Golf Glossary

Plain-English definitions for the golf terms that actually matter — course ratings, handicap math, rules situations, game formats, and the stats that predict your score.

46 terms, each with a full definition here and a dedicated page answering the follow-up questions.

Course Rating Terms

Course Rating

A USGA-assigned number representing the expected score for a scratch golfer under normal conditions.

A numerical value assigned by the USGA that represents the expected score for a scratch golfer (zero handicap) playing under normal conditions. Course Rating™ is expressed to one decimal place (e.g., 72.3) and accounts for the effective playing length and obstacle factors of a course.

Course Rating in detail — How is Course Rating expressed · Why does it matter.

Slope Rating

A number from 55 to 155 that measures how much harder a course plays for bogey golfers versus scratch golfers.

A number from 55 to 155 that indicates the relative difficulty of a course for a bogey golfer compared to a scratch golfer. The average Slope Rating™ is 113. A higher slope means the course is proportionally harder for higher-handicap players. Slope is the key factor in calculating your Course Handicap from your Handicap Index.

Slope Rating in detail — What do the numbers mean · How is it used.

Bogey Rating

The expected score for a bogey golfer — roughly a 20-handicap (men) or 24-handicap (women).

The expected score for a bogey golfer — a player with a Handicap Index of roughly 20.0 (men) or 24.0 (women). The difference between the Bogey Rating and the Course Rating is used to calculate the Slope Rating. A larger gap means the course punishes higher-handicap players more severely.

Bogey Rating in detail — How is it calculated · What does a large gap mean.

Handicap Index

A portable measure of your playing ability that travels with you from course to course.

A portable measure of a golfer’s demonstrated ability, calculated from the best 8 of the last 20 score differentials. Your Handicap Index® travels with you from course to course and is converted to a Course Handicap using the Slope Rating of the tees you play. Administered by the USGA through local allied golf associations.

Handicap Index in detail — How is it calculated · How do you use it.

Course Handicap

The number of strokes you receive on a specific course from a specific set of tees.

The number of strokes a player receives on a specific course from a specific set of tees. Calculated as: (Handicap Index × Slope Rating / 113) + (Course Rating – Par). This adjusts your portable Handicap Index to the specific difficulty of the tees you’re playing.

Course Handicap in detail — What’s the formula · What does a Course Handicap look like in practice.

Playing Handicap

Your Course Handicap adjusted for the specific format of play.

The Course Handicap adjusted for the format of play. In stroke play, it’s typically 95% of your Course Handicap. In match play, it’s the full Course Handicap. The Playing Handicap ensures equitable competition regardless of game format.

Playing Handicap in detail — How does it vary by format.

Score Differential

A score that measures how well you played relative to the difficulty of the course.

A score differential measures how well you played relative to the difficulty of the course. Calculated as: (113 / Slope Rating) × (Adjusted Gross Score – Course Rating – PCC adjustment). Your Handicap Index is the average of your best 8 differentials out of the last 20 rounds.

Score Differential in detail — How many score differentials go into a Handicap Index.

Equitable Stroke Control

A rule that caps the maximum score on any hole for handicap purposes, preventing blow-up holes from wrecking your index.

A procedure under the World Handicap System (called Net Double Bogey) that limits the maximum score on any hole for handicap purposes. The cap is double bogey plus any handicap strokes received on that hole. This prevents one blow-up hole from distorting your Handicap Index.

Equitable Stroke Control in detail — How does it work.

Rules & Penalties

Stymie

A historic golf term for when an opponent’s ball blocked your path to the hole on the putting green.

Historically, a stymie occurred in match play when an opponent’s ball blocked your line to the hole on the putting green and you were not allowed to mark it. The rule was abolished in 1952. Today “stymied” is used colloquially to mean any blocked or obstructed shot — a tree in your line, a bunker between you and the pin, or any situation where a direct path is unavailable. It’s also the name of our platform.

Stymie in detail — What was the original rule · How is it used today.

Lateral Hazard

Now called a red penalty area — a hazard running alongside the line of play.

Now called a red penalty area under the Rules of Golf, a lateral hazard is a body of water or marked area that runs alongside or adjacent to the line of play. When your ball enters a red penalty area, you may take relief with a one-stroke penalty by dropping within two club-lengths of where the ball last crossed the edge, no closer to the hole.

Lateral Hazard in detail — What are your relief options · How do you identify one.

Out of Bounds

The area beyond the course boundary, marked by white stakes or a fence.

The area beyond the course boundary, typically marked by white stakes or a fence. If your ball comes to rest out of bounds, the penalty is stroke and distance — you must replay the shot from the original spot with a one-stroke penalty. Many courses now offer a local rule allowing a two-stroke drop near where the ball went out.

Out of Bounds in detail — What’s the penalty · How do you identify it.

Provisional Ball

A second ball played from the same spot when you think your original may be lost or out of bounds.

A second ball played from the same spot when you believe your original ball may be lost outside a penalty area or out of bounds. Playing a provisional saves time by eliminating the need to walk back. If the original is found in bounds, you continue with it; if not, the provisional becomes the ball in play under stroke-and-distance penalty.

Provisional Ball in detail — When should you play one · What happens next.

Unplayable Lie

You can declare your ball unplayable anywhere except in a penalty area, with three relief options.

A player may declare their ball unplayable anywhere on the course except in a penalty area. You have three relief options, each with a one-stroke penalty: (1) go back to where you last played, (2) drop within two club-lengths no closer to the hole, or (3) drop on a line extending straight back from the pin through the ball’s position.

Unplayable Lie in detail — What are the three one-stroke relief options for an unplayable lie.

Ground Under Repair

A marked area on the course where you get free relief — no penalty.

Any area on the course marked by the maintenance staff (usually with blue stakes or white lines) as ground under repair (GUR). If your ball lies in GUR, you are entitled to free relief — drop the ball at the nearest point of complete relief, no closer to the hole, within one club-length.

Ground Under Repair in detail — How do you identify it · What relief do you get.

Embedded Ball

A ball stuck in its own pitch-mark in the general area — you get free relief.

A ball that is embedded in its own pitch-mark in the general area (anywhere except penalty areas, bunkers, and putting greens) is entitled to free relief. You may lift, clean, and drop the ball within one club-length of the spot directly behind where it was embedded, no closer to the hole.

Embedded Ball in detail — Where does it apply · What’s the relief.

Free Relief

Relief without penalty, available in specific situations defined by the Rules of Golf.

Relief without penalty, available in specific situations defined by the Rules of Golf. Common free relief situations include: immovable obstructions (cart paths, sprinkler heads), abnormal course conditions (ground under repair, temporary water), and embedded balls in the general area. Free relief always requires finding the nearest point of complete relief.

Free Relief in detail — When do you get free relief · How does it work.

Game Formats

Stroke Play

The most common competitive format — count every stroke, lowest total wins.

The most common format in competitive golf, where each player counts every stroke over the full round. The player with the lowest total score wins. Most professional tournaments and handicap-qualifying rounds use stroke play. Net stroke play applies handicap strokes to produce a net score for equitable competition.

Stroke Play in detail — How does it work · What about Net Stroke Play.

Match Play

A hole-by-hole format — win the most holes, not the lowest total score.

A format where two players or teams compete hole by hole. The player or team with the lower score on a hole wins that hole. The match is scored by holes won (e.g., “3 and 2” means 3 holes up with 2 to play). A halved hole means both sides scored the same. The Ryder Cup and many club championships use match play.

Match Play in detail — How is it scored · Where is it used.

Stableford

A points-based scoring system where the highest point total wins.

A scoring system where points are awarded based on your score relative to a fixed target (usually par): 0 for double bogey or worse, 1 for bogey, 2 for par, 3 for birdie, 4 for eagle, 5 for albatross. The highest point total wins. Stableford rewards aggressive play and eliminates the impact of one terrible hole, since the worst you can score is zero points.

Stableford in detail — How are points awarded · Why play Stableford.

Best Ball

A team format where each player plays their own ball and the best score on each hole counts.

A team format (also called four-ball) where each player plays their own ball and the team’s score on each hole is the lowest individual score among the team members. In a two-person best ball, both players complete the hole and the better score counts. Often confused with scramble, but in best ball every player finishes every hole.

Best Ball in detail — How does it work · What is the difference between best ball and a scramble.

Scramble

The most popular team format — pick the best shot each time, everyone plays from there.

The most popular team format in charity and corporate outings. All players tee off, the team picks the best shot, and everyone plays their next shot from that spot. This repeats until the ball is holed. Scrambles produce low scores and keep the pace moving since weaker shots are simply abandoned.

Scramble in detail — How does it work · Why is it popular.

Alternate Shot

A two-person format where partners take turns hitting the same ball.

A two-person team format (also called foursomes) where partners take turns hitting the same ball. One player tees off on odd holes, the other on even holes, and they alternate shots until the ball is holed. Used in the Ryder Cup and Presidents Cup. Demands strong teamwork and strategic tee assignments.

Alternate Shot in detail — How does it work · Where is it played.

Skins

A gambling format where each hole has a set value — win the hole outright, win the money.

A gambling format where each hole has a set value (a “skin”). The player with the lowest score on a hole wins the skin. If two or more players tie for the lowest score, the skin carries over and is added to the next hole’s value. The last few holes can become extremely valuable when skins accumulate.

Skins in detail — How does it work · What makes it exciting.

Nassau

The most common betting format — three bets in one: front nine, back nine, and overall.

The most common betting format in recreational golf. A Nassau is three separate bets in one: front nine, back nine, and overall 18. For example, a “$5 Nassau” means $5 for the front, $5 for the back, and $5 for the total — so a maximum of $15 at stake. Players often add “presses” (automatic double-or-nothing bets when trailing by 2).

Nassau in detail — How does it work · What are presses.

Course Features

Parkland

The most common American course style — lush fairways, tree-lined holes, and soft conditions.

The most common American course style, characterized by lush, manicured fairways, abundant trees lining holes, well-watered greens, and relatively little wind. The name comes from the park-like setting. Augusta National is the archetypal parkland course. Parkland courses play softer than links with more aerial golf.

Parkland in detail — What defines a parkland course · What are famous examples of parkland courses.

Dogleg

A hole that bends left or right between the tee and the green.

A hole that bends to the left or right at some point between the tee and the green, named for its resemblance to a dog’s hind leg. A dogleg left rewards a draw; a dogleg right rewards a fade. Some holes feature a double dogleg with two direction changes. Aggressive players may try to “cut the corner” over trees or hazards to shorten the hole.

Dogleg in detail — How does it affect play · How should you play a dogleg.

Elevation Change

The height difference across a course or hole — directly affects club selection.

The difference in height between the highest and lowest points on a golf course, or between the tee and green on an individual hole. Significant elevation change affects club selection — downhill shots fly farther, uphill shots play shorter. Mountain courses can have hundreds of feet of total elevation change across 18 holes.

Elevation Change in detail — How does it affect your game · How much is significant.

Green Complex

The entire area in and around the putting surface — green, bunkers, chipping areas, and slopes.

The entire area in and around the putting surface, including the green itself, surrounding bunkers, chipping areas, collection areas, and slopes that feed the green. A well-designed green complex creates multiple pin positions of varying difficulty and rewards precise approach shots. Architects like Alister MacKenzie and Seth Raynor were known for creative green complexes.

Green Complex in detail — What’s included · Why does it matter.

Forced Carry

A shot that must carry over a hazard — no option to play around it.

A design element that requires the golfer to carry the ball over a hazard (water, ravine, wetland, or deep bunker) with no option to play around it. Forced carries add strategic tension and can be punishing for shorter hitters. Well-designed courses offer alternative tees that reduce or eliminate forced carries for higher-handicap players.

Forced Carry in detail — What hazards are involved · How does a forced carry affect playability.

Risk-Reward

A hole offering a choice: play safe for a modest result, or go aggressive for a bigger reward.

A hole or shot that offers a choice between a safe play with a modest outcome and an aggressive play with greater potential payoff but higher penalty for failure. Classic examples include reachable par 5s with water guarding the green, drivable par 4s, and pin positions tucked behind bunkers. Great risk-reward design is considered a hallmark of strategic golf architecture.

Risk-Reward in detail — What are classic risk-reward holes · Why is it important.

Pin Position

Where the flagstick is placed on the green on a given day — changes daily.

The specific location of the flagstick (pin) on the putting green on a given day. Most courses rotate through 4-6 pin positions per green, varying from front to back and left to right. A front pin on a deep green plays shorter but may be guarded by bunkers; a back pin plays longer and may sit on a slope. Tournament courses publish pin sheets showing each hole’s position.

Pin Position in detail — How are they rotated · How does it affect play.

Scoring & Stats

Greens in Regulation

Reaching the green in the expected number of strokes — par minus 2.

A green is hit “in regulation” (GIR) when any part of the ball is on the putting surface in the expected number of strokes: par minus 2. That means reaching the green in 1 on a par 3, 2 on a par 4, or 3 on a par 5. PGA Tour players average about 65% GIR. Tracking GIR is one of the most predictive stats for scoring — more greens hit means more birdie putts.

Greens in Regulation in detail — What counts as GIR · Why is it important.

Fairways Hit

The percentage of tee shots on par 4s and par 5s that land in the fairway.

The percentage of tee shots on par 4s and par 5s that come to rest in the fairway. Also called Driving Accuracy. PGA Tour average is about 60%. While hitting fairways leads to easier approach shots, many modern players trade fairway accuracy for extra distance, finding that shorter approach shots from the rough still produce better scores.

Fairways Hit in detail — What is a good fairways hit percentage · Does it matter as much as distance.

Putts Per Round

Total putts in a round — PGA Tour average is about 29.

The total number of putts taken during an 18-hole round. PGA Tour average is roughly 29 putts per round. While a commonly tracked stat, it can be misleading — a player who misses every green and chips close will have fewer putts than one who hits every green but has long birdie putts. Strokes Gained: Putting is considered a more accurate measure.

Putts Per Round in detail — What’s a good number · Is it a reliable stat.

Up and Down

Getting the ball in the hole in two shots from off the green — one chip, one putt.

Successfully completing a hole in two shots from off the green — one chip or pitch shot (the “up”) followed by one putt (the “down”). An up-and-down typically saves par after a missed green in regulation. The scrambling percentage (up-and-down rate) is one of the most important short game stats. PGA Tour players convert about 60% of their scrambling opportunities.

Up and Down in detail — How does it work · What is a good up and down percentage.

Sand Save

Getting up and down from a greenside bunker — one bunker shot and one putt.

Getting up and down from a greenside bunker in two shots — one bunker shot and one putt. Sand save percentage measures how often a player successfully gets up and down from the sand. PGA Tour average is about 50%. It’s a specialized subset of the scrambling stat and reflects both bunker technique and green-reading ability.

Sand Save in detail — What is a good sand save percentage · What does it measure.

Grass Types

Bermuda Grass

The dominant warm-season turf across the southern United States — dense, grainy, and affects ball roll.

The dominant warm-season turf on golf courses across the southern United States. Bermuda thrives in heat and full sun, producing a dense, grainy surface that affects ball roll — putts break more with the grain and less against it. Common varieties include TifEagle and Champion (greens) and Tifway 419 (fairways). Found on courses throughout Florida, Georgia, the Carolinas, Texas, Arizona, and the entire Southeast. Bermuda goes dormant and turns brown in winter, which is why many southern courses overseed with ryegrass for year-round green playing surfaces.

Bermuda Grass in detail — How does it play · Where is it found · Which bermuda grass varieties do golf courses use.

Bentgrass

The preferred putting green grass in the northern U.S. — ultra-smooth, fast, and true-rolling.

The preferred putting green grass on courses in the northern United States and transition zone. Bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera) produces an ultra-smooth, fine-bladed surface that can be mowed extremely low — as short as 0.100 inches on tournament greens. This creates fast, true-rolling putting surfaces with minimal grain. Common varieties include Penn A-1, A-4, and Penncross. Found across the Northeast, Midwest, Pacific Northwest, and at elevation in cooler mountain courses. Bentgrass struggles in extreme heat and humidity, making it expensive to maintain in the transition zone (Virginia, Tennessee, Kentucky, Missouri).

Bentgrass in detail — How does it play · Where is it found · Which bentgrass varieties do golf courses use.

Poa Annua

Annual bluegrass — considered a weed on most courses, but the intentional putting surface at Pebble Beach and top West Coast tracks.

Annual bluegrass (Poa annua) is a light-green, clumpy grass that produces visible seed heads in the afternoon, causing bumpy putting conditions late in the day. While considered a weed on most courses, Poa annua is the dominant and intentionally maintained putting surface at many prestigious West Coast courses, including Pebble Beach, Oakmont, and most courses in the Pacific Northwest. Found naturally throughout California, Oregon, Washington, and parts of the Northeast. Poa greens putt differently than bentgrass — they tend to be bumpier in the afternoon as seed heads emerge and require more aggressive putting strokes.

Poa Annua in detail — How does it play · Where is it found.

Zoysia

A warm-season grass popular in the transition zone — handles both heat and cold better than alternatives.

A warm-season grass increasingly popular on fairways and tees in the transition zone — the geographic band where neither warm-season nor cool-season grasses thrive perfectly (Virginia through Missouri, into parts of Kansas and Kentucky). Zoysia produces a dense, carpet-like playing surface with a slightly wiry texture. It handles heat better than bentgrass and cold better than bermuda, making it ideal for courses that experience both extremes. Common varieties include Zeon, Meyer (Z-52), and Cavalier. Found on courses throughout the mid-Atlantic, upper South, and lower Midwest. Zoysia goes dormant in winter but greens up earlier in spring than bermuda.

Zoysia in detail — How does it play · Where is it found · Which zoysia varieties do golf courses use.

Ryegrass

A cool-season grass used as permanent turf in the north and as winter overseed in the south.

Perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) is a cool-season grass used in two primary ways on golf courses: as a permanent turf on fairways and rough in cooler climates (Pacific Northwest, northern California), and as a winter overseed on bermuda courses across the South. When southern courses overseed in fall, they spread ryegrass seed over dormant bermuda to maintain a green, playable surface through winter. This is why many southern courses close briefly in October for "overseeding season." Ryegrass germinates quickly, produces a bright green color, and provides clean ball-turf contact on approach shots.

Ryegrass in detail — How is it used · How does it play.

Paspalum

A salt-tolerant warm-season grass for coastal and island courses — can survive ocean spray and brackish water.

Seashore paspalum (Paspalum vaginatum) is a salt-tolerant warm-season grass used on coastal and island golf courses where saltwater intrusion, ocean spray, or brackish irrigation water would kill other turf varieties. It produces a fine-textured, dark green surface comparable to bermuda. Found on oceanfront courses in Hawaii, Florida, the Gulf Coast, and Caribbean resort courses. Paspalum can be irrigated with reclaimed or salt-heavy water, making it an environmentally sustainable choice for coastal developments. Notable courses using paspalum include several layouts in Hawaii and high-end coastal resort courses.

Paspalum in detail — What makes it special · Where is it found · How does it play.

Fescue

A cool-season grass family — fine fescue creates the iconic golden links-style rough, tall fescue is used on fairways.

A family of cool-season grasses used on golf courses in two distinct ways. Fine fescue (sheep fescue, hard fescue, chewings fescue) is the tall, wispy grass found in natural rough and out-of-play areas on links-style courses — it gives courses like Shinnecock Hills and Erin Hills their iconic golden-brown native look. Tall fescue is a coarser variety used for fairways and rough on courses in the transition zone where it handles heat better than ryegrass. Fine fescue rough is notoriously difficult to play from, as the long blades wrap around the clubhead and kill distance. Found across the Northeast, upper Midwest, Pacific Northwest, and on links-style courses nationwide.

Fescue in detail — What is fine fescue rough like to play from · How is tall fescue different from fine fescue · Where is it found.

Kentucky Bluegrass

The backbone of northern fairway turf — dense, self-healing, and provides clean lies.

A cool-season grass (Poa pratensis) commonly used on fairways, tees, and rough on northern U.S. golf courses. Kentucky bluegrass produces a dense, dark green turf with excellent self-healing ability — divots fill in naturally thanks to its spreading rhizome system. It provides a clean, firm lie on fairways and a consistent playing surface. Found throughout the Midwest, Northeast, and northern Plains states. Kentucky bluegrass is often blended with perennial ryegrass for faster establishment. While not typically used on greens (it can’t be mowed low enough), it’s the backbone of fairway turf from Minnesota to Maine.

Kentucky Bluegrass in detail — How does it play · Where is it found.

Overseeding

Spreading cool-season grass seed over dormant bermuda in fall to keep courses green through winter.

The practice of spreading cool-season grass seed (typically perennial ryegrass) over warm-season turf (bermuda) in the fall to maintain a green, playable surface through winter. When bermuda goes dormant and turns brown in November, the ryegrass takes over and keeps the course green until spring, when rising temperatures bring the bermuda back. Most courses in Florida, Arizona, Texas, and the Southeast overseed annually. Courses typically close for 2-3 weeks during the overseeding transition. The spring "transition" back to bermuda is one of the trickiest periods for course superintendents, as both grasses compete for dominance.

Overseeding in detail — How does it work · Where and when · Why is the spring transition tricky.

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