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