| Golf, just like any other activity, has its own language | | | | veering off the desired line. |
| and one of the first things that any novice golfer | | | | The Fade. The fade is very similar to the slice but |
| needs to do is to learn the basic terminology of the | | | | with less movement of the club head across the ball |
| game. | | | | and thus less spin. This can be a very useful shot to |
| When hitting your ball from the tee the term used | | | | avoid obstacles or cope with windy conditions and is |
| for the shot you make will depend upon the length | | | | often played deliberately by experienced golfers. |
| of the hole you are playing. For example, on a par 3 | | | | The Hook. The hook is simply the opposite of the |
| hole you will make a 'tee shot', but on a par 4 or par | | | | slice and would occur when a right handed golfer hits |
| 5 hole you can refer to this shot as either a 'tee | | | | the ball with the club head travelling across the ball |
| shot' or a 'drive'. | | | | from left to right. Once again this is a shot which |
| As you approach the green the shot that you make | | | | golfers try to avoid. |
| onto the green will depend on the position of your | | | | The Draw. The draw is similar to the fade with the |
| ball. For example, once you are within 100 yards of | | | | ball being given a deliberate right to left spin and is |
| the green your shot will normally be referred to as | | | | considered to be a controlled and deliberate shot. |
| an 'approach shot'. If you are a little bit closer to the | | | | The Push. The push shot simply describes a shot |
| green you may also refer to your shot as a 'pitch' | | | | which travels in a straight line, but a line which is to |
| shot. | | | | the right of the intended target. |
| In addition to these common shots there are also a | | | | The Pull. The pull shot is similar to the push shot but |
| series of other terms used to describe golf shots as | | | | this time the path is to the left of the desired target. |
| follows: | | | | The Top. The top shot occurs when you hit the ball |
| The Slice. The slice is something which you generally | | | | too high so that it typically does not rise into the air |
| wish to avoid but is a very commonly seen shot for | | | | but merely runs along the ground. Some golfers refer |
| beginners. The slice is produced by failing to hit the | | | | to this shot as a 'worm burner'. |
| ball square and thus putting some side spin onto it. | | | | The Shank. This is very much a 'mishit' with the side |
| Most often right handed golfers tend to strike the | | | | rather than the face of the club head striking the ball |
| ball with the club head moving from right to left | | | | so that the ball shoots off to your right. |
| causing it to spin sideways through the air and thus | | | | |