Common Golfing Terms

Learning to play is as much about learning the language of the game as its techniques. Given the game's Scottish roots, there are some much loved terms that, sadly, have not stood the test of time. Take Mashie niblook. This has always been guaranteed to bring a wry smile to the face of the uninitiated, but it is in fact the more colourful, and certainly more endearing, name for a seven iron.

Ducking for cover

On a more practical note, if you hear the distant call of "fore" and you find yourself the only one not ducking for cover, then perhaps it's time to start taking notes. Here's what you need to know to take to the course with confidence.

Tee

The grass platform from which the first shot on each hole is taken. This term also refers to the plastic or wooden peg used to raise the ball above ground level for a tee shot.

Fairway

The mown stretch of grass that provides a clean stretch from the tee to the green which, in turn, is home to the hole, the position of which is indicated by a flag.

Rough

Long, unkempt grass bordering the fairway that lies in wait for wayward wood or iron shots.

The most visited hazard on the course

Bunker

A hollow filled with sand, bunkers can be found both on the fairway and surrounding the green, and are the most recognisable, and sadly most visited, hazard on the course.

Par

The average number of shots that should be taken in playing the ball from the tee and in to the hole. Has come in to common usage in the phrase "par for the course", meaning to be expected. In simple terms, if the par for the course is 72 and you take 72 shots to complete the 18 holes, then you've made par.

Completing a hole one shot less than the par

Birdie

Not a reference to one of the wives of the Ryder Cup team, as some less than politically correct newspapers recently stated, but completing a hole in one shot less than its designated par.

Eagle

Taking two shots less than the par for a single hole. Now, that's just showing off, isn't it?

Albatross

Not a term that ever enters most golfers' vocabulary, it denotes taking three shots less than the par for a single hole.

Bogey

This one sounds more familiar: taking one more shot than the par for a single hole. Double bogeys are another common occurrence.

The most embarrassing shot in the game

The shank

Surely the most embarrassing shot in the game. It occurs when the player strikes the ball with the part of the club where the shaft meets the head, known as the hosel. More commonly experienced by beginners due to poor weight distribution resulting in a defect in the swing, the shank nevertheless has on occasions arisen during rounds by much more experienced individuals.

Fore

A shouted warning when other golfers are deemed in danger from being hit by a wayward ball.

The clubhouse bar

The 19th hole

After an exhilarating round of golf, why not an equally exhilarating round of drinks to congratulate or commiserate? In short, the term refers to the clubhouse bar and is one that sociable golfers like to reacquaint themselves with on a regular basis.