A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Takeaway
The start of the backswing.
Tap In
A short putt; to hole a short putt.
Target Golf
A style of golf played on the majority of American tournament courses where the golfer is required to hit a high, lofted, approach shot that allows for very little roll to the ball after it lands. This is in contradiction to "Bump and Run" style golf found commonly on British-style, traditional courses.
Tee
This has two meanings. One is the place where you put your ball down to play the first shot on each hole. You hit from behind an imaginary line drawn between the two tee markers. The second is the little wooden or plastic thing that you put the ball on when you play the first shot on each hole.
Tee Box
A flat area on the course usually marked with stakes where the initial drive or longest shot is made.
Tee Marker
Wooden, metal or other material objects between which the ball is teed prior to playing a hole. There may be several sets of tee markers on each hole, each designed to identify the tees suggested for a particular ability group. For example, black tee markers may indicate the longest, most difficult (pro) tees, blue tees are for low handicap players, white tees are for average player, gold tees are for seniors and red tees are for ladies.
Tee Peg
A small stand in which you place your ball to take your initial shot to the hole in question.
Tee Time
Specific time slot allotted for play on a given day. Tee times are assigned by the golf course, usually in 8-10 minute intervals, and are acquired by calling or signing up in advance of when play is desired.
Teeing Ground
The area where the play of a hole starts. It is defined by a pair of markers between which play begins.
Tempo
Time taken from the top of the swing to impact.
Temporary Green
A green used in the winter to save the permanent green.
Texas Wedge
Slang term given to a putter. The term evolved due to players in Texas, among other dry areas, using a putter to run the ball up to the greens due to the hard ground.
Thin
The ball is hit thin when it is hit above center with the clubhead traveling on too high a line.
Third Cut
A section of rough, generally found on tournament courses that borders the second cut (See "Second Cut.") The third cut is very severe and may not be found on all but the most difficult courses.
Thread
To direct the ball through a narrow opening.
Three Ball Match
A match play situation in which three players play against one another, each playing his own ball. Each player is playing two separate matches.
Three-Iron
An iron club used for distances between 165-200 yards for men's clubs. Also called a mid-mashie.
Three-Putt
To take three putts on a green.
Three-Quarter Shot
Less than a full shot. A shot made with a reduced swing.
Three-Wood
A wood club used for distances between 210-250 yards for men's clubs. Also known as a spoon.
Threesome
Type of match in which one player plays against two, with each side playing one ball. The term threesome is often mis-applied (according to the Rules of Golf) to a group of three golfers playing in the same group.
Through The Green
A Term given to all areas of the course, except for the teeing ground, putting green and hazards.
Tiger Tee
A slang expression for the back tee.
Tight Fairway
A narrow fairway.
Toe
The end of the club head most far away from the shaft. Also the term used when a player hits the ball on that area of the club, usually resulting in a shorter shot than desired as well as one going to the right of the intended target, i.e., a "toed" shot (assuming a right-handed golfer.)
Toe Down Effect
Flexing of the shaft in the downswing due to centrifugal force acting on the clubhead. The clubhead gets lower and nearer to the golfer in the impact zone.
Top
Shot that does not get airborne as a result of a player hitting the top of the ball. A "top" is most often a result of a player moving his head and not looking at the ball.
Topdress
Fertilizer, soil and sand mix applied to greens after they are aerified in order to provide nutrients to the green.
Topspin
The forward rotation of the ball in motion.
Torque
Measurement of how much a shaft will twist under a given load. Higher torque feels softer but is less accurate. More flexible shafts tend to have higher torque.
Touch
Accuracy, especially in putting.
Touch Shot
A very delicately hit shot.
Tour
A series of tournaments for professionals.
Tournament
A stroke or match play competition. A competition in which a number of golfers compete.
Track
The term given to the layout of a golf course; for example, that was a "good" track. Also term given to a putt as it rolls toward the hole; for example, a putt that is heading for the hole is "tracking."
Track Iron
An obsolete club that was used primarily to hit the ball from cart tracks. A rut-iron or a niblick.
Trajectory
The flight path of the ball.
Trampoline Effect
Increased distance caused by the club face caving in slightly at impact and allegedly projecting the ball further.
Trap
Generic term given to a bunker that contains sand. Also called a sand trap.
Triple Bogey
Three over par on one hole.
Trouble Shot
A shot taken from a bad lie such as behind trees or in bunkers or rough.
Turn
The halfway point of an 18 hole round. A player "makes the turn" after playing #9 and heading to #10 tee.
Twist
Same as torque.
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z