Select a letter below to view the relevant page of our Glossary of Golf Terms.
Tap-in
A ball that has come to rest very close to the hole, leaving only a very short putt to be played. Often recreational golfers will "concede" tap-ins to each other to save time.
Target-line
The straight line from the ball to its intended target, also extended backward past the golfer's rear foot.
Tee box (part of the course)
The specially prepared area, usually grass, from which the first stroke for each hole is made (teeing ground in official terminology).
Tee (piece of equipment)
A small peg - made of wood or plastic - placed in the teeing ground, upon which the golf ball may be placed prior to the first stroke on a hole.
Tempo
The duration of a player's swing from first movement to ballstrike. Ideally, the swing should be like a metronome, with an evenly paced transition from backswing to downswing. Ernie Els's tempo is the envy of many professionals.
Thin shot
A poor shot where the clubhead strikes too high up on the ball, resulting in a shallow flight path. Also known as "skulling" or "blading" the ball.
Through line
When putting, the imaginary path that a ball would travel on should the putted ball go past the hole. Usually observed by PGA players and knowledgeable golfers when retrieving or marking a ball around the hole.
Through the green
The entire area of the golf course, except for the teeing ground and the green of the hole that is being played and all hazards on the course.
Topped
An errant shot where only the upper half of the golf ball is struck, causing the ball to roll or bounce rather than fly.
