Golf-ish  101

Par: the number of strokes an expert golfer is expected to take to complete the hole. (Golf courses typically have par 3s, par 4s, and par 5s. So an expert golfer is expected to take no more than 3 shots on a par 3; 4 shots on a par 4; and 5 shots on a par 5.)

Bogey: hitting the ball 1 additional time than the par of the hole (taking 5 shots on a par 4). This is called “1 over par”.

Double Bogey: hitting the ball 2 additional times than the par of the hole (taking 6 shots on a par 4). This is called “2 over par”.

Triple Bogey: hitting the ball 3 additional times than the par of the hole (taking 7 shots on a par 4). This is called “3 over par”. (and so on…)

Birdie: hitting the ball 1 less than the par of the hole (a 3 on a par 4)

Eagle: hitting the ball 2 less than the par of the hole (a 2 on a par 4)

Albatross: hitting the ball 3 less than the par of the hole (a 2 on a par 5)

Hole-In-One: hitting the ball only 1 time total on any hole (a 1 on a par 3)

Golf Shot: The goal of golf is to hit the ball in as few “shots” as possible (so unlike bowling, the person with the lowest score wins)

A Round of Golf: typically 18 holes

Front Nine: holes 1-9

Back Nine: holes 10-18

“The Turn”: between holes 9 and 10 (a quick restroom break or chance to grab a snack)

Hole: (2 meanings) Each of these 18 “holes” begins at a tee box (to be defined in Golf-ish Lesson #3 “Parts of Course”) and ends at a small cup (the “hole”).

Par 72: A typical golf course consists of 18 holes and is a “par 72”.

Even Par: An excellent golfer can sometimes shoot “even par”, which would be a 72 on a par 72 course.

Handicap: A golfer’s “handicap” communicates how good a golfer is. It is roughly the average of their rounds of golf. So if a golfer’s average score is 90, they would have an 18 handicap since 90 is 18 shots over a par 72 course. (This golfer averages a bogey on every hole. For definitions of “par” and “bogey” and other golf scores, see my “Golf-ish Lesson #1.) (A “scratch golfer” is a player with a 0 handicap.) 

On every single golf hole, these items are included:

Tee Box: The location where the first shot of the hole is hit. It is called the “Tee Box” because most golfers “tee up” this first shot by setting the ball on a tee, making the shot an easier one to hit. The first shot is the only time a ball can be “teed up”.

Tee Markers: In the tee box, there are a variety of tee markers, differentiated by color. Each color set designates a location from where a golfer can tee off, and each color makes the hole longer or shorter. The black markers may begin at the very back of all the tee boxes, making the hole longer, whereas the red tees may begin at the very front of the tee boxes, making the holes shorter. For instance, a par 4 may be 450 yards from the back tees and 350 yards from the red tees. The longer hitters and lower scoring players play from the tees closer to the back of the tees. There are usually anywhere from 2-6 various colored tee markers on a tee box. Once a golfer begins their round of golf on that color, they must remain on that color for the duration of their round.

Fairway: this is the grass between the tee box and the green where you want the ball to land after you hit from the tee box.

Rough: this is the taller grass on both sides of the fairway; it is more difficult to hit out of the rough than it is the fairway.

The Green: this is the grass surrounding the hole where the ball ends; it is the shortest grass on the course and is where you putt the ball instead of hit it. (Types of shots will be covered in Golf-ish Lesson #6.)

The Fringe: this is the grass encircling the green and is slightly taller than the grass on the green.

The Hole (also called the Cup): Defining “hole” is challenging because it’s the term for the entire hole from tee box to finish, as well as the “hole” where the ball needs to go. Therefore, let’s refer to this “hole” as the “cup”. The cup is the final resting place of the golf ball. Once the ball is in this cup, the golfer moves onto the next hole. It is always located on the green and is the destination for the golf ball.

The Pin (also called the Flag and Flagstick): is located inside the hole and has a flag on its top so golfers can see the location of the cup as far away as the tee box. It can be removed when someone is putting to increase the area for the ball to enter.

Our previous lesson included items on golf holes that every hole includes. This lesson on Hazards includes items that are frequently included on golf holes but are not required items.

Hazards: obstacles on a golf course which make the hole more challenging and therefore may negatively affect your score, especially since some of them come with penalties. There are many types of hazards (do a quick search if you want to see all of them); I’m going to define the main ones.

Sand Traps: a shallow or deep bunker filled with sand located anywhere between the tee box and the green. Most golfers find it more challenging to hit out of the sand than off the grass. (Unabashed plug for my lessons: I can teach you how to hit out of the sand with confidence and accuracy!)

Water Hazards: ponds, lakes, streams, rivers, etc. that are an intentional part of the course (unlike a rain-induced puddle)

Out of Bounds: the area outside the boundary of the hole

Unplayables: when the ball lands in a place where the golfer decides it cannot be played and must be moved (trunk of a tree, knee-high grass, in a bush, etc.)

Even though we use the word “shot” as overarching as in “How many shots did you take on the 5th hole?” and “What did you shoot?”, various golf shots have different names.

Hit: anytime the ball is struck

Swing: taking the club back and through all the way to hit the ball (can be specified by “full swing”, “half swing”, and “quarter swing”)

Chip: when we are just off the green, so a full swing would hit the ball too far

Putt: when on the green or fringe, using a putter and keeping the ball entirely on the grass, taking it back and through a short distance, ultimately ending with the ball going into the hole

Stroke: when putting; it is called a putting stroke (not a swing)

Sand shot: when in a sand trap

Short Game: references both chipping and putting combined 

When we swing to hit a golf ball, the ball can take off in a myriad of ways, sometimes going where we want it to go and sometimes where we do not want it to go. Here are the definitions of some typical shots. (Opposite direction for left-handed golfers.)

Push: the ball is hit to the right of the target in various degrees, going in a straight line (no curve)

Fade: the ball is hit with a slight curve to the right

Slice: the ball is hit with a severe curve to the right

Pull: the ball is hit to the left of the target in various degrees, going in a straight line (no curve)

Draw: the ball is hit with a slight curve to the left

Hook: the ball is hit with a severe curve to the left

Whiff: when we swing to hit the ball and miss the ball altogether

Fat: the club hits the grass behind the ball, resulting in a shorter shot than intended

Thin: the club hits the lower half of the ball, resulting in a lower trajectory but not necessarily shorter distance

Top: the club hits the top of the ball, resulting in a shorter shot than intended

Skull: the blade (bottom leading edge) of the club hits the center of the ball and sends it screaming low, fast, in any direction, and often much farther than desired (such as a chip that leaves the ball well past the green)

Note: Four of the shots above (fade, slide, draw, hook) can be both unintentional bad shots and intentional good shots (for instance, using a slice or hook when needing to hit the ball around a tree). Also, a draw and hook, due to the spin put on the ball from the club’s impact, add distance, so a draw (since it’s less severe and therefore more controlled than a hook) is sometimes used as a golfer’s regular swing, simply aiming slightly to the right with every shot.

Even intermediate golfers can get overwhelmed with all the club options today. We’ll start simple and then move on to more detail.

Driver: the longest and biggest club in the bag, to be hit off a tee and hit as far as possible

Woods: before hybrids, this was the only option to hit the ball further than the longest irons and shorter than the driver

Hybrids: a cross between woods and irons

Irons: flat edge clubs that go specific distances

Wedges: the irons that go the highest and shortest

Putter: the club used on the green to keep the ball low on the grass and roll to the hole

Further details Drivers: Golfers love their drivers, which can easily be seen by how much money they’re willing to spend on them. Drivers tend to be long with a huge head and can blast a ball exceptionally far. They range in a variety of ways, including degrees of loft and shaft. The options are almost limitless, so have fun trying a lot of them out before purchasing one.

Further details Woods (called such because they were originally made of wood): Woods still usually carry farther than the longest hybrid. A driver is a type of  “wood” (the 1-wood). Woods typically come in a 3-wood, 5-wood, and 7-wood, with the lower number going lower and longer.

Further details Hybrids: These have become increasingly popular as they are much easier to hit than long irons and many woods. Therefore, many golfers have replaced their long irons and woods with hybrids. Hybrids come in all degrees, so apart from a putter and driver, all the other clubs in the bag can be hybrids.

Further details Irons: These range in numbers from 9-1 (and wedges are a type of iron, below). A 9-iron (after the wedges) goes the highest and shortest, whereas the 1-iron (rarely used) goes the lowest and longest. The higher clubs (9-irons) are the easiest to hit and the lower irons (5-1 irons) are more challenging to hit.

Further details Wedges: There are pitching wedges, gap wedges, sand wedges, and lob wedges, and each one has a range of degrees from which to choose (and are often called by just their degree: a “51 degree wedge”). The higher the degree, the higher the trajectory and shorter the shot. (Look this up online for further detail.)

Only 14 clubs are allowed in a golfer’s bag when playing, so golfers need to choose which clubs they are going to own and which ones they are going to include in that day’s round.

This Golf-ish Lesson is an expansion of our previous Golf-ish Lesson: “Golf Clubs”, putting those new terms into context. 

The age and quality of clubs does indeed make a difference. The technology available today has made it possible to make exceptional golf clubs. New clubs alone can increase your distance (especially a driver) and simply help you hit the ball better.

So in addition to everything we learned about golf clubs in our last lesson, (brace yourself), there are numerous brands of golf club makers and even golf club types within each maker’s arsenal. For instance, some irons are made for distance, some for accuracy, and some for forgiveness. This may make things more overwhelming, but it’s oh so helpful for golf.

There is almost no limit to the types of putters and drivers available. Definitely try them out before you purchase one to see if it works for you. (And drivers are super expensive! So choose carefully!)

If you’re interested in purchasing a new set of golf clubs for yourself or someone else, be ready to spend some money. And since you’re going to spend a lot of money, be sure you get clubs that are best for your build, strength, body type, and skill level. I highly recommend you get a professional golf club fitting from a respected source (such as Pro Golf Discount). A fitting is usually $100, and if you purchase a set within two weeks, that fitting fee goes toward the clubs. Club selection is much more than the length of clubs. It also includes lie angle, grip size, and shaft (which includes kick point, torque, and flex).

Whatever skill golfer, (and especially beginners and intermediates), I highly recommend considering hybrids as they are significantly easier to hit than long irons.

And if you are new to golf, you do not need to purchase every club at once. Perhaps purchase a putter, wedge, 8-iron, 5-hybrid (and possibly a 3-wood or driver). You can gradually add to your set as needed.

Golf Bag: a bag that holds golf clubs and golf items (offered in a large variety of options and accessories)

Golf Push Carts: carries your golf bag so you don’t have to (come in a wide variety, including remote control so you don’t have to push it yourself)

Head Covers: optional covers for the clubs; whereas traditionally used for the driver and woods, covers are available for all clubs including the putter; they come in a wide variety of styles and designs (you’ll often see stuffed animals – don’t be afraid to bring your own style and fun to the course!)

Golf Umbrella: a large umbrella designed to cover both the player and the golf bag

Tee: a small peg, made of wood or plastic, which elevates the ball on the tee box, making for an easier shot

Ball Marker: a small, flat, round item used to mark where the player’s ball is on the green so the player can lift the ball; the marker is set directly behind the ball and the ball must be returned to the exact same location; the player then removes the marker and proceeds with their putt

Golf Divot Tool/Golf Ball Mark Repair Tool: a small tool designed to repair the course as needed; the most common use is to lift up the indented grass on the green (created by the ball landing on the green from a high angle); it is our responsibility to repair our own marks, and we can most certainly repair other marks as well (We should all walk on the course with the old adage, “Let’s leave it better than the way we found it.”)

Golf Glove: a special type of thin glove used when swinging a club, usually only worn on the lead hand (left hand for right-handed golfers); two primary purposes are to provide an improved grip and to protect the skin

Golf Shoes: a type of shoe (often underestimated in its significance) specifically designed for golf, acknowledging the ground force of a swing which requires balance, traction, and more; they come in a variety of cleat options, variations, and styles, so take your time when purchasing

Although these next four lessons do not entail specific definitions, golf etiquette is an essential part of Golf-ish. By working through my past lessons, you can now translate Golf-ish and will hopefully begin to speak it, but we now need to learn the culture of the country of Golf. One can learn Japanese, but does learning the language equate to seamlessly traveling to or living in Japan? Not only is the Japanese language different from what we know, the culture is as well, and a country’s culture is often more significant than their language.

No one expects you to master these etiquette items before visiting a golf course because you will mostly learn by spending time there. However, knowing golf etiquette before visiting will make your time there – as well as the time of the local Golf-ish citizens – much more enjoyable.

There are a lot of items, but fortunately, Golf Etiquette falls into two categories:

1. Making the game more pleasant for other golfers (3 lessons)

2. Taking care of the course (1 lesson)

This lesson is MAKING THE GAME MORE PLEASANT FOR OTHERS Part 1: PRACTICE FACILITIES.

ALL Practice Facility Areas

Talk quietly (even if others are being loud)

Driving Range

You will need to pay for the driving range balls in the pro shop

If there are options available, choose an area that is not next to golfers who are already hitting

Walk far behind other hitters to stay safe and not distract hitters

Set your clubs behind your practice area (unless a stand for your clubs is provided) and keep your area tidy

If you are on grass and your tee flies forward, do not go pick it up

If you are on grass, aim straight so all your divots are in the same direction

If you are on a mat, the white rubber item sticking up through the mat acts as your tee

Putting Green

Use 2-3 of your own balls

When choosing which cup you are going to putt to, select a cup where no one else is putting and where no one else is setting up to putt

Do not walk through the line where others are putting

Chipping Green

If a chipping green is not provided, you may chip at the putting green following the putting green etiquette above (practice little chips)

If a chipping green is available, you may use your own balls or the balls provided at the green

Select an area:

not immediately next to other chippers

not in an area where you could be hit by others’ balls

where people are not in risk of being hit by your balls

When finished chipping, use the course provided item to gather the balls you chipped and return them to the area where you first acquired the balls

Golf Etiquette falls into two categories:

1. Making the game more pleasant for other golfers, and

2. Taking care of the course 

This lesson is MAKING THE GAME MORE PLEASANT FOR OTHERS Part 2: ON THE COURSE

Arrive to the 1st tee before your tee time and begin when the group ahead of you is out of range.

Do not risk hitting your ball into the group in front of you (even if they are far behind the group in front of them).

Yell “Fore” if you hit an errant ball in the direction of people.

Silence your cell phones, but feel free to use the helpful golf apps as you play.

Only play music if it’s a part of the course’s culture and all of the players in your group have agreed to the type of music; keep the volume low enough so only your group can hear the music. If you’re the only one in your group that wants to listen to music, wear headphones or a version thereof.

Limit your complaining when you hit bad shots or miss easy putts.

Avoid instructing others on their golf games.

Praise other players’ swings, putts, and scores.

Where to Stand

Give each player plenty of space when hitting and putting. This includes your body, clubs, cart, and (wait for it…) even your shadow.

Stand off the tee box when a player is hitting.

Do not stand directly behind a player when they are hitting.

Do not walk in front of the line of others before they hit their shots. (Not only is this respectful, it’s wise. I almost died once by making this mistake – ambulance, hospital, and all.)

Be quiet and limit movement when others are swinging.

On the Green

Set your golf bag or any spare clubs being held (such as a club you chipped with) off the green.

Traditionally, the player whose ball is farthest from the cup putts first.

Do not walk in another player’s line on the green. (the line from their ball to the hole)

Do not move while someone is putting and do not stand directly behind a putter nor in their line of sight.

Marking your ball to remove it from the green is optional. Do so if it’s anywhere near another golfer’s putting line. (Place your marker behind your ball.)

Flagstick (pin): Some golfers want the pin to stay in the hole; some want it to be out; and some want the pin to be held until they putt and have it removed after the ball has left their putter. Offer to remove the pin for the player putting. You may step away and hold the pin (hold the flag so it’s not a distraction) or lay it on the green far away from play.  If you finish putting first or no one is doing so, replace the pin when everyone is finished. (Extra note: golfers – including the pros – disagree on whether it is beneficial or detrimental for the putter to leave the pin in the hole. In 2019, the USGA changed the rule that the pin had to be removed when putting from the green in order to increase the pace of play.)

Extra tip: Think twice before putting money on the line. Throwing in some cash to add fun to a round of golf with friends will only be fun if you don’t mind losing your money. Laugh even when you’re losing.

The next Golf-ish Etiquette lesson is Making the Game More Pleasant for Other Golfers, Part 2: Keeping Up with the Group Ahead of You.

Golf etiquette falls into two categories:

1. Making the game more pleasant for other golfers, and

2. Taking care of the course 

This lesson is MAKING THE GAME MORE PLEASANT FOR OTHERS Part 3: KEEPING UP WITH THE GROUP IN FRONT OF YOU.

Only hit one ball. (No mulligans.)

If you’re not keeping up, skip practice swings.

Watch other players hit. Not only is this kind, respectful, and unselfish, it also puts many eyes on the ball so everyone knows where the ball ends up.

Help other players look for their missing balls.

Do not take more than 1 minute to look for a lost ball. If it’s out-of-bounds and you are to go back to where you hit the ball, ask your group if they’re okay with you just dropping a ball instead.

Consider picking up if you’ve hit too many shots.

Traditionally, the player farthest from the green putts first, but since this tends to slow down play, feel free to hit first if: the other players in your group are okay with this; you’re not in their way; and you’re not in danger.

Calculate your yardage and club selection before it’s your turn to hit.

Traditionally, the person who tees off on each hole is the player with the lowest score the hole prior. However, your group may choose that whoever is ready can tee off first. Either way, have your club out, glove on, and tee and ball in hand.

Park your golf cart and your golf bag between the green and the next hole.

Leaving the flagstick in while putting increases the pace of play.

Write the scores on the scorecard on the next tee box, not the last green.

At “the turn” (between holes 9 and 10), take your restroom break and grab a snack if needed, but be ready to tee off on hole 10 when the group in front of you is just out of reach.

If there is only one group behind you and you’d like to not feel the pressure of keeping up with the group ahead of you, let the group behind you play through. Instead of hitting off the next tee, wait for them to get to the tee box and let them hit first, waiting for them to be out of range before you continue. Note that this will not work if there are several groups behind you, for this will just continue with the group behind them.

One of the two main categories of Golf-ish Etiquette is making the game pleasant for our fellow golfers. Therefore, if there is a group behind us, we need to do everything we can to keep up with the group ahead of us.

Golf etiquette falls into two categories:

1. Making the game more pleasant for other golfers (covered in Etiquette Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3), and

2. Taking care of the course

This lesson is TAKING CARE OF THE COURSE.

Repair your ball marks – and any others you may find – on the greens.

Replace or refill your divots – and any others you may find. (Various courses have different instructions on how they want you to replace or refill your divots.)

Rake the sand traps thoroughly. Set the rakes outside the traps, next to the traps, parallel to the hole. 

Follow all golf cart rules and keep the cart well away from the greens. (Golf cart rules vary per course as well as by weather.)

Follow the club’s dress code.