Golf Fundamental Skills and Rules

A comprehensive vocabulary review of golf fundamentals, terminology, etiquette, and basic rules.

Ten Finger Grip

One of the common types of golf grips used by players.

Overlapping Grip

A common golf grip style mentioned in the fundamental skills section.

Interlocking Grip

A common grip style used to hold the golf club.

Putting

A pendulum motion used on the green to roll the ball into the hole.

Chipping

A short shot aimed at lifting the ball slightly to land on the green and roll.

Par

The expected number of strokes to complete a hole.

Birdie

$1$ stroke under par.

Bogey

$1$ stroke over par.

Fairway

The short-mown grass path between the tee and the green.

Green

The putting surface.

Hazard

Sand traps (bunkers) or water obstacles.

Divot

A piece of turf dug from the ground during a swing.

Fore!

A warning shout to people in danger of being hit by the ball.

Standard Course

A course consisting of $18$ holes, divided into a front $9$ and back $9$.

Tee Box

The location where the first shot of each hole is played.

Honor

The rule designating that the player with the lowest score on the previous hole hits first.

Ready Golf

The practice of playing out of turn to encourage speed of play.

Stroke

Every swing, including accidental whiffs, that counts toward the scoring.

Out of Bounds (OB)

An area usually marked by white stakes; going here requires playing another shot from the previous spot with a $1$ stroke penalty.

At the Turn

The point at hole $9$ where the front nine score is summed.

Marker

The scorekeeper who signs the card alongside the player to attest to the accuracy of the totals.