Every golf word you'll hear on the broadcast — par, birdie, bogey, handicap, strokes gained — explained in plain English. No prior golf knowledge required; we didn't have any either.
Par
The number of strokes a good golfer is expected to take on a hole (or the whole course). Most holes are a par 3, 4, or 5. "Shooting par" means you matched that target exactly.
Birdie
One stroke under par on a hole — e.g. a 3 on a par 4. A great result for anyone, and a genuinely big deal for a beginner.
Bogey
One stroke over par on a hole — e.g. a 5 on a par 4. Two over is a "double bogey," three over a "triple." For new players, bogey is honestly a good score.
Eagle
Two strokes under par on a hole — e.g. a 3 on a par 5. Rare and exciting; most amateurs go years between eagles.
Handicap
A number that estimates how many strokes over par you typically shoot, so players of different skill can compete fairly. A lower handicap means a better golfer; a "scratch" golfer has a handicap of 0.
Strokes Gained
A modern stat that compares your shot to what a benchmark golfer would average from the same spot, then credits (or docks) you the difference. Positive strokes gained means you did better than the benchmark on that shot. It's the math behind our HUD.
GIR (Greens in Regulation)
You hit the green "in regulation" when your ball is on the putting surface with two strokes still to spare for par — e.g. on the green in 1 on a par 3, or in 2 on a par 4. Hitting more greens is one of the clearest signs you're improving.
Up-and-Down
Getting the ball into the hole in just two shots from off the green — one to get it on or near, and one putt to finish. A good "short game" means lots of up-and-downs, which saves your score when you miss the green.
Fairway
The strip of short, mown grass between the tee and the green — the ideal place to land your tee shot. "Hitting the fairway" sets up an easier next shot than the rough (longer grass) on either side.
The Turn
The halfway point of an 18-hole round — finishing the front nine (holes 1–9) and heading to the back nine (10–18). "Making the turn" often means a quick snack-bar stop before hole 10.
Stroke Index
A 1-to-18 ranking on the scorecard telling you how hard each hole is relative to the others (1 = hardest). It's used to decide where handicap strokes are applied, so it matters most in matches.
Scramble
A fun, low-pressure team format: everyone tees off, the group picks the best ball, and everyone plays their next shot from there — repeating until it's holed. Great for beginners because your worst shots don't count.
Mulligan
An informal "do-over" — replaying a bad shot with no penalty. It's not part of the official rules, but it's common in casual rounds (and very common in ours).
Gimme
A very short putt your playing partners agree to count as made without you actually tapping it in, to speed things up. Like a mulligan, it's a casual courtesy, not an official rule.
Slice / Hook
Two ways a shot curves sideways in the air. For a right-handed golfer, a slice curves hard to the right and a hook curves hard to the left (reversed for lefties). A little curve is normal; a big one is usually a miss.
Lay Up
Deliberately hitting a shorter, safer shot instead of going for the green or for maximum distance — for example, stopping short of a pond rather than risking it. The smart, boring play that often saves strokes.