What are the shots called in golf?

Whether you're new to playing golf or just brushing up on your terminology, understanding the names and types of golf shots is essential for improving your game and communicating with fellow golfers. From tee shots to putts, this guide will walk you through the common (and sometimes confusing) terms used on the golf course.

Golf Shots Names in Order

Let’s start with the basic progression of shots during a round of golf. Here's a breakdown of typical shot types in the order you might play them on a particular golf course:

1. Tee Shot – The first shot played from the tee box, often using a driver or wood.
2. Second Shot – The next stroke aimed at positioning the ball closer to the green, especially in stroke play.
3. Approach Shot – A shot intended to land the golf ball onto the green.
4. Chip Shot / Short Shot – A short game shot used near the green to get the ball close to the hole.
5. Putt – A shot on the putting green intended to roll the ball into the hole.

Other shots like bunker shots, punch shots, and flop shots may come into play depending on the situation.

Hook vs Slice

These are two common ball flight errors:

• A hook curves the ball sharply to the left (for a right-handed golfer), usually caused by an out to in swing path or closed clubface.
• A slice curves it far to the right, typically due to an open clubface and poor swing mechanics.

Understanding this can help you improve your golf swing and control the club head.

Duck Hook and Block

Two more shot types that are important to understand, especially when working on controlling your golf swing, are the duck hook and the block.

Duck Hook

A duck hook is a severe, low, and hard-left shot (for a right-handed golfer). It’s a more exaggerated version of a hook and often results from:

• An excessively closed club face at impact
• An overly aggressive from the inside swing path
• Improper body rotation or release

This shot is notorious for getting a golf ball into trouble—think trees, rough, or even out of bounds. It’s especially problematic on tee shots where accuracy is crucial.

Example: A player hits their own ball with a full swing and watches it shoot hard left almost immediately after impact—classic duck hook.

Block

A block is essentially the opposite of a duck hook. It's a shot that goes straight right (for a right-handed player) without curving—usually unintentional. It happens when:

• The club head is square or slightly open at impact
• The swing path is excessively from the inside
• The body doesn’t rotate through the ball properly

A block often occurs when a golfer is trying to avoid hooking or overcompensates for a draw.

Block vs Slice: Unlike a slice, which curves right due to spin, a block flies straight right without curvature. Both can land the ball played in tough spots like a sand trap or hazard, especially on narrow fairways.

Draw vs Fade

While hook and slice are typically unwanted, a draw or fade is often intentional and controlled:

• A draw is a soft curve to the left (right-handed player) and is useful for navigating doglegs.
• A fade is a gentle curve to the right and is favored by many skilled golfers.

These shots require precise club's shaft control and knowledge of from the inside swing paths.

Shank vs Slice

A shank is a severe mis-hit where the club head strikes the ball with the hosel of an iron, sending it wildly sideways—often called a “hosel rocket.”

Unlike a slice, which is a curved shot, a shank comes off unpredictably, sometimes referred to as shank for the toe, though technically it's a heel hit.

Toe vs Heel

This refers to where the club head makes contact with the golf ball:

• Toe shot: Contact near the club's toe, can reduce distance.
• Heel shot: Contact closer to the hosel; may cause shanks or slices.

Properly aligning the player's clubs helps maintain consistent contact.

Thin vs Fat

These terms describe how the ball is struck relative to the ground:

• Thin Shot: Struck with the lower edge of the clubface, causing the ball to roll with a low trajectory.
• Fat Shot: When the club head hits the ground before the ball, also called a chunk.

Both negatively impact the number of strokes needed to complete a hole played.

Chunk vs Skull

While a chunk refers to hitting too much turf, a skull or topped shot means hitting the ball above its equator, causing it to skip or roll uncontrollably.

These are especially common in the short game shots near the putting surface.

Turn It Over

This slang term refers to making the ball draw or hook. “Turning it over” is often used when a player hits a shot that curves from right to left (for a right-handed player).

From the Inside

A from the inside swing path is ideal for drawing the ball and increasing power. It helps with delivering a smooth ball flight and controlling direction.

Out to In Swing

This path often leads to slices or pulls. It's when the club moves across the ball, cutting from the outside line into the body of the right-handed golfer.

Other Important Golf Shots and Terms

• Punch Shot – A low trajectory shot played to avoid wind or obstacles.
• Flop Shot – A high, soft landing shot played with a sand wedge, useful when ball lands near the hole but needs to stop quickly.
• Provisional Ball – A second ball played in case the first is lost, often due to penalty risks.
• Double Bogey / Triple Bogey – Scoring terms to show two or three strokes over par.
• Double Eagle – Also known as an albatross; three under par on a hole.
• Hole in One – A first shot that goes directly into the hole.

Terms from Team and Tournament Play

• Match Play – Scoring by holes won, not strokes.
• Stroke Play – Traditional scoring by number of strokes.
• Ready Golf – A casual format where players hit when ready rather than by honor.
• Partners Play Alternate Shots – A team play format also known as foursomes.

Maintaining Your Game and Equipment

• Golf Bag – Carries your golf equipment, including clubs and balls.
• Cleaning Golf Balls – Important for consistent performance.
• Golf Ball Cover – Affects spin and feel of the putted ball.
• Club House – The central facility on the golf course, often where scores are recorded.
• Ball Mark – An indentation on the putting green that should be repaired.
• One Stroke Penalty – Applied for rule infractions like lost balls or hazards.
• Bunker Shot – A recovery shot from a sand trap.

Conclusion

By understanding these golf shot names and associated terms, you'll be more confident on the golf course, whether you’re playing your own ball in stroke play, sharing shots with golf partners, or analyzing your performance back at the club house.