Golf Slang & Shots: Essential Terms Every Golfer Should Know

My golfing buddy told me "I am going to hit a knockdown 9 iron". I told him "cool, lets see you do it". Honestly, I had no idea what the heck he was talking about. Being into the game of golf for a little over two years there is a whole slew of golf terminology I have no idea about. That is until today. I did my research and compiled 50 golf shots, golf slang, and mishits terms. Hope you enjoy!

A glossary of classic, quirky, and cringe-worthy golf lingo and golf terms to know

Whether you're a seasoned player or just getting into the game, the language of golf is rich, weird, and endlessly entertaining. From elegant tour-level shots to complete disasters off the tee, here's your ultimate glossary of golf shots, golf slang, and terms — explained simply.

📌 The Classics (Control, Shape & Scoring)

1. Stinger - Low, piercing bullet shot through the wind. Tiger's signature move.
2. Knockdown - A reduced-height shot with less spin, great for control.
3. Punch Shot - Short swing to keep the ball low — great under trees.
4. Flop Shot - High, soft shot that lands and stops quickly.
5. Bump and Run - Low chip shot that rolls out like a putt.
6. Draw - Right-to-left ball flight (for righties). Adds distance.
7. Cut Shot (Fade) - Left-to-right ball flight. Controlled and soft.
8. Dead Hand Shot - Low-effort swing with soft hands for distance control.
9. Sawed-Off Finish - Shortened follow-through to flight the ball lower.
10. Knocky 9 - A smooth, ¾ swing with a 9-iron for accuracy.

😳 Mishits & Mayhem

11. Shank - Ball hits the hosel and rockets sideways. Golfer's nightmare.
12. Sky Ball - Drives that launch straight up. Usually off the crown. Sky Marks may vary.
13. Fat Shot (Chunk) - Ground first, ball second. Big divot, little distance.
14. Thin Shot - Blade across the equator. Low flight, sharp feel.
15. Bladed - A thin chip or wedge that screams past the green.
16. Toe Shot - Contact way out on the toe. Hollow sound, weak result.
17. Drop Kick - Bouncy fat shot — ground first, then the ball. Sometimes works out.
18. Worm Burner - Topped shot that barely gets off the ground. May roll up to the hole.
19. Chili Dip - Chunked chip shot that goes nowhere.
20. Flyer - No-spin rocket from the rough. Goes long, fast.

🧨 Hooks, Slices & Wild Rides

21. Hosel Rocket - Shank in high gear. Full-speed disaster.
22. Snap Hook - A violent, sharp hook. Often into trouble.
23. Snipe - Super aggressive hook — sometimes unintentional.
24. Double Cross - Planning a fade, but hitting a hook instead.
25. Duck Hook - Quick, low hook off the toe. Trouble ahead.
26. Flier Hook - A flier that hooks. Nightmare combo.
27. Cold Top - Barely touching the ball. Worm burners all day.
28. Whiff - A complete swing-and-miss.
29. Chunk-and-Run - A mishit chip that actually works out.
30. Cart Path Bounce - When concrete gives your ball a bonus boost. Anything can happen.

🎯 Touch, Lies & Recovery Shots

31. Texas Wedge - Using your putter off the green.
32. Lag Putt - Long putt designed to get close — not necessarily in.
33. Up-and-Down - Saving par (or bogey) with a chip and putt.
34. Sand Save - Up-and-down from a bunker.
35. Tight Lie - Ball sits on firm or bare turf. Tricky contact.
36. Fluffy Lie - Ball sitting up in rough. Can fool you.
37. Downhill Lie - Ball is below your feet on a slope.
38. Plugged Lie (Fried Egg) - Ball buried in the sand. Ugly.
39. Flyer Lie - Looks normal, but sends the ball flying.
40. Short-Sided - Missing the green with little room to work.

😂 Funny Golf Phrases, Slang, Superstition & Local Flavor

41. Mulligan - Unofficial do-over. Usually on the first tee.
42. Snowman - An 8 on the card. Looks like it. Hurts worse.
43. Lip-Out Birdie - A near-make that cruelly spins out. Also known as a par.
44. Lip Out - Ball touches the edge, refuses to drop.
45. Reverse Bounce - Hit a tree, cart, or rock... and get lucky.
46. Snake - A long, winding putt — or a dreaded three-putt bet.
47. Army Golf - "Left, right, left" — when you zigzag down the course.
48. Lay Up - Playing it safe instead of going for the green.
49. Sunday Pin - Tough pin placement, usually on the final day.
50. The Burn - Scottish slang for a stream or water hazard.

Golf has its own language — one full of frustration, finesse, and a bit of fun. Whether you’re dropping a stinger or chunking a chili dip, now you’ve got the golf idioms and phrases to describe every moment of your round.