Golf Terms for Beginners: A Simple Glossary

Golf has a language all of its own, and it can be baffling at first. Here is a plain-English glossary of the golf terms every beginner actually needs, grouped so you can find them fast.

Scoring terms

• Par: the number of shots a good golfer is expected to take on a hole (usually 3, 4 or 5).
• Birdie: one shot under par on a hole.
• Eagle: two shots under par.
• Bogey: one shot over par. A double bogey is two over.
• Handicap: a number reflecting your ability, so players of different standards can compete fairly.

Around the course

• Tee: the starting area of a hole, and the peg you place the ball on.
• Fairway: the mown strip between tee and green, the ideal place to be.
• Rough: the longer grass either side of the fairway.
• Green: the smooth putting surface where the hole is.
• Bunker: a sand hazard.
• Pin or flag: the marker in the hole.

Shots and swings

• Drive: a long shot from the tee, usually with a driver.
• Chip: a short, low shot near the green.
• Putt: a roll along the green towards the hole.
• Slice: a shot that curves sharply away (right for a right-hander).
• Hook: a shot that curves sharply the other way (left for a right-hander).
• Fore: the warning you shout when your ball heads towards other people.

Handy slang

• Gimme: a very short putt your partners agree to count as holed.
• Up and down: getting the ball in the hole in two shots from near the green.
• Provisional: a second ball played in case the first is lost.
• Mulligan: an informal do-over, not allowed under the rules but common in friendly games.

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Frequently asked questions

What are the basic golf scoring terms?

Par is the expected number of shots for a hole. A birdie is one under par, an eagle two under, a bogey one over, and a double bogey two over. Your handicap reflects your overall standard.

What is the difference between a slice and a hook?

A slice curves sharply away from you (to the right for a right-hander), usually unintended. A hook curves the other way (to the left for a right-hander). Both come from the clubface and swing path at impact.

What does fore mean in golf?

It is the warning you shout, loudly and immediately, when your ball is heading towards other people, so they can protect themselves. It is a key piece of golf safety and etiquette.

What is a gimme in golf?

A gimme is a very short putt that your playing partners agree to treat as holed, so you pick it up without putting. It is common in friendly and match-play golf, but not in strict stroke-play competition.