Golf Slang 101: Talking the Talk on the Course

Golf isn’t just about hitting the ball straight and sinking putts—it also comes with its own unique language. If you’ve ever overheard a conversation on the course and thought, What the heck is a fried egg?, you’re not alone. To help you sound like a seasoned golfer, we’re breaking down some of the most common golf slang terms you’ll hear out on the course.

A perfect example of what many golfers refer to as a "Fried Egg".

1. Duff

A duff is a poorly executed shot, usually when the club digs into the ground before making contact with the ball. Also known as a chunk or a fat shot, it’s one of those mistakes that makes even the pros cringe.

Example: “I completely duffed my approach shot and left it short of the green.”

2. Fried Egg

No, this isn’t breakfast—it’s when your ball lands in a bunker and gets partially buried in the sand, resembling a fried egg with the ball as the yolk. This makes it extra tough to hit cleanly out of the sand.

Example: “I caught a bad break—my ball’s in a fried egg lie in the bunker.”

3. Worm Burner

A worm burner is a shot that barely gets off the ground, skimming just above the grass (and potentially terrorizing a few worms in the process). It usually happens when you top the ball.

Example: “That tee shot was a total worm burner—it never got more than a foot off the ground!”

4. Snowman

Scoring an 8 on a single hole? That’s called a snowman because the number “8” looks like a snowman. It’s one of those scores you’d rather forget.

Example: “I was doing great until I made a snowman on the par-4 14th hole.”

5. Mulligan

A mulligan is a do-over—an unofficial second chance at a shot, usually taken in casual rounds. While not legal in tournament play, many weekend golfers give themselves a mulligan or two.

Example: “That drive was terrible. Mind if I take a mulligan?”

6. Gimme

A gimme is a short putt that’s so close to the hole that your playing partners agree you don’t need to putt it. It’s common in friendly rounds but not in serious competition.

Example: “That’s inside two feet—you can pick it up, it’s a gimme.”

7. Lip Out

A lip out happens when a putt rolls around the edge of the hole but doesn’t drop in. It’s one of the most frustrating things in golf.

Example: “I thought that putt was in, but it just lipped out at the last second.”

8. Sandbagger

A sandbagger is a golfer who intentionally plays below their skill level (or manipulates their handicap) to gain an advantage in competition. It’s frowned upon in the golf world.

Example: “That guy said he was a 15-handicap, but he shot a 75—total sandbagger!”

9. Texas Wedge

A Texas wedge is when a golfer uses their putter from off the green, rather than chipping with a wedge. It’s a smart move when the grass is short and rolling the ball is easier than a chip shot.

Example: “Instead of chipping, I used the Texas wedge from the fringe and rolled it close.”

10. Stiff

A shot is stiff when it lands extremely close to the pin, leaving an easy putt.

Example: “I stuck that approach shot stiff—only two feet from the hole!”

Talk Like a Pro on the Course

Now that you’ve got some golf lingo under your belt, you’ll sound like a seasoned player on your next round. Whether you’re celebrating a perfect approach shot or groaning over a fried egg in the bunker, knowing the right terms makes the game even more fun.

So, next time you’re out on the course, impress your golf buddies with your new vocabulary—just try to avoid the snowman!

golf slang