A Crash Course in the Language of Golf Shots
Author: Brad | Category: General Info
By Donald Saunders
Golf, just like any other activity, has its own language and one of the first things that any novice golfer needs to do is to learn the basic terminology of the game.
When hitting your ball from the tee the term used for the shot you make will depend upon the length of the hole you are playing. For example, on a par 3 hole you will make a ‘tee shot’, but on a par 4 or par 5 hole you can refer to this shot as either a ‘tee shot’ or a ‘drive’.
As you approach the green the shot that you make onto the green will depend on the position of your ball. For example, once you are within 100 yards of the green your shot will normally be referred to as an ‘approach shot’. If you are a little bit closer to the green you may also refer to your shot as a ‘pitch’ shot.
In addition to these common shots there are also a series of other terms used to describe golf shots as follows:
The Slice. The slice is something which you generally wish to avoid but is a very commonly seen shot for beginners. The slice is produced by failing to hit the ball square and thus putting some side spin onto it. Most often right handed golfers tend to strike the ball with the club head moving from right to left causing it to spin sideways through the air and thus veering off the desired line.
The Fade. The fade is very similar to the slice but with less movement of the club head across the ball and thus less spin. This can be a very useful shot to avoid obstacles or cope with windy conditions and is often played deliberately by experienced golfers.
The Hook. The hook is simply the opposite of the slice and would occur when a right handed golfer hits the ball with the club head travelling across the ball from left to right. Once again this is a shot which golfers try to avoid.
The Draw. The draw is similar to the fade with the ball being given a deliberate right to left spin and is considered to be a controlled and deliberate shot.
The Push. The push shot simply describes a shot which travels in a straight line, but a line which is to the right of the intended target.
The Pull. The pull shot is similar to the push shot but this time the path is to the left of the desired target.
The Top. The top shot occurs when you hit the ball too high so that it typically does not rise into the air but merely runs along the ground. Some golfers refer to this shot as a ‘worm burner’.
The Shank. This is very much a ‘mishit’ with the side rather than the face of the club head striking the ball so that the ball shoots off to your right.
The Fat. The fat shot is one in which you ground the club so that you hit more of the ground than the ball. In this case your ball will generally pop up into the air and fall short of its target.
The Chili Dip. The chili dip shot can best be described as a deliberate fat shot and is most commonly used to pop your ball onto the green from a fairly short distance away when you have a less than favorable lie.
The Stiff. The stiff is every golfer’s target and is the term used to describe the perfect shot.
Donald Saunders has been writing articles on a range of topics for many years now. Come and visit his latest website which provides information about Club Car golf carts and golf cart insurance and a great deal more.
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