Are you puzzled by the seemingly endless number of golf terms?
If you are a beginner, you might feel overwhelmed and wondering where to start. This guide outlines the terms you need in plain English. There’s also a complete A-Z list of golf terms if you want to look up any jargon you’ve heard out on the course.
Golf Terms
This guide is split into different sections to make it easier to digest. Use the table of contents to skip to the category you want to learn. We cover everything from basic golf scoring terms to the essential vocabulary you need as a beginner. Enjoy!
Golf Scoring Terms
From Birdies and Bogeys to Eagles and Snowmen, there’s no wonder golfers scrath their heads in confusion. Here are the basic golf scoring terms, without the jargon.
Hole-in-One
Otherwise known as an ‘Ace’, a hole-in-one is the most challenging shot to make on the course. You must put the ball in a single shot, which rarely happens. According to the National Hole in One Registry, the average golfer’s odds of scoring a hole-in-one are 12,000 to 1. Those odds improve if you’re a professional, at 3,000 to 1. It’s safe to say you need skill and plenty of luck!
Condor
Known as the rarest shot in golf, a Condor means putting the ball four shots under par. In other words, scoring a hole-in-one on a par-5 or putting in two shots on a par-6. Condors are so rare there are only six officially on record (as of 2023). They require some creativity and usually involve cutting a corner or two and not following the typical path played by most golfers.
Albatross
An Albatross is also known as a ‘Double Eagle’ and means putting the ball three shots under par, for example, two shots on a par-5 hole, which is some achievement! Besides scoring a hole-in-one or Condor, an Albatross is the next-rarest shot in golf.
Eagle
Scoring an Eagle means putting the ball two shots under par. In other words, putting in three shots on a par-5 hole or two shots on a par-4. Eagles typically happen on par-5s but are possible on par-4s if you get somewhere near the green within two shots.
Did you know? In 1938, Ray Ainsley set the highest score on record for a single hole on the PGA Tour during the US Open. He scored 19 strokes over par on the par-4 16th hole at Cherry Hills in Colorado.
Beginner’s Golf Terms
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Intermediate Golf Terms
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Golf Slang Terms
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FAQs
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Before you go …
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