Golf Glossary M

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 M – N. 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?

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Maraging Steel

Maraging steel is a type of alloy that is harder and more durable than most conventional steel used in golf clubs. Its strength is attributed to the presence of nickel and other metals, which provide increased resistance to wear and tear. Maraging steel is commonly used in clubheads for its high strength-to-weight ratio, making it ideal for drivers and fairway woods where swing speed is critical.

Misread

Misreading in golf refers to the poor judgement or inaccurate assessment of factors such as wind, slope, surface hardness, or grass effect on the club-ball contact. Misreading can result in an incorrect choice of club or shot, leading to a poor performance or score.

Missing The Cut

Missing the cut refers to the failure of a player to reach the required score to proceed to the next round of the tournament. In most golf tournaments, this occurs after 36 holes in a 72-hole competition.

Mid Putter

A mid putter is a type of putter that is commonly referred to as a belly putter. It is characterized by a longer shaft that extends to the belly of the golfer, providing more stability and control during the putting stroke.

Municipal Course

A municipal course is a golf course that is owned and maintained by the local government. These courses are open to the public and are typically more affordable than private courses.

Mid Iron

A mid iron refers to any of the irons numbered from 4 to 6. These clubs are designed to provide a balance between distance and control, making them ideal for approach shots from the fairway.

Mallet

A mallet is a type of putter head shape that is characterized by a large size and a wide, flat surface area behind the striking face. This design helps to increase stability and forgiveness, making it easier to keep the ball on the intended line.

Muscleback, Blade

A muscleback or blade iron is a type of iron that has weight strategically placed behind the center of gravity. This design is intended for advanced golfers who prefer superior feel and workability of the ball. However, this type of club is less forgiving than other irons.

MWT

MWT is a proprietary term used by TaylorMade-adidas Golf. It stands for “Moveable Weight Technology” and refers to a system that allows a golfer to move and interchange head weights in a driver or fairway wood. By doing this, the weighting in the head can be shifted toward the heel or toe of the club to promote a draw or fade, respectively. The trajectory of the shot can also be influenced by using the central weight port(s).

Matchplay

Matchplay is a competition between two players (or teams) in which they attempt to win each hole. The winner is the person or team with the most points at the end, rather than the team with the lowest total score, as in stroke play.

Make the Cut

Making the cut refers to a player reaching the required score to proceed to the next round of the tournament. In most golf tournaments, this occurs after 36 holes in a 72-hole competition.

Marker

A marker in golf can refer to a tee, ball marker, or yardage marker. These are used to indicate the starting point of a hole, the position of the ball on the green, or the distance to the hole, respectively.

Mashie Niblick

A mashie niblick is an old style of golf club that was the equivalent of a 7 iron. It is no longer in common use.

Masters

The Masters is a prestigious golf tournament held annually at the Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia, USA. It is widely regarded as one of the most prestigious events in professional golf and attracts the best players from around the world. The tournament is played over four days and is broadcast worldwide to millions of viewers.

Mis-club

Mis-clubbing refers to the act of choosing the wrong club for a particular shot. This can happen due to a misjudgment of distance, or a misreading of wind or other factors that can affect the ball’s trajectory.

Mid Mashie

The mid mashie is an old style of golf club that was the equivalent of a three iron. It is no longer in common use.

Majors

The majors in golf refer to the four major championships on the men’s professional golf tour: the Masters, the US Open, the Open Championship (also known as the British Open), and the PGA Championship. These tournaments are considered the most prestigious events in professional golf and attract the best players from around the world.

Moment of Inertia (MOI)

Moment of inertia (MOI) is a measure of a golf club’s resistance to twisting around a particular axis. Clubs with a higher MOI are less likely to twist on off-center hits, which can result in more consistent ball flight and distance.

Metal Wood

A metal wood is a golf club that has a metal head, as opposed to the traditional wooden head used in early golf clubs. Metal woods are now the most common type of club used by golfers due to their durability, consistency, and improved performance.

Mulligan

A mulligan is a term used in golf to describe a shot that does not count towards a player’s score. It is an informal rule that allows a player to retake a shot that they are not happy with. Mulligans are not allowed in official tournament play, but are commonly used in casual rounds of golf.

Mashie

A mashie is an old style of golf club that was the equivalent of a 5, 6 or 7 iron. It is no longer in common use.

Milled

Milled refers to a manufacturing process that is used to precisely cut metal. In golf, the milling process is often used to ensure a flat clubface on putters, which can improve consistency and accuracy on the greens.

Mashie Iron

A mashie iron is a type of golf club with less loft than a mashie. It is equivalent to a 4 iron and is typically used for longer approach shots from the fairway.

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Nineteenth Hole

The nineteenth hole is a term used to describe the bar or restaurant located in the clubhouse of a golf course. It is often a popular spot for golfers to socialize and relax after a round of golf.

Neck

The neck of a golf club is also known as the hosel. It is the part of the club that connects the clubhead to the shaft and is responsible for maintaining the club’s stability and balance during the swing.

Nassau

Nassau is a type of betting game played in golf. It is named after the Caribbean island of Nassau and involves players competing to see who gets the best front nine, back nine, and total score. Points are awarded for each, and wagers are settled beforehand.

Never Up, Never In

“Never up, never in” is a popular phrase in golf that means if a putt doesn’t reach the hole, it has no chance of going in. The phrase is often used to encourage golfers to hit their putts firmly and give them a chance to go in the hole.

Net Score

A net score in golf is a player’s score after their handicap has been subtracted from their gross score. Handicaps are used to level the playing field in competitions, and the net score is used to determine a player’s final result.

Niblick

A niblick is an old term used to describe a golf club with a loft angle between 43 and 50 degrees, roughly equivalent to a modern-day pitching wedge or 9-iron. The term is rarely used in modern golf, as these clubs are now simply referred to by their numbered irons.

These terms are just a few of the many golfing terms used by players and enthusiasts of the sport. Understanding these terms is essential for players looking to improve their game and become more knowledgeable about the sport of golf.

Keep reading Golf Glossary O – R

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.