What Do You Call Someone Who Is Bad at Golf? The Real Terms Golfers Use
Ever watched someone hit a golf ball, watch it slice into the woods, then take three more swings just to get it back on the fairway? You’ve probably wondered: what do you call someone who is bad at golf? There’s no official rulebook term for it, but if you’ve spent any real time on the course, you’ve heard the slang. And it’s not pretty.
Golf isn’t just about precision. It’s about patience, pride, and a whole lot of inside jokes. The people who play regularly have a whole lexicon for those who struggle - not to be cruel, but because laughter is part of the game. If you’re new to golf and keep shanking your drives or three-putting every green, you’re not alone. And you’ve probably already been labeled with one of these real, commonly used terms.
The Classic: ‘Duffer’
The most widely accepted term for a bad golfer is duffer. It’s old-school, polite enough for mixed company, and still used by club pros and weekend players alike. You’ll hear it in locker rooms, on cart paths, and even in tournament commentary. A duffer isn’t necessarily a beginner - sometimes it’s someone who’s played for years but never quite got the hang of the swing. Think of them as the guy who hits a perfect drive once a round and spends the rest of the day searching for lost balls.
Origin? No one’s sure. Some say it comes from an old English word for a clumsy person. Others think it’s linked to ‘doff,’ meaning to remove or fumble. Either way, calling someone a duffer is more teasing than insulting. It’s the golf equivalent of calling someone a ‘clumsy cook’ - you mean it, but you’re still inviting them over for dinner.
The Brutal Truth: ‘Shank’
If you’ve ever hit a ball so far off-center that it flies sideways at a 90-degree angle - that’s a shank. And if you do it often? You’re not just a bad golfer. You’re a shanker.
This isn’t just slang - it’s a technical term turned insult. A shank happens when the ball strikes the hosel of the club (the metal part connecting the shaft to the head). The result? A low, screaming line drive into the trees, the parking lot, or sometimes, the next fairway. Golfers who shank often are the ones who get the most pitying glances on the tee box. They’re also the ones who get the most advice - from everyone.
Pro tip: Even Tour pros shank occasionally. But they don’t call themselves shankers. That label sticks only to those who do it consistently. If you’re hitting shanks on three out of ten drives? You’re officially a shanker. Own it.
The Beginner Label: ‘Slice King’ or ‘Hook Queen’
Not every bad golfer is a duffer. Some just have a signature flaw. If you consistently slice the ball - sending it curving violently to the right - you’re a slicer. If it hooks left? You’re a hooker. These aren’t insults in the same way as ‘duffer’ - they’re more like nicknames.
Slicers are everywhere. They’re the ones who hit their driver 250 yards… then watch it vanish into the rough on the right. Hookers? They’re the ones who accidentally hit a draw so hard it ends up on the 17th hole’s green. Both are frustrating to play with, but they’re also the most common beginner problems. The difference? A duffer hits everything poorly. A slicer hits everything… just wrong.
Here’s the funny part: Many slicers think they’re good because they’re hitting it far. But distance doesn’t matter if you’re playing 18 holes of sideways golf.
The Unspoken Term: ‘Mulligan Monster’
Have you ever played with someone who takes a mulligan on every bad shot? Not just the first tee - every drive, every approach, every chip? That’s a Mulligan Monster.
A mulligan is a do-over. It’s not official. It’s a social contract. But some players treat it like a free pass. They’ll hit a ball into the water, shrug, and say, ‘Let’s just pretend that didn’t happen.’ Then they do it again. And again. And again.
It’s not that they’re bad - they’re just unwilling to accept their mistakes. A true duffer plays the ball as it lies. A Mulligan Monster avoids consequences. They’re not necessarily the worst players, but they’re the most annoying. And yes, they’re the ones who always want to play 19 holes.
The Dark Horse: ‘Golf Widow’ (or ‘Widower’)
Wait - that’s not a player. That’s their partner. But here’s the twist: if someone’s partner calls them a ‘golf widow,’ it means they’re so bad at golf, they spend more time on the course than at home.
It’s not about skill. It’s about time. A guy who shoots 120 every round but still plays five days a week? He’s not a duffer. He’s a golf addict. And his partner? She’s the golf widow.
Some people play badly because they’re learning. Others play badly because they’re obsessed. The latter group doesn’t care if they’re bad. They love the walk, the quiet, the rhythm. They’re not trying to be good. They’re just trying to be outside. And that’s okay.
What About ‘Scratch Player’? Is That the Opposite?
You might’ve heard the term scratch golfer - someone with a handicap of zero. They’re the ones who can break 72 on a tough course. They’re rare. And they’re not the ones you’re asking about.
But here’s the thing: The people who are bad at golf aren’t the opposite of scratch players. They’re not ‘anti-scratch.’ They’re just… different. A scratch player is precise. A duffer is unpredictable. A slicer is consistent in their inconsistency. A shanker? They’re a force of nature.
There’s no scale from ‘bad’ to ‘good’ in golf. There are just different kinds of players. And the game has a name for each one.
Why Does This Even Matter?
Because golf is one of the few sports where your failure is part of the culture. You don’t get booed for missing a putt. You get a pat on the back and a joke about your ‘signature fade.’
There’s a reason why the PGA Tour doesn’t have a ‘Worst Player’ award - because the worst players are the ones who keep coming back. They’re the ones who show up on rainy Tuesdays. Who pay for green fees even when they shoot 95. Who still laugh after their ball hits a tree, bounces off a rock, and lands in the cup.
So if someone calls you a duffer? Don’t take it personally. You’re part of the club. The real one. The one that doesn’t care about scores. The one that’s still playing after dark.
| Term | Meaning | How Often It’s Used |
|---|---|---|
| Duffer | A general term for a poor or inconsistent golfer | Very common - used by pros and amateurs |
| Shanker | Someone who consistently hits the hosel, sending shots sideways | Common - especially after a bad round |
| Slicer | A player whose ball curves sharply to the right | Very common - especially among beginners |
| Hooker | A player whose ball curves sharply to the left | Common - less frequent than slicers |
| Mulligan Monster | Someone who takes unlimited do-overs | Common in casual play |
| Golf Addict | Someone who plays constantly despite poor scores | Used affectionately |
Is There a Way Out?
Yes. And no.
You can improve. You can take lessons. You can buy new clubs. You can watch YouTube videos until you memorize the swing plane. But here’s what no one tells you: Most people who are bad at golf don’t want to be good. They want to be outside. They want to walk. They want to talk. They want to forget the rest of the world for four hours.
So if you’re a duffer? Keep playing. If you’re a shanker? Keep trying. If you’re a slicer? Keep laughing. You’re not broken. You’re just playing a different version of the game.
Golf doesn’t care if you’re bad. It just asks you to show up.
What do you call someone who is bad at golf?
There’s no single official term, but the most common and widely accepted term is "duffer." Other terms include "shanker" (for those who consistently hit the hosel), "slicer" (for those whose ball curves right), and "hooker" (for those whose ball curves left). "Mulligan Monster" refers to someone who takes unlimited do-overs. These terms are used humorously, not cruelly, and are part of golf’s culture.
Is "duffer" offensive?
No, "duffer" isn’t offensive - it’s more teasing than mean. It’s the golf equivalent of calling someone a "clumsy cook." It’s used by pros, club staff, and seasoned players alike. If someone calls you a duffer, they’re probably just acknowledging you’re part of the game - not judging you for it.
Can a good golfer be called a duffer?
Rarely. "Duffer" usually refers to someone who struggles consistently. A good golfer might have a bad round, but they won’t be called a duffer unless they’re playing poorly over time. It’s not about one bad day - it’s about a pattern.
Why do golfers use so many slang terms for bad play?
Golf is a game of frustration. You can spend hours trying to hit a tiny ball into a hole that’s 400 yards away. The slang helps lighten the mood. Calling someone a "shanker" or "slicer" turns failure into a shared joke. It’s how golfers bond - by laughing at how hard the game is.
Do professional golfers use these terms?
Yes. Even Tour pros use "duffer" and "shanker" when talking among themselves. They’ve all been there. The difference? They rarely hit shanks anymore. But they still remember what it felt like. And they still chuckle when they see someone else do it.
Next Steps: What to Do If You’re a Duffer
Don’t quit. Don’t buy new clubs. Don’t take 10 lessons at once.
Just show up. Play one round without keeping score. Walk the course. Watch the birds. Talk to the guy next to you. Maybe he’s a duffer too. Maybe he’s been one for 30 years.
That’s the real secret of golf. It’s not about being good. It’s about being there.
