Golfers, pros and amateurs alike, know Golf-speak, the language of the links. You should, too. Here are a few words and definitions to help sharpen your golf vocabulary and impress your playing partners.

Bermuda: a coarse type of grass, common on greens in Bermuda (and Florida), that causes the ball to roll more slowly than across bent-grass greens common on Northeastern courses.

Down: The number of holes a player is behind an opponent in a match-play competition (e.g., two down after five holes).

Grain: The direction the grass grows on the putting surface, toward the hole or toward the player. The player who faces a down-grain putt should hit the ball more lightly and, in contrast, more firmly when putting into the grain.

Provisional: A second drive played from the tee when the original ball may be lost or out of bounds.

Sandbagger: A golfer who regularly scores well below his or her handicap. In Great Britain, this type of golfer is referred to as a bandit.

Texas-Wedge shot: A shot hit with a putter, from the fringe grass surrounding the green.

Up: The number of holes a player is ahead of an opponent in a match-play competition (e.g., one up after nine holes).