Last Updated: Dec 11, 2023

Golf Course Terms: In the "Rough"

The rough describes the longer grass that golfers must hit out of if they miss the fairway and hit their shot off-target.

Written By: Zach Gollwitzer

Posted in: Golf Terms

Featured Image

Term Overview

A brief overview of the term including definition, usage, origins, helpful visuals.

definition

The "rough" is not a type of grass, but rather a generic part of every golf course. This generally describes the longer grass between the fairway and the "1st cut". The "rough" can also be referred to as "the second cut".

how it's used in a sentence

Oh no, I hit my drive off-target! I'm going to end up in the rough.

Related Terms


Golf Terms: Aerated Greens cover image

Aeration

Golf Terms: Aerated Greens

Aeration is the process of "punching" little holes in putting greens to help them stay healthy and grow.

Golf Terms: Pot Bunker cover image

Pot Bunker

Golf Terms: Pot Bunker

A special type of bunker that is commonly found on links golf courses and is characterized by its steep "walls" that are tough to hit over.

Golf Terms: Amateur Golfer cover image

Amateur Golfer

Golf Terms: Amateur Golfer

An amateur golfer is anyone who does not earn money from competing in golf tournaments.

Golf Terms: Links Courses cover image

Links Courses

Golf Terms: Links Courses

Courses located near coastlines, featuring natural dunes, sandy soil, and often exposed to the elements. They offer open layouts and firm turf.

Golf Terms: Headcover cover image

Headcover

Golf Terms: Headcover

A headcover is a "glove" made of soft material that you put over your golf clubs to keep them clean and protected from various weather conditions.

Golf Slang: "Shot my age" cover image

Shot my age

Golf Slang: "Shot my age"

You may hear older golfers say, "I'm just trying to shoot my age today". This is generally a good thing.

Golf Terms: What is a Divot? cover image

Divot

Golf Terms: What is a Divot?

A divot is the mark made on the fairway or tee box when you hit a full golf shot and the club displaces grass behind the ball.

Golf Terms: Green in Regulation (GIR) cover image

GIR

Golf Terms: Green in Regulation (GIR)

When you hit a "green in regulation", this means you landed your ball on the putting surface in the designated number of strokes based on the par.

Golf Terms: Free Drop cover image

Free Drop

Golf Terms: Free Drop

A free drop is when a golfer gets to move their golf ball without taking a penalty stroke. Most commonly, this happens when taking relief from a cart path.

Mentioned in


Golf Puns and Jokes: 52 Par-fect, Tee-rific Laughs  cover image
Golf Puns and Jokes: 52 Par-fect, Tee-rific Laughs

Our golf puns and jokes are on Par to Drive away the bogeys and Putt a smile on your face. Get ready Fore some tee-rific humor!

The Ultimate Golf Terms Glossary

Learn all the golf terms and lingo with my comprehensive golf terms glossary

See all terms