Say What?! 10 Terms to Expand your Golf Vocabulary and Knowledge

One of the great things about our golf game and the English language is that both are constantly evolving. New shots, new tricks, new highs, and new lows are just some of the ways we see our golf game change over the years. Luckily enough, new slang words are always being invented in order to better describe our game. Below are some of the old favorites on the green, and some new ones you might not have heard of before. Avoid The Sclaff 1.) That moment when you strike the ground before making contact with the ball? It’s called a “sclaff”. Coincidentally, it’s also the strangled noise I make when I hit a water hazard. It’s usually followed by an awful lot of yelling. (original image found here)

Put away those warm-weather shorts and that polo shirt—cold weather is coming. But don’t reach for the puffiest, fur-lined coat you can find just yet. It is crucial to keep your body warm, especially your muscles for optimum performance and to prevent injuries. However, a heavy coat can restrict your movements and put your swing in jeopardy (feeling like a walking marshmallow doesn’t help much, either). Fortunately, we’ve put together some tips to help you get dressed for a round of golf on a cold day.

Many golfers take a long time to pick the perfect driver, while others spend hours trying out different irons or worrying about which putter offers the best feel or response. Yet there is one key piece of equipment that golfers often overlook. Something that affects their whole game and strategy: the golf ball. Think about it. No golfer would ever consider showing up at the course with clubs that are the wrong size or shoes that don’t fit quite right. So why would anyone consider playing a round of golf with a golf ball that wasn’t designed for their swing? The right golf ball can make a big difference in a golfer’s overall game. From the first tee shot to the final putt, the right ball will influence your distance, control, spin, and confidence. A well-matched ball can make all the difference in the world: it can make straighter drives, better approach shots, and an improved overall game. Fortunately, the right golf ball selection doesn’t have to be difficult. After you understand a little about golf ball construction and how it can affect your swing speed and play, you will be able to choose the right option much more easily.

If they weren’t labeled, could you tell a Bridgestone B330-RX golf ball from a Srixon Z-STAR SL or a Nike RZN Black? Don’t just play with any ball you (or we) find—learn which brands and models are best for you. Whether you have a swing speed under 85 mph, a high trajectory, or a need for speed or spin, there’s a ball that is perfect for the way you play.

When we head out onto over 2,200 golf courses in more than 45 states, masks on and baskets in hand, in search of golf balls like Easter eggs. How do we distinguish a great egg from a bad egg or even just a good egg? Truthfully we see everything under the sun when it comes to golf balls. Thanks to our innovative sorting process, only a small percentage of what comes through our facility actually has the aesthetics to make it in your golf bag. To help serve you best, we have created a grading scale based on condition to discern the excellent (AAAAA) from the great (AAAA) from the good (AAA).

Is your game in the dumps? Can't get a decent hit no matter how much you try to adjust your swing? In golf, there’s a single part of your body that single-handedly determines your performance in every aspect of the game—and every effort to improve your game should emphasize its development. We're talking about, of course, your brain. Learning how to maintain the level of focus professional athletes often refer to as ‘being in the zone’ inevitably leads to success on the green; you’ll improve your aim, lengthen your drives, refine your putting, and lower your score.

Whether you’ve just started playing the game of golf or you’ve managed to convince yourself that you’re the next Tiger Woods, there are a lot of things to take into consideration when buying new golf clubs.

Work messing with your tee-time? Home life demanding your weekends? Visiting in-laws ruining your golf schedule yet again? It would be nice if you could hit the green every weekend, but unfortunately, not everyone has the time to do this. You may be incredibly busy with work to the point where you can only get a game of golf in once a month if you are lucky.

How would you grade your putting game? Are you convinced you could go toe-to-toe with Tiger or Jack? Or maybe you just putter around and trust the golf gods will smile down on you for once. Even if sinking the ball on your home course has become second nature, your skills may not hold up as well on an unfamiliar green. Check out these tips for improving your putt: