Articles
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Glossary of Golf Terms
By Bobby Lopez,
PGA
Address:
The process of placing the club behind the ball and taking a stance in
preparation of hitting it.
Alignment: Having
the shoulders, hips, knees and feet in proper alignment with each other.
Aim: Having the
shoulders, hips, knees and feet properly aligned and pointed in the same direction, usually at a 90-degree angle to
the target.
Backspin: The spin
of a ball where the forward area of the ball rotates over the top area of the ball causing the ball’s
forward movement to slow on impact.
Backswing: The start
of the swing as the club moves away from the target.
Ball Flight: The
path and trajectory of a ball while in the air.
Closed Club Face: Occurs
when the club face is turned slightly counterclockwise
within the swing path. Can
cause the ball to hook.
Club Face: The
front of the club, which makes contact with the ball.
Compensation: A
movement for the purpose of overcoming another flawed motion.
Divot: The mark left
in the fairway or rough, caused by the removal of turf by an iron. Indicates the [proper] descending blow of an iron.
Downhill Lie: The
angle caused by the ball being on a downward sloping hill.
Draw: The flight of
a ball where it bends slightly to the inside, relative to the swing.
Fade: The flight of
a ball where it bends slightly to the outside, relative to the swing.
Flier Lie: The lie
of a ball on fluffy grass, which causes the ball to pop up more
quickly than expected.
Green: The
manicured portion of the hole where the cup resides.
Grip: The rubber,
plastic or leather sheath on the shaft.
Heel: Where the club
head is attached to the shaft.
Hook: The flight of
a ball where it bends sharply to the inside, relative to the swing.
Inside Path: The
path of the club when it is inside the plane.
Lie: How the ball
is sitting (good, bad, flier, etc.)
Lie Angle: The angle
of the club shaft in relation to the sole of the club head.
Loft: The face angle
relative to the sole of the club head.
Open Club Face:
Occurs when the club face is turned slightly clockwise within the swing path. Can cause the ball to slice.
Outside Path: The
path of the club when it is outside the plane.
Par: The number of
strokes designated by the golf course for each hole and tallied for a total amount. Most 18-hole courses are between
70 and 72.
Pivot: The turning
or “coiling” of the upper body during the swing.
Pull: Ball flight
characterized by going straight and left of the target
Pull Hook: Ball
flight characterized by starting left of the target and bending/curving even more.
Push: Ball flight
characterized by going straight and right of the target
Push Slice: Ball
flight characterized by starting right of the target and bending/curving even more.
Shank: Hitting the
ball off the heel area of the club, which causes the ball to squirt low and to the inside.
Slice: The flight
of a ball where it bends sharply to the outside, relative to the swing.
Square Club Face:
Occurs when the club face is perpendicular to the swing path.
Sweet Spot: The
area on the face of a club where the impact is most beneficial, as designed by the manufacturer.
Toe: The outside of
the club, or part of the club head opposite the heel.
Unplayable Lie: A
lie where the ball cannot be played due to natural obstructions.
See the
Rules for details on penalties.
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