Skull or Scald

I have a long-running debate with a friend, who shall remain nameless, about whether the proper term is skulled or scalded when describing a bladed iron shot.

My friend insists that the correct word is scald because he once heard a PGA Pro, Kenny Perry, was once quoted:

"I played good last week," Perry said. "We played in 30 mph winds on a golf course that was set up in major championship form, and I just didn't handle it very well. I mean, I hit one really bad, horrible, horrible golf shot when I scalded out of the bunker at 15 and made triple. But I take a lot from last week."

On the other hand, I maintain that there are many videos and practice drills all over the internet by playing and teaching professionals who refer to the mis-hit as a skull or skulled shot. The following definition is also provided:

Definition: To "skull" the ball, or to hit a "skulled shot," means to contact the ball with the leading edge of the iron. Ideally on an iron shot, the ball first makes contact with the face of the club as the leading edge slips underneath the ball. On a skulled shot, the leading edge hits the ball near the ball's middle, sending the ball screaming off on a low trajectory with little or no spin. A skull often travels farther than expected or desired, especially on skulled shots around the green. If you've ever caught your chip shot very thin and watched as the ball screamed over the green and off the other side, then you know skulls all too well.

Also Known As: "Thin" and "skulled" are sometimes used interchangeably, although "skulled" is usually reserved for a more dramatic mis-hit.

Of course, our debate is humorous in nature but I expect my friend to eventually concede and realize that you can scald water or an egg. Not a golf ball!

Zach
Founder and Owner, PTR Labels
http://www.ptrlabels.com/