A New Golf Word

[Yoda]

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP)—PGA Tour golfer Tripp Isenhour was charged with killing a hawk on purpose with a golf shot because it was making noise as he videotaped a TV show. Isenhour was with a film crew for “Shoot Like A Pro” on Dec. 12 at the Grand Cypress Golf course. The 39-year-old golfer, whose real name is John Henry Isenhour III, was charged Wednesday with cruelty to animals and killing a migratory bird. The charges carry a maximum penalty of 14 months in jail and $1,500 in fines.

Given the publicity of this latest gaff and the obvious lack of judgement associated with it, a "Hawk" could be the next staple in our golfing vocabulary.

If you make "Hawk" on a hole, what would it mean???

Good question, Bagger.

Tripp took out the hawk with a wedge from 75 yards. That accuracy has already taken a substantial psychological toll and could cost him a chunk of change and possibly jail time. Therefore, I would define a 'hawk' as follows:

hawk n. A poor score of any magnitude resulting from a shot hit just too straight for the player's own good.

Also:

hawk'ish adj. The adjective describing the offending shot. Usage: That was a hawkish shot.



For example, you would score a hawk if you hit the flagstick and the ball rebounds into a hazard. That happened to Charles Howell III last year when he was in contention. Also to Byron Nelson who made quadruple bogey 7 on the 12th at Augusta when he hit the flagstick off the tee and the ball rebounded into Rae's Creek. He then hit the flagstick again from the drop area and suffered the same cruel fate. [This is an example of the rare 'double hawk'.]

You could also make hawk by picking out a hazardous target you don't think you can reach, but do with a perfect or near perfect shot. [Note: the hawk designation always requires a well-struck shot. Thus, in this situation, a gross error in judgement coupled with a so-so shot would not qualify.] I once made such a hawk on an unfamiliar Florida course. Standing on the tee box of a dogleg left par 4, I picked out a little scrub bush (through the fairway at the dogleg) for my line. I smoked my drive, and darned if the ball didn't run right into the bush's roots. My best swing of the day, and I had to take an unplayable.

But, hey, that's better than doin' time!