Golf Terms Quiz

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Date:

Instructions: From birdies to bogeys, how well do you know the language of golf?

1.
In golf, what is an 'albatross'?
A
One stroke under par
B
Two strokes under par
C
Three strokes under par
D
Four strokes under par
2.
What does 'bogey' mean in golf?
A
A score of one stroke over par
B
A score of two strokes over par
C
A score of even par
D
A score of one stroke under par
3.
In golf, what is the 'fairway'?
A
The closely mown area between the tee and the green
B
The putting surface around the hole
C
The sand-filled hazard
D
The out-of-bounds area beyond the course
4.
What is a 'mulligan' in casual golf?
A
An informal do-over shot not counted
B
A course with extra holes
C
A penalty stroke
D
A type of iron club
5.
In golf, what is a 'dogleg'?
A
A stance used on uneven ground
B
A putting technique
C
A club with a curved shaft
D
A hole where the fairway bends sharply left or right
6.
What does 'fore!' mean when shouted on a golf course?
A
A player is teeing off on hole four
B
A warning that a ball is heading toward people
C
Play is about to resume
D
The match is tied
7.
In golf, what is the 'rough'?
A
The paved cart path
B
The area of longer grass flanking the fairway
C
A damaged section of the green
D
The teeing ground
8.
What is a 'fade' in golf?
A
A type of golf club grip
B
A shot that rolls along the ground
C
A putt that stops short of the hole
D
A shot that curves gently from left to right for a right-handed golfer
9.
In golf, what is a 'shank'?
A
A perfect drive down the center
B
A divot left on the fairway
C
A putt that lips out of the cup
D
A shot struck off the hosel of the club, sending it sharply sideways
10.
What is a 'handicap' in golf?
A
The total par of the course
B
A numerical measure of a golfer's ability used to level competition
C
A physical obstacle on the course
D
A penalty for slow play
11.
In golf, what is a 'links' course?
A
A coastal course on sandy, treeless terrain
B
A course connected to a resort
C
A course designed for beginners
D
A course with many water hazards
12.
What is an 'eagle' in golf?
A
A penalty for hitting into a water hazard
B
A score of two strokes under par on a hole
C
The mascot of a golf club
D
A hole-in-one on a par three
13.
In golf, what is a 'bunker'?
A
A sand-filled hollow designed as an obstacle
B
A storage area for golf carts
C
An underground shelter near the clubhouse
D
A raised platform for spectators
14.
What is a 'gimme' in golf?
A
A stroke awarded for a lost ball
B
A putt so short that other players agree it can be counted as made without being played
C
A warm-up shot before a round
D
A free club provided by the course
15.
In golf, what does 'the yips' refer to?
A
The sound of a ball hitting the cup
B
An involuntary wrist spasm causing missed putts
C
Celebratory shouts after a birdie
D
A cheer from the gallery

Answer Key

Question 1

C. Three strokes under par

An albatross (also called a double eagle) is a score of three strokes under par on a single hole, an exceptionally rare achievement.

Question 2

A. A score of one stroke over par

A bogey is a score of one stroke over par on a single hole. A double bogey is two over par, and a triple bogey is three over.

Question 3

A. The closely mown area between the tee and the green

The fairway is the closely mown strip of grass between the tee box and the putting green, considered the ideal area for play.

Question 4

A. An informal do-over shot not counted

A mulligan is an unofficial, informal second chance to hit a shot without counting the first attempt, used only in casual play, never in tournaments.

Question 5

D. A hole where the fairway bends sharply left or right

A dogleg is a hole where the fairway angles sharply to the left or right, named because its shape resembles a dog's bent hind leg.

Question 6

B. A warning that a ball is heading toward people

'Fore!' is a warning shout used to alert people nearby that a golf ball is heading in their direction and they should take cover.

Question 7

B. The area of longer grass flanking the fairway

The rough is the area of taller, thicker grass on either side of the fairway, making shots more difficult.

Question 8

D. A shot that curves gently from left to right for a right-handed golfer

A fade is a controlled shot that curves gently from left to right (for a right-handed player). The opposite shot, curving right to left, is called a draw.

Question 9

D. A shot struck off the hosel of the club, sending it sharply sideways

A shank is one of golf's most dreaded mis-hits, occurring when the ball strikes the hosel (the joint between the clubhead and shaft), sending it sharply to the right.

Question 10

B. A numerical measure of a golfer's ability used to level competition

A handicap is a number representing a golfer's potential ability, allowing players of different skill levels to compete fairly against each other.

Question 11

A. A coastal course on sandy, treeless terrain

A links course is a type of golf course built on coastal sandy ground, characterized by few trees, undulating terrain, and exposure to wind. The term comes from Old English for sandy ground.

Question 12

B. A score of two strokes under par on a hole

An eagle is a score of two strokes under par on a single hole, such as scoring a 3 on a par-5 hole.

Question 13

A. A sand-filled hollow designed as an obstacle

A bunker is a depression filled with sand, strategically placed as a hazard on the course. They are commonly found near greens and along fairways.

Question 14

B. A putt so short that other players agree it can be counted as made without being played

A 'gimme' is a putt so short that fellow players concede it and allow the golfer to count it as holed without actually putting, used in casual play.

Question 15

B. An involuntary wrist spasm causing missed putts

The yips is a condition involving involuntary wrist spasms or freezing that affects a golfer's ability to putt, believed to be caused by anxiety and performance pressure.

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