Golf Glossary: Everything You Need To Know About Golf
It can take years on the course to become an expert in the terminology of golf. The only thing golfers may enjoy more than a few drinks after their round is finding better ways to describe their golf shots. Here is my Golf Glossary I – L. These golf sayings are always tweaking and changing. So here is my easy guide in one place.
I’ve pulled together a total glossary of golfing terms and slang. I’m pretty sure it covers 99% of everything you need to know!
Comment below – did I miss any favorites?
I
Impact
Impact refers to the precise moment when the clubhead makes contact with the ball during a swing. It is a crucial moment in golf, as the quality of the impact will significantly affect the ball’s flight and distance.
Insert
An insert is a material placed inside the clubface, usually in putters, to provide a softer feel and enhance the ball’s roll. The insert material can differ from the clubhead material, and it can also change the ball’s spin rate.
Irons
Irons are golf clubs that come in a range of numbers from 1 to 9, each with a different loft angle and length. The lower-numbered irons have a smaller degree of loft and longer shafts, while the higher-numbered irons have shorter lengths and higher lofts. Irons are designed this way to provide a set of clubs that cover a wide range of distances.
Intended Line
Intended line is a term used interchangeably with aimline. It refers to the golfer’s intended path of the ball from its current position to the target, taking into account any slope or break on the green.
Investment Casting
Investment casting is a process used in manufacturing golf clubs, including irons, wedges, and putters. It involves creating a mold of the desired shape in wax, then coating it in a ceramic shell. The wax is melted out, leaving a hollow ceramic shell that is filled with molten metal to create the clubhead.
Interlocking Grip
The interlocking grip is a common way to hold the club, typically used by players with smaller hands. It involves interlocking the pinky finger of the trailing hand (right hand for right-handed players) with the index finger of the lead hand (left hand for right-handed players). It is similar to the Vardon grip but with the added interlocking of the fingers.
Inside Path, Out to In
In golf instruction, inside refers to the position of the clubhead in relation to a neutral swing plane. If the clubhead is inside, the clubface is on a steeper trajectory than an outside line. If a player’s ball is inside their opponent’s, they are nearer to the hole than their opponent.
K
Kick Point
The kick point is the point on a golf shaft where it bends the most. It can be mid, low, or high, depending on its location. A low kick point is located closest to the clubhead and creates a higher launch angle, while a high kick point creates a lower launch angle.
Kil the Ball
To “kill the ball” means to hit the ball very hard or make a very aggressive swing in order to maximize distance.
Knock Down Shot
A knock down shot, also known as a punch shot, is a low-trajectory shot that travels less distance. It is often used in windy conditions or to get out of trouble when the player needs to keep the ball under tree branches or other obstacles.
L
Loft
Loft refers to the angle of the clubface in relation to a line drawn vertically from the base of the club. It is a crucial factor in determining the ball’s launch angle and trajectory.
Leading Edge
The leading edge is the front part of the bottom of the face of the club. It is the part of the golf club that enters the ground first and makes contact with the ball.
Long Irons
Long irons are the 1, 2, and 3 irons, which are notoriously difficult to hit due to their small clubface, low loft, and long club length.
Lag Putt
A lag putt is a putt where the golfer aims to get as close to the hole as possible without necessarily aiming to hole the putt. It is often used on longer putts where the priority is to leave the ball in a position where the next putt can be holed easily.
Launch Angle
Launch angle refers to the angle in degrees of the ball’s trajectory after it leaves the clubface in relation to the ground. It is often used comparatively to describe a high, mid, or low launch angle.
Low Side
The low side refers to the side of the hole that is downhill from the ball’s current position. For example, if the ball is on the right side of the hole, the low side would be the left side.
Links Course
A links course is a golf course that is located near the sea. They are characterized by hard and fast greens, narrow fairways, and windy conditions that make them challenging to play.
Lip
The lip refers to the edge of the hole that the golfer is trying to get the ball into. A ball that hits the lip may bounce out of the hole instead of dropping in.
Lob
To lob the ball is to hit a high shot that travels a short distance. Lob shots are often used to clear obstacles such as bunkers or trees and require a high degree of skill and precision.
Lay Up
To lay up is to make a tactical decision to play a shot short of the green. This is usually done to avoid a hazard or to set up a more manageable approach shot.
Lie Angle
The lie angle refers to the angle of the golf club’s shaft in comparison to the sole of the club. It is a critical factor in determining the ball’s direction and spin.
Line Up
To line up is to determine the slope or break of the green to decide which way to hit the ball. This is often done by standing behind the ball and looking at the hole from the golfer’s perspective.
Lake Ball
Lake balls are golf balls that have been retrieved from water hazards and may be sold again. They are often sold at a lower price than new golf balls and can vary in quality.
Line
In golf, the line refers to the path the ball takes from its current position to the hole. This can be a straight line, but it is often affected by the slope and contour of the green.
Long Game
The long game refers to the collection of shots used from outside of approximately 180 yards (for the average male golfer). This includes shots off the tee and approach shots to the green.
Lift
Lift is a mechanical term for the force acting upward on the ball. It is generated by the interaction between the clubface and the ball during impact.
Lip Out
Lip out refers to a putt that looks like it is going to drop into the hole but hits the edge and bounces away. It can be a frustrating experience for golfers and can result in a missed opportunity to score.
Low Profile
A golf club with a low profile has a comparatively short clubhead height from the sole to the crown in comparison with its length from heel to toe. This usually means a lower center of gravity that makes it easier to hit the ball on a high trajectory.
Laid Off
At the top of the backswing, a club is said to be laid off if the shaft points to the left of the target (for a right-handed golfer). This can result in a swing path that is too inside-out, causing the ball to slice.
Low Handicapper
A low handicapper is a golfer with a handicap in single figures, typically less than 10. This indicates that they are a skilled golfer who can consistently shoot low scores.
Lob Wedge
A lob wedge is a golf club with more loft than a sand wedge, typically ranging from 58-62 degrees. It is designed to hit high, soft shots that travel a short distance and stop quickly on the green.
Long Putter
A long putter is a putter with an extra-long shaft that is designed to be held at the butt of the club with the left hand (for a right-handed player) and lower down with the right hand. This style of putting is often used by golfers who struggle with the yips or have difficulty with traditional putting methods.
Leak
To leak the ball is to hit a shot that moves away from the target to the right (for a right-handed golfer), similar to a fade or slice. This can be caused by a swing path that is too outside-in or a club face that is open at impact.
Keep reading Golf Glossary M – N
If you’re looking to improve your golf why not check out our other article on the best cheap golf rangefinders, or have a look at our best golf balls for beginner golfers. We also review the best golf simulators to help improve your golf whilst at home.
