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Below is a list of golf related words and terms along with their most common definitions. Some definitions also contain the USGA’s definition. You can find a more complete list of the USGA Rules and Definitions at www.rulesofgolf.com.
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Back Nine 
The second set of 9 or the last 9 holes.
The second set of 9 or the last 9 holes.Back Weighting A weight attached to the back of a club head. The back weight moves the center of gravity toward the back of the club to assist in generating a specific ball flight, such as lift or slice and hook control.
A weight attached to the back of a club head. The back weight moves the center of gravity toward the back of the club to assist in generating a specific ball flight, such as lift or slice and hook control. A weight added to the butt end of the club. This increases the overall weight of the club, while reducing the swing weight of the club.
Backspin The backward rotation of a golf ball on its horizontal axis. The greater the backspin, the steeper the ball will climb and the more quickly it will stop or even spin backwards on impact with the turf.
The backward rotation of a golf ball on its horizontal axis. The greater the backspin, the steeper the ball will climb and the more quickly it will stop or even spin backwards on impact with the turf.Backswing The takeaway or backward movement of the club, hands, arms and body away from the ball. The first part in the golf swing.
The takeaway or backward movement of the club, hands, arms and body away from the ball. The first part in the golf swing.BalanceThe proper distribution of weight at address and throughout the swing.
The proper distribution of weight at address and throughout the swing. Balata A natural or synthetic compound used to make the cover for rubber-cored golf balls and the insert in some putters.
A natural or synthetic compound used to make the cover for rubber-cored golf balls and the insert in some putters.Ball MarkThe crater left on the green from an approach shot. Very uncool if left un-repaired.
The crater left on the green from an approach shot. Very uncool if left un-repaired.Ball Marker Any small flat object used to mark a balls position on the green.
Any small flat object used to mark a balls position on the green. Ball Retriever A pole with a scoop or clamping device on the end which is used to collect balls from water hazards and other inaccessibile areas.
A pole with a scoop or clamping device on the end which is used to collect balls from water hazards and other inaccessibile areas.Ball Washer Any device used for cleaning golf balls. Usually found near the teeing ground.
Any device used for cleaning golf balls. Usually found near the teeing ground.Baseball GripSame as the ten finger grip. A golf grip in which all ten fingers are placed on the grip of the club.
Same as the ten finger grip. A golf grip in which all ten fingers are placed on the grip of the club. Belly Putter A type of putter that positions the butt of a grip against the player's stomach in order to create a pendulum effect from a relatively stable pivot point
A type of putter that positions the butt of a grip against the player's stomach in order to create a pendulum effect from a relatively stable pivot pointBent Grass Bent is the kind of grass you find on many greens, particularly in Northern climes. It is fine, dense, thin, hardy and can be mowed very short, which many other grasses cannot survive. It also appears on fringes and fairways. Greens of bent grass are generally faster than greens of a Bermuda grass. And because they are mowed closer, bent grass tends to have less influence on the path that the ball takes than would a green of Bermuda grass.
Bent is the kind of grass you find on many greens, particularly in Northern climes. It is fine, dense, thin, hardy and can be mowed very short, which many other grasses cannot survive. It also appears on fringes and fairways. Greens of bent grass are generally faster than greens of a Bermuda grass. And because they are mowed closer, bent grass tends to have less influence on the path that the ball takes than would a green of Bermuda grass.Bermuda GrassBermuda is more common in the south. Thicker and "fluffier" than bent grass, it is most suitable for the rough where it just loves to get tangled in your iron. This feature also makes it more difficult to mow than bent grass. You'll want to know if the greens are made of a Bermuda grass because the grain may cause your ball to slow down or slide to one side, usually towards the west. Be aware that divots made in fairways of Bermuda grass should not be replaced. Rather, they should be covered with sand.
Bermuda is more common in the south. Thicker and "fluffier" than bent grass, it is most suitable for the rough where it just loves to get tangled in your iron. This feature also makes it more difficult to mow than bent grass. You'll want to know if the greens are made of a Bermuda grass because the grain may cause your ball to slow down or slide to one side, usually towards the west. Be aware that divots made in fairways of Bermuda grass should not be replaced. Rather, they should be covered with sand.Best Ball Often confused with "Better Ball" or "Scramble". This is a match where one competitor plays against the best ball of two or three other competitors.
Often confused with "Better Ball" or "Scramble". This is a match where one competitor plays against the best ball of two or three other competitors.USGA: A match in which one plays against the better ball of two or the best ball of three players. Better Ballsee Best Ball
see Best BallBirdie One stroke under par for a single hole.
One stroke under par for a single hole.Blade Flat portion of the club head which makes contact with the ball in a stroke, more commonly referred to as the face.Refers to a particular type of iron club head that is not a cavity back (also know as muscle back) or a particular style of putter head.
Flat portion of the club head which makes contact with the ball in a stroke, more commonly referred to as the face.Refers to a particular type of iron club head that is not a cavity back (also know as muscle back) or a particular style of putter head.Bladed ShotAlso referred to as a "skulled" or topped shot. This occurs when the top half of the ball is struck with the bottom portion of a club head iron, usually resulting a low-running shot or "line drive" shot.
Also referred to as a "skulled" or topped shot. This occurs when the top half of the ball is struck with the bottom portion of a club head iron, usually resulting a low-running shot or "line drive" shot. Blast A shot that “blast” a large amount of sand when hitting out of a sand trap.
A shot that “blast” a large amount of sand when hitting out of a sand trap.BlockA swing in which the arms do not rotate properly through the striking zone, generally producing a shot that flies to the right of the target. To prevent or delay the rotation of the arms, wrists, body or club in the forward swing.
A swing in which the arms do not rotate properly through the striking zone, generally producing a shot that flies to the right of the target. To prevent or delay the rotation of the arms, wrists, body or club in the forward swing.BobbingWhen a players body moves up and down throughout the swing.
When a players body moves up and down throughout the swing.Bogey A score of one over par on a single hole.
A score of one over par on a single hole. BorrowThe amount of break a player allows for when hitting a breaking putt. The amount of compensation in aim taken for slope, gravity or wind in a putt.
The amount of break a player allows for when hitting a breaking putt. The amount of compensation in aim taken for slope, gravity or wind in a putt.Bounce Measurement in degrees of the angle from the front edge of a club's sole to the point that actually rests on the ground at address. The middle or rear of many soles is lower than the front edge. Bounce is most commonly applied to wedges. More bounce will keep the club from digging too deeply into turf or sand..
Measurement in degrees of the angle from the front edge of a club's sole to the point that actually rests on the ground at address. The middle or rear of many soles is lower than the front edge. Bounce is most commonly applied to wedges. More bounce will keep the club from digging too deeply into turf or sand..Bounce Angle When looking at the sole of a wedge you will notice the trailing edge hangs beneath the leading edge. This angle in relation to the ground plane is called bounce angle.
When looking at the sole of a wedge you will notice the trailing edge hangs beneath the leading edge. This angle in relation to the ground plane is called bounce angle. Boundary The parimeter of the golf course that defines the area of play.
The parimeter of the golf course that defines the area of play. BreakTerm used to describe the amount or direction a putt will deviate from a straight line due to the slope or slant, gravity or wind on a putting green.
Term used to describe the amount or direction a putt will deviate from a straight line due to the slope or slant, gravity or wind on a putting green.The bending of a joint such as an elbow or wrist.
Bulge A measure of the curvature of the face of a wood or metal wood horizontally expressed as a portion of the radius of a circle. Bulge can help give corrective spin to shots hit on the toe or heel of the wood face. A section on a particular shaft style that swells in diameter designed to change the location of the bending of the shaft.
A measure of the curvature of the face of a wood or metal wood horizontally expressed as a portion of the radius of a circle. Bulge can help give corrective spin to shots hit on the toe or heel of the wood face. A section on a particular shaft style that swells in diameter designed to change the location of the bending of the shaft.Bump and RunA shot around the green in which the player hits the ball into a slope to deaden its speed before settling on the green and rolling towards the hole.
A shot around the green in which the player hits the ball into a slope to deaden its speed before settling on the green and rolling towards the hole.Bunker A pit or depression in the ground that is covered or filled with sand. Also know as a "sand trap" or “sand bunker”. (Sand Trap is not a term used in the Rule Book.)
A pit or depression in the ground that is covered or filled with sand. Also know as a "sand trap" or “sand bunker”. (Sand Trap is not a term used in the Rule Book.)USGA: A bunker is a hazard consisting of a prepared area of ground, often a hollow. From which turf or soil has been removed and replaced with sand or the like.Butt The grip end of the golf shaft.
The grip end of the golf shaft. Butt Cap The plastic or rubber cap at the top end of the grip. Also known as the "End Cap."
The plastic or rubber cap at the top end of the grip. Also known as the "End Cap." Golf Instruction Newsletter
