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sclaff

[sklaf]Golf.
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verb (used with object)
  1. to scrape (the ground) with the head of the club just before impact with the ball.
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verb (used without object)
  1. to sclaff the ground with the club.
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noun
  1. a sclaffing stroke.
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Origin of sclaff

1890–95; special use of Scots sclaf to shuffle
Related formssclaff·er, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for sclaff

Historical Examples

  • When, as often happens, this is done too suddenly, a sclaff is the result.

    The Complete Golfer [1905]

    Harry Vardon

  • Sclaff: Hitting the ground behind the ball first, thus not getting a clean stroke.

British Dictionary definitions for sclaff

sclaff

verb
  1. Also: duff to cause (the club) to hit (the ground behind the ball) when making a stroke
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noun
  1. a sclaffing stroke or shot
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Derived Formssclaffer, noun

Word Origin

C19: from Scottish sclaf to shuffle
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012