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Glossary entry

English term or phrase:

to thread an iron through the eye of a needle

English answer:

to play an iron through a narrow (probably tree-lined) gap with pinpoint accuracy

Added to glossary by David Hollywood
May 7, 2007 23:37
17 yrs ago
2 viewers *
English term

to thread an iron through the eye of a needle

English Other Sports / Fitness / Recreation Golf
Hi, everyone!

In a general text (UK Eng) that mentions golf courses.
I was wondering, is it a play on words or is actually describing a game process.

The EXACT PHRASE is:
to thread a four iron through the eye of a needle

TIA!
S.
Responses
5 +5 to play an iron through a narrow (probably tree-lined) gap with pinpoint accuracy
3 to achieve an extremely difficult task when making a golf stroke
Change log

May 9, 2007 13:20: David Hollywood Created KOG entry

Discussion

sassa (asker) May 8, 2007:
Well, here it goes: "You have to thread a four iron through the eye of a needle to hit the green – the crowd always gives you an extra cheer if you manage it."
The words of a golfer describing a course.

I'm a bit confused on whether he describes the hit with a kind of iron (metal club) or he wants to emphasise difficulty.

Also found that thread = To coax the ball through a tight gap

Any help appreciated!
Maria Karra May 7, 2007:
Could you give us the whole sentence? I've heard of camels going (or not) through the eye of a needle, not 4-irons, unless your text says something like "he's so good he can thread a 4-iron through the eye of a needle" (metaphorically).

Responses

+5
52 mins
Selected

to play an iron through a narrow (probably tree-lined) gap with pinpoint accuracy

it's a tough shot for sure

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Note added at 56 mins (2007-05-08 00:34:19 GMT)
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the green is well protected (almost certainly be trees on both sides)

"thread" is used in the meaning of "guide accurately through" as one would thread cotton through a needle and there's also an implied reference to the Biblical "eye of a needle" which is not really a needle but rather a very small gate entrance to enter a city

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Note added at 57 mins (2007-05-08 00:34:57 GMT)
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should read "almost certainly BY trees"

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Note added at 1 hr (2007-05-08 00:38:09 GMT)
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the "iron" in question is a golf club that has a relatively narrow metal head
(as opposed to a wood)

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Note added at 1 hr (2007-05-08 00:38:57 GMT)
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a "wood" a golf club with a long shaft used to hit long shots; originally made with a wooden head; "metal woods are now standard"
wordnet.princeton.edu/perl/webwn

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Note added at 1 hr (2007-05-08 00:39:38 GMT)
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"thread an iron" refers to the shot rather than the club
Peer comment(s):
agree Alp Berker : Yes
46 mins
thanks Alp :)
agree William [Bill] Gray : ..well answered!
11 hrs
thanks Bill :)
agree Jocelyne S
12 hrs
thanks J.S. :)
agree Sophia Finos (X)
19 hrs
thanks Sophia :)
agree Cilian O'Tuama : you have to hit the ball (with a 4 iron) through a very small opening in order to get to the green
22 hrs
thanks Cilian :)
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4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer. Comment: "Thanks so much!"
19 hrs

to achieve an extremely difficult task when making a golf stroke

using an iron (type of club), though not sure that there are necessarily any trees - it just means it's really hard/difficult to get the ball onto the green, I think (it could be e.g. the contours of the course that make it hard, couldn't it-?)
Something went wrong...
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