'stroke' or 'shot'?

[TMiles]

Good morning all. I'm a British translator working from French to English and I'm currently working on some texts all about golf!

It seems that the terms 'stroke' and 'shot' are used in quite similar ways (obviously both to refer to the act of hitting the ball!). But is there a difference? Is one used more in particular contexts (e.g. at the start of the course, or nearing the hole)? And overall in the UK which one covers most scenarios?

Thanks for your expertise.

Thomas

 

[Imurg]

You make a stroke at the ball - the shot is the outcome of the stroke....

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

You make a stroke at the ball - the shot is the outcome of the stroke....

...and the rules are written referring to strokes...rather than shots.

 

[rulefan]

The word 'stroke' is defined in the Rules of Golf as 'The forward movement of the club made to strike the ball'.

The word shot is not defined in the Rules of Golf but is generally understood to be the same thing

 

[SocketRocket]

You make a stroke at the ball - the shot is the outcome of the stroke....

I agree.

"I took 5 shots on the first par 4. The first stroke pushed the ball to the right"