11 Golf Phrases You Hear On TV But May Not Understand

When I watch golf on television, there is always a little terminology tossed around that I know not everyone understands. Depending on who is calling the action, you may hear everything from a “cover number” to a “dead-handed pitch” without much explanation.

Watch enough golf and these phrases start to sound familiar. Knowing what they mean can help you better understand the shot a player is facing and why they choose one option over another.

Cover number

The cover number is the minimum yardage a player needs to carry a specific obstacle.

That obstacle could be a bunker, penalty area, false front or ridge running through the green. If the flag is 165 yards away but the bunker requires 158 yards of carry, 158 is the cover number.

The number can also change based on the player’s intended line. Carrying the center of a bunker may require less distance than challenging the far edge.

False front

A false front is a sloped section at the front of a green that sends shots back toward the fairway or a collection area.

From the television angle, a shot may appear to have reached the putting surface. A few seconds later, it starts rolling backward.

When a green has a severe false front, reaching the front edge is not enough. The ball may need to carry several yards onto the green to stay there.

Collection area

A collection area is an area around the green where the surrounding contours tend to gather missed shots.

These areas are often closely mown, giving players several recovery options. They may use a wedge, putter, hybrid or bump-and-run depending on the lie and slope.

Fall line

The fall line is the steepest downhill direction on a section of the putting surface.

Picture pouring water onto the green. The direction the water would naturally flow is the fall line.

On a simple, consistent slope, a putt traveling directly up or down the fall line should have very little side break. A putt crossing it will move with the slope. Greens with several contours can have more than one local fall line.

Punchbowl green

A punchbowl green is set within surrounding contours that create a bowl-like shape.

The slopes can gather shots back onto the putting surface or feed them toward certain sections of the green.

Flighted wedge

A flighted wedge is played on a lower, more controlled trajectory than a standard wedge shot.

Players may shorten the swing, reduce speed or change the finish to bring the flight down. The exact technique can vary from one golfer to another. The goal is usually to control distance, trajectory and spin. It is especially useful in the wind or when a player does not want to hit a full wedge.

Hold-off fade

A hold-off fade is a controlled shot that curves from left to right for a right-handed golfer.

The player continues rotating through the shot while keeping the release quieter than normal. The motion often produces a shorter, held-off-looking finish.

This is different from accidentally leaving the clubface open and losing the ball to the right. The starting line and amount of curve are intentional.

One groove low

When an announcer says a player struck the ball one groove low, contact occurred slightly below the intended spot on the iron or wedge face.

The strike may still look and sound solid, but a small vertical miss can change launch, spin and carry distance. The exact result depends on the club, lie, speed and course conditions.

Cut spinner

A cut spinner is a short-game shot played with an open clubface and a slight cutting motion across the ball.

The player uses enough speed to create spin while allowing the loft to send the ball onto the green. The goal is usually to land the ball in a small area and have it check quickly.

The ball may not curve much in the air. “Cut” describes the club’s delivery more than a dramatic left-to-right ball flight.

Dead-handed pitch

A dead-handed pitch is played with limited wrist action and very little aggressive release through impact.

The arms, shoulders and body control most of the motion while the hands remain quiet. This can help the player produce predictable carry, trajectory and release.

Some players use a more upright shaft or make contact slightly toward the toe.

Caught a jumper

When an announcer says a player “caught a jumper,” the ball has come out of the rough with less spin than expected.

Grass can get between the ball and clubface, reducing friction. The shot may launch differently, fly farther or release more once it lands.

That is why a player can make what looks like a good swing and still send an approach over the back of the green. You may also hear this type of shot described as a flyer or knuckleball.

Final thoughts

There are dozens more but these are some I’ve heard just in the last few weeks when watching golf. What other phrases could catch somebody new to the game off guard?