GOLFSelect - Golf Glossary

Daytona: A game for 4 players divided into 2 sides. The scores of a side for each hole are combined to form a number of points; if one plyaer has a score of par or better then the lower score of the team is placed first - if the scores on a par 3 are 3 and 4 then the team score is 34. But if the best score for the hole is over par then the higher must be placed first - if scores on a par 3 are 4 and 5, the team score is 54. The side with the lower number of points for the round wins.

Dead Ball: A ball is said to be dead when there is no doubt that it will be sank on the next shot.

Dead Weight: Overall club weight.

Deep-Faced: Pertaining to a clubface and meaning having a club face that is relatively thick from top to bottom.

Deflection: Maximum amount the shaft is deflected during the downswing.

Deuce: A hole made in two strokes. Primarily used in the United States.

Dew Sweepers: The first groups of golfers on the course in the morning.

Dimple: Depression on a golf ball designed to help get the ball airborne and maintain its accurate flight. Depending upon the number, depth and arrangement of the dimples, ball aerodynamics are greatly influenced.

Divot: A chunk of the grass taken up by the club on the stroke. Should be replaced after swing.

Dogballs: Scoring an 'eight' on any single golf hole. The origin of the term is in reference to what the number 'eight' looks like on its side. The score of eight on a hole is also known as a snowman.

Dogleg: The design of a golf hole (a par 4 or 5) in which the layout changes direction, usually at the position a drive is designed to land. If the hole changes direction to the right, it is called a "dogleg right"; a direction change left is known as a "dogleg left."

Dormie: The player or side having a lead in a match equal to the number of holes remaining to be played. A player is dormie-two if he is 2 holes ahead with 2 holes remaining to play.

Double Bogey: A score of two over par on a hole.

Double Cross: A shot whereby a player intends for a slice and hits a hook, or conversely, intends to play a draw and hits a slice. So called because the player has aimed left (in the case of a slice) and compounds this with hitting a hook, which moves left as well.

Double-Cut: Method of mowing putting greens in which the mower cuts in one direction and then cuts again in another direction, creating a fast putting surface. Fairways may be double cut as well.

Double-Eagle: A score of 3 under par on a hole, for example, a 2 on a par 5;also called an "albatross."

Down: Being a specific number of holes behind your opponent.

Downhill Lie: When addressing the ball and your right foot is higher than your left (for right-handed players).

Downswing: The motion of swinging a club from the top of the swing to the point of impact.

DQ: Slang for disqualified from a tournament for breaking any of the rules of golf.

Drain: To sink a putt.

Draw: A ball that starts straight, or slightly right, and arcs gently to the left. This is a popular shape with low handicappers due to its considerable length of carry and roll. The common spin characteristic turns the ball with its flight line and lands the ball lively giving it extra roll.

Drive: The first shot on a hole, played from the teeing ground.

Drive-and-Pitch: The type of hole on which the green can be reached with a drive and a pitch. Could also refer to a course where all holes are of this type.

Driver: A 1-wood, used to get the maximum distance out of a shot.

Driving Iron: Another name for the number one iron. Formerly one of various iron clubs used for shots through the green.

Driving Mashie: Obsolete club with less loft than a mashie iron and used for driving and long shots through the green.

Driving Putter: Obsolete wooden club used primarily for low shots into the wind.

Driving Range: A practice area, either at a course or on its own, where players of all ability levels go to practice their game. A range may be a simple as a large mowed field with hitting areas or may be as elaborate as a facility with target greens and practice putting greens.

Droop: Nothing to do with Breweries! Droop is the amount the shaft is deflected in the toe down direction at impact.

Drop Area: An area identified by either paint or chalk in which a player may drop his ball under penalty of one stroke. Drop areas are most often found on holes with water hazards and allow the player relief, with penalty, from the water.

Dub: A missed or badly-hit shot

Duck Hook: A shot that starts straight at the target and curves dramatically to the left of target (assuming a right-handed golfer.) One of the most out of control shot types.

Duff: To mishit a shot by hitting the ground behind the ball and then top the ball.

Duffer: An unskilled golfer. Also called a hacker

Dunch: A fat hit from a claggy lie. British origin.

Dunk: To hit your ball into a water hazard.

Dynamic Fitting: Measurement of various factors during a golfer's swing to determine the most important criteria for custom fitting clubs to suit the golfer's swing and physical ability.

Dynamic Loft: Changes to the loft at impact during course of swing compared to original specifications

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