A small vocabulary makes the course easier to understand. Ask when you hear a word you do not know.
Places on the course
The teeing area starts a hole. The fairway is closely cut grass along the hole. Rough is longer grass. A bunker is a specially prepared sand area. The putting green is the closely prepared surface around the hole.
Shots and distances
A drive is usually a tee shot on a longer hole. An approach aims toward the green. A chip is a short shot with more roll; a pitch usually flies higher. Carry is flight distance before landing; total distance adds roll.
Scoring
A birdie is one under par, an eagle two under, a bogey one over, and a double bogey two over. Gross score counts strokes and penalties; net score accounts for the applicable handicap strokes.
People and signals
The starter organizes groups at the beginning. A marshal helps groups move around the course. “Fore!” is an urgent safety warning. A tee time is your scheduled start; a green fee is the charge to play.