"Hang on for dear life"

Many times during golf telecast your will hear announcer say " so and so had to hang on for dear life" Can someone please explain what that means. Obviously the golfer has made some kind of swing error and is trying to quickly react so save his shot but I cannot decipher what that error could be. Is the golfer releasing his club to soon and trying to prevent a hook or pull? I have always wondered about that one. Thank you

You've pretty much nailed it - the golfer is 'hanging on' to the release to keep it from hooking off the course (or even into the rough).

Hi tj,

You are right, it is usually that the golfer has gone over the top or turned his bottom hand over and the ball is going left. The golfer knows this from the moment he strikes the ball, as you yourself had the feeling when you know what you've done wrong, the moment or even before you hit the ball. In order to try to save the shot, the usual remedy is to hold onto the club to fight the over release. Matter of fact, that is one way to execute an intentional fade, to hold off the club.

Ted

Big help to both. Thank you very much.

But if the golfer has already struck the ball and over re-released whats the point of holding on, or conversely letting go of the club - something I do after a bad shot - the balls gone surely.

It's a pre-strike move, but as Ted points out it's usually too late and the ball IS going pull-side. They fight to hold off to keep it on the hole they're on. I've felt it myself on occasion - A feeling of trying to slide the blade under the ball to not end up with a big pull or hook. I don't conciously notice it during my swing, but moreso afterwards.

have you looked on the net the "Australian definition" for the phrase...

was it an australian announcer that said it.

there are so many meanings to that phrase i wouldn't know where to start...... we just say it. LOL