Contact Terms
Solid / Pure / Centered
The clubface hits the ball in the sweet spot (center of the face). You feel a crisp, compressed strike and the ball launches with good height and expected distance.
Fat / Heavy / Chunk
The club hits the ground before the ball (low point is behind the ball). Result: big divot, loss of distance, ball often goes short and left for right-handers.
Thin / Blade
The club hits the ball too high on its surface (near the equator or above). Result: low, running flight, often longer than expected but hard to control, sometimes a “click” feel.
Top
The club hits the very top of the ball. Result: ball stays low or rolls along the ground with almost no loft.
Shank
The ball is struck on the hosel (the neck where the shaft meets the clubhead). Result: ball shoots sharply to the right (for right-handers) at a low angle. Very demoralizing but common when learning.
Heel / Toe Strike
Contact toward the heel or toe of the clubface instead of the center. Reduces energy transfer (less distance) and can add unwanted curve.
Ball Flight / Shape Terms
Straight
Ball starts on the target line and stays there with little to no curve.
Draw
For a right-handed golfer: ball starts slightly right of target and curves gently back to the left. A controlled, desirable shot shape for many players.
Fade
For a right-handed golfer: ball starts slightly left of target and curves gently back to the right. Also a controlled, desirable shape.
Slice
A severe fade. Ball curves hard from left to right (right-hander) and often loses distance. Very common among beginners.
Hook
A severe draw. Ball curves hard from right to left (right-hander). Can be useful but often goes too far offline when uncontrolled.
Push
Ball starts right of the target and stays on that line with little curve (right-hander). Usually caused by an open face or path issues at impact.
Pull
Ball starts left of the target and stays on that line with little curve (right-hander). Often caused by an over-the-top path or closed face.
Push-Slice / Pull-Hook
Combinations of the above. Example: starts right and then curves further right (push-slice).
Other Useful Terms
Low Point
The lowest point of the clubhead’s arc in the swing. For irons you want the low point slightly in front of the ball (ball first, then turf).
Compression
The feeling and result of hitting down on the ball with a slightly descending blow, trapping it against the clubface. Produces that solid “thump” and good distance.
Launch Angle
The vertical angle at which the ball leaves the clubface. Higher launch with irons usually means better contact and more carry.