Golf Terminology: What Does "Dolly" Mean?

is a dolly a golf term

Golf has a plethora of unique terms and jargon, and one of them is Dolly. Dolly is a golf slang term for a specific score on a hole, referring to a score of 8. This slang term is a reference to Dolly Parton, and the number 8 on its side resembles two globes, one on top of the other, which is what Parton is famous for. Another term for a score of 8 is snowman.

Characteristics Values
Golf slang for Scoring 8 on one hole
Alternative name Snowman
Origin Resemblance of the number 8 to two globes, one on top of the other, like a snowman
Alternative origin Crude reference to Dolly Parton's chest, if the 8 is turned sideways
Other golf terms for scores Birdie, Bogey, Eagle
Dolly Parton A ball that makes a circle along the entire cup before ending up in the hole

shungolf

Dolly is slang for scoring 8 on one hole

Golf is a sport that comes with its own unique vocabulary, and "Dolly" is one of those terms. "Dolly" is indeed a golf term, and it is slang for scoring 8 on a single hole. This term is derived from the pop culture icon Dolly Parton, specifically referencing her bust when the number 8 is turned on its side.

Golfers and fans of the sport have developed a wide range of creative slang terms to describe different scenarios and scores in the game. "Dolly" is one of the more lighthearted and humorous examples of this. While the term "Dolly" is not an official piece of golf terminology, it is widely understood and used within golf circles.

It's worth noting that "Dolly" is not the only slang term for scoring an 8 on a hole. Another term is “snowman,” which comes from the resemblance of the number 8 to two stacked globes, resembling a snowman. This term is more commonly used than "Dolly."

The world of golf is full of unique jargon and slang that has evolved over time. Some terms are more widely known, such as “birdie” for a score of one under par, while others are more obscure, like “afraid of the dark” for a putt that stops just short of the hole.

While "Dolly" may not be the most commonly used golf slang, it certainly adds a touch of humour and pop culture reference to the game. It showcases the creative and playful nature of the language surrounding the sport, often reflecting the lighthearted spirit in which the game is enjoyed by many enthusiasts.

shungolf

Dolly Parton is a ball that circles the cup before going in

Golf has a rich vocabulary of slang terms, and "Dolly Parton" is one of them. It refers to a specific type of shot where the ball circles the cup before finally dropping in. While it may bring to mind the country music legend, the term "Dolly Parton" in golf is actually related to the number eight.

In the game of golf, a "Dolly Parton" is slang for scoring eight strokes on a single hole. This is often referred to as a snowman because the number eight, when written or typed, resembles a snowman with two spheres stacked on top of each other. However, when you tilt the number eight on its side, it looks like two globes side by side, which is a playful reference to Dolly Parton's famous figure.

The term "Dolly Parton" is not the only golf slang with creative origins. For instance, the term birdie refers to a score of one stroke under par, and it comes from the idea that a good score is like a little bird telling you that you've made a great shot. Another example is the term eagle, which refers to a score of two strokes under par. It conveys that the player has soared above the rest with their impressive performance.

While "Dolly Parton" is a playful term, it also has a practical purpose in the game. Golfers often use slang terms to quickly communicate the quality of a shot or the outcome of a hole. By using "Dolly Parton," golfers can immediately convey their performance at a glance.

In addition to its practical use, golf slang like "Dolly Parton" also adds a layer of camaraderie and humour to the game. Golfers often share a laugh when someone yells out "Dolly Parton" after a less-than-perfect hole, lightening the mood and reminding everyone that golf is a game meant to be enjoyed. So, while "Dolly Parton" may be a unique term, it fits right into the colourful world of golf slang.

shungolf

Golf has many unique slang terms

Golfers also have slang for different types of golf balls. A "water ball", for example, is an old, cheap, or scuffed-up ball that a player might use when hitting over a water hazard as they don't want to risk losing a good ball. A "Christmas present" is a golf ball sitting under or behind a tree. Golfers also have slang for different types of putts, such as a "yank", which is a putt pulled left of the hole for a right-handed golfer, or a "rock Hudson", which is a putt that looks straight but goes in all directions.

Some golf slang terms are used to describe a golfer's performance. For instance, "barkie" or "woody" refer to a bet won by a golfer who makes par on a hole after their ball hit a tree. A "chunk" is a flub or fat shot, and a double bogey is when a player scores 2 over par. Golfers might also refer to a score of 10 on a hole as a "Bo Derek".

Golf slang is not just limited to the course. There are terms for golfers themselves, like a "cart jockey", a golf course employee who helps golfers with their bags and gives them a lift to the pro shop, and a "dawn patrol", golfers who prefer to play as early in the morning as possible. There are also terms for different formats of the game, like "foursome", which refers to a group of four players in stroke-play, and "Nassau", which is a common betting game where there is one bet on the front 9, one on the back 9, and one on the total 18.

shungolf

Dolly is also a term for a wooden-pronged washing instrument

A "dolly" is not a term used in golf. However, a dolly is a wooden-pronged instrument used for beating and stirring clothes during the process of washing them in a tub. The process involves plunging and spinning clothes to remove grime. This was a precursor to modern washing machines. The term "dolly" was first used in the last decade of the 18th century, referring to rods or paddles in early washing machines. The instrument is also referred to as a dolly-stick or dolly-peg.

The use of a dolly was a laborious domestic chore, often associated with Victorian laundry work. The physical demands of this chore were significant, as boiling clothes had to be handled with laundry tongs, and stubborn stains were removed with a brush. The dolly was used alongside other tools such as laundry tongs and brushes, all of which reflected Victorian designs and uses.

The process of washing clothes with a dolly involved agitating the cloth in a wash-tub, dolly-tub, or possing-tub. The dolly, with its wooden prongs, would pound and stir the clothes to remove dirt. This method of washing clothes was particularly suitable for manufactured cotton clothes, as the fabric could withstand the vigorous action of the dolly.

The term posser is an older word than "dolly", dating back to the early 17th century. It refers to the action of beating down or thrusting, and a "posser" was described as a "log of wood" in a 1764 source. While the exact timeline is unclear, it appears that the more complex "dolly-legs" eventually replaced the simpler stick shapes of the early possers.

Golf Penalty Calculation: Water Hazards

You may want to see also

shungolf

Other golf slang includes 'worm burner', 'breakfast ball', and 'in-the-drink'

Golf has a rich and varied vocabulary, with many slang terms used to describe different aspects of play. Indeed, 'dolly' is a golf term. It refers to a ball that makes a circle along the entire cup before ending up in the hole.

Other golf slang includes:

Worm burner

This term is used to describe a shot where the ball barely leaves the ground or doesn't get airborne at all. It is often used to describe a poor shot but can also refer to a stinger or punch shot, where the player intentionally aims for a low trajectory. The term was popularised by golfer and broadcaster Jimmy Demaret, who was known for his colourful language.

Breakfast ball

A breakfast ball is a mulligan taken during an early morning round, perhaps before breakfast. A mulligan is a do-over shot, usually taken after a poor drive or putt.

In-the-drink

This phrase is used when a ball ends up in a water hazard.

Other fun golf slang terms include 'dead sheep (still ewe)' when a player misses a putt but it's still their turn, 'tactical shot' for a shot under 100 yards that turns out to be a decent lie, and 'social distancing' when a putt doesn't get within 6 feet of the hole.

Frequently asked questions

Yes, a Dolly or Dolly Parton is a golf term that means scoring 8 on a hole.

Scoring an 8 on a hole is called a "Dolly" or "Dolly Parton" because the number 8 on its side resembles two globes, one on top of the other, resembling Dolly Parton's chest.

Some other golf terms include birdie, bogie, divot, ginsburg, buzzard, afraid of the dark, rock hudson, curler, and boss of the moss.

Many golf terms are derived from the objects, people, or situations they resemble. For example, "Dolly Parton" refers to the singer's chest, and "birdie" may refer to the flight of the ball resembling a bird.

Yes, another term for a score of 8 in golf is snowman as the number 8 resembles a snowman with two balls of snow stacked on top of each other.

Written by
Reviewed by

Explore related products

Share this post
Print
Did this article help you?

Leave a comment