, or 5. Par for golf courses vary as well, but tend to be in the area of 72 strokes.

Putter - This is the golf club that is used on the Green. It is used to strike the golf ball such that it roles into the golf hole.

Rough - An area outside of the Fairway. The grass is longer making it harder to hit the golf ball cleanly.

Slice - A golf shot that curves hard to the right. Usually this is a miss-hit.

Tee - The start of the golf hole where the first shot is taken. Also, the name for the wooden peg that the golf ball can be place upon for the first shot.

Wood - A golf club used for longer distance than the iron, but is typically more difficult to control. The head used to be made out of wood, but today may be any number of materials.

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