Golf Slang

Eagle, birdie, par, bogey? These terms might seem strange to the average person, but they are part of average golfer's vernacular. If you plan on hitting the links, we recommend browsing the list below. It includes all the basic golf terms as well as some of informal slang used on the course by those of us not quite at the PGA level.

Slang Term Meaning Votes
AceHole in one
MulliganRedo
Texas wedgePutt from off the green
Victory lapGolf ball that spins around the hole then falls in
HonorsHit first from the tee in golf
Saddam HusseinGolf shot from one bunker into another bunker
Grand SlamWinning the four major golf tournaments
On the screwsHard hit
HangmanGolf score of 9
SnowmanGolf score of 8
DropA ball dropped from a golfer's outstretched arm
RainmakerHigh trajectory golf shot
AlbatrossThree strokes under par
Die in the holeGolf shot that makes it to the hole and falls in
Worm burnerVery low golf shot
Breakfast ballA redo shot from the first tee
NukedHit a golf ball a great distance
Scratch golferA golfer with a handicap of zero
Alec GuinnessOut-of-bounds
GimmeEasy golf putt
Front nineFirst nine holes of an 18-hole golf course
Pin-seekerGolf shot hit straight at the flagstick
Nineteenth holeGolf clubhouse bar
SquirrelTee shot into the rough
Bare lieA golf ball laying directly on the ground
Tight lieA golf ball laying directly on the ground
Double eagleThree strokes under par
BirdieOne stroke under par
ForeWatch out
HandicapNumerical score that represents a golfer's ability
Ready golfGolfers hit when ready
Inward nineLast nine holes of an 18-hole golf course
ParNumber of strokes to complete a golf course hole
ReloadTo take another shot after a bad shot
OBOut-of-bounds
Danny DeVitoFive foot putt
Nip itHit a golf ball cleanly
Amelia EarhartGolf shot that looks good but you can't find
Back-door puttPutt that spins around a hole and drops in
Quail highVery low golf shot
Dogleg leftA golf hole with a fairway that has a bend to the left
DoglegA golf hole with a fairway that bends
Outward nineFirst nine holes of an 18-hole golf course
The turnHalfway point of a round of golf
EagleTwo strokes under par
Abominable snowmanGolf score of 9
BotoxPutt that lips out of the hole
Fat shotA golf shot that takes a chunk out of the ground
ChunkA golf shot that makes a divot
Bogey golfLevel of golf play that equals 1 shot over par
ShankTo hit the ball poorly
Afraid of the darkPutt that doesn't go in the hole
Joe PesciA difficult five foot putt
VelcroSlow green
Sunday ballA do-over golf shot
MickelsonTo hit a golf ball while it is still moving
Dogleg rightA golf hole with a fairway that has a bend to the right
BogeyOne stroke over par
Double doglegA golf hole with a fairway that has two bends
CupHole
SandbaggerA golfer who plays better than he claims
TesterA putt that tests a golfer's skill
Shotgun startGolfers are sent to each hole to start at the same time
Triple bogeyThree strokes over par
Back nineLast nine holes of an 18-hole golf course
Double bogeyTwo strokes over par
James JoycePutt that is hard to read
DivotChunk of grass and soil