Golf has more specialized terminology than almost any other sport. This glossary covers every term you are likely to encounter, from basic scoring terminology to advanced biomechanical concepts used by GOATY's coaching system. Key terms link to detailed guides for deeper understanding.
A-D
Address
Your setup position before the swing. The moment you take your stance and ground the club behind the ball. GOATY uses your address position as the baseline reference for all movement measurements.
Albatross (Double Eagle)
A score of three under par on a single hole. Extremely rare, typically achieved only on par 5s with an exceptional second shot.
ANCHOR
One of three GOAT Score components. Measures stability: head position, sternum position, and pelvis control during the swing. See GOAT Score Explained.
Approach Shot
Any shot intended to land on the green, typically from the fairway on par 4s and par 5s.
Backswing
The portion of the swing from address to the top. During the backswing, the body loads energy through rotation and trail hip depth.
Birdie
A score of one under par on a single hole. Par 4 completed in 3 strokes, par 3 in 2, or par 5 in 4.
Bogey
A score of one over par on a single hole. The target score for a mid-handicap golfer on difficult holes.
Bounce
The angle of the sole of a wedge relative to the leading edge. High bounce (12-14 degrees) prevents digging on soft turf. Low bounce (4-8 degrees) allows clean contact on firm lies.
Carry
The distance a ball travels through the air before landing. Distinct from total distance, which includes roll after landing.
Casting
Releasing the wrist angles too early on the downswing, throwing the club outward from the top. Caused by poor sequencing. See Fixing Casting.
Chunk
Hitting the ground before the ball (fat shot). Usually caused by excessive head sway. See Fixing Fat Shots.
Divot
The piece of turf displaced by the club at impact. A proper divot starts at or slightly ahead of the ball position and points toward the target.
Draw
A ball flight that curves gently from right to left (for right-handed golfers). The controlled version of a hook.
Dynamic Threshold
In GOATY, the system that adapts difficulty during live lessons based on the golfer's current performance level. Thresholds become tighter as skill improves.
E-H
Eagle
A score of two under par on a single hole. Par 5 in 3, par 4 in 2, or a hole-in-one on a par 3.
Early Extension
The pelvis thrusting toward the ball during the downswing, changing spine angle. See Fixing Early Extension.
ENGINE
The primary GOAT Score component (60%). Measures power generation: rotation, loading, sequencing. See GOAT Score Explained.
Fade
A ball flight that curves gently from left to right (for right-handed golfers). The controlled version of a slice.
Fat Shot
Hitting the ground before the ball. See Fixing Fat Shots.
G1-G7 Gates
GOATY's 7-gate biomechanical evaluation system. Each gate measures a specific aspect of swing mechanics. See Live Lesson Guide.
GOAT Score
A 0-100 composite biomechanical rating: ENGINE (60%) + ANCHOR (20%) + WHIP (20%). See GOAT Score Explained.
Handicap
A numerical measure of a golfer's potential ability based on recent scores. A 10 handicap means the golfer typically shoots 10 over par.
Head Sway
Lateral movement of the head during the swing. Excessive sway causes fat and thin shots. See Head Movement Guide.
Hook
A ball flight curving sharply from right to left. Caused by the body stalling and the arms flipping the clubface closed. See Fixing the Hook.
I-L
Impact
The moment the clubface contacts the ball. The quality of all other swing positions is measured by their effect on this moment.
Kinetic Chain
The sequential acceleration and deceleration of body segments that produces clubhead speed. See Sequencing Guide.
Lag
The angle between the forearm and the club shaft during the downswing. More lag = more stored energy for release at impact.
Lead Arm
The arm closest to the target (left arm for right-handed golfers). See Lead Arm Control Guide.
Lie Angle
The angle between the club shaft and the ground when the club is soled. Affects ball direction.
Loading
Creating stored energy during the backswing through pressure shift, hip depth, and torso stretch. See Loading Guide.
M-P
MOI (Moment of Inertia)
A club head's resistance to twisting on off-center strikes. Higher MOI = more forgiving.
Over-the-Top
The club path moving outward from the top of the backswing, caused by the upper body starting the downswing before the lower body. See Sequencing Guide.
Par
The expected score for a hole based on its length. Par 3 (under 250 yards), Par 4 (250-470 yards), Par 5 (471+ yards).
Pelvis-Leads-Chest
The sequencing pattern where the pelvis initiates the downswing before the chest. The G4 gate. See Sequencing Guide.
Pose Detection
Computer vision technology that identifies body landmarks from camera video. GOATY uses 33-landmark MediaPipe pose detection.
Pull
A shot that starts left of target with no curve. Caused by an out-to-in path with a square face.
Push
A shot that starts right of target with no curve. Caused by an in-to-out path with a square face.
Q-T
Release
The unhinging of the wrists through impact, delivering the clubhead to the ball. In the sling model, release is a natural consequence of deceleration, not a conscious action.
Scrambling
Getting up and down (saving par) after missing a green in regulation. A key scoring statistic.
Sequencing
The order in which body segments accelerate in the downswing. Pelvis > chest > arms > club. See Sequencing Guide.
Shank
Ball striking the hosel rather than the clubface, sending it sharply right. See Fixing Shanks.
Sling Pattern
GOATY's biomechanical model: Structure > Lengthen > Recoil > Release. The body loads like a sling and releases energy naturally. See Loading Guide.
Slice
A ball flight curving sharply left to right. The most common amateur ball flight fault. See Fixing the Slice.
Thin Shot
Contact too high on the ball, producing low trajectory and reduced distance. See Fixing Thin Shots.
Trail Arm
The arm furthest from the target (right arm for right-handed golfers). Acts as a structural piston supporting the backswing.
Transition
The moment between backswing and downswing where sequencing happens. See Sequencing Guide.
U-Z
Up and Down
Getting the ball into the hole in two shots from off the green (one chip/pitch + one putt).
Variance
The difference between your best and worst swings. Lower variance = more consistent golf. GOATY tracks swing-to-swing variance across all gates.
WHIP
GOAT Score component (20%). Measures club delivery: lead arm extension, trail arm structure, release timing. See GOAT Score Explained.
Wrist Hinge
The cocking of the wrists during the backswing that creates lag for energy storage.
Learn the Language, Then Learn the Swing
Now that you know the terminology, see how it applies to your swing. Get a free GOAT Score analysis.
Start Your Free LessonUpload a swing for a free GOAT Score
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a slice and a fade?
Both curve left to right (for right-handers), but a fade is controlled (5-10 yards of curve) while a slice is uncontrolled (20+ yards of curve). A fade is a legitimate shot shape. A slice is a fault caused by poor sequencing.
What does GOAT stand for in GOAT Score?
GOAT stands for Greatest Of All Time. The GOAT Score measures how closely your swing biomechanics match the most efficient swing pattern ever analyzed, the GOAT Model, which scores 97.3 out of 100.
What is the kinetic chain in golf?
The kinetic chain is the sequential acceleration and deceleration of body segments: pelvis, then chest, then arms, then club. Each segment transfers energy to the next, like cracking a whip.
What is early extension?
Early extension is the pelvis thrusting toward the ball during the downswing. It changes your spine angle through impact and causes thin shots, pulls, and inconsistent contact. Over 55% of golfers with handicaps above 15 show early extension.