[Kim Maengnyoung’s Golf English Conversation] What Does "Passenger Golfer" Mean?

A passenger golfer is a player who sits in the front passenger seat of the cart.

"Who are the passengers?"

This is a term used in golf courses for "paring-up." The author recalls an incident at Wilson Golf Course near Los Angeles, California, when the starter asked, "Who are the passengers?" and the bag boy repeated the question. For a moment, I was confused, wondering if I had parked incorrectly. This happened because I was unfamiliar with American golf terminology. In other words, it's about golf slang used by locals.

Overseas, after paying the green fee, you submit your receipt to the starter, who assigns you a cart according to your tee time. The bag boy then loads your golf bags and sends you off. Most courses operate without caddies, and if there are four golfers, they prepare two two-seater carts. The bag boy checks, "May I have your bags loaded on the cart?" and then moves the caddie bags accordingly.

The bag boy will ask, "How will you be paring-up today?" or more specifically, "Who will be driving and who are the passengers?" This is because the bags of the driver and the passenger need to be loaded directly behind their respective seats, so that when the cart stops, it is convenient for each golfer to take out their clubs during play.

The term "passenger" generally refers to an airline passenger or someone sitting in the passenger seat of a car. At a golf course, a "passenger" means the golfer sitting in the front passenger seat next to the cart driver. In the UK, instead of "passenger," the term "rider" is sometimes used. For reference, a golf bag or golf set bag, which carries 14 clubs, is commonly called a "golf bag" or a "caddie bag." Both terms are acceptable.

A (Caddie): Good afternoon. So how would you like me to load your team’s golf bags into the cart? And who will be the passengers?

B (Golfer): Mr. Choi and myself (Kim) are the passengers, and Ms. Smith and Mr. Cho are the drivers.

A: Ok. I’ll load the clubs accordingly. Have a great round of golf.

Written and photographed by Kim Maengnyoung, golf columnist