Fade Type of shot that generally tends to curve to the right in the air (assuming a right-handed player.) A fade is a controlled shot preferred by many players.
Fairway Closely mown area onto which the ball is aimed on most holes.
Fat Shot type in which a player hits behind the ball, resulting in a much shorter shot than normal. Fat shots are often characterized by a player taking an excessive divot.
First Cut Term given to a section of rough (or higher grass) directly bordering a fairway. The first cut of rough is deemed to be considered "light" rough and may vary from a few yards wide to over 10 yards wide, depending upon the course.
Five-Minute Rule The amount of time (5 minutes) that the USGA Rules allow a player to look for his ball. A ball not found after 5 minutes after the search for it is begun is considered to be lost.
Flyer (Flier) A shot that flies substantially longer than desired, usually as a result of too much grass between the club face and ball. Flyers are more common from the rough than from the shorter fairway grasses.
Fore Term yelled toward a group who may be in danger of being hit by an errant shot. The sound of fore is a danger warning to take cover to avoid injury by being struck with a ball.
Four Ball A type of match in which two players play their better ball against the better ball of two other players.
Foursome A match in which two players play against two others, with each side playing one ball. "Foursome" is also applied to any group of 4 golfers playing together; though this is not the USGA definition.
Fried Egg Lie in a sand bunker in which most of the ball is below the surface of the sand. Visually, the ball looks like a fried egg, hence the term.
Fringe Area of grass that borders a putting green. The fringe is typically higher than the grass on the green, but lower than the grass on the fairway.
Froghair Thick, tall grass that borders the fringe on certain courses. The froghair, due to its thickness, is a very difficult area from which to play a controlled shot.
Front Nine The first nine holes of an eighteen hole round.
Futures Tour Professional golf circuit for women players, one level away from the LPGA Tour. The top players on the Futures Tour each year gain membership in the LPGA Tour for the following season.
