Golf Glossary

T

takeaway

Early part of the backswing.

tap-in

Very short putt.

target golf

1.) A style of golf played on the preponderance of American tournament courses where the golfer is required to hit a high, lofted, approach shot that allows for very little roll to the ball after it lands. This is in contradiction to " Bump and Run" style golf found commonly on British-style, traditional courses.2.) A type of golf competition played at practice ranges wherein golfers compete while shooting to specific targets.

tee

The wooden or plastic implement on which a ball is placed prior to the play of the first shot on a hole. The term " Tee" may also be used to describe the Teeing Ground."

teeing ground

Area in which you must tee your ball, between the tee markers and neither in front of them nor more than two club lengths behind them.

tee it up

To start play.

tee marker

Wooden, metal or other material objects between which the ball is teed prior to playing a hole. There may be several sets of tee markers on each hole, each designed to identify the tees suggested for a particular ability group. For example, black tee markers may indicate the longest, most difficult (pro) tees, blue tees are for low handicap players, white tees are for average player, gold tees are for seniors and red tees are for ladies.

tee time

Specific time slot allotted for play on a given day. Tee times are assigned by the golf course, usually in 8-10 minute intervals, and are acquired by calling or signing up in advance of when play is desired.

Teeing Ground

The area where the play of a hole starts. It is defined by a pair of markers between which play begins.

tempo

The rhythm of your swing.

temporary green

Used in winter to save the permanent green.

Texas Wedge

1.) Slang term given to a putter. The term evolved due to players in Texas, among other dry areas, using a putter to run the ball up to the greens due to the hard ground. 2.) Also a marketing term used by some manufacturers in association with giant, over sized, sand wedges meaning " Texas-sized".

thin

To hit the ball around its equator - don't expect much height.

third cut

A section of rough, generally found on tournament courses that borders the second cut (See " Second Cut.") The third cut is very severe and may not be found on all but the most difficult courses.

three ball match

A match play situation in which three players play against one another, each playing his own ball. Each player is playing two separate matches.

three-putt

Undesired number of strokes on a green.

threesome

Type of match in which one player plays against two, with each side playing one ball. The term threesome is often mis-applied to a group of three golfers playing in the same group.

through the green

A Term given to all areas of the course, except for the teeing ground, putting green and hazards.

tiger tee

Slang for the back tee.

tight

Narrow fairway.

tight lie

The ball on bare ground or very short grass.

timing

The pace and sequence of movement in your swing.

titanium

Metal used in lightweight shafts and in golf balls.

toe

The end of the club head most far away from the shaft. Also the term used when a player hits the ball on that area of the club, usually resulting in a shorter shot than desired as well as one going to the right of the intended target, i.e., a " toed" shot (assuming a right-handed golfer.)

top

Shot that does not get airborne as a result of a player hitting the top of the ball. A " top" is most often a result of a player moving his head and not looking at the ball.

topdress

Fertilizer, soil and sand mix applied to greens after they are aerified in order to provide nutrients to the green.

torque

Twisting of the shaft at impact.

tour

Series of tournaments for professionals.

track

The term given to the layout of a golf course; for example, that was a " good" track. Also term given to a putt as it rolls toward the hole; for example, a putt that is heading for the hole is " tracking."

trajectory

Flight of the ball.

trap

Generic term given to a bunker that contains sand. Also called a sand trap.

Triple Bogey

A score of three over par on a hole.

turn

The halfway point of an 18 hole round. A player " makes the turn" after playing #9 and heading to #10 tee.

U

underclub

To take at least one club less than needed for distance.

under par

Term given to stokes a player has taken relative to what hole he is playing. If a player has played the front 9 in 34 strokes and par is 36, he is said to be " 2 under."

unplayable lie

You can't hit the ball. One stroke penalty is your reward.

up

Ahead in the match. Or the person next to play. Or reaching the hole with a putt.

up and down

Also termed " Up and In", the situation in which a player misses the green and then makes one chip and one putt to achieve his score.

upright

To swing with a steep vertical plan

U.S. Open

National men's golf championship of America.

U.S. Women's Open

National women's golf championship of America.

W

waggle

Pre-shot movement in which a golfer moves the club back away from the ball a time or two, usually to relieve tension.

waiting list

The number and ranking of individuals waiting to join a private club that has a full membership at the time. Waiting lists at some private clubs can be many years.

Waste Area

An area on a golf course that is similar to a sand trap, but is not declared an official hazard. It is generally not maintained or raked and is often comprised of sea shells or pebbles. 

Water Hazard

The term applied to any relatively permanent and open area of water (sea, lake, pond, etc.) anywhere on the course. The penalty for hitting your ball into a water hazard is one stroke.

whiff

Term applied to the situation when a player has swung at the ball and missed completely.

whins

A British term for extremely heavy areas of rough.

Wind Cheater

A shot that flies low into the wind in an effort to achieve less wind resistance and greater distance.

yankie course

A typical American golf course - Lots of carry over water, soft greens.

yardage marker

An object that indicates how far a specific location id from the hole. Yardage markers are often found at 200, 150, 100 and 50 yard intervals from the green. The markers may be trees or bushes along the sides of the fairway or rough or may be plastic, cement or similar objects sunk in the ground in the center of the fairways.

yips

The condition, either mental or physical, in which a golfer cannot seem to make short putts, or may not even be able to get them close. A short putt that is missed badly is said to be " yipped."

X

"X" Factor

Applies to the differential between hip angle and shoulder angle during a golfer's backswing.

Y

"X" Factor

Applies to the differential between hip angle and shoulder angle during a golfer's backswing.