Average golfers (that is the 99% of us that play this game) are bound by more than the fact we’ll never make the pro tour. We are bound by more than just inconsistent scores and local municipal courses.

There’s a camaraderie that develops the instant you shake the hand of your playing partner – a mutual understanding that you’re both here at this $40 pay-and-play course on a Saturday, hoping the backup on the first tee will move quickly so you can still get home and mow the lawn. Yes, you’ve just met, yet you already know you’ve got a sport, and a language in common.

The language I’m speaking of is the language of golf, and it links all average golfers together. I read an article in The New York Times a few months ago that only scratched the surface regarding this notion of golf’s unique language (in fact, the user comments served-up much better golf terminology than the article itself). But reading it not only reminded me what an integral part of the game it is, but it also got me excited to expand upon the Average Joe Golf Glossary we here at Golfstinks have been compiling for a few years now.

Ever hit a putt that stops at the edge of the cup but doesn’t fall in? That’s a Cuban. Why a Cuban? Because like the country, all the ball needed was one more revolution. Remember that time you hit a ball where no ball had ever gone before? I believe you were playing Trekkie Golf. How about hitting the ball left, then right, then left again? That’s Army Golf. Remember you almost had a Cuban once, but ended up with a Photo Finish? Yeah, that’s when the ball pauses for a second before dropping in the hole. The best part is no matter how bad your shot may have been, if your playing partner applies a good golf term to it, it’s hard not to crack a smile.

So please help us add to the list of terms, and let it be a resource for all the average Joe golfers out there. The fate of the game depends on us coming back for more golf – no matter how bad we stink!