Golf instructors glossary

Short, plain-English definitions of the terms you'll meet when choosing a golf instructor provider in Charlotte NC.

What are ball flight laws?: Ball flight laws are the physical principles that govern how a golf ball curves and travels based on the clubface angle at impact and the direction the club is moving (its path).
What is a junior golf handicap index?: A junior golf handicap index is a standardized USGA measurement of a young player's potential ability that adjusts for course difficulty, allowing fair competition across different courses and player skill levels.
What is a launch monitor?: A launch monitor is a radar or camera-based instrument that captures real-time ball flight data such as ball speed, spin rate, launch angle, and carry distance during a golf shot.
What is a PGA Class A Professional?: A PGA Class A Professional is a golf instructor certified by the PGA of America who has completed required education, demonstrated playing competency, and accumulated significant teaching and golf-related work experience.
What is a pre-shot routine?: A pre-shot routine is a consistent sequence of mental and physical steps a golfer performs before executing each shot to establish focus, confidence, and shot repeatability.
What is an up and down in golf?: An up and down is a short game recovery where a golfer misses the green but gets the ball up in one shot and makes the putt in the second stroke, saving par or better.
What is course management?: Course management is the strategic decision-making process during play that involves selecting the right club, choosing a target line, and evaluating risk versus reward to score as well as possible on each hole.
What is Foresight GCQuad?: A camera-based launch monitor that uses high-speed imaging to capture ball and club data during a golf swing, commonly installed in indoor fitting bays as an alternative to radar systems.
What is lie and loft adjustment?: Lie and loft adjustment is the process of altering a golf club's lie angle (the angle between the shaft and the ground) and loft angle (the angle of the clubface relative to the shaft) to match individual swing characteristics and body geometry.
What is overlay/impact tape in golf instruction?: Impact tape and face spray are adhesive or powder products that mark the clubface to reveal the exact contact point between club and ball during a stroke.
What is shaft flex rating?: Shaft flex rating is a standardized measurement of how much a golf club shaft bends under load during the swing, typically labeled L, A, R, S, or X to match different swing speeds.
What is simulator refresh rate?: Refresh rate is the number of times per second a golf simulator captures and renders swing data and ball flight, typically measured in Hertz (Hz) or frames per second (fps).
What is smash factor?: Smash factor is the ratio of ball speed to club speed, expressed as a decimal that reveals how efficiently the club transfers energy to the ball at impact.
What is SNAG golf?: SNAG (Starting New At Golf) is a beginner-friendly teaching method that uses color-coded clubs, oversized balls, and modified rules to help children and adults learn golf fundamentals on shorter distances.
What is spine angle in golf?: Spine angle is the forward tilt of your backbone relative to vertical at address, maintained through the swing to ensure consistent ball striking and proper sequencing.
What is spine tilt vs hip hinge?: Spine tilt is the angle of the spine away from vertical at address, while hip hinge is the forward bend at the hips that lowers your center of mass without rounding the back.
What is static vs dynamic fitting?: Static fitting uses fixed body measurements like height and arm length, while dynamic fitting analyzes actual swing motion and performance data to determine club specifications.
What is strokes gained?: Strokes gained is a statistical metric that measures how many strokes a golfer gains or loses relative to a comparison baseline in specific areas of play (driving, approach shots, short game, and putting).
What is swing plane in golf?: The swing plane is the imaginary angle or path your golf club travels on during the backswing and downswing, typically visualized as a tilted plane that runs through your shoulders and the ball.
What is the kinematic sequence?: The kinematic sequence is the firing order of body segments (hips, torso, arms, club) during the golf swing, with proper sequencing generating greater club head speed and consistency through coordinated acceleration.
What is the LPGA-USGA Girls Golf program?: The LPGA-USGA Girls Golf program is a national initiative designed to introduce girls to golf through structured instruction delivered by certified coaches at participating facilities.
What is TPI certification?: TPI certification is a credential from the Titleist Performance Institute that trains golf instructors to assess how a player's physical capabilities and limitations affect swing mechanics and performance.
What is TrackMan?: TrackMan is a radar-based launch monitor and simulator that measures swing and ball flight data for swing analysis and club fitting in golf instruction.
What is US Kids Golf fitting?: US Kids Golf fitting is a standardized system that sizes junior golf clubs based on a child's height, ensuring proper lie angles and club lengths for the player's physical proportions and swing development.