• Address: The process of placing the club behind the ball and taking a stance in preparation of hitting it.

• Alignment: Having the shoulders, hips, knees and feet in proper alignment with each other.

• Aim: Having the shoulders, hips, knees and feet properly aligned and pointed in the same direction, usually at a 90-degree angle to the target.

• Backspin: The spin of a ball where the forward area of the ball rotates over the top area of the ball causing the ball’s forward movement to slow on impact.

• Backswing: The start of the swing as the club moves away from the target.

• Ball Flight: The path and trajectory of a ball while in the air.

• Closed Club Face: Occurs when the club face is turned slightly counterclockwise

• within the swing path. Can cause the ball to hook.

• Club Face: The front of the club, which makes contact with the ball.

• Compensation: A movement for the purpose of overcoming another flawed motion.

• Divot: The mark left in the fairway or rough, caused by the removal of turf by an iron. Indicates the [proper] descending blow of an iron.

• Downhill Lie: The angle caused by the ball being on a downward sloping hill.

• Draw: The flight of a ball where it bends slightly to the inside, relative to the swing.

• Fade: The flight of a ball where it bends slightly to the outside, relative to the swing.

• Flier Lie: The lie of a ball on fluffy grass, which causes the ball to pop up more quickly than expected.

• Green: The manicured portion of the hole where the cup resides.

• Grip: The rubber, plastic or leather sheath on the shaft.

• Heel: Where the club head is attached to the shaft.

• Hook: The flight of a ball where it bends sharply to the inside, relative to the swing.

• Inside Path: The path of the club when it is inside the plane.

• Lie: How the ball is sitting (good, bad, flier, etc.)

• Lie Angle: The angle of the club shaft in relation to the sole of the club head.

• Loft: The face angle relative to the sole of the club head.

• Open Club Face: Occurs when the club face is turned slightly clockwise within the swing path. Can cause the ball to slice.

• Outside Path: The path of the club when it is outside the plane.

• Par: The number of strokes designated by the golf course for each hole and tallied for a total amount. Most 18-hole courses are between 70 and 72.

• Pivot: The turning or “coiling” of the upper body during the swing.

• Pull: Ball flight characterized by going straight and left of the target

• Pull Hook: Ball flight characterized by starting left of the target and bending/curving even more.

• Push: Ball flight characterized by going straight and right of the target

• Push Slice: Ball flight characterized by starting right of the target and bending/curving even more.

• Shank: Hitting the ball off the heel area of the club, which causes the ball to squirt low and to the inside.

• Slice: The flight of a ball where it bends sharply to the outside, relative to the swing.

• Square Club Face: Occurs when the club face is perpendicular to the swing path.

• Sweet Spot: The area on the face of a club where the impact is most beneficial, as designed by the manufacturer.

• Toe: The outside of the club, or part of the club head opposite the heel.

• Unplayable Lie: A lie where the ball cannot be played due to natural obstructions. See the Rules for details on penalties.

By: Bobby Lopez, PGA

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