Glossary of Golf - H

H

Hacker

An unskilled golfer. Generally, hackers demonstrate very little or no golf-etiquette.

Half

In match play, a hole is halved (or tied) when both players or teams have played the same number of strokes. In some team events, such as the Ryder Cup and Presidents Cup (except for singles matches in the latter competition while its overall outcome remains in doubt), a match that is tied after 18 holes is not continued, and is called "halved", with each team receiving half a point.

Handicap

A number assigned to each player based on his ability and used to adjust each player's score to provide equality among the players. In simplified terms, a handicap number, based on the slope of a course, is subtracted from the player's gross score and gives him a net score of par or better half the time.

Halfway house or Halfway hut

A building, generally between the 9th and 10th holes, providing light snacks and refreshments for golfers during their round.

Handsy

A player with too much wrist movement in their golf swing or putting stroke, causing inconsistent shots or putts.

Hard-pan

Hard, usually bare, ground conditions. Generally, hard-pan refers to hard, dry clay, with very little or no grass.

Hazard

Any bunker or permanent water including any ground marked as part of that water hazard. Special rules apply when playing from a hazard.

Hole

A circular hole in the ground which is also called "the cup", 4.25 inches (108 mm) in diameter.

Hole in one

Hitting the ball from the tee into the hole, using only one stroke.

Hole in one insurance

Many tournaments offer large prizes if a player shoots a hole in one on a particular hole. Indemnity insurance is often purchased to cover the cost should anyone make the hole in one. Hole in one insurance is also available for individuals to cover the cost of a round of drinks in the event of them achieving a hole in one.

Hook

A shot that initially takes a trajectory opposite the side of the golf ball from which the player swings but eventually curves sharply back towards the player. Under normal circumstances, a hook is unintentional; however, good players can use a hook to their advantage in certain situations. Hooks are often called the "better player's miss", thanks to the fact that many of the game's greatest players (Ben Hogan, for instance) have been plagued by the hook at one time or another in their careers. A shot that follows the same trajectory but to a lesser degree is referred to as a 'draw'. A draw is often intentionally used by above-average players to achieve a certain type of spin. The curved shape ball-flight is the result of sideways spin. For that reason a "hook" does not refer to a putt.

Hosel

The Hollow part of the club-head where the shaft is attached. Hitting the ball off the hosel is known as a shank.

Hybrid

A type of club, increasingly popular in the 21st century, that in the broadest sense combines the mechanics of a long iron with the more forgiving nature of a fairway wood.