[Kim Maengnyeong's Golf English Conversation] "What Are the 5 Meanings of 'Clear'?"

In golf, the term "clear" is used when hitting over a tall tree.

‘Clear’.

Generally, it is used to mean "the weather clears up, to clean, or a disease is cured." However, in golf, it has five different forms and meanings. 1. To clear a tall tree. When a large tree stands between the ball and the green, making it impossible to aim for the green, you need to hit the ball as high as possible to avoid hitting the branches. The expression for hitting a high trajectory shot over the tree is called "clear."

It’s very difficult to clear a tall tree from a bad lie. 2. To clear the high lip of the bunker. This is used when hitting over a bunker with a high lip, such as a pot bunker. It’s pretty hard to clear the high lip of the pot bunker. 3. When waiting to take the next shot and the green becomes free, it is also called "clear."

Let’s hurry. The green is clear. 4. To hit only the bunker or the ball cleanly (hit the ball clearly in wet weather). I’m afraid I don’t have a clear shot to the green from the bunker. 5. To move the hip in advance. You must not clear your left hip before impact.

A: Do you think I can clear that tall tree?

B: I think you can as long as you use a club with a lot of loft. Sand wedge or a 9 iron.

- After the shot

A: Oops! I didn’t make it.

B: Too bad! It hit the branch on the left.

Written and photographed by Kim Maengnyeong, Golf Columnist