[Kim Maengnyoung's Golf English Conversation] "Nicknames of Golfers"

Craig Stadler (left), known as the "Eight-Character Mustache," was called the Walrus.

'Nickname.'

This is a name that others use instead of a person's real name. It is similar to how actors or singers use stage names, or writers use pen names. The same applies to golf stars. Even "Golf Emperor" Tiger Woods is a nickname. His real name is Eldrick Tont Woods. His father, Earl Woods, added the nickname "Tiger"-which belonged to his close friend, Vietnamese Army Colonel Vuong Dang Phong, whom he met during the Vietnam War-to his son's name.

Sam Snead (Samuel Jackson Snead), who recorded 82 career wins on the PGA Tour, was called "Slamming Sam." The nickname refers to the powerful way he struck the driver. He was also known as "Slammer." Jack William Nicklaus’s nickname, "Golden Bear," was taken from the mascot of his Ohio high school basketball team, where he played as a student.

Greg Norman (Gregory John Norman) is known as the "White Shark." Hailing from Australia, a country famous for its sharks, he is recognized for his silver hair and signature straw hat. Inbee Park is called the "Silent Assassin," a nickname inspired by her emotionless, poker-faced demeanor. Ben Hogan (William Ben Hogan), who perfected the modern golf swing theory, was known as the "Hawk," reflecting his sharp, hawk-like focus on course strategy.

Other famous nicknames include Arnold Palmer (Arnold Daniel Palmer) as "The King," Gary Player as the "Black Knight," Fred Couples as "Boom Boom," Ernie Els (Theodore Ernest Els) as the "Big Easy," KJ Choi as "Tank," and Craig Stadler, famous for his "eight-character mustache," as the "Walrus."

A: Do you know the professional golfer Arnold Palmer's nickname?

B: He is known as "The King," because he was the first superstar to capture the hearts of America through televised golf.

A: Well, what is Tiger Woods's real name?

B: Tiger's full name is actually Eldrick Tont Woods. But everyone knows him as "Tiger."

Written and photographed by Kim Maengnyoung, golf columnist