Glossary of Golf - B

B

Back nine

The last nine holes of an 18 hole golf course. Playing the back nine is called "heading in".

Backspin

A backwards spin that occurs when a player strikes the golf-ball. The spin causes the ball to stop quickly or spin backwards after landing on the green.

Back-swing

The first part of the golf-swing. The back-swing starts with the club-head immediately behind the ball and ends when the club-head travels back behind the player's head. The term take-away refers to the first part of the back-swing.

Ball

A small sphere used in playing golf, which is intended to be struck by a player swinging a club. Balls are usually white, covered in dimples, and made of a variety of materials.

Ball-marker

A token or a small coin used to spot the ball's position on the green prior to lifting it.

Ball-washer

A device found on many tees for cleaning golf balls.

Banana-ball

The result of a severe fade that results in a trajectory in the shape of a banana. This is also referred to as an extreme slice.

Bandit

See Sandbagger.

Bare Lie

When the ball lies directly on hard ground without any grass to buoy the ball up, (i.e.), where there is no grass creating a gap between ball and the ground. Applicable when practicing off hard mats.

Best ball

A form of team play using two, three, or four person teams. The team score on each hole is the lowest score obtained by one of the team members. For example, if player A has a 5, player B has a 6, player C has a 4, and player D has a 5, the "best ball" and team score is a 4.

BIGGA

Is the professional association in the United Kingdom dealing with all matters of golf management from a greens-keeper's viewpoint. For the U.S. equivalent, see GCSAA.

Birdie

A hole played in one stroke under par.

Bisque

A form of handicapping used in private matchplay games. The higher handicapped player is allowed to choose on which holes they receive their handicap allowance of "free shots". As this is a matter of negotiation between the players involved there are many variations in the number of shots allowed and when (before the start of the round, before playing a hole, during the play of a hole, after playing a hole) the claiming of "free shot" is allowed. Bisque matches are not recognized by the rules of golf.

Bite

Some players put a great deal of spin on their approach shots causing the ball to stop immediately when it hits the green. This phenomenon is referred to as biting or checking. Depending on the amount of backspin, the ball may suck backwards.

Blade

(i) A type of iron where the weight is distributed evenly across the back of the club-head as opposed to mainly around the perimeter (see cavity back).
(ii) A type of putter with a striking face considerably wider than the distance from the face to the rear of the club-head.
(iii) a shot struck "thinly" with the bottom of an iron striking high up on the golf ball, causing a low trajectory shot with a lack of control.

Blast

A bunker shot that sends the ball, and accompanying sand, (hopefully) onto the green. Also known as an "explosion".

Blind

A shot that does not allow the golfer to see where the ball will land, such as onto an elevated green from below.

Block

A shot played severely to the right; Similar to the "push".

Bogey

A hole played one stroke over par.

Bounce

Technically, the measure of the angle from the front edge of a club's sole to the point that rests on the ground when addressing the ball.

Bounce Back

Scoring a birdie or better on a hole immediately following a bogey or worse. Also see Reverse Bounce Back.

Break

The tendency of a putted ball to roll left or right of a straight line. This deviation may be a result of a number of factors or combination of factors including uneven surface, grain of the grass, how firmly the putt is struck or, in extreme circumstances, wind. In the United Kingdom, it is also known as "borrow".

Bullarding

Playing consistently above your regular handicap or regularly failing to achieve in competition play. It is the opposite of sandbagging.

Bump and run

A low-trajectory shot that is intended to get the ball rolling along the fairway and up onto the green. Similar to a chip shot, but played from a greater distance.

Bunker

A depression in bare ground that is usually covered with sand. Also called a "sand trap". It is considered a hazard under the Rules of Golf.

Bunker, Green-side

A bunker next to or even in a green. See bunker.

Bunker, Fairway

A bunker located on or in the fairway. See bunker.

Bye

A short game played over the remaining holes when the main match finishes early because one player or team has won by a large margin. It serves the joint purpose of adding some competitive meaning to the rest of the holes and also for the losing side to attempt to regain some of the pride lost as a result of their humiliation in the main match. It is usual for the loser of the bye to buy the first drinks in the 19th hole afterwards. In this respect it is an almost direct equivalent to a beer match in cricket.