100+ Funny Golf Slang You’ll Wish You Knew Sooner

• What's the difference between golf slang vs official terms?
• Essential golf slang for every weekend warrior
• Funny slang for those terrible shots
• Creative scoring slang beyond the birdies
• Weird golf slang for course situations
• Why does every golfer need this secret lingo?
• Pro tips for using golf slang naturally
• Conclusion​
• FAQs

Ever stood on the first tee feeling like you needed a translator while the locals joked about fried eggs and snowmen? You’re definitely not alone. Golf has its own weird and wonderful language, and after a decade of grinding on the fairways and documenting the game, I’ve realized that knowing the right golf slang is just as important as your swing. I’ve curated 100+ best funny golf slang to help you sound like a seasoned pro even when your scorecard says otherwise. Let’s get you ready to talk the talk before your next round.

What's the difference between golf slang vs official terms?

First things first, let's nail the difference between "Slang" and "Official Terms." Simply put, official golf terms are formal, standardized words found in the rule books. Slang is the casual, conversational stuff full of humor.

Here is a clear comparison chart:

Feature	Golf Slang	Official Terms
Formality	Informal, casual	Formal, standardized
Usage	Casual rounds, friends, 19th hole	Tournaments, rule books, handicaps
Purpose	Fun, vivid descriptions, social	Accuracy, fairness, and rule enforcement
Examples	Snowman (score of 8), Cabbage (thick, rough), Mulligan (do-over)	Double Bogey, Rough, Stroke

Understanding slang helps you blend in and enjoy the social side of golf. Official golf terms handle the rules; slang handles the fun.

Essential golf slang for every weekend warrior

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If you're that person up at 5 AM every Saturday hitting the links, you need this essential lingo. Master these, and you'll speak the universal language of the course.

1. 19th Hole: The bar or lounge visited after the 18th hole.
2. Mulligan: A non-official do-over shot without a penalty.
3. Gimme: A very short putt your friends allow you to pick up.
4. Dance Floor: Slang for the putting green.
5. Fore: The universal warning shout for an incoming ball.
6. Fried Egg: A ball half buried in a sand bunker.
7. Casual Water: Temporary water on the course, like a puddle.
8. Dogleg: A hole where the fairway bends like a dog's leg.
9. GUR: Ground Under Repair area.
10. Hazard: A bunker or water area.
11. Lie: How your ball is resting on the grass.
12. Loose Impediments: Natural objects like twigs or stones.
13. OB: Out of Bounds area.
14. Putting Green: The short grass around the hole.
15. Rough: The long grass bordering the fairway.
16. Tee Box: The starting area of each hole.
17. Through the Green: Most of the golf course area.
18. Unplayable Lie: A spot where you cannot hit the ball.
19. Up and Down: One chip and one putt to finish a hole.
20. Whiff: A complete miss when swinging.

Funny slang for those terrible shots

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Part of golf’s charm is laughing about the bad shots. Bloggers love sharing these disaster stories.

1. Banana Ball: A severe slice that curves like a fruit.
2. Shank: Hitting the ball on the neck of the club.
3. Worm Burner: A low rolling shot that never gets air.
4. Chunk: Hitting the ground way before the ball.
5. Chili Dipped: A failed chip shot that goes nowhere.
6. Skulled Shot: Hitting the top of the ball with the club edge.
7. Decle: Hitting a tree and getting a lucky bounce.
8. Happy Gilmore: Running up to hit the ball like the movie.
9. Snap Hook: A sudden, sharp left turn of the ball.
10. Duck Hook: An even worse sharp left turn.
11. Pull: A straight shot that goes left of the target.
12. Push: A straight shot that goes right of the target.
13. Skyball: A drive that goes straight up and is very short.
14. Blade: Hitting a shot with the bottom edge of the wedge.
15. Lateral Hazard: Water or brush on the side of a hole.
16. Lip Out: A putt that hits the rim but stays out.
17. Miss the Cut: Playing poorly enough to go home early.
18. Muff: A clumsy or failed stroke.
19. Overclub: Taking too much club for the distance.
20. Underclub: Taking too little club for the distance.
21. Provisional Ball: A second ball is hit just in case.
22. Reverse Pivot: Poor weight transfer during a swing.
23. Scoop: Trying to lift the ball manually with the club.
24. Skull: Hitting the ball thin and fast.
25. Slab Sided: The side of the club head.
26. Socket Rocket: Another funny name for a shank.
27. Spoon: An old name for a 3 wood club.
28. Stiff: Hitting a shot very close to the pin.
29. Texas Wedge: Using a putter from way off the green.
30. Thin: Hitting the ball near the equator.
31. Toe Shot: Hitting the ball on the end of the face.
32. Uncock: Releasing the wrists too early.
33. Waggle: The pre-swing movement of the club.

Creative scoring slang beyond the birdies

We know Birdie and Eagle, but slang makes the scorecard way more fun.

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1. Snowman: Scoring an 8 on a single hole.
2. Buzzard: A double bogey score.
3. Melon: A common slang term for the golf ball.
4. Turkey: Three consecutive birdies in a row.
5. Ostrich: An extremely rare score of 4 under par.
6. Ace: A hole in one.
7. Barkie: Hitting a tree and still making par.
8. Snake: Taking three putts on one green.
9. Double Snake: Taking four putts on one green.
10. Army Golf: Hitting left, then right,t then left.
11. Automatic Two Putts: A friendly rule to save time.
12. Best Ball: A team game format.
13. Bingo Bango Bongo: A points-based betting game.
14. CORE: Industry talk for club face bounce.
15. Cap: The limit on your handicap.
16. Carry: The air distance of your shot.
17. Chip In: Hoing a shot from off the green.
18. CTP: Closest to the Pin contest.
19. Dog License: A double bogey score in the UK.
20. Dot: A point earned in a betting game.
21. Down and Dirty: A very low wedge shot.
22. Draw: A controlled, gentle curve to the left.
23. Fade: A controlled, gentle curve to the right.
24. Fish Hook: A severe, uncontrolled hook shot.
25. Flop Shot: A high and soft landing shot.
26. Follow Through: The finish of the golf swing.
27. Greenie: Winning the closest to the pin bet.
28. Gross Score: Your score before subtracting handicap.
29. Half Shot: A swing with reduced power.
30. Handicap Index: Your official skill level number.
31. Honour: The right to tee off first.
32. Inside Putts: Putts within the length of the putter.

Weird golf slang for course situations

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Specific environments in the course have their own funny slang.

1. Cabbage: Very thick and deep rough grass.
2. Spinach: Another name for thick green rough.
3. Beach: The sand bunker area.
4. Winter Rules: Allowing a better lie when the grass is bad.
5. Cart Path Only: Keeping the carts off the grass.
6. Embedded Ball: A ball stuck in its own pitch mark.
7. Grain: The direction the grass grows on the green.
8. Hardpan: Hard and dry ground with little grass.
9. Impact Area: The sweet spot of the club face.
10. In the Leather: A putt close enough to be a gimme.
11. Jail: Being stuck behind trees or bushes.
12. Kick: The bounce the ball takes on the ground.
13. Knockdown: A low shot to beat the wind.
14. Local Rules: Rules specific to one golf course.
15. Loft: The angle of the club face.
16. Nassau: A classic three-part betting game.
17. Nett Score: Your score after handicap is deducted.
18. OB Van: The TV truck on the course.
19. Open Stance: Aiming your body left of the target.
20. Penalty Area: Water or desert areas on the course.
21. Pin High: Being level with the hole but to the side.
22. Plumb Bob: Using the putter to read the slope.
23. Preferred Lies: Being allowed to move your ball slightly.
24. Punch Shot: Hitting a low ball under trees.
25. Quirk: A weird habit in a golf swing.
26. Roughing It: Spending all day in the long grass.
27. Sandbox: Another fun name for the bunker.
28. Scotch: A type of two-person team game.
29. Scratch Golfer: A player with a zero handicap.
30. Shamble: A team game using the best drive.
31. Sidesaddle: A weird-looking putting style.

Why does every golfer need this secret lingo?

Honestly, golf slang makes this sometimes too serious sport way more enjoyable.

1. Social Lubricant: When you hit a "Banana Ball," instead of complaining, you can laugh and say, "Check out the curve on that banana!" It instantly lightens the mood.
2. Instant Cred: Knowing the golf slang shows you care about the culture of the game, not just the score.
3. Fun Multiplier: Turning boring numbers into vivid descriptions just makes the whole experience better.

Pro tips for using golf slang naturally

Want to use these naturally? Keep these tips in mind:

• Know Your Audience: Use official terms when playing with the boss or in a tournament. Let loose with slang during casual rounds with friends.
• Confidence is Key: Say it loud and proud!
• Stick to the Classics: Avoid making up new slang; use the ones that everyone generally understands.

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Conclusion

At the end of the day, the real magic of golf happens in the laughs we share between shots. Nothing takes the sting out of a rough hole like a well-timed jab about your buddy’s latest case of Army Golf. I hand-picked these golf slang from ten years of bad bounces and clubhouse banter to ensure your next round is packed with more confidence and way more fun. Master these golf slangs, and you will find yourself enjoying the unique camaraderie that makes this game so addictive. Keep grinding, keep laughing, and I will see you at the nineteenth hole.

FAQs

Can I use this slang in a formal tournament?

It's best not to. Formal tournaments require official terminology to ensure clarity and fairness of the rules. Slang is for casual fun only.

Is a Mulligan an official rule?

Absolutely not. A Mulligan is a friendly, unofficial "house rule" used only by agreement among casual players.

What is the weirdest golf slang?

"Worm Burner" is definitely a top contender. It paints a perfect picture of a terrible, low-rolling shot.