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Golf Glossary
Learn the language of Golf — answer-first definitions with real examples, beginner to pro.
517 terms
- Smash FactorIntermediateSmash factor is ball speed divided by club speed — a measure of strike efficiency. A driver smash factor near 1.50 means the ball left the face at 1.5× the clubhead speed, the practical maximum.
- Smothered HookAdvancedA smothered hook is a low, hooded shot that never gets airborne. It comes from an overly closed clubface at impact, combined with a delofted, shut position through the strike.
- Snap HookAdvancedA snap hook is a sudden, sharp, violent left curve that appears late in the ball flight. It usually comes from a clubface that closes rapidly relative to the path just before impact.
- Speed Control (Putting)IntermediateSpeed control is calibrating stroke length and tempo so a putt rolls the intended distance. It is widely considered the single most important putting skill.
- Spin AxisIntermediateSpin axis is the tilt of the ball's backspin axis relative to horizontal. It determines how much of the total spin curves the ball sideways, and how much keeps it flying straight and high.
- Spin LoftProSpin loft is the angle between the dynamic loft of the face and the attack angle at impact. It is the primary driver of spin and a key lever for controlling distance and flight.
- Spin RateIntermediateSpin rate is how fast the ball spins after impact, in revolutions per minute. It controls how the ball climbs, holds the air, and stops on landing.
- Spine AngleIntermediateSpine angle is the forward lean of the upper body set at address by hinging from the hips. Keeping that same lean through the swing is one of the clearest markers of consistent ball-striking.
- Spine TiltIntermediateSpine tilt is a slight lean of the spine away from the target at address, especially with a driver. It promotes a positive attack angle and a lower trail shoulder.
- Square StanceBeginnerA square stance lines the feet, hips, and shoulders up parallel to the target line. It is the neutral reference alignment every open or closed stance is measured against.
- SquatProThe squat is a slight downward drop of the body at the start of the downswing. The golfer loads into the ground, then explodes upward through impact.
- Stableford ScoringIntermediateStableford scoring awards points based on how a hole score compares to par (or net par) rather than counting total strokes. This softens the impact of a single disaster hole and keeps a bad hole from ruining an entire round's result.
- Stack and Tilt SwingAdvancedStack and Tilt is a swing method created by coaches Mike Bennett and Andy Plummer. Instead of shifting weight to the trail foot in the backswing, the golfer tilts toward the target and keeps the weight from moving back. The aim is a steady low point and ball-first contact.
- StanceBeginnerYour stance is how you position your feet, weight, and body at address before the swing. It sets your balance, swing width, and low point.
- Starting Golf as an AdultBeginnerStart with a few lessons or a group class to learn grip, setup and solid contact. Practice at a range and short-game area, then play a par-3 or short course before a full 18. You do not need expensive clubs, since borrowed, used or half-set clubs are fine to begin.
- Stay Behind the BallIntermediateYes, your head and chest should stay behind the ball at impact, but your weight should not. Good players keep their head slightly behind the ball while most of their pressure has moved to the lead foot. Staying back with your whole body causes hanging back and fat or thin shots.
- Staying Focused for a Whole RoundIntermediateNobody can concentrate hard for a whole round, so switch your focus on for each shot and let it go between shots. Use your pre-shot routine to switch on and commit to one clear target. Afterward, briefly review the shot and switch off by chatting or enjoying the walk. A consistent routine before and after every shot helps bring your attention back when it drifts.
- Steep DownswingIntermediateA steep downswing delivers the club noticeably more vertically than the backswing plane. It usually follows an upper-body-led transition, with deep divots, pulls, and lost distance.
- Stinger ShotAdvancedA stinger is a low, penetrating, low-spin shot hit on purpose, usually with a driver or long iron off the tee. It stays under the wind and rolls out extra yards on landing.
- Straight Ball FlightBeginnerA straight ball flight is a shot with essentially no sideways curve. The clubface angle and swing path match closely enough at impact that the spin axis stays close to horizontal.
- Straight Lead ArmBeginnerYour lead arm (the left arm for a right-hander) should be extended but not locked in the backswing. A firm, comfortable extension keeps the swing wide and the strike repeatable. A slight bend is common, even among tour players, and forcing the arm rigid adds tension.
- Strike QualityIntermediateStrike quality is a composite assessment of how solidly and reliably a golfer contacts the ball. It combines strike location, low-point control, and smash factor rather than relying on any single measurement alone.
- Stroke Index (Handicap Holes)IntermediateStroke index ranks the 18 holes from 1 to 18 to show where strokes are given. You receive a stroke on every hole ranked at or below your Course Handicap. With a Course Handicap of 8, your strokes fall on the holes ranked 1 to 8.
- Strokes GainedAdvancedStrokes gained measures the strokes a player gains or loses against a benchmark (tour average or a peer group). It covers tee shots, approach, around the green, and putting.
- Strong GripBeginnerA strong grip turns both hands more to the trail side than neutral, showing 3 or more knuckles at address. It makes the face easier to close and is a common slice fix.
- Strong Lofts (Iron Loft Creep)IntermediateStrong lofts mean modern irons have less loft than older irons with the same number. A typical 7-iron around 2000 had about 35 to 37 degrees. Some 7-irons today have about 30 or less. That is why a new 7-iron can fly as far as an old 5- or 6-iron.
- SwayIntermediateA sway is a sideways slide of the hips and upper body away from the target during the backswing. It replaces rotation with sideways movement, which makes a consistent return to the ball difficult.
- Sweeping ContactIntermediateSweeping contact is a shallow, level-to-slightly-descending strike style that brushes the turf rather than taking a deep, digging divot. It is appropriate for the driver, fairway woods, and hybrids.
- Sweet SpotBeginnerThe sweet spot is the center of percussion on the clubface. A strike there transfers the most energy to the ball, with minimal vibration and maximum distance.
- Swing ConsistencyIntermediateSwing consistency measures how much tempo, plane, and impact position vary from swing to swing. Less variation generally goes with tighter shot dispersion.
- Swing Direction and Swing Plane (TrackMan)AdvancedOn TrackMan, swing direction is the horizontal direction of the club's swing plane, measured against the target line. Swing plane is the vertical angle of that plane against the ground. Swing direction is not the same as club path, because path also depends on attack angle.
- Swing Fault PriorityIntermediateSwing fault priority means choosing which swing issue to fix first. Faults are often connected, so fixing the right one can resolve others automatically.
- Swing Left (Rotation Cue)IntermediateSwing left is a coaching cue for right-handers. It means the club should keep moving left of the target after impact as your body turns, instead of chasing straight down the target line. It helps you rotate through and stops blocks to the right.
- Swing Overlay ComparisonIntermediateA swing overlay comparison syncs two swing videos, overlaid or side by side, at a shared point like impact. Differences then show without relying on memory.
- Swing PlaneIntermediateSwing plane is the tilted circle the club travels on around your body. A consistent plane makes it easier to return the club squarely and on path at impact.
- Swing SequencingAdvancedSwing sequencing is the downswing order in which hips, torso, arms, then club peak in speed. It separates efficient power from a swing that only looks fast.
- Swing Tempo RatioIntermediateSwing tempo ratio compares backswing time to downswing time, commonly near 3:1 for tour players. It is one of the simplest, most coached swing numbers.
- Swing ThoughtBeginnerA swing thought is one simple cue a golfer holds in mind just before or during a swing. Most coaches agree one clear thought, or none, beats several at once.
- Swing WeightAdvancedSwing weight measures how heavy a club feels in the swing, based on where its weight sits. It uses a letter-number scale (commonly C9 to D5), not grams.
- TakeawayBeginnerThe takeaway is the first movement of the club away from the ball. Where and how the club moves in the first 18–24 inches often sets the backswing's shape.
- Tee HeightBeginnerTee height is how high the ball sits on the tee peg. For a driver, half the ball should sit above the top of the club at address to promote a positive attack angle and high launch.
- Teeing Up in Front of the MarkersBeginnerIf you tee off in front of the markers in stroke play, you get two penalty strokes and must replay from inside the teeing area. The first shot does not count. In match play there is no penalty, but your opponent may cancel the stroke and make you replay it.
- TempoBeginnerTempo is the overall timing and rhythm of your swing — the ratio of how long the backswing takes versus the downswing. A smooth, repeatable tempo is what makes contact consistent.
- Temporary Water (Casual Water)BeginnerCasual water, now called temporary water in the Rules of Golf, gives you a free drop. If a puddle outside a penalty area touches your ball or affects your stance or swing, you get relief. Drop within one club-length of the nearest point of complete relief, no nearer the hole. Ground that is only wet, soft or muddy doesn't count; the water must be visible before or after your stance.
- Ten-Finger Grip (Baseball Grip)BeginnerThe ten-finger (baseball) grip places all ten fingers on the handle with no overlap or interlock. It is a common starting point for young children, beginners, and golfers with limited hand or wrist strength.
- Texas WedgeBeginnerA Texas wedge is a putt played from off the green, such as from the fringe, the apron or a firm fairway. Putt it when the grass between you and the green is short, smooth and dry. Many golfers find it easier to control than a chip, since a mishit putt rarely costs as much as a skulled or chunked chip.
- The 90-Degree Cart RuleBeginnerThe 90-degree cart rule means you keep the cart on the path until you are level with your ball. Then you turn at a right angle, drive straight across the fairway to it, and return the same way. It spreads cart traffic and protects the turf.
- The SlotAdvanced"The slot" is the club's ideal downswing channel: inside and shallow, between the target line and shoulder plane. It allows an efficient, in-to-out strike.
- Thin DivotIntermediateA thin divot is a shallow scuff or bruise in the turf rather than a proper strip of removed grass. It indicates a shallow, sweeping angle of attack, which may suit some clubs but signals an issue for others.
- Thin ShotBeginnerA thin shot is when the club's leading edge catches the ball near its equator instead of below it. The opposite of a fat shot, it produces a low, skimming flight.
- Three-PuttBeginnerA three-putt means taking three strokes to hole out after reaching the green. It usually starts with poor distance control on the first putt.
- Toe StrikeIntermediateA toe strike is contact made closer to the outer edge of the clubface than the center. It produces horizontal gear effect that curves the ball left and significantly reduces ball speed.
- Toe-Down ImpactAdvancedToe-down impact is the natural drooping of the clubhead's toe during the downswing, caused by shaft dynamics and gravity. If setup does not account for it, the effective strike location shifts toward the toe.
- Toe-Hang PutterIntermediateA toe-hang putter's head is weighted so the toe droops noticeably when the shaft is balanced on a finger. That design naturally works with an arcing stroke that opens and closes the face.
- Topped ShotBeginnerA topped shot is when the club hits the top half of the ball, above its equator. The ball dribbles along the ground with very little height or distance.
- Total DistanceBeginnerTotal distance is how far the ball travels from impact until it stops. It is carry distance through the air plus roll after landing.
- TPI Screen (Golf Physical Screening)IntermediateA TPI screen is a set of simple physical tests from the Titleist Performance Institute. It checks how your body moves and links any limits to swing faults. TPI calls this the Body-Swing Connection. Its Level 1 screen has sixteen parts and is run by TPI-certified coaches, trainers and therapists.
- Trail Elbow CollapseAdvancedTrail elbow collapse is the trail elbow over-folding and losing structure in the downswing. The club loses width and speed, often forcing an early release or chicken wing.
- Trained Eye AssessmentIntermediateA trained eye assessment is an experienced coach's visual read of a swing, drawing on pattern recognition. It complements numeric or video-based analysis.
- TransitionAdvancedThe transition is the moment the swing changes direction from backswing to downswing. How the body starts this moment determines sequencing, lag, and the resulting club path.
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