[Kim Maengnyeong's Golf English Conversation] "'Nakkikkun Swing' Choi Hoseong's Air Shot"

'Fishing Swing' Choi Ho-seong became the center of attention for his missed swing on the Korean Tour. Photo by KPGA

"Choi Ho-sung hits an AIR SHOT on the Korea Professional Golf Tour."

This is the headline from a recent foreign golf magazine article. The "fisherman swing" Choi Ho-sung (47), who misses the ball with his swing, has become a hot topic even abroad. Golf Digest in the U.S. reported, "You're not going to believe this complete whiff by tour pro Ho-sung Choi," and Golf.com in the U.S. covered it as "KPGA pro hits drive only one inch."

On the 4th, during the Korea Professional Golf Association (KPGA) Korean Tour Busan Gyeongnam Open, at the final 18th hole (par 5) of the 3rd round, Choi’s driver head hit the ground, causing sand to scatter and the ball placed on the tee to fall. Although it moved only about 1 cm, the stroke was counted as one. According to the new golf rule 6.2b(6) established in 2019, if a ball played from the teeing area remains in place, it can be replaced on the tee without penalty.

Previously, replacing the ball on the tee incurred a one-stroke penalty, making it the third shot. Thanks to the changed rule, he saved one stroke. Amateur intermediate and advanced golfers can also sometimes make an air shot when trying too hard in deep rough or difficult lies in the woods. In English, this is called an "air shot." Because the club misses the ball and only cuts through the air (fan the air), the term combines "air" and "shot." In baseball or cricket, a strikeout is also called an "air shot."

"Air ball" and "whiff" have the same meaning. The origin of "whiff" comes from golfer Lord Whiffle (Scotland). In 1876, he missed a 4-inch putt, losing the championship by a big mistake. Spectators teased him saying, "Did you do that whiffle?" and later it was shortened to "whiff." According to golf rules, if there was an intention to hit the ball, it counts as a stroke. If there was no intention, it is considered a practice swing (It was only a practice shot).

A: On the first tee, I whiffed twice. It was so embarrassing because there were many people watching.

B: Every beginner makes mistakes. Usually because they are too nervous and tense.

A: Do missed shots count as strokes?

B: Of course. You must count the swing as a single stroke.

Written by Kim Maeng-nyeong, Golf Columnist