There is a lot of terminology in golf. You need to know almost all of them to play this game like a pro. There are many terms used in golf, but each of them is also used differently.
Here we have already written exclusive guides to explain x-out balls, flyer, double cross, plus handicap etc. But do you know what does wd mean in golf?
The terminology “WD” stands for withdrawal. This occurs when a player withdraws from a tournament in the middle of it due to some personal reasons or injury, or illness. It doesn’t create a good impression on the players and in most cases, the players need to bear penalties.
If the reason the player is leaving the match or tournament is too legitimate, then it is called a justified withdrawal (JWD).
“WD” is a very common term, and you may think about it while watching a round of professional golf. In this article, we will discuss most of the asked questions regarding the term – “WD”.
What does wd mean in golf?
We’re talking about “WD” in golf, and as we mentioned above, it means withdrawn. It means exactly as the name suggests. In short, when one player decides to take “WD”, he wants to leave the tournament in the middle.
For some reason, he doesn’t want to continue to the end of the tournament.
In a player’s career, “WD” leaves a bad impression. When one takes WD, then the governing committee of the tournament has the right to remove him or he can withdraw himself. It varies depending on the technicality and situation.
Reasons for a WD in Golf
WD – is it fair to claim or not is a million-dollar question. In some conditions, the players also feel measurable to play on. On the other hand, it is a player’s responsibility to finish out a tournament.
But, there are some reasons why golfers withdraw from any event. WD can bring huge losses to all the investors of the tournament.
The tournament sponsors, hosts, and in some cases the other players also get badly financially affected by it. So, before claiming WD, every player has to give a proper reason and detailed explanation.
Here we are mentioning some common reasons golfers withdraw from any tournament.
Injury or illness
The most common reason for which most golfers claim WD, is health issues. That may be some serious injury or some severe illness. When one golfer has an ankle or wrist problem, it is almost impossible for him to continue the game.
In some cases, the player withdraws from the tournament for a few days to recover from his health issues. But if there are serious health problems, they withdraw themselves for the rest of the season.
Besides injuries, illness is another reason that forces a player to withdraw himself from any tournament. When one player is sick, it is almost impossible for him to continue his play.
If a player has got a high fever, or if he has any stomach infection, then it is not possible for him to play golf, as this game needs a lot of physical movement and mental stress.
Playing this game is almost impossible when one is not fit enough. This illness factor was at its peak In the Covid pandemic. Injuries and illness will not leave the golfers away; they have to claim WD.
Personal reasons
Any family emergency is one of the other main reasons why one golfer decides to leave a tournament in the middle. The death of the player’s close family member, or the birth of a child – are the two most common cases in this respect.
Disqualification
Sometimes, the organizers, disqualify some golfers for some major conflict and have to leave the tournament in the middle of it. In some cases when golfers have problems with their game, they always try to leave a tournament.
When one makes a triple bogey at the start, then the match becomes too tough for him. And somehow he wants to leave the match. To do so, they intensionally make some moves that can make a conflict with the hosters, and ultimately they disqualify the player.
Consequences of a WD in Golf
There are significant consequences associated with withdrawal (WD) in golf. It severely impacts a player’s ranking and record, tournament standings, results, and sponsorships and earnings.
A WD can negatively affect a player’s official world golf rankings and their overall record of wins and losses. A WD counts as a loss, negatively impacting a player’s win-loss record and affecting their ranking.
Additionally, if a player withdraws from a tournament that is part of a series, (such as the PGA Tour or European Tour) they can not earn points from that series. And it can also negatively impact their ranking.
A WD can have a significant impact on tournament standings and results. Withdrawals can lead other players to move up the standings if the players no longer contend for the title.
A WD can also have a significant impact on a player’s sponsorships and earnings. Sponsors may be less likely to renew or extend their contact with any player who frequently withdraws himself from tournaments.
It indirectly depicts a lack of commitment to their brand. When one withdraws from a tournament, he will not receive any prize money; WD also brings financial losses to the player.
Conclusion:
In short, WD is a very bad call in golf. If very severely damages a player’s career. But in some extreme emergency conditions, one has no option but to go for it. If there is any legitimate cause behind the call, it is good.
But, if any player tries to misuse it, the organizer can impose a penalty on the player and ban him.
