
Golf has an extensive vocabulary of terms to describe blunders on the fairway, post-golf activities, or a player's skill level. One source mentions the term slip up, which means to make a mistake and let your competition take over. However, the term slip on its own is not a commonly used golf term. Other golf terms include stymie, which refers to when another player's ball lies between yours and the hole, and gimme, which is a short putt that may be conceded by other players.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Slip | A term used to describe a golfer's performance when they score two over par |
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What You'll Learn

'Slip' in golf means you're starting to lose your lead
Golf is a game with a lot of jargon and technical terms, and "slip" is one of them. While the term "slip" is not explicitly defined in the sources, the context in which it is used indicates that it refers to a golfer's performance or score starting to deteriorate.
When a golfer scores two over par, it means they are one more shot than a bogey. This is when you can be considered to be "starting to slip up," allowing your competition to take the lead. Scoring three over par, or a triple bogey, means you can kiss your winning jackpot money goodbye.
The game of golf involves getting the ball into the hole located on the green. This is not as easy as it sounds and is considered the most frustrating part of the game. Golfers need to understand various terms and techniques to improve their game and avoid slipping up.
Some of the commonly used golf terms include "par," "bogey," "slice," "shank," "divot," and "gimme." Understanding these terms can help golfers communicate effectively with their peers and improve their game.
Additionally, golfers need to be aware of different types of hazards, such as water hazards and lateral hazards, which can impact their score. By understanding the terminology and techniques, golfers can strive to maintain their lead and avoid slipping up during the game.
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Golf terms for blunders
Golf, like many sports, has its own extensive vocabulary, which can be confusing for beginners. Here are some golf terms that refer to blunders or mistakes:
Chilly Dip: This term describes an ineffective chip shot that comes up short of the intended target. It is often used when the club makes contact with the ground before striking the ball.
Chunk: This term is used when a player hits the ground behind the ball, resulting in a large divot and a shot that falls short of the target.
Whiff: This is when a player swings and misses the ball entirely.
Double Bogey: Scoring two over par on a hole is called a double bogey. This is considered a blunder as it is one more shot than a bogey (one over par), and may cause your competitors to take the lead.
Bladed Shot: This term refers to a shot where the player strikes the ball with the bottom of the iron instead of the face, causing it to travel too far and too low.
Mulligan: Although not specifically a blunder, asking for a mulligan means requesting a do-over or a second chance to improve your shot.
Other golf terms that indicate a mistake include "dead hands", which is a shot that doesn't travel as far as it should, and "decelerate", which means to slow down the clubhead speed in the hitting area, resulting in a shot that falls short of the target.
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Golf terms for skill
Golf is a game with a lot of jargon, and many terms are used to indicate a player's skill level. One of the most common is a handicap, a numerical measurement of a golfer's ability. The lower the handicap, the better the golfer. A handicap of +1 or +2 indicates a highly skilled golfer. Another term for a skilled golfer is a “scratch golfer”, someone with a handicap of zero.
Golf also has a rich vocabulary for scoring, with terms like "par", "birdie", "eagle", and "bogey" indicating performance on each hole relative to the standard expected score. A "par" is the expected number of strokes an expert golfer should take to complete a hole. A "birdie" is a score of one under par, while an "eagle" is two under par, and a “double eagle” is three under par. A "bogey" is one over par, and a "triple bogey" is three over par, indicating a suboptimal performance among highly skilled players.
Other terms indicate a golfer's skill in performing particular shots. A “draw” is a shot that flies slightly from right to left for right-handed players. A "cut shot" is played with a slightly open clubface, producing additional backspin and causing the ball to stop quickly on the green. A "fade" is a shot that curves slightly to the right for a right-handed golfer and is often played intentionally by skilled golfers. An "approach" is a shot hit towards the green or the hole. A "short game" refers to the delicate art of chipping and putting, requiring finesse, precision, and a gentle touch.
Some terms indicate a golfer's skill level in a more indirect way. "Dormie" is a term used in match play when a player leads by the same number of holes that remain, leaving their opponent in a difficult position. "Grand Slam" refers to winning the four professional Major Championships in a calendar year, an achievement indicating a very high level of skill.
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Golf terms for course areas
Golf has a lot of unique terminology to describe the different areas of a course. Here are some of the key terms:
The Course
The "course" is defined by the Rules of Golf as "the entire area in which play is permitted". A "daily fee course" is a golf course that is open to the public but privately owned and operated. These courses often provide an upscale experience, giving golfers a "country club for a day" feel.
The Hole
The "hole" is the ultimate target on a golf course. It is a small hole in the ground on the putting green, usually lined with a plastic receptacle. An "albatross", also known as a "double eagle", is achieved when a player scores three under par on a hole. An "ace", or a "hole-in-one", occurs when a player hits the ball directly from the tee into the hole with one stroke.
The Green
The "green" is the area of specially prepared grass around the hole, where putts are played. The "fringe", also known as the "apron" or "collar", is the grass surface on the perimeter of the green that separates it from the surrounding fairway or rough. A "crowned green", also called a "domed green" or "turtleback green", is a green that is slightly raised in the middle, creating a curved or domed surface.
The Fairway
The "fairway" is the area between the tee box and the green. A "cape hole" is a hole on a golf course that plays around a large, lateral hazard, presenting a risk-reward tee shot. The "cart path" is the designated route around a golf course for riding golf carts, usually paved with concrete or another surface.
The Rough
The "rough" refers to the areas of longer grass that border the fairways and greens. "Heather" is a catch-all term for tall, thin grasses that comprise or border the primary rough.
The Tee
The "tee" is a small peg, usually made of wood or plastic, placed in the ground to elevate the golf ball for the first stroke on a hole. The "teeing ground" or "tee box" is the area from which the first stroke on a hole is hit. "Alternate tees" are a second set of tee boxes on the same hole, providing a slightly different look for the back nine.
The Pin and Flagstick
The "pin", or "flagstick", is a flag placed on a stick that marks the location of the hole on the green. "Pin placement" or "hole location" refers to the specific place on the green where the hole is located.
The Bunker
A "bunker" is a hazard consisting of a depression in the ground, often filled with sand, located near a green or alongside a fairway. The "lip" of a bunker refers to the well-defined edge of sod or turf that acts as a rim.
The Clubhouse
The "clubhouse" is a building located on the golf course where players can gather after their round to socialise, tally scores, and settle bets. The "19th hole" is a slang term for the clubhouse bar, referring to it as the final stop after completing the 18 holes of a golf course.
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Golf terms for types of shots
Golf has an extensive vocabulary to describe the various types of shots that can be played. Here are some common golf terms for types of shots:
The Approach
An approach shot is hit towards the green or the hole. The angle of approach describes the angle at which the clubhead approaches the ball at impact, influencing the ball's distance and trajectory.
Draw and Fade
A draw is a shot that flies slightly from right to left for right-handed players. A fade is a type of shot that curves in the opposite direction of a draw.
Cut Shot
A cut shot is played with a slightly open clubface and a swing path that travels from outside to inside. This results in a soft fade that produces additional backspin, causing the ball to stop quickly on the green.
Dead Hands
A dead hands shot is one in which the hands remain relatively passive in the hitting area, resulting in the ball flying a shorter distance than usual.
Double Eagle
A double eagle is a score of three under par on a hole. It is considered one of the most prestigious achievements in golf.
Flop Shot
A flop shot is a high, soft shot that lands delicately on the green. It is typically executed by skilled golfers using a lob or sand wedge.
Shank
Also known as "The S Word," a shank occurs when the ball is struck off the neck or heel of the club, causing it to veer sharply to the right. It is considered a golfer's worst nightmare.
Mulligans
Although not officially part of the rules, a "mulligan" is a term used when a player wants to retry a bad shot without penalty. It is only acceptable in casual play.
Slice
A slice is a shot that curves sharply to the right for a right-handed player. It is often unintentional and is the most common mistake for below-average players.
Skull
To skull a shot means to contact the ball with the leading edge of the iron, resulting in a low shot that goes further than expected with little to no spin. A skulled shot usually occurs due to a mishit.
Driving or Tee Shots
The first shot of a hole is called a driving or tee shot, as it is hit from the tee box.
Bunker Shots
A bunker shot is played from a sand-filled area on the course, known as a bunker. The sand wedge, invented by Gene Sarazen, is specifically designed for bunker shots but can be used for all types of shots within 100 yards.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, a "slip" is a golf term that means you are starting to make mistakes and let your competition overtake you.
Scoring two over par is one more shot than a bogey. This is when you start to slip up and let your competition take the lead.
A bogey is a score of one over par.
A double bogey is a score of two over par.











































