Golf

A plain-language guide to golf terms, course language, formats, rules, and tournament phrases.

Type the word, an abbreviation, or your best guess at the sound.

Categories

Events

A-Z glossary

Amen Corner

A famous three-hole stretch at Augusta National.

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Augusta National

The golf club and course where The Masters is played.

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Birdie

One stroke fewer than the number assigned to a hole.

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Bogey

One stroke more than the number assigned to a hole.

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Bunker

A prepared hollow filled with sand.

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Ceremonial tee shot

A symbolic opening shot before tournament play begins.

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Chip

A low, short hit intended to travel mostly along the ground after landing.

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Cut line

The score threshold used to reduce the field after an early stage of a tournament.

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Defending champion

The player who won the same tournament the previous time it was played.

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Double bogey

Two strokes more than the number assigned to a hole.

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Driver

The longest club, usually used for the first hit on longer holes.

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Fairway

The closely cut route between the starting area and the target.

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Fore

A warning shouted when a moving ball may hit someone.

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Green

The closely cut area surrounding the cup.

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Green jacket

The garment awarded to the champion at Augusta National.

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Greens in regulation

A statistic recording whether the ball reached the putting surface within the expected number of strokes.

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Handicap index

A number estimating a player's demonstrated ability across recent rounds.

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Leaderboard

The ordered list showing players and their current scores.

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Mulligan

An unofficial do-over that does not count.

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Out of bounds

An area outside the permitted limits of play.

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Par

The number of strokes a skilled player is expected to take to complete a hole.

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Patron

The word The Masters uses for a spectator.

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Putter

The flat-faced club designed to roll the ball.

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Rough

Longer grass bordering the closely cut route.

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Scramble

A team format in which everyone plays from the best previous result.

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Slice

A shot that curves sharply away from the player's body side.

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Sunday charge

A late move up the leaderboard during the final round.

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Tee box

The designated starting area for a hole.

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The Masters

An annual major golf tournament held at Augusta National Golf Club.

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