Golf Terminology

If you’ve ever found yourself wondering, “What is a bogey?” this is the guide for you. Find golf terminology for beginners and advanced players below:

Course Terminology
Golf Club Terms
Scoring Terms
More Golf Terms to Know

Course Terminology

  • Bunker: Sand-filled traps lining the fairways designed to challenge you. Best to steer clear.
  • Fairway: The short-trimmed stretch between the tee box and green — the prime target for your opening shot.
  • Fringe: Slightly taller grass bordering the green, often where chip shots come into play.
  • Green: Smooth, finely cut area where the hole is located — and where your putter gets to work.
  • Hazards: Anything that makes your round trickier — water, bunkers, tall grass, and rocks.
  • Links: Traditional European golf courses with larger greens — or simply another way to refer to playing a round of golf.
  • Rough: Taller grass lining the fairway, making shots harder to control.
  • Tee Box: The starting point for each hole. Be sure to tee off behind the markers to avoid a penalty.

Northeast Florida golf courses blend world-class course design with coastal landscapes, offering everything from championship layouts to scenic public greens. Play the iconic TPC Sawgrass, home of THE PLAYERS Championship ,or choose from a variety of resort and public courses fit for every level of play.

Golf Club Terms

  • Driver: The longest club in your bag, used for maximum distance off the tee on longer holes. Also known as a 1-wood.
  • Hybrids: A versatile club blending elements of woods and irons.
  • Irons: Designed for more precise shots from fairways or the rough.
  • Putters: Built for accuracy on the green, smoothly rolling the ball toward the hole.
  • Wedges: Ideal for shorter approach shots, chips, and bunker escapes — available in different lofts like pitching, sand, and lob wedges.
  • Woods: Club for long shots off the tee or fairway, occasionally used from the rough.

Curious which clubs suit your game? Get custom-fitted at one of our golf schools or explore our golf club recommendations for players of all levels.

Scoring Terms

  • Ace: Another name for a hole-in-one.
  • Albatross: score 3 below par on a hole (aka Double Eagle, the “shot heard ‘round the world” that landed Gene Sarazen his only Masters title)
  • Birdie: Finishing a hole 1 shot under par. For example, you make a 4 on a par 5.
  • Bogey: Completing a hole 1 shot over par. For example, you make a 4 on a par 3.
  • Double Bogey: Score 2 strokes over par on a hole. For example, you make a 5 on a par 3.
  • Eagle: Finish a hole 2 shots below par. For example, you make 2 on a par 4.
  • Gimme: A putt so close to the hole that putting it in is a mere formality–your opponents might give you the putt without playing the stroke.
  • Handicap: A system that measures your playing ability via your potential average score — higher handicaps indicate less experienced players.
  • Mulligan: A chance to retake a shot in casual games — not permitted in tournaments.
  • Par: The expected number of strokes to complete a hole. For instance, on a par-5, you should only need 5 strokes to get the ball in the hole.
  • Scratch: Highly skilled player with a handicap of zero, consistently shooting around par.

The best way to shave strokes off your score–and earn your first birdie–is by spending time on the course. If you need help picking a course to start with, follow one of our itineraries to plan a trip featuring top courses across Northeast Florida.

More Golf Terms to Know

  • Caddie: The person carrying your clubs and offering advice during your round — also celebrated at Murray Brothers CaddyShack Restaurant.
  • Chipping: A short, controlled shot played near the green to lift the ball onto the putting surface.
  • Divot: Chunk of turf displaced after a shot.
  • Draw: Controlled hook. For right-handed golfers, the ball gently curves left.
  • Drive: Powerful shot from the tee box meant to cover the most distance down the fairway.
  • Fat: Hitting the ground behind the ball, resulting in a shorter, heavier shot.
  • Flop Shot: Very high and soft landing chip shot.
  • Fore: The universal warning shout when an errant ball is headed toward other players.
  • Hook: Shot that curves sharply to the left for a right-handed player or the right for a left-handed player.
  • Putt: Low-speed shot on the green.
  • Shank: A mishit where the ball strikes the club's hosel.
  • Short Game: Combination of chipping and putting.
  • Slice: An shot with an excessive sidespin, causing the ball to curve from left to right in the air.

Refine your technique with personalized coaching and cutting-edge technology at our golf schools. Whether you're fixing a slice, improving your short game, or perfecting your swing, expert instructors will help you bring your best game to Northeast Florida's legendary courses.

If your child is interested in golf, bring them to the PGA Tour Superstore on the third Saturday of the month for their free monthly clinic designed to teach juniors swing fundamentals ranging from full-swing to chipping and putting.

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