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