Glossary & FAQ
Every term, in plain English.
Birdie, bogey, mulligan, the turn, ready golf — golf has its own language and nobody explains it. Search any term or question below.
Frequently asked
How many clubs can I carry?+
A maximum of 14, with no minimum. Most beginners are better off with 9–12 — fewer clubs means simpler decisions and a lighter bag.
What should I wear?+
A collared shirt and non-denim trousers or shorts covers almost every public course. Golf shoes are optional — clean trainers are usually fine. Check stricter clubs ahead of time.
What's a good score for a beginner?+
Don't fixate on a number. Breaking 120, then 100, are classic milestones. Bogey golf (around 90–100) is genuinely good for a new player.
Do I need a handicap to play?+
No. You can play and enjoy golf without one. A handicap only matters when you want to track progress formally or compete fairly against others.
Where should I start — range, lessons, or the course?+
A lesson or two early prevents bad habits. Then mix range practice with short, beginner-friendly courses (par-3 or 9-hole). Renting clubs first is smart.
How much does it cost to start?+
A used starter set runs roughly $150–400, public green fees often $20–50, and range buckets a few dollars. You can begin for far less than people assume.
What does 'par' actually mean?+
Par is the strokes an expert is expected to need on a hole: reaching the green in regulation plus two putts. A course usually totals par 70–72.
Is golf hard to learn?+
It's challenging but very learnable. Focus on fundamentals in order, lean into the short game, and accept that everyone — including pros — hits bad shots.
Terms
- Par Scoring
- The number of strokes an expert is expected to take on a hole or course.
- Birdie Scoring
- One stroke under par on a hole.
- Bogey Scoring
- One stroke over par on a hole. A great target for beginners.
- Eagle Scoring
- Two strokes under par on a hole.
- Double bogey Scoring
- Two strokes over par on a hole.
- Albatross Scoring
- Three strokes under par — extremely rare (also called a double eagle).
- Handicap Scoring
- A number representing your potential scoring ability, used so players of different levels can compete fairly.
- Ace Scoring
- A hole-in-one: in the cup in a single stroke.
- Mulligan Playing
- A casual, unofficial do-over after a bad shot. Not in the rules — but common in friendly rounds.
- Gimme Playing
- A short putt conceded by your playing partners so you don't have to hole it.
- Ready golf Playing
- Playing when you're ready and safe rather than in strict order, to keep pace up.
- Provisional Playing
- A second ball played when your first might be lost or out of bounds, to save time.
- Whiff Playing
- A swing that completely misses the ball. It still counts as a stroke.
- Fore Playing
- Shouted loudly to warn people a ball is heading toward them.
- The turn Playing
- The point between the front nine and back nine holes.
- Tee shot Playing
- The first shot on a hole, played from the teeing area.
- Approach Playing
- A shot played toward the green, usually with an iron or wedge.
- Lay up Playing
- A deliberately shorter, safer shot to avoid trouble or set up a better next shot.
- Driver Equipment
- The longest club, lowest loft, used for maximum distance off the tee.
- Wedge Equipment
- High-lofted irons (PW, GW, SW, LW) for short, high shots and bunkers.
- Hybrid Equipment
- A forgiving club that blends iron and wood traits — easier than a long iron.
- Loft Equipment
- The angle of a clubface; more loft launches the ball higher and shorter.
- Lie On the course
- How and where your ball is resting on the ground.
- Fairway On the course
- The mown, short-grass route between tee and green.
- Rough On the course
- The longer grass bordering the fairway — harder to play from.
- Green On the course
- The very short grass around the hole, where you putt.
- Bunker On the course
- A sand-filled hazard. Don't ground your club in it before swinging.
- Pin / flagstick On the course
- The flag marking the hole's location on the green.
- Fringe On the course
- The slightly longer grass ringing the green, between green and rough.
- Out of bounds On the course
- Areas off the course (marked by white stakes) where play isn't allowed; costs stroke and distance.
- Honour Etiquette
- The right to tee off first, traditionally earned by the lowest score on the previous hole.
- Divot Etiquette
- The turf displaced by a shot — replace it or fill it to care for the course.
- Pitch mark Etiquette
- The dent a ball makes landing on the green. Repair yours (and maybe one more).