Golf Glossary

Glossary explained in plain English for parents learning Golf.

Term	Plain-English Meaning	Example	Also Known As
Hole	One segment of the course, from the teeing area to the cup on the green.	The group starts on the first hole and records a score after finishing the green.
Tee box	The starting area for a hole.	The junior tees are closer to the fairway than the adult back tees.	Teeing area
Fairway	The shorter grass area that usually gives players a cleaner shot toward the green.	The ball lands in the fairway, so the next shot has a better lie.
Rough	Longer grass beside the fairway that can make the ball harder to hit cleanly.	The ball stops in the rough and the player chooses a safer club.
Bunker	A sand area on the course that can make a shot more difficult.	The ball rolls into a greenside bunker.	Sand trap
Green	The closely cut area around the hole where players usually putt.	The ball reaches the green and the player switches to a putter.	Putting green
Putting	Rolling the ball on the green with a putter.	The player putts from ten feet and taps in the next shot.
Stroke	A swing intended to hit the ball, usually counted in the player's score.	The player takes three strokes to reach the green.	Shot
Scorecard	The card or app used to record scores for each hole.	The coach checks the scorecard after the round.	Card
Par	The expected number of strokes for a skilled player on a hole, used as a reference point.	A par three is a shorter hole where players aim to reach the green quickly.
Drive	The first long shot from the tee on many holes.	The drive lands safely in the fairway.	Tee shot
Chip	A short shot near the green that gets the ball onto the putting surface.	The player chips from the fringe and then putts.
Pitch	A higher short shot used to carry the ball over grass, rough, or a bunker area.	The player pitches over a bunker toward the green.
Lie	How and where the ball is sitting on the course.	A ball sitting down in thick rough has a harder lie.	Ball position
Penalty	Extra stroke or procedure added under the event rules for certain situations.	A lost ball may add a penalty depending on the format.	Penalty stroke
Lost ball	A ball that cannot be found within the allowed search time or local format.	The group uses the lost-ball procedure and keeps moving.
Out of bounds	An area outside the course's allowed playing boundary.	The ball crosses the white stakes and is out of bounds.	OB
Scramble	A team format where players choose one shot location and each player hits from there.	The team uses the best drive and everyone plays the next shot from that spot.	Best-ball style beginner format
Max-stroke rule	A youth-friendly rule that caps the score on a hole and tells a player when to pick up.	At double par or a set number, the player picks up and records the max.	Stroke limit
Fore	A warning shouted when a ball may hit or come near someone.	The player yells fore after a shot heads toward another fairway.	Safety call