Golf Terminology
Understanding Golf Lingo
Even if you’ve been playing this sport for years, the golf terminology can be difficult to understand. If by chance you’re just getting started in the game of golf, we definitely recommend getting a better feel for the lingo. It will allow you to understand the game better, and sound like you’re a veteran at the same time. There are several minor expressions that will be easy to understand, but there are others that are more difficult. We’ll start with those first.
Moment of Inertia
If you hear someone talking about the “moment of inertia,” they are referring to your golf clubs. Moment of inertia a golf terminology expression used to talk about the clubs ability to resist angular movement. This deals with the impact your club face makes on the ball. The idea is to have a good connection as opposed to coming off the center as you swing through the ball.
Spin Rate
If you hear the expression “spin rate,” then the individual is talking about the amount of speed your golf ball rotates while in flight. Why is this important? The faster the spin rate, the higher your ball will go and the faster it will stop. Most of the time, this is used when people are hitting wedges and long irons into the green.
Coefficient of Restitution
The scientific approach to coefficient of restitution deals with the energy that is transferred from the club to the ball during impact. The golf terminology here is more complex than most, but it’s definitely important to understand. If you’re training and your coach refers to it, they are talking about the ball velocity. The higher your COR, the more ball velocity you will create. It all revolves around a formula, but that is for another time.
Swing Weight
One thing to understand about swing weight is that it’s not referring to how much your club weighs while holding it. What this is referring to is how it feels during the swing. There are ratios involved here between the end of the club (club head), and the top (grip end). If you notice a heavier swing, then your club head has a much different weight then the grip area. If it’s lighter then expect the opposite.
Spring-Like Effect
Earlier we talked about the golf terminology revolving around COR or coefficient of restitution. The spring-like effect refers the clubface’s ability to flex during impact. If it is very forgiving and allows more control, then it helps to give you a better COR. This isn’t used too often, and usually deals with metal woods.
Okay, after these we’re probably making your head hurt. If this is your first time around golf terminology or trying to learn more about it, you will find that most of it isn’t as scientific as the ones we mentioned above. We understand that it might be embarrassing to tell someone you don’t know what a birdie or eagle is, so we’re going to cover this side as well.
Par
A term that is used in golf when a player works a ball off the tee, and in the cup in the average number of hits. So for instance if you are playing a par 4 hole and it takes you 4 times to hit the ball in the hole, then you’ve scored a par.
Birdie
This is simply when you are able to get the golf ball in the cup 1 less time then whatever par is for that particular hole. So if you’re on a par 4 and make it in the hole in 3 shots, then you’ve scored a birdie.
Eagle
This is considered to be 2 shots under par on any hole. Most eagles are made on par 5s since some golfers can reach the green in 2. If you putt the ball in the cup on your 3rd shot, you’ve made an eagle.
Making the Turn
When you reach this point you are half way through an 18 hole course. It’s in between the 9th and 10th holes. You will notice that this half ends close to the clubhouse so you can purchase refreshments, food, or supplies before heading back out.
Drivers, Woods, Irons, Wedges and Putters
Often times you find golf terminology that deals with everything else but what you’re holding in your hand. Drivers are what most people use to hit the ball off the tee and provide the longest distance (if you can control it). Woods like the 3, 5, and 7 (sometimes 9) are normally used either off the tee in certain situations and when trying to reach a par 5 from a long distance.
Irons are simply those clubs that offer everything from longer distances (3, 4, 5, and 6-irons) to intermediate distances (7 or 8-irons) and shorter distances (9 iron). There are various ways to use these but it’s for another time.
Wedges and putters are what the average golfer uses from 130 yards into and around the green. Obviously the putter is what you use on the green to putt the ball in the hole. Each wedge’s ability to lift the ball in the air is different, so you might want to look that up as well.
We could go on and on, but this will be enough to help you get started. The 2nd half of the golf terminology we provided will be utilized more around the course and with friends or family. The 1st half you won’t normally hear unless you’re with professionals, coaches, trainers, or if you read information on the club. In the end, if you can get a handle on the golf terminology, you will make the game much more enjoyable.
