Select a letter below to view the relevant page of our Glossary of Golf Terms.
Dead
TV-broadcaster slang for a shot in which there is no favourable outcome possible. Variations include "Get the body bags!" A favourite of Gary McCord.
Dimple
The round indentations on the golf ball cover which are scientifically designed to enable the ball to make a steady and true flight.
Divot
The chunk of grass (either fairway or rough) displaced when an iron or wedge shot is played. The indentation on the green caused by the ball on an approach shot is called a pitch mark, not a divot.
Dogballs
Scoring an 'eight' on any single golf hole. The origin of the term is in reference to what the number 'eight' looks like on its side.
Dogleg
A left or right bend in the fairway.
Dog licence
A defeat in matchplay by the margin of 7&6. Named because the cost of a dog licence in the United Kingdom before decimalisation in 1971 was seven shillings and sixpence (written 7/6, 37½p in new money), commonly known as seven and six.
Dormie
In match play, a player is dormie when leading by as many holes as there are holes left to play (i.e. 4 up with four holes to play is called "dormie 4"). The player who is down must then win every remaining hole to save the match and force its continuation into extra holes (if a winner must be determined) or halve the match (in a team competition such as the Ryder Cup).
Double Bogey
A hole played two strokes over par.
Double Cross
A shot whereby a player intends for a slice and hits a hook, or conversely, intends to play a draw and hits a slice. So called because the player has aimed left (in the case of a slice) and compounds this with hitting a hook, which moves left as well.
Double Eagle (or Albatross)
A hole played three strokes under par.
Downswing
The motion of swinging a club from the top of the swing to the point of impact.
Draw
A shot that, for a right-handed golfer, curves slightly to the left; often played intentionally by skilled golfers. An overdone draw usually becomes a hook.
Drive
The first shot of each hole, made from an area called the tee box, usually done with a driver (a type of golf club).
