Written by: Jenna Behnke
Updated: December 23rd, 2025
Approach Shot
A shot played to land the ball on the green, typically from the fairway or rough.
Blades
A type of iron that is typically forged as a single piece rather than cast in a mold. They are more compact with thinner lines.
Bounce Angle
The measurement in degrees of the angle between the leading edge of a club when the sole is rested on the ground. Most associated with wedges but also present in irons.
Cast
A method of making golf clubs by pouring hot metal into a pre-made mold to form the club head, a popular process for making irons.
Cavity Back Irons
Irons that feature a cut-out back, with weight moved toward the perimeter of the club head to make them more forgiving and easier to hit.
Center of Gravity (CG)
The point inside the head of a golf club where all balanced points intersect. Clubs with lower CG locations produce higher ball flight; clubs with higher CG locations produce lower, more penetrating ball flight.
Clubface
The leading surface of the club head where you strike the golf ball.
Coefficient of Restitution (COR)
The measurement of one object’s ability to transfer energy to another object at impact. In golf, it determines how much a golf ball will rebound off a club face. USGA limits COR to .830.
Compression
Measurement expressing the hardness of a golf ball, normally 80–90. Harder balls (100 compression) are intended for players with faster swings but may also be useful in windy conditions.
Core
Any one of various materials used inside the golf ball.
Cover
The outer layer or shell of the golf ball.
Dimple
The round indentations on a golf ball cover that reduce drag and allow a golf ball to stay in the air longer than a smooth ball.
Eagle
A score of two strokes under par on a hole.
Face Balanced
Used to describe a putter that, when balanced on a single point, the putter face points straight up.
Flat Lie
A golf club with a lower lie angle than standard.
Flex
The ability of the shaft to bend during the swing, helping control ball flight.
Forged Irons
Irons made from one solid piece of metal from start to finish, often carbon steel.
Grooves
Lines cut into the club face to produce spin by gripping the golf ball at impact.
Heel
The part of the club head closest to the hosel.
Heel-Toe Weighting
A design with more weight in the heel and toe parts of the club head to make it more stable and forgiving.
High Spin Ball
Golf balls designed for maximum spin and control.
Hosel
The area where the shaft connects to the club head.
Iron
A type of golf club with a flat angled face, typically used for mid- to short-range shots.
Jab
A short, quick stroke or chip, often used around the green.
Knockdown Shot
A shot deliberately hit lower than normal to reduce spin and control trajectory.
Leading Edge
The front edge of the golf club where the face meets the sole.
Lie Angle
The angle formed between the center of the shaft and the ground when the club is at address.
Loft
The measurement in degrees of how much the club face is angled upward.
Low Spin Ball
Golf balls designed to reduce side spin and fly straighter.
Maraging Steel
A strong, hard metal used to create thinner, stronger club faces.
Moment of Inertia (MOI)
A measurement of a club’s resistance to twisting on off-center hits.
Niblick
An old term for a lofted iron like a modern 9-iron or wedge.
Offset
The measure of how much the leading edge of the club face is set back from the hosel.
Pitch
A short approach shot played with a higher loft to land softly on the green.
Quick Hook
A sharply curving shot to the left (for right-handed golfers) immediately after impact.
Release
The motion of the hands and club through impact that imparts spin and direction.
Sole
The bottom part of the club head that rests on the ground.
Strong Loft
Clubs with a reduced loft angle, typically to boost distance.
Sweet Spot
The point on the clubface where maximum energy and feel are transferred to the ball.
Swing Weight
The balance measurement indicating how heavy a club feels when swung.
Toe
The area of the club head furthest from the shaft.
Toe Hang
A putter feature where the toe hangs toward the ground when balanced.
Trailing Edge
The rearmost edge of the club’s sole.
Trajectory
The height and angle of the ball’s flight.
Upright Lie
A club with a higher lie angle than standard.
Velocity
The speed a ball can reach in a shot.
Weak Loft
Clubs with increased loft to help space distance gaps through a set.
X-Factor
The difference in rotation between the hips and shoulders during the backswing, linked to power.
Yips
A sudden loss of fine motor skills, often causing jerky putting strokes.
Z-Flight
A sharply curving shot due to severe slice or hook.
