[Kim Maengnyeong's Golf English Conversation] "Are You a Golf Junkie?"

A golf club buying fanatic is a junkie, and a collector is a collector.

'Golf Club Junkie.'

This happened in Hawaii, USA. An American friend, frustrated thinking he was wasting money due to his driver’s lack of distance and accuracy, bought a new weapon. He already had over 50 drivers in his garage, but he bought another new model. I asked, "Are you a driver junkie?" He replied, "Yes, I'm a real golf aficionado." In English, that means "I am a golf club junkie."

In Spanish, 'aficionado' means an enthusiast. It is slang often used by American golfers. Junk refers to useless items or trash, as in 'junk mail' or 'junk ball.' Adding y or ie to junk forms 'junkie,' which usually means someone obsessed with something. A 'golf club junkie' is someone who owns dozens of drivers but buys the latest model no matter what?a golf club hoarder.

Golf club junkies often neglect practice and try to compensate by buying clubs. Of course, they should be distinguished from golf club collectors, who usually buy classic drivers (antiques), irons, or putters to display or invest in. After a golf round, I was invited to a friend’s house. The conversation between the friend who bought the new driver and his wife was amusing, so I share it here.

Husband: Honey, this is the new driver that just came out in Japan. I got a huge discount and bought it for 500 dollars.

Wife: You sure are a golf junkie. This is the 80th driver you've bought since you started playing.

Husband: But dear, this is a solid club and it will help me drive the ball 250 yards.

Wife: Come on, every time you see a new advertisement for a product that is supposed to help your game, you believe it and have to go buy it right away.

Written and photographed by Kim Maengnyeong, Golf Columnist