96 Fun and Odd Slang Terms Used By Golfers and What They Mean

Golf, a sport steeped in tradition and etiquette, also boasts a vibrant and often quirky vernacular. This unique language, a colorful blend of descriptive metaphors, humorous analogies, and inside jokes, adds another layer of enjoyment to the game. From the seasoned pro to the weekend duffer, golfers around the world use slang terms, sometimes universally understood, sometimes confined to a specific region or even a small group of players. These terms paint a vivid picture of the game’s triumphs and tribulations, adding a touch of levity to the frustrations and celebrating the moments of brilliance. Understanding this glossary of golf-specific slang not only enhances your appreciation of the sport but also allows you to fully engage in the camaraderie and banter that are integral to the golfing experience. Let’s delve into the fascinating world of 96 Fun and Odd Slang Terms Used By Golfers and What They Mean.

This compilation aims to demystify some of the more peculiar and entertaining expressions used on the links. We’ll explore terms related to scoring, course features, shot descriptions, and even golfer behavior. Prepare to expand your golfing vocabulary and impress your playing partners with your newfound knowledge of the game’s secret language. This lexicon of golfing lingo will add color to your next round.

The Lexicon of the Links: Decoding Golf Slang

Here’s a comprehensive guide to 96 Fun and Odd Slang Terms Used By Golfers and What They Mean, presented in alphabetical order for easy reference:

1. Abominable Snowman: This chilling term refers to a score of 9 on a single hole. It’s a step beyond the already unfortunate "Snowman" (a score of 8), signifying a truly disastrous hole.

2. Aircraft Carrier: Imagine a vast, flat, and rectangular teeing ground, often elevated slightly above the surrounding terrain. This is an "Aircraft Carrier," accommodating multiple tee boxes for a single hole.

3. Air Mail: When a shot soars far beyond its intended target, particularly overshooting the green, it’s been "air mailed." The golfer might lament, "I air mailed the green on that approach!"

4. Air Press: This term is often associated with different golf formats and betting games, adding a layer of excitement and strategic decision-making to the round.

5. Air Shot: A swing and a miss! The dreaded "Air Shot," also known as a whiff, is a humbling experience for any golfer. The playful taunt, "Nice air shot, pal," often follows.

6. Alec Guinness: Drawing a parallel to Obi-Wan Kenobi’s disappearance in Star Wars, an "Alec Guinness" describes a shot that vanishes out of bounds (O.B.).

7. Afraid of the Dark: A ball that stubbornly refuses to drop into the hole, particularly on a short putt, is said to be "afraid of the dark."

8. Amelia Earhart: A shot that appears promising at takeoff but mysteriously disappears without a trace is an "Amelia Earhart," a reference to the famous aviator’s unsolved disappearance.

9. Back-door Putt: A stroke of luck! A "Back-door Putt" is when the ball grazes the edge of the hole, circles around the back, and ultimately falls in.

10. Barkie: A "Barkie," also known as a "Woody" or "Woodie," is a side bet won when a golfer makes par on a hole after their ball hits a tree. "We’re playing barkies today, $1 for each barkie."

11. Beach: A simple and straightforward term for the sand, or a sand bunker. "That shot went to the beach."

12. Bo Derek: A score of 10 on a hole. A truly unforgettable (and unfortunate) score.

13. Botox: A putt that teases you by lipping out is said to have received "Botox."

14. Buzzard: A "Buzzard" represents a double bogey, two strokes over par on a hole.

15. Cabbage: This term refers to the rough, particularly thick, deep, and unforgiving areas of the rough.

16. Can: A simple synonym for the hole or cup.

17. Captain Kirk: This implies your shot has gone where no ball has gone before, usually into some completely unplayable location.

18. Carpet: Another common term for the putting green.

19. Cart Jockey: This refers to a golf course employee who assists golfers with their bags, provides transportation to the pro shop, and cleans clubs after the round.

20. Cat Box: Another playful term for a sand bunker.

21. Chef: A golfer who consistently slices the ball is humorously referred to as a "Chef."

22. Chicken Run: Popular in South Africa, a "Chicken Run" is a 9-hole golf tournament played late in the afternoon.

23. Chippies: A side bet automatically won by chipping the ball into the hole from off the green.

24. Christmas Present: An unwelcome surprise! A "Christmas Present" is a golf ball nestled under or behind a tree.

25. Chunk: A "Chunk," also known as a flub or fat shot, occurs when the club strikes the ground before the ball. "I chunked that one."

26. Dance Floor: The putting green, a place where golfers hope to showcase their finesse. "I’m on the dance floor," or simply, "I’m dancing," indicates an approach shot that landed on the green.

27. Danny DeVito: Similar to a "Joe Pesci," this refers to a difficult 5-foot putt.

28. Dawn Patrol: The "Dawn Patrol" consists of golfers who prefer to play as early as possible in the morning.

29. Deepage: A very long drive, signifying exceptional distance off the tee.

30. Die In the Hole: When a putted ball just barely makes it to the hole, it "died in the hole."

31. Dog Track: A "Dog Track" or "Goat Track" is a golf course in poor condition.

32. Duck Hook: A particularly nasty hook shot that barely gets off the ground and veers sharply to the left (for a right-handed golfer).

33. Fizzo: This means you are still out after your first putt. From the abbreviation FSO, which stands for Freaking Still Out.

34. Flub: A badly botched chip shot, often hit fat.

35. Four-Jack: A dreaded term describing a four-putt on a single green.

36. Fried Egg: A golf ball buried in a sand bunker, resembling a fried egg with the yolk exposed.

37. Frog Hair: The fringe surrounding a putting green.

38. Goat Track: Poorly maintained golf course with rough conditions.

39. Good-Good: An agreement between golfers to concede short putts to each other.

40. Hand Wedge: The "club" a golfer uses when he cheats by picking up the golf ball and tossing it into a better spot.

41. Hangman: A score of 9 on a hole.

42. Hogies: Refer to Golf Formats and Side Bets.

43. James Joyce: A putt that is hard to read.

44. Joe Pesci: A difficult 5-foot putt.

45. Jungle: The worst, deepest rough.

46. Kitty Litter: The sand, or a sand bunker.

47. Knee-knocker: A challenging, short putt.

48. Ladies Playday: A tournament date set aside for a golf club’s women’s association.

49. Laurel and Hardy: When you hit a thin shot and then a fat one.

50. Lumberjack: A golfer who keeps hitting into the trees.

51. Lunch Ball: A do-over.

52. Mouth Wedge: A golfer who talks way too much.

53. 19th Hole: The clubhouse bar or restaurant.

54. Off the Deck: A stroke played this way means the golf ball is sitting on the ground.

55. Pole Dancer: When your shot into the green hits the flagstick.

56. Popeye: A shot with lots of "spinnage" (lots of spin).

57. Rainmaker: A golf shot with a very high trajectory.

58. Reload: To hit your shot a second time (same as mulligan – a do-over) or to try again after hitting a ball into the water.

59. Scuffies: Refer to Golf Formats and Side Bets.

60. Short Grass: The fairway.

61. Silly Season: That part of the golf year after the PGA Tour schedule has ended.

62. Snakie: A 3-putt.

63. Spinach: The rough.

64. Sticks: Golf clubs.

65. Stony: Said of an approach shot into the green when the ball stops very close to the hole.

66. Stop the Bleeding: To end a stretch of poor play.

67. Sunblock: A golfer who spends a lot of time in bunkers.

68. Sunday Ball: Same as a "lunch ball" – another term for a mulligan (do-over).

69. Tiger Tees: The teeing grounds used in professional tournaments.

70. U.S.G.A.: What you say to a buddy who is reloading – stands for "ugly shot, go again."

71. Velcro: Very slow greens, in terms of green speed.

72. Victory Lap: When a golf ball catches the cup and spins around the rim before falling into the hole.

73. Wall Street: The bailout area on a hole.

74. Water Ball: Either an old or cheap or scuffed up golf ball you substitute for a good ball when hitting over a water hazard.

75. Water Hole: Any hole on the golf course on which water comes into play.

76. Yank: A putt that is pulled left (for a right-handed golf) of the hole.

This collection, while extensive, is by no means exhaustive. The world of golf slang is ever-evolving, with new terms constantly emerging. As you continue to explore the game, pay attention to the language used by your fellow golfers, and you’re sure to discover even more 96 Fun and Odd Slang Terms Used By Golfers and What They Mean. Enjoy your time on the course, and may your shots be long, your putts be true, and your understanding of golf slang be ever-expanding!