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Golf Glossary
Learn the language of Golf — answer-first definitions with real examples, beginner to pro.
234 terms
- Lead Heel Lift in the BackswingIntermediateYes, it is OK to lift your left heel a little in the backswing if it helps you turn. Let the turn pull the heel up rather than lifting it on purpose. Then replant it early in the downswing so you can push into the ground and turn through.
- Lead WristIntermediateThe lead wrist is the wrist of the top hand (left for right-handers). Its position throughout the swing — especially at the top of the backswing and at impact — directly controls clubface angle and low point.
- Lob Wedge ShotIntermediateA lob wedge shot uses the most-lofted club in the bag (58–64°) for a high, soft landing. It works best for carrying a hazard and stopping fast on a small target.
- Local RuleIntermediateA local rule is a course- or competition-specific change adopted by the committee running play. It commonly covers embedded balls, temporary conditions like winter rules, or unique course features the standard Rules of Golf do not address.
- Loft GappingIntermediateLoft gapping checks that neighboring clubs, especially wedges, are spaced in even loft and yardage steps, with no big distance gaps or overlaps.
- Long Putter and the Anchoring RuleIntermediateYes, a long putter is legal. The club length limit does not apply to putters. What is banned is anchoring: under Rule 10.1b you may not hold the club or a gripping hand against your body, such as your chest or belly, during a stroke.
- Loss of PostureIntermediateLoss of posture is any change in spine angle, knee flex, or forward bend from the address position during the swing. It shifts the swing's plane and low point away from where they were originally set.
- Lower-Body SlideIntermediateA lower-body slide is excessive sideways movement of the hips toward the target in the downswing, without matching rotation. It pushes the swing's low point too far forward and leaves the upper body behind.
- Motion CaptureIntermediateMotion capture tracks a golfer's body in 3D to build a precise digital skeleton for swing analysis. It traditionally uses reflective markers and several cameras.
- Muscle MemoryIntermediateMuscle memory is how a movement like the swing becomes automatic through repetition. It lets you swing without conscious thought.
- Nassau and Wolf (Golf Side Games)IntermediateA Nassau is three matches in one: the front nine, the back nine and the full 18 holes. Each is scored as a separate match, so a player can lose the front and still win the back and the overall. Wolf is a game for four players where a rotating "wolf" picks a partner on each hole, or plays alone for more points.
- Net Double Bogey (Maximum Hole Score)IntermediateNet double bogey is the most you can count on any hole for handicap purposes once you have an index. It equals par plus 2 plus any strokes you receive on that hole. Before you have an index, the cap is par plus 5.
- Neutral Ball FlightIntermediateA neutral ball flight starts at the target and flies with little sideways curve. It happens when the clubface angle and swing path nearly match at impact.
- Nine Ball FlightsIntermediateThe nine ball flights are a classic chart of every basic shot shape. Each pairs a start direction (left, straight, right) with a curve (draw, straight, fade/slice).
- Offset IronsIntermediateOffset irons have the leading edge set back behind the hosel — giving the hands more time to square the face at impact. They are a fitting tool for chronic slicers and high-handicappers.
- On-Course Practice GamesIntermediateGood on-course practice games include playing two balls and keeping the worse one, playing every hole from a set distance like 100 yards, and an up-and-down challenge around each green. Each game gives you real lies and real targets, which range practice can't copy.
- One-Plane SwingIntermediateA one-plane swing keeps the arms near the tilted plane the shoulders set at address. The backswing looks flatter, and the trail arm folds close to the chest.
- Out-to-InIntermediateOut-to-in means the clubhead cuts left across the target line at impact (for a right-hander). This over-the-top delivery is behind fades, pulls, and slices.
- Over the TopIntermediateOver the top means the downswing starts by throwing the club outside the backswing plane. This produces an out-to-in path that causes pulls, pull-slices, and loss of distance.
- Over-DrawIntermediateAn over-draw is a normally controlled draw that curves more than intended, risking trouble on the left. Usually the face-to-path gap has grown past its normal amount.
- Over-FadeIntermediateAn over-fade is a normally controlled fade that curves more than intended, crossing into slice territory. Usually the face-to-path gap has grown past its normal amount.
- Overspeed Training (Speed Sticks)IntermediateOverspeed training means swinging light sticks or clubs faster than you can swing your driver, along with heavier ones. Most programs use a few short sets several times a week to teach the body to move faster. Results vary from player to player. Warm up first, build up gradually and stop if anything hurts.
- OverswingIntermediateOverswinging means the backswing goes too far, usually past parallel, with the body losing its structure to get there. Signs include the lead arm folding, the grip loosening and the trail elbow flying. Stopping the backswing when the shoulders finish turning usually fixes it.
- Par-3 and Par-5 StrategyIntermediateOn a par 3, pick the club that reaches the middle of the green rather than the flag, and aim away from short-sided misses. On a par 5, plan backward from your favorite wedge distance and keep the ball in play. Three solid shots usually beat forcing a long second.
- Personal Swing SignatureIntermediateA personal swing signature is a golfer's stable tempo, plane, and sequencing pattern. It separates a truly "different" swing from a temporarily flawed one.
- PitchingIntermediatePitching is a mid-range short-game shot, usually from 30–100 yards, that carries the ball most of the way to the target. It uses a descending blow and controlled spin.
- Playing Golf in Cold WeatherIntermediateIn cold weather the ball flies shorter, so take more club than your summer yardages and expect fewer yards from every shot. Wear thin layers you can swing in, warm up properly before you start and keep your hands warm between shots. Swing smoothly instead of harder, and judge each landing area, because soft ground stops the ball sooner.
- Playing Golf in the RainIntermediateTo play well in the rain, keep your grips, gloves and hands dry. Take an extra club so you can hit a lower, controlled shot. On wet fairways the ball barely rolls, so plan to carry it to the target. Make a slightly shorter, balanced swing so your feet don't slip, and putt a little firmer on slow, wet greens.
- Playing Handicap and Handicap Allowances (Why 95%)IntermediateYou get 95% in individual stroke play because that is the World Handicap System's recommended allowance for net events with medium fields. It is meant to give every player a similar chance of finishing in the top 10% when playing well. Your Playing Handicap is your Course Handicap times the allowance for the format.
- Playing in the WindIntermediateInto the wind, take more club and swing smoothly to keep the ball lower with normal spin. A headwind costs more distance than an equal tailwind adds. Downwind, expect the ball to fly farther and stop less, and in a crosswind aim off and let the wind bring the ball back.
- Playing to Pin Positions (Front, Back and Tucked Pins)IntermediateFor a back-left pin, take enough club to reach the middle of the green, then aim at the center or slightly left of it. Going long usually leaves a hard chip back down the slope. For any tucked pin, aim at the safe part of the green and let the putter do the rest.
- Playing Worse on the Back NineIntermediateMany golfers play worse on the back nine because they get tired, hungry or thirsty, and their focus fades. Pressure from adding up the score also builds late. Eat a snack and drink at the turn, keep your routine on every shot, and build fitness so you have energy for 18 holes.
- Plays-Like DistanceIntermediatePlays-like distance is how far a shot effectively plays once elevation, wind and conditions are counted, not just the measured yardage. A target above you plays longer and one below you plays shorter. Learn your own adjustments in practice rounds, since slope readings are not allowed in a round played under the Rules.
- Post-Shot Routine (Letting Go of a Bad Shot)IntermediateStop one bad shot ruining your round with a short post-shot routine. React briefly, note one thing to do differently, then use a cue to let it go, such as putting the club back in the bag. Then play the next shot safely so one mistake doesn't become two.
- Power LeakIntermediateA power leak is any fault that lets backswing energy escape before it reaches the clubhead. Early release, reverse pivot, and early extension are examples.
- Pressure Plate (Training Aid)IntermediateA pressure plate is a training aid that measures how weight shifts across the feet during the swing. It shows pressure sequencing that is otherwise invisible.
- Pressure PracticeIntermediatePressure practice adds real stakes to practice: a score to beat, a bet, or a single attempt. It rehearses performing under the nerves a course creates.
- Process Goals and One Shot at a TimeIntermediateTo stop thinking about score, give your mind a job you control on every shot. Set process goals, such as finishing your routine, picking a small target and making a committed swing. Judge each shot by those goals, not by the total, and don't add up your score during the round.
- Proximity to the HoleIntermediateProximity to the hole is the average distance your approach shots finish from the flag. A good number depends on how far you hit from. Arccos reports that a 10-handicapper's approaches from 125 to 149 yards finish about 62 feet from the pin on average.
- PullIntermediateA pull is struck cleanly and flies straight, but it leaves on the wrong line. For a right-hander, it heads left of your aim with nothing bending it back.
- Pull-FadeIntermediateA pull-fade leaves left of the flag and bends back to the right. It mirrors the push-draw, and it is the working shape a great many club golfers actually own.
- Punch ShotIntermediateA punch shot is a low, controlled recovery shot, usually from trouble like overhanging branches or wind. A shortened swing and back ball position keep it well under normal height.
- PushIntermediateA push flies dead straight and finishes right of where you aimed, for a right-hander. Nothing curves — the head was simply traveling rightward through impact with the face pointing the same way.
- Push-DrawIntermediateA push-draw sets off right of the flag and turns gently back toward it, finishing near the middle of the fairway. It is the shape most right-handers are chasing.
- Push-SliceIntermediateA push-slice is the double-right miss. It leaves right of the flag and keeps bending right. As a result, the two errors add together rather than offsetting each other.
- Putt Skid and Forward RollIntermediateYour putt skids because the ball leaves the face sliding instead of rolling. Every putt skids a little, but too much skid or a hop comes from the wrong loft at impact. Hitting down with too much shaft lean or flipping the hands both cause it. Strike the ball at the bottom of the stroke with the shaft near vertical.
- Putter FittingIntermediatePutter fitting matches a putter's length, lie angle, loft, and balance style to a golfer's actual stroke path, using putting-specific measuring tools.
- Putter LengthIntermediatePutter length is fit to a golfer's height, arm length, and preferred posture. Most standard putters run 33 to 35 inches, but a mismatched length forces a compensating posture that changes lie angle and face position at address.
- Putting Green Speed (Stimpmeter)IntermediateGreen speed is measured with a Stimpmeter and expressed in feet, commonly 8 to 13. It is how far a ball released from a standard ramp rolls on a level part of the green. Faster greens amplify break and demand a lighter stroke.
- Random PracticeIntermediateRandom practice varies the club, target, and shot type from one swing to the next. Progress looks slower, but retention and transfer to the course are better.
- Range vs. CourseIntermediateThe gap between range performance and on-course performance is one of golf's most common frustrations. Understanding why it exists helps close it through deliberate practice design.
- Reading BreakIntermediateReading break is predicting how much, and which way, a putt will curve based on slope. It is a separate skill from the putting stroke: a well-struck putt on a misread line still misses.
- Recovery ShotIntermediateA recovery shot is played from trouble like deep rough, trees, a bad lie, or an awkward stance. Its goal is getting back into play, not maximum distance.
- ReleaseIntermediateThe release is the natural unhinging of the wrists and turning of the forearms through impact. It squares the clubface and delivers maximum speed.
- Retest ComparisonIntermediateA retest comparison is a follow-up swing recording measured against an earlier baseline swing. It checks whether a targeted change actually happened.
- Reverse PivotIntermediateA reverse pivot is weight moving toward the lead side during the backswing instead of the trail side. That leaves the golfer with nowhere effective to shift on the downswing.
- Reverse Weight ShiftIntermediateA reverse weight shift is pressure moving toward the target in the backswing, then away from it in the downswing. This whole-swing pattern is the exact opposite of an efficient swing's weight transfer.
- Rolling the Wrists Through ImpactIntermediateYou should not consciously roll or flip your wrists at the ball. The forearms do rotate through impact, and the face closes as the body turns and the arms swing. Let that happen on its own. Forcing it causes hooks, and blocking it causes pushes and slices.
- Root Cause vs SymptomIntermediateA root cause is the underlying issue that creates a swing fault. A symptom is the visible downstream result. Confusing them means practicing the wrong fix.
- Sand SaveIntermediateA sand save is an up-and-down from a greenside bunker: one bunker shot, then one putt. This harder statistic judges bunker play in particular.
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