Glossary of Golf Terms

Backspin

The backspin of a golf ball relates to the rate of rotation or spin of a golf ball around a horizontal spin axis that is at right angles to the ball's flight path. This spin, in combination with ball dimples, is what causes a golf ball to fly in its unique manner. A golf ball without backspin spin will travel distances up to 50 percent less than one with optimal backspin. To ascertain the optimal spin rate to suit your characteristics please contact one of golf technicians located at The HOUSE of GOLF stores.

Ball Velocity

The initial speed at which the golf ball leaves the tee. This variable is highly dependent on a player's physiology and technique, and can be modified somewhat through proper equipment optimization. A typical male PGA Tour player has an initial ball velocity of approximately 160 MPH with his driver. In comparison, a typical male recreational golfer may only generate a ball velocity of 130 MPH - about the same velocity as a PGA Tour player's 5 iron! To ascertain your ball velocity, please contact one of the golf technicians located at The HOUSE of GOLF stores.

Bounce Angle

The bounce is the angle of the sole as measured from the ground plane in a square hit position. Typically, the trailing edge is below the leading edge, which can be a lot or a little, depending on sole width and bounce angle. The optimum bounce angle, or degree, is designed to prevent the leading edge from digging, which can stop the momentum of the club and result in loss of intended distance.

Cavity Back

The design of an iron head in which the weight is distributed toward the perimeter of the head. Cavity backs are easily identified as having a recessed area on the back of the head.

Centre-Shaft Configuration

A type of hosel configuration, common in putters, in which the shaft enters the head toward the centre. This also creates a characteristic referred to as “face-balanced” weight distribution.

Coefficient of Restitution (COR)

The amount of energy put into a golf ball as compared to the amount of energy at (after) impact. The COR is the relation between rebound velocity and initial velocity. Putty would have a COR of 0. A perfectly elastic material has a COR of 1. COR is the method by which the USGA currently determines what it calls "spring-like effect". The USGA uses COR to regulate driving distance. The current limit on driver COR is 0.83.

Constant Weight

A shafting concept in which all of the shafts in an iron set weigh the same, irrespective of club length. The idea is to promote consistent feel through this concept.

Cubic Centimetres (CC)

The units used to measure the volume of a golf club head, in particular a golf driver. The measurement is generally made as a water displacement test whereby a wood head is immersed in water and the amount of water displaced is the head’s volume. The current maximum displacement level that a golf driver may NOT exceed is 460 cubic centimetres.

Draw

A right-to-left trajectory for a golf ball flight pattern, created by a slight tilt of the spin-axis of the ball to the left (for right handed golfers) and to the right (for left handed golfers). A draw usually starts at or to the right of the target and comes back to, or crosses over the target line (the reverse for left handed golfers). ). The more extreme version of a draw is called a "hook".

Draw Bias

Internal weighting and strategic placement of that weight that helps to square a clubhead at impact, lessening the chance of hitting a slice and increasing chances of hitting a distance-increasing draw. Draw Bias counteracts the spin that typically creates a slice, and helps to produce the spin necessary to hit a draw.

Face Balanced

Commonly referred to in putters, in that, when balanced toward the shaft tip, will exhibit the property of the putter face being parallel to the ground line. Face balanced putters tend to be favored by players who employ a parallel, straight back-straight through putting stroke.

Fade

A left-to-right trajectory for a golf ball flight pattern, created by a slight tilt of the spin-axis of the ball to the right (for right handed golfers) and to the left (for left handed golfers). A fade usually starts at or to the left of the target and comes back to, or crosses over the target line (the reverse for left handed golfers). The more extreme version of a fade is called a "slice".

Flex

Commonly referred to as the amount of "bend" in a golf shaft, shaft flex must be matched with the speed of the golfers’ swing. Players with less powerful swings will benefit from a more flexible shaft. An average player possessing a swing speed of 75-90 mph, and should look for a regular shaft. Players with more powerful swings, greater than 90 mph, should be fitted with a stiff or firm shaft. This will provide greater control.

Frequency

The number of oscillations of a golf shaft in a given time when the tip is pulled down and the shaft vibrates in a specialized machine. Frequency is measured in cycles per minute (cpm). A “frequency matched” set of shafts relates to the characteristics of all shafts in a matched set possessing the same number of oscillations.

Head Composition

Clubhead composition, along with design and weighting, are all factors that contribute to a particular club's playability. Many manufacturers use and or combine different materials in clubhead designs to maximize playability, distance and shot shape characteristics. These materials vary from stainless steel, titanium, alloys, carbon composite and special polymers. Multi-material combinations include tungsten and titanium, titanium and carbon composite, or stainless steel and carbon composite.

Heel-Toe Weighting

A type of club head design in which weight is positioned toward the heel and toe of the clubhead in an attempt to stabilize the clubhead (and produce straighter shots) on off-centre impacts. This design is most commonly used in peripheral weighted, cavity-back irons.

Hook

A pronounced right-to-left trajectory for a golf ball flight pattern, created by a tilt of the spin-axis of the ball to the left (for right handed golfers) and to the right (for left handed golfers). A hook usually starts at or to the right of the target and comes back to, or crosses over the target line (the reverse for left handed golfers). The less extreme version of a hook is called a "draw".

Insert

Commonly used in putter faces, insert technology using a polymer material was first developed for the military for sound absorption on submarines and ships, but was adapted for use in golf putters. The insert material is often softer than the surrounding metal, so it produces better feel and truer roll. It is also lighter than metal, so it accentuates the perimeter weighting design, making the putter more forgiving on off-centre strikes.

Launch Angle

The angle at which the golf ball elevates relative to the ground (or a tee) at the point of impact. Launch angle is measured in degrees. Along with the push/pull angle (the left/right direction of the ball), the launch angle gives the ball its initial direction at impact. Analysis of launch angle is vitally important to ensure the optimal level is achieved to maximize both control and distance.

Leading Edge

The forward-most edge on the sole of a golf club.

Less Offset

In a less offset club, the hosel will be closer relative to the leading edge of a club than an offset golf club. This is a feature of many blade design golf irons.

Lie Angle

The angle measured between the sole of the club and centreline of the hosel. A correct lie angle is neither too upright (tilted toward the heel) nor too flat (tilted toward the toe) and allows golfers to effectively control the direction of a shot. In custom fitting, having the correct lie angles throughout a set of clubs is second only to having the correct shaft flex in making those clubs perform accurately.

If the club head comes into the ball at impact with the toe of the club pointing upwards, the lie angle is said to be too upright. The ball will be pulled to the left.

If the club head comes into the ball at impact with the toe of the club pointing downwards, the lie angle is said to be too flat. The ball will be pushed to the right.

When the club head comes into the ball at impact parallel to the ground, the lie angle is said to be standard. The ball will fly straight.

The greater the loft of the club face, the more dramatic the misdirection will be. Short irons (8 - 9 - PW - SW) that you rely on for accuracy when hitting into the green, can hit the ball as far as 10 metres off line if the lie angle has not been correctly identified.

Loft

The upward slant of the clubface or the angle of which is measured in degrees when the club is resting on the ground. The loft of the club, combined with the club weighting, helps determine the angle at which the ball is launched and the amount of backspin on the ball. These two factors govern the trajectory of the resultant ball flight. Given the same club weighting, the lower the loft, the lower the ball will fly. The more loft a club has, the higher the ball will fly.

Offset

The position of the hosel relative to the leading edge of a club. The offset is the distance that the hosel sits in front of the leading edge of the club, and it allows the average player slightly more time to square the clubface to target before impact.

Perimeter Weighting

Technology that stabilizes the clubhead by moving weight out and away from the center of the clubface. By distributing an object's mass toward the outer boundaries, it increases the Moment of Inertia, (MOI) which in golf makes the club less resistant to twisting on off-centre hits and hence more forgiving.

Sole Width

Refers to the width of the sole of an iron, as seen from the bottom of the club. Some clubheads utilize a "wide sole" design that lowers the club's centre of gravity to help get shots airborne faster. Wide sole designs also help prevent digging, or "fat" shots. Conversely, some "tour-level" clubs feature a narrow sole design that is preferred by better players because it allows more control over shot trajectory.

Slice

A more extreme left-to-right trajectory for a golf ball flight pattern, created by a greater tilt of the spin-axis of the ball to the right (for right handed golfers) and to the left (for left handed golfers). A slice usually starts at or to the left of the target and comes back to, or crosses over the target line (the reverse for left handed golfers). The less extreme version of a slice is called a "fade".

Swingweight

A measurement that represents the balance and mass distribution of a golf club. The measure is on an arbitrary scale (C1, D1, D0, etc.) from a club's balance point or fulcrum at 14 inches from the butt end.

Topline

The top-most portion of an iron's head profile that is visible at address. The topline of a club can range from wide, common in many "game improvement" clubs to promote confidence at address, to thin, popular in clubs designed for lower handicaps to provide a more traditional look at address.

Torque

The resistance of a shaft to twisting is its torque. Lower torque shafts twist less than do higher torque shafts and, as a result, may be recommended for stronger players. Torque may also used to define the relationship between the turning of the upper and lower body during the swing.

Trailing Edge

The back-most edge on the sole of a club.

Trajectory

A term used to describe the flight characteristics of a golf ball when struck by a golf club throughout a players’ swing. Trajectory describes a combination of the direction of a shot (hook, draw, straight, fade or slice), the height of the shot, the launch angle at impact and landing characteristics.

Tungsten

A heavy metallic compound used to add weight to a club head, either as a swingweighting material in the shaft or as a defined weight attached somewhere in/on the head.

VFT Technology

Variable Face Thickness Technology allows golf club designers to adjust the thickness of materials used in golf clubs for optimum performance. With drivers, fairway woods and hybrids this results in a clubface that is thicker in the centre and thinner toward the edges for more efficient energy transfer from the clubface - giving more ball speed and more potential distance. With irons, VFT Technology allows club designers to adjust the thickness and raise or lower the centre of gravity for optimum trajectory with each iron in the set, giving a higher launch angle in the long irons and better trajectory height control in the short irons and wedges.

Weight Chip

A small metal piece used to balance a metalwood clubhead and pinpoint the centre of gravity. It is cast in varying weights 2 to 24 grams and welded into the inside of a clubhead to lower and strategically position the center of gravity. This optimizes trajectory and enhances distance control.