Golf Defintions - Intermediate

So now that you've learned the easy golf terminology, here are some additional terms in golf that are useful to know:

Shank – Unfortunately this is going to happen to you once in awhile; in particular when you are just starting out. A shank is when you mis-hit a ball and it immediately veers off in any direction except straight!

Duff – A duff is the most common type of mis-hit when you are starting out playing golf; you hit the ball, but it barely moves forward at all.

Worm-burner - A worm-burner describes a golf shot that screams along the ground (thereby “burning worms” as it goes) rather than becoming air-borne!

Mulligan – One of the greatest assets to an amateur golfer but by no means are mulligans “officially” part of the game; a mulligan is essentially a “free shot” that you can use if you have agreed in advance with your playing partner that is! If you mis-hit (ie shank, or duff for example) your drive, you may hit a mulligan which is a second chance at your drive from the tee without taking a penalty stroke. A mulligan on the first hole is sometimes also called a “breakfast ball”. Let's be clear though - taking a mulligan is just a very nice way of saying that you are knowlingly cheating!! (And for the record - I've taken several of them myself)

Breakfast ball – A breakfast ball is another name for a mulligan. A breakfast ball is essentially a “free shot” that amateur golfers may take in the morning after a mis-hit tee shot.

Gimme – When your ball is approximately within one putter length of the hole, most casual golfers will tell you the putt is a “gimme” which means you do not have to putt, and instead you can just assume you would have made the putt, and score as if you did. Example: on a par 4, if your 5th shot is within one putter length of the hole, and your golfing partner says it’s a gimme, you pick up your ball and your score for the hole is a 6. (ie It's as if you sunk your 6th shot - your putt)

The beach – Also known as a bunker, sandtrap/trap or simply, the sand. This is a place on the course that you do not want to be in – particularly when you are just starting out. There are two types of sand traps – fairway bunkers and green-side bunkers. The best confidence-booster for getting out of bunkers is to practice shots out of the sand regularly before your round, and remember to finish your swing when you’re hitting from the sand!

Water Hazard – Also known as “the drink” – This is worst place to be on a golf course – in the water. Once you’re in the water, your only option is to take a drop at the point where your ball went into the water and to take a penalty stroke. To make it easy to count the strokes - think of it this way - 1 shot into the water, 1 shot to take it out of the water and so your next shot is your 3rd shot.

There are so many other terms to learn, but this will have to do for now - the Hyundai Tournament of Champions is still on - time to see who wins!