Backdoor
the rearmost edge of the hole from the perspective of the player
Back lip
the edge of the bunker that is farthest from the green
Back nine
the last 9 holes (10-18) of an 18 hole golf course (also "back side, heading in")
Backspin
The backspin of a golf ball relates to the rate of rotation or spin of a golf ball around a horizontial spin axis that is at right angles to the ball flight path.
This spin, in comination with ball dimples, is what causes a golf ball to "fly".
A golf ball without any backspin would only travel approximately 50% less than a ball with optimal backspin.
Backswing
the backward movement of the club and winding of the body (away from the ball and target) in the golf swing in preparation for the downswing
Bag
the container (usually made of some kind of fabric or leather) in which a player carries their clubs. (also: Golf Bag)
Bag drop
a place where golfers unload their bags from cars, etc., before parking at golf courses
Bailout
the location or direction or position to which one bails out, or plays away from trouble, players can plan for possible “bailout” in case of a difficult shot or missed shot
Balata
rubber like material (dried juice of a tree) used for making soft golf ball covers (outermost layer of the ball)
Ball
a small sphere used in playing golf, which is intended to be struck by a club and travel in the general direction of the green for a particular hole, if one is playing on a regulation golf course.
Rules on the “Ball”
The diameter of the ball must not be less than 1.680 inches (42.67 mm)
The weight of the ball must not be greater than 1.620 ounces (45.93 gm).
The initial velocity of the ball must not exceed the limit specified by the USGA/R&A
Ball in pocket
when a player has picked up his ball and does not intend to complete a hole with a valid score (Also "B.I.P.", In the Pocket)
Ball mark
the depression that a ball makes when it strikes the ground (usually, but not always, associated with the putting green) (also "pitch mark")
Ball marker
usually a small, flat object (like a dime) used to mark the ball's position (usually, but not exclusively) on the green while other players putt and/or the ball is cleaned (also "marker")
Ball position
the position of the ball relative to a player's stance and the target at address
Ball striker
usually used in reference to a player whose strong suit is consistently solid contact and the ability to control the trajectory, distance and direction of full golf shots
Ball striking
1. a statistical category comprised of 2 others: total driving (which is a combination of distance and accuracy) and greens in regulation 2. can also be used to refer to the long game in general, or play from tee to green
Ball washer
A mechanical device for scrubbing golf balls clean, usually found near the tee of every hole
Ball-bound
excessive fixation on the ball, diminishing or eliminating body and/or target line awareness
Balloon
(more commonly "ballooning", also "upshooter, upshooting") excessive climbing or lifting of a shot beyond its normal trajectory, usually into the wind and usually causing the shot to fall short of the intended distance
Bandit
another version of the term Sandbagger
Banana-ball
a slice that curves to the right (for a right handed player) in the shape of a banana. 2. an extreme slice.
Bare lie
when the ball lies directly on hard ground without any grass to buoy the ball up – i.e. where there is no grass creating a gap between ball and the ground.
Baseball grip
a method of holding the club using all ten fingers on the grip with no overlapping or interlocking fingers (also "full finger, ten finger" grip)
Be right
an expression popularized by tour players on television, usually indicative of a well-struck shot that is proceeding in the desired direction with the only question being the distance that the ball will travel; a plea or wish, short for "be the right club" or "be the right distance" (also "be the number, be the ball")
Beach
any sand-filled hazard (also: kitty litter, sand box, bunker)
Beginner set
a partial set of golf clubs usually consisting of either the odd or the even numbered irons, a putter and a reduced number of woods (also "starter set, half set")
Below the hole
when the ball is in a position lower than, or downhill from, the hole on ground that is not level
Bent grass
a very smooth, fine-bladed grass usually (but not exclusively) used for putting greens
Best-Ball
a match where an individual plays against the better ball of two, or the best ball of three, players -- commonly and mistakenly thought of as two-man teams playing their best ball against each other, which is actually called a "Four-Ball" match
Better ball
the best score for a team
Birdie
a score of one under (less than) par for a hole
Bird's nest
referring to a lie in which the ball is cupped in deep grass
Bite
1. a command* issued to the ball by a player who believes their ball is going too far or too fast 2. the act of the ball stopping quickly as a result of backspin
* some players feel that issuing commands to their ball during its movement can alter its final resting point (also sometimes "check, grab, hold, sit, sit down, hit a house" and so on)
Blade
1. when the ball is contacted with the leading edge instead of the face of the club, producing a low trajectory shot with less than the usual amount of spin (also "skull, thin, belly") 2. a style of iron head that is (usually) smaller and thinner along the bottom but especially along the top edge, resembling a blade
Blade putter
a type of putter with a basic form the same as other standard numbered irons, usually the shaft is attached at the heel of the putter and lacking any cavities in the head
Blast
a shot that removes a large amount of sand or earth in addition (hopefully) to the ball, as from a buried lie in a bunker (also "blast shot, explosion, explosion shot")
Blind shot
a shot where the intended landing area is not visible from the player's perspective (i.e. over a hill, around or over trees)
Block
1. a shot that is pushed (to the right for a right-handed player), usually thought of as severe rather than mild (also "block shot, push") 2. tee block or marker
Bogey
a score of one over (more than) par for a hole
Bogey golfer
a player whose handicap is about 20 for men (between 17.5 and 22.4) and about 24 for women (between 21.5 and 26.4), according to USGA standards at the time of this writing
Bogey rating
like a course rating but based on the ability of a bogey golfer rather than a scratch golfer (the bogey rating is a number used to calculate the slope rating of a course)
Bold
an aggressively played approach to a well-protected pin. (also a too strong shot or putt that is long of it’s intended target)
Borrow
the allowance for the break or curve of a shot (usually associated with putts or chips)
Bounce
the angle of the club's sole in relation to level/horizontal, or the amount that the leading edge of the club is higher than the part of the club's sole that is lowermost (usually used in reference to irons -- wedges in particular -- and measured in degrees) ("bounce sole, bounce angle")
Boundary
the edge of the golf course that defines the area of play
Bowed
indicates a wrist position where the palm is closer to the underside of the forearm (technically called "flexion") (also cupped)
Brassie
archaic term for a 2 wood
Break
1. the tendency of a putt or running shot to roll left or right of a straight line. This deviation may be a result of a number of factors or combination of factors including uneven surface, gravity, grain of the grass, how firmly the putt/shot is struck or, in extreme circumstances the wind. (also known as "borrow")
2. to make less than a specified score, you practice to help you “break” 90
Break the wrists
to bend or cock the wrists during a swing
Breakfast ball
another term for a Mulligan or do-over (also "lunch ball, Mulligan, Sunday ball")
Bulge
the curve of the face of a wood or metal wood (across, from heel to toe) which helps shots hit toward the heel or toe curve back (see: gear effect) in the direction of the center (also "horizontal bulge")
Bump and run
a low-trajectory shot that is designed to roll (run) farther than it flies (usually from near the green, but can be played from a greater distance) (also "chip, chip and run, chip and roll")
Bumping it
altering the ball's position, or the way it rests (lies) on the ground, so as to make the it easier to contact cleanly -- mainly put into effect when course conditions are not acceptable for playing the ball down, usually due to wet, soggy conditions) (also "improving your lie, preferred lies, winter rules")
Bunker
a depression in the ground usually (but not always) filled with sand. Also called a "sand trap".
*Can be considered a hazard under the Rules of Golf. (see examples below)
Bunker, Fairway
a sand bunker located in or along the fairway
*It is considered a hazard under the Rules of Golf.
Bunker, Greenside
a sand bunker next to a green usually within 20 yards of the putting surface
*It is considered a hazard under the Rules of Golf.
Bunker, Grass
a depression in ground that is usually covered with longer/rough length grass
*without sand, it is NOT considered a hazard under the Rules of Golf.
Bunker, Pot
a very small, some times deep sand bunker located in or along the fairway and greenside.
*It is considered a hazard under the Rules of Golf.
Bunker, Waste Area or “waste bunker”
an area defined as a “waste area” may be a sandy area or bunker, sometimes with grass, rocks, brush or trees growing within it’s boundaries.
* it is NOT considered a hazard under the Rules of Golf.
Burn
the Scottish term for a creek or stream
Buried ball or buried lie
a ball buried partially or otherwise beneath the sand in a bunker
Buried elephant
a particularly large mound or hump, usually used in reference to the surface of a putting green