[Kim Maengnyeong's Golf English Conversation] "Hacker and Military Golfer"

There are various expressions in golf that can be easily misunderstood.

In golf, a beginner is called a beginner.

In slang, they are called a duffer or hacker, named for frequently hitting fat shots. Another term is military golfer, referring to marching forward, backward, left, and right during military training. Saying "My handicap is 14" is accurately expressed as "I’m a 14-handicapper." A cheater is a golfer who uses tricks. A handicap cheater brags about a low handicap but raises it when betting.

Sandbagger has a similar meaning. A woman who is left alone because of golf is called a golf widow. The phrase Americans often use, "He is a mediocre golfer," includes average golfers with handicaps around 18. It is interesting that a ‘rain maker’ refers to a tee shot that soars high into the sky, interpreted as hitting the clouds to make it rain.

A topped ball is called a worm burner, which means "burning worms," a frightening expression. When an incredible long shot is made, people usually shout, "What a cracker!" Someone who retrieves a club left somewhere during play is called a ranger or marshall. A golfer whose tee shots always curve left is called a hooker, a term with the same meaning as prostitute, derived from the word hook.

Wife: Where have you been all day?

Husband: I have been spent my whole day with a hooker.

Wife: What? You have been spent your whole day with a whore? You’re kidding me, aren’t you?

Husband: No, I’m not kidding. I played golf with a duffer who kept hitting hooks!