The quick read
What to know
- Par is the reference score: a birdie is one under, a bogey one over.
- Gross and net scores are different; net scores include handicap adjustments.
- Knowing course areas helps you understand which rules apply to your ball.
Golf vocabulary becomes much easier when you connect each word to a moment in a round. You choose a tee, aim towards a fairway, play an approach and then record a score. This glossary groups the terms in that order, with extra explanations for the words that most often cause confusion.
Use it as a reference before a first golf holiday or while watching a tournament. Everyday expressions and defined Rules terms do not always mean exactly the same thing; for an actual ruling, the official Rules and the course's Local Rules take precedence.
Scoring: par, birdie, bogey and beyond
Always start with the par of the hole. A score of four means something different on a par 3 from a par 5. Penalty strokes count in your score too, even though no club struck the ball to earn them.
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Par | The reference score assigned to a hole. Four strokes on a par 4 is par. |
| Birdie | One stroke under par: for example, three on a par 4. |
| Eagle | Two strokes under par: for example, three on a par 5. |
| Albatross / double eagle | Three strokes under par, such as two on a par 5. |
| Bogey | One stroke over par. |
| Double bogey | Two strokes over par. |
| Ace / hole-in-one | Completing a hole with the first stroke. |
| Gross score | Your strokes, including penalties, before handicap adjustment. |
| Net score | Your gross score adjusted for the handicap strokes you give or receive. |
Finding your way around a golf course
Fairway and rough describe the playing surface, but both usually belong to the general area in the Rules. Bunkers and penalty areas have their own rules. A sandy-looking patch is not automatically a bunker, so check the course information instead of judging solely by appearance.
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Teeing area | The defined starting area for the hole, extending two club-lengths behind the front line between its tee markers. |
| Fairway | The closely mown route towards the green. |
| Rough | Longer grass beside or beyond the fairway. |
| Putting green | The specially prepared putting surface for the hole you are playing. |
| Fringe / apron | The strip of grass around a green; it is normally outside the putting green. |
| Bunker | A specially prepared area of sand, often beside a landing area or green. |
| Penalty area | An area identified as red or yellow, with specific penalty-relief options; it need not contain water. |
| Out of bounds / OB | Ground outside the course boundary; the ball must be wholly outside to be out of bounds. |
| Dogleg | A hole whose route turns left or right. |
| Lie | How and where the ball rests, including what is directly supporting or surrounding it. |
Shots and the clubs used to play them
Carry and total distance are particularly useful words when choosing a club. A lake or bunker has to be cleared in the air; a total distance that includes a long bounce and roll does not tell you whether that obstacle is safe.
- Drive: a long opening shot, usually played from the tee.
- Approach: a shot intended to reach the green.
- Chip: a short shot around the green with relatively little airtime and more roll.
- Pitch: a short, more lofted shot that generally spends more time in the air than a chip.
- Putt: a shot intended to roll the ball, usually on the green.
- Carry: the distance the ball travels before first touching the ground.
- Lay-up: choosing a shorter target to leave a manageable next shot.
- Driver: a long-distance club with a large head, commonly used from a tee.
- Iron: one of the numbered clubs used for a range of approach and other shots.
- Wedge: a more lofted club useful for shorter approaches and shots around greens.
- Putter: the club designed principally for rolling the ball on the green.
- Tee: the small object that raises the ball for an opening shot; also used informally for the starting location.
- Ball-marker: the small object used to mark the ball's position before lifting it when permitted.
- Rangefinder: a device used to obtain distances; extra functions and competition restrictions need checking.
Handicaps and formats on the scorecard
Your Handicap Index is a portable measure of demonstrated ability. Your Course Handicap translates it for the tees being played. Your Playing Handicap applies the competition's allowance. The stroke index on the card identifies where strokes are allocated; it is not the same thing as your personal Handicap Index.
- Stroke play: in its regular form, the total strokes over the round decide the result.
- Match play: opponents compete over individual holes, winning, losing or tying each one.
- Stableford: a form of stroke play in which each hole earns points against a target score.
- Concession: an opponent's acceptance of your next stroke, a hole or the match in match play. A friendly 'gimme' does not complete a hole in a Stableford competition.
People, pace and course etiquette
These words help a group move smoothly and look after the course. Safety comes first: wait until the area ahead is clear before playing, and give an immediate warning if your shot might endanger someone.
- Caddie: a person who helps a player with clubs, permitted advice and other assistance.
- Marker: the person responsible for recording and certifying your hole scores in stroke play; different from a ball-marker.
- Fore!: the warning shouted when a ball may endanger someone.
- Ready golf: playing when ready and safe, out of the usual order, as encouraged in stroke play.
- Divot: turf displaced by a stroke; follow the course's instructions for repair.
- Pitch mark / ball-mark: a dent caused by a landing ball, particularly on a green; repair it carefully.
- Provisional ball: an announced second ball played when the original may be out of bounds or lost outside a penalty area.
- Local Rules: rules adopted by the Committee for that course or competition.
A few more answers
Common questions
Is a birdie better than a par?
Yes. A birdie takes one stroke fewer than par. On a par 4, a three is a birdie, a four is par and a five is a bogey.
Does 'net par' mean I actually made par?
It means your score equals par after the relevant handicap adjustment. For example, a gross five with one stroke received is a net four, which is net par on a par 4.
Sources & further reading
- The R&A — Rule 2: areas of the courseranda.org (opens in a new tab)
- The R&A — Rule 3: formats, gross and net scoringranda.org (opens in a new tab)
- The R&A — definitionsranda.org (opens in a new tab)
- The R&A — Rule 1: conduct and course careranda.org (opens in a new tab)
- The R&A — Rule 5: pace of playranda.org (opens in a new tab)
- The R&A — handicapping Rule 6randa.org (opens in a new tab)
- USGA — golf history and scoring terminologyusga.org (opens in a new tab)
- Northern California Golf Association — golf terminologyblog.ncga.org (opens in a new tab)
