golf dictionary

“Bump and Run”

A “bump and run” is a chip shot that includes the ball running after it has landed. The ideal “bump and run” is a shot that lands over the fringe, less than a third away from the hole, and then “runs” the rest of the way to the hole. It’s ideal to use when it’s windy, when there are no bunkers guarding the green, or when the conditions are firm.

“Collar”

A “collar” (or fringe) is the area surrounding a putting green. These often overlooked parts of the course provide an intermediary between the putting green and the surrounding rough and provide a buffer for shots that barely miss or roll through the green. There is no standard width or height of these fringes, and each is dependent on individual course maintenance.

“Fat Shot”

A “fat shot” is considered one of the worst shots in golf! It refers to a shot where the golf club hits the ground before making contact with the ball, resulting in high or low shots and a considerable loss of distance. In fact, the ball often ends up just a few yards in front of you, with a lot of turf dug up in the process. Fat shots usually occur when a club swings down on too steep an angle.

“Sandy”

On the PGA Tour “sand save percentage” is a statistical category that refers to getting up-and-down of out of a green side bunker. In this case score doesn’t matter, but rather if a player is in a green side bunker and gets out of the hole in two strokes (up and down), it’s considered a “sandy” (or “sandie”).

There are actually two common definitions for “sandy”. One definition for “sandy” is as making par on a hole in which you were in a bunker. The other definition for “sandy” is when a player hits a shot out of the sand and sinks the following put (ie getting out of the bunker and into the hole in two strokes). This second definition is more in keeping with the PGA Tour definition of “sandy”.

“Waggle”

“Waggle” refers to the movement of the club head prior to swinging. While not a necessity for a correct swing, many consider it an option that helps start the back-swing momentum and use it as a means to promote a relaxed swing! Experiment with it a little and see if it works for you!

“Yips”

“Yips” is a term used in golf to describe shakiness or nervousness when making a shot. The yips are most commonly associated with putting but can also be evidenced in chipping and full swings. The Mayo Clinic estimates that 33% to 48% of serious golfers have experienced the yips!