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Learn the language of golf! Here are all the important terms you'll hear on the course.

Scoring
Course Parts
Types of Shots
Safety
General Terms
🎯
Scoring
Ace

A hole-in-one! When you hit the ball from the tee directly into the hole in one shot.

🐦
Scoring
Birdie

Scoring one stroke under par on a hole. For example, getting a 3 on a par 4.

😅
Scoring
Bogey

Scoring one stroke over par on a hole. For example, getting a 5 on a par 4.

🦅
Scoring
Eagle

Scoring two strokes under par on a hole. Very impressive!

✅
Scoring
Par

The number of strokes a skilled golfer should take to complete a hole or course.

🌱
Course Parts
Fairway

The nicely mowed grass between the tee box and the green. This is where you want your ball!

🏌️
Course Parts
Green

The super-smooth, short grass around the hole where you putt.

🌾
Course Parts
Rough

The longer grass beside the fairway. Harder to hit from!

🏖️
Course Parts
Bunker

A sand trap (pit filled with sand) on the course. Also called a sand trap.

📍
Course Parts
Tee Box

The starting area for each hole where you take your first shot.

🌿
Course Parts
Divot

A chunk of grass and dirt that comes up when you hit the ball. Always replace it!

⚠️
Safety
Fore!

A warning shout when your ball might hit someone. Yell this loudly if needed!

📊
General Terms
Handicap

A number showing your skill level. Lower numbers mean better players.

🔄
General Terms
Mulligan

A do-over shot (not officially allowed in tournaments, but friends might let you have one!).

💪
Types of Shots
Drive

Your first shot on a hole, usually with your driver from the tee box.

🎯
Types of Shots
Approach Shot

A shot aimed at getting the ball onto the green.

🏌️‍♂️
Types of Shots
Chip Shot

A short, low shot near the green to get the ball onto the putting surface.

⛳
Types of Shots
Putt

A shot on the green using a putter to roll the ball into the hole.

↗️
Types of Shots
Slice

A shot that curves sharply to the right (for right-handed players). Very common for beginners!

↖️
Types of Shots
Hook

A shot that curves sharply to the left (for right-handed players).

🎒
General Terms
Caddie

A person who carries your golf bag and helps you with club selection and course strategy.

⭐
General Terms
Course Rating

A number showing how difficult a golf course is. Higher numbers mean tougher courses!

🍔
General Terms
19th Hole

The clubhouse or restaurant after you finish playing. Time for snacks and stories!

💬 Stan's Communication Tip

Don't worry about memorizing all these terms right away! You'll learn them naturally as you play. If you hear a word you don't know on the course, just ask - golfers love sharing their knowledge! The most important thing is to have fun and keep learning. 🎉

Stan's Golf School is part of the Sir Stanley Matthews Foundation, a charity registered in England and Wales, registration number 1092803.

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