Congratulations! You bought yourself some clubs and are ready to hit the course and start golfing. Before you do, there is some important golf lingo you’ll need to learn.

It can be a bit daunting to learn the numerous terms that golfers use regularly, but don’t worry! At Hanover Country Club, we welcome both experienced and new golfers. So if you’re looking to learn the important golf terms or just brush up on them, read on.

Fore

Fore is the most important word that a golfer needs to know. Fore is used when a flying ball heads towards another player. If you hear this word on the course, your best bet is to duck or move out of the way!

Par

Par is the number of strokes a golfer should use on the hole, based on the difficulty and terrain surrounding the hole. In practice, you’ll see this as par-3, par-4, or par-5. So, for example, a par-3 should take a golfer three strokes.

This is where the phrase “par for the course” comes from. Like how the expression means “going according to plan,” scoring a par would be an average score.

Eagle

An eagle is when a player scores two shots below par. For example, on a par-5, this would mean holing out on the third shot. Similarly, a “double eagle” (which can also be called an “albatross”) is three shots below par.

Birdie

A birdie is one shot below par. 
 

Bogey

A bogey is one shot above par. Unlike the terms listed above, most golfers do not want to score a bogey. Nor do you want a “double bogey” or “triple bogey,” two and three shots above par, respectively.

This isn’t an exhaustive list of golf terms, but it will give you a good foundation for when you get out on the course. You’ll be able to pick up even more lingo as you start to golf. If you’re still feeling confused or need a little help honing your skills, get in touch with us. HCC offers golf instruction for members and non-members alike. We offer lessons in 30- and 60- minute increments. It’s a great way to ease into the sport and develop the necessary skills!