Golf rules and terms from A to Z
Lexicon
73 terms from the Rules of Golf and golf language. Just start typing, the search forgives typos.
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A
- Abnormal course conditionRule 16.1The umbrella term for animal holes, ground under repair, immovable obstructions and temporary water. They give free relief.
- AdviceRule 10.2In a competition you may only ask your caddie, your partner or your partner’s caddie for advice. Giving tips to other players costs the general penalty.
- AlbatrossGolf termThree strokes under par, for example two strokes on a par 5. Much rarer than a hole-in-one.
- Animal holeRule 16.1A hole dug by an animal, including the soil dug out. Gives free relief, except for holes made by worms and insects.
B
- Back-on-the-line reliefRule 17.1d, 19.2bWith one penalty stroke, drop on the line from the hole through a fixed point, as far back as you like.
- Ball movedRule 9A ball has only moved if it comes to rest on another spot. Who or what moved it decides the penalty.
- Ball overhanging the holeRule 13.3If your ball overhangs the lip, you may wait ten seconds. If it drops in later, you add a penalty stroke.
- Ball-markRule 13.1cThe dent a landing ball leaves on the green. You may repair it on the putting green at any time, ideally with a repair tool.
- BirdieGolf termOne stroke under par on a hole, for example three strokes on a par 4.
- BogeyGolf termOne stroke over par on a hole. Two over is a double bogey, three over a triple bogey.
- BunkerRule 12A specially prepared area of sand. Before your stroke you must not deliberately touch the sand with your club.
C
- CaddieRule 10.3The person who carries your clubs and helps you. You may have only one caddie at a time, and their breaches count against you.
- ChipGolf termA short, low shot near the green: the ball flies a little and then rolls most of the way like a putt.
- Club-lengthDefinitionThe length of your longest club other than your putter. You use it to measure the relief area.
- CommitteeDefinitionThe person or group in charge of a competition or the course. It sets Local Rules and decides disputed cases.
- ConcessionRule 3.2bIn match play you may concede your opponent’s next stroke, a hole or the whole match. In stroke play there are no concessions.
- Course HandicapGolf termThe number of strokes you receive on a particular course from the chosen tees. Based on your Handicap Index and the course difficulty.
D
- Distance-measuring deviceRule 4.3Distance-measuring devices are allowed unless a Local Rule prohibits them. Measuring elevation changes is not.
- Double hitRule 10.1aIf you accidentally hit the ball twice in one stroke, it counts as one stroke with no penalty. Until 2018 it cost a penalty stroke.
- Dropping a ballRule 14.3Let the ball fall straight down from knee height. It must land in the relief area and come to rest there.
E
F
- FairwayGolf termThe closely mown area between the teeing area and the green. Under the Rules it is part of the general area, like the rough.
- FlagstickRule 13.2You may leave the flagstick in the hole. Since 2019 there is no penalty if your ball hits it, even from the green.
- ForeGolf termThe warning shout when your ball is heading towards people. If you hear it, protect your head and face.
- Four-ballRule 23Two partners each play their own ball. On each hole the better score of the two counts for their side.
- FoursomesRule 22Two partners play one ball and take alternate strokes. They also alternate the tee shots on odd and even holes.
G
- General areaDefinitionThe whole course except the teeing area, bunkers, penalty areas and the putting green of the hole being played. Fairway and rough both belong to it.
- General penaltyRule 1.3cThe standard penalty for breaching a Rule: two penalty strokes in stroke play, loss of hole in match play.
- Gross and netGolf termGross counts every stroke as played. Net deducts your handicap strokes so that all abilities have a chance.
- Ground under repairRule 16.1Areas marked by the Committee, often with blue stakes or white lines. Relief is free.
- GroupGolf termThe two to four players who play a round together. In German-speaking countries it is often called a flight.
H
- Handicap IndexGolf termA number that shows how well you play. The lower, the better. It lets players of different ability compete fairly.
- Hole-in-oneGolf termThe ball goes straight into the hole with the first stroke from the teeing area. Usually on a par 3.
- HookGolf termA ball that curves sharply to the left in the air, to the right for left-handers. The opposite of a slice.
I
L
- Lateral reliefRule 17.1d, 19.2cDrop within two club-lengths with one penalty stroke. Available for red penalty areas and unplayable balls.
- Limit of 14 clubsRule 4.1bYou may carry no more than 14 clubs. Too many costs two penalty strokes per hole in stroke play, with a maximum of four per round.
- Local RuleDefinitionA rule the Committee adds for its course or a competition. Usually shown on the notice board or the scorecard.
- Loose impedimentsRule 15.1Stones, leaves, twigs. You may remove them almost anywhere without penalty, since 2019 also in bunkers.
- Lost ballDefinitionNot found within three minutes. Until 2018 it was five.
M
- MarkerRule 3.3bThe person who records your scores in stroke play and certifies your scorecard. Usually another player in your group.
- Marking the ballRule 14.1Before lifting a ball that must be replaced, mark its spot right behind or next to the ball.
- Match playRule 3.2You play hole by hole against an opponent. Fewer strokes wins the hole, and more holes won wins the match.
- Movable obstructionRule 15.2Artificial objects you can easily move, such as a rake. You may remove them anywhere without penalty.
N
O
P
- Pace of playRule 5.6Play at a prompt pace. The Rules recommend no more than 40 seconds per stroke. Unreasonable delay is penalised.
- ParGolf termThe number of strokes a very good player is expected to need on a hole. Usually 3, 4 or 5, depending on its length.
- Penalty areaRule 17An area marked red or yellow, usually water. Called a water hazard until 2019.
- PitchGolf termA high, short shot to the green: the ball flies most of the way and rolls only a little after landing.
- Playing two ballsRule 20.1c(3)If you are unsure how to proceed in stroke play, you complete the hole with two balls. The Committee decides which one counts.
- Preferred liesModel Local Rule E-3Only under a Local Rule: you may lift, clean and place your ball near its spot on closely mown areas.
- Provisional ballRule 18.3A second ball in case the first one is lost or out of bounds. You must announce it.
- PuttGolf termThe rolling stroke with the putter, usually on the green. Anchoring the club to your body has been banned since 2016.
- Putting greenRule 13.1The area around the hole prepared for putting. You may mark, lift and clean your ball and repair almost any damage.
R
- Red penalty areaRule 17.1Marked with red stakes or lines. On top of the yellow options you may also take lateral relief. Formerly a lateral water hazard.
- Reference pointRule 14.3The point you measure the relief area from. Which point it is depends on the type of relief.
- Relief areaRule 14.3The area where you must drop the ball when taking relief, and from which you must play it.
- RoughGolf termThe longer grass beside the fairway. Under the Rules it is general area, and the same Rules apply as on the fairway.
S
- ScorecardRule 3.3bIn stroke play you are responsible for your score on each hole. Returning a score that is too low means disqualification.
- ScrambleGolf termA team format: everyone tees off, the team picks the best ball, and everyone plays from there until the ball is holed.
- Searching for your ballRule 7.1You have three minutes to search. If you accidentally move your ball while searching, replace it without penalty.
- SliceGolf termA ball that curves sharply to the right in the air, to the left for left-handers. The most common miss.
- StablefordRule 21.1A form of stroke play with points instead of strokes: a net par earns 2 points, each stroke better one more. Most points wins.
- Stroke and distanceRule 18.1One penalty stroke and you replay from where you made your last stroke. Required for out of bounds and lost balls, always allowed.
- Stroke playRule 3.3Every stroke counts, including penalty strokes. The lowest total for the round wins.