Question:
Does anyone know the derivation of the expression "Hit it, Alice"? I have heard that it comes from golfer Peter Allis, who had a tendency to leave his putts short. Naturally, it was transformed into hitting it like a girl. Since I tend to putt like Peter and my name is Alice, I am interested in the expression.
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: Does anyone know the derivation of the expression "Hit it, Alice"? I have : heard that it comes from golfer Peter Allis, who had a tendency to leave : his putts short. Naturally, it was transformed into hitting it like a : girl. Since I tend to putt like Peter and my name is Alice, I am : interested in the expression. I hate that expression especially when people you dona’t know say it to you. I think it’s just plain stupid and somewhat sexist. — -andy- http://members.aol.com/golhopy1/homepage.html
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: : Does anyone know the derivation of the expression "Hit it, Alice"? I have : : heard that it comes from golfer Peter Allis, who had a tendency to leave : : his putts short. Naturally, it was transformed into hitting it like a : : girl. Since I tend to putt like Peter and my name is Alice, I am : : interested in the expression. : I hate that expression especially when people you dona’t know say it to : you. I think it’s just plain stupid and somewhat sexist. : We can’t escape Political Correctness, even at the golf course. Give : me a friggin’ break ! : Get your putts up on the hole and nobody will call you Alice, Alice ! : I forever reserve the right to express myself as I please on the golf : course, especially if a PC do-gooder busy-body like Andy (Alice) is : around. People like this refuse to realize that an expression like : "Hit it Alice !" is said in good fun and is a small part of the charm : of the game. 99% of the people I’ve met at golf were pleasant company : & if "Hit it Alice !" was said about me by one of them, it was : probably because they beat me to it. : Get a Life – So that you can stay out of mine : Ken Yes, what do you consider the "charm" of golf. A bunch of guys with tank tops on guzzlin a 6 pack of beer with their black socks with tennis shoes on?? To me this is just crap! I just hate the expression, can you respect MY opinon or are you so self centered that you have to force it upon everyone else. I have been called it too, I don’t care I don’t use it myself because it does demonstrate some sexist "views". I’d like to see you outhit Laura Davies (Did i spell that right?), and putt better than any LPGA pro. I hope I’ve made my point. You and your friends can continue to use it. Please do it just gives me stories to add to my "Public golf" journal — -andy- http://members.aol.com/golhopy1/homepage.html
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I’m 45 yrs old and have been playing golf since I was 7. That expression has been around at least as long as me and I would think probably a lot longer. Women have always been perceived as fairer and more dainty, hence the male golfer will make a mild insult to himself or his partner, hinting that he was a little too lady-like in the last stroke. It could just as easily have been "Hit it ( Mable or Ruthie or Rose or <fill in your own name ) !". Alice just seems to be the name of choice. A good friend of mine will say in that situation, "My bra strap got in my way !". Alice, don’t take it personally ! Ken
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: Does anyone know the derivation of the expression "Hit it, Alice"? I have : heard that it comes from golfer Peter Allis, who had a tendency to leave : his putts short. Naturally, it was transformed into hitting it like a : girl. Since I tend to putt like Peter and my name is Alice, I am : interested in the expression. I hate that expression especially when people you dona’t know say it to you. I think it’s just plain stupid and somewhat sexist.
We can’t escape Political Correctness, even at the golf course. Give me a friggin’ break ! Get your putts up on the hole and nobody will call you Alice, Alice ! I forever reserve the right to express myself as I please on the golf course, especially if a PC do-gooder busy-body like Andy (Alice) is around. People like this refuse to realize that an expression like "Hit it Alice !" is said in good fun and is a small part of the charm of the game. 99% of the people I’ve met at golf were pleasant company & if "Hit it Alice !" was said about me by one of them, it was probably because they beat me to it. Get a Life – So that you can stay out of mine Ken
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fuld writes: Does anyone know the derivation of the expression "Hit it, Alice"? I have heard that it comes from golfer Peter Allis, who had a tendency to leave his putts short. Naturally, it was transformed into hitting it like a girl. Since I tend to putt like Peter and my name is Alice, I am interested in the expression.
If this phrase was originally about Peter Alliss, it must be an erroneous permutation of the expression "Nice putt, Alliss", coined by the British press after he missed a (in their armchair opinion) makable putt that decided the Ryder cup. Andrew E. Magidson WDI
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Does anyone know the derivation of the expression "Hit it, Alice"? I have heard that it comes from golfer Peter Allis, who had a tendency to leave his putts short. Naturally, it was transformed into hitting it like a girl. Since I tend to putt like Peter and my name is Alice, I am interested in the expression.
This is a fairly regular "thread" around here. You are correct in what you have heard about Peter Alliss. It seems that he was prone to mutter a disgusted "You’ve got to hit it Alliss" to himself whenever he left a putt short. I have heard Arnie Palmer say things like " You’ve got to hit it straight, Arnie" when he has pulled or pushed a chip shot, and it seems to be a tendency for many golfers to mumble such instructions to themselves. It is too bad that this one has taken on such an unfortunate "double entendre". (BTW, I first heard the story when a woman I was playing with in an all women’s foursome used the phrase. When the rest of us expressed surprise, she told us why it wasn’t "sexist". ) Beth
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FWIW, Peter Alliss quit playing tournament golf because of his inability to put and for some time drove aaround in a Rolls royce with the license plate 3 PUT. He’s in his sixties now, so i guess was an early example, at least in the age of TV, of a good golfer whose putting let him down. Some people probably use the expression with a historical reference, others as a convenient way of belittling women. The insult of choice for a putt left well short in one group I play in is "should have wagged your willy at at it" writes – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Does anyone know the derivation of the expression "Hit it, Alice"? I have heard that it comes from golfer Peter Allis, who had a tendency to leave his putts short. Naturally, it was transformed into hitting it like a girl. Since I tend to putt like Peter and my name is Alice, I am interested in the expression. This is a fairly regular "thread" around here. You are correct in what you have heard about Peter Alliss. It seems that he was prone to mutter a disgusted "You’ve got to hit it Alliss" to himself whenever he left a putt short. I have heard Arnie Palmer say things like " You’ve got to hit it straight, Arnie" when he has pulled or pushed a chip shot, and it seems to be a tendency for many golfers to mumble such instructions to themselves. It is too bad that this one has taken on such an unfortunate "double entendre". (BTW, I first heard the story when a woman I was playing with in an all women’s foursome used the phrase. When the rest of us expressed surprise, she told us why it wasn’t "sexist". ) Beth
– Jon Cockerill http://www.golfnet.co.uk/shop/travel/welcome.html "The Touring Golfer"
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Yes, what do you consider the "charm" of golf. A bunch of guys with tank tops on guzzlin a 6 pack of beer with their black socks with tennis shoes on?? To me this is just crap! I just hate the expression, can you respect MY opinon or are you so self centered that you have to force it upon everyone else. I have been called it too, I don’t care I don’t use it myself because it does demonstrate some sexist "views". I’d like to see you outhit Laura Davies (Did i spell that right?), and putt better than any LPGA pro. I hope I’ve made my point. You and your friends can continue to use it. Please do it just gives me stories to add to my "Public golf" journal —
No, I don’t respect your opinion on this. Nor do a I respect 90% of the PC victimhood that gets shoved down my throat with an "-ist" tag on it. I would ask you to read the article I posted under ‘Male Attitude’ in this ng. I have enclosed below for convenience. I have no problem with equal access to the golf course for all players, so I can’t be accused of being a "sexist" golfer. Nice try on putting class-warfare spin on this. I’ve been a member of a country club for the last 15 years. Probably no more than 5% of my rounds are played on public golf courses. My club requires a collared shirt, no blue jeans and shorts must meet standards. I’ve never owned a tank-top and I would go without socks before I would wear black socks with tennis shoes. Laura Davies is a terrific player, but I probably am at least as long as her. Example: Yesterday at my club I got on two different par5’s in two with driver five iron (510 yds) and 3wood four iron (485 yds). What’s your point anyway ? I’ve been a 5 hdcp or better for a long time, but **any** professional is going to have a better short game than me, because he/she has time to practice. I’ve been working 60 hour weeks for several months now. I barely have time to play on Saturday and Sunday. Male Attitude post follows. I don’t care if cross-dressers are playing in front of me as long as they keep it moving ! I know women who are very good at judging how far they are capable of hitting the ball. They do a good job at keeping the pace of play up by hitting when the people in front are out of range. Women like this are some of the quickest players I know. OTOH, there are others who are slower than the Second Coming. Any player who helps in keeping the pace of play up and shows basic good etiquette is welcome in my group any time.
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Get your putts up on the hole and nobody will call you Alice, Alice ! Ken
Hilarious! I couldn’t have said it better myself. It sounds as if Alice has a self esteem problem. Lighten up and smile when you make a crappy shot. We all leave them short sometimes.
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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – : I hate that expression especially when people you dona’t know say it to : you. I think it’s just plain stupid and somewhat sexist. : We can’t escape Political Correctness, even at the golf course. Give : me a friggin’ break ! : Get your putts up on the hole and nobody will call you Alice, Alice ! Yes, what do you consider the "charm" of golf. A bunch of guys with tank tops on guzzlin a 6 pack of beer with their black socks with tennis shoes on?? To me this is just crap! I just hate the expression, can you respect MY opinon or are you so self centered that you have to force it upon everyone else. I have been called it too, I don’t care I don’t use it myself because it does demonstrate some sexist "views". I’d like to see you outhit Laura Davies (Did i spell that right?), and putt better than any LPGA pro. I hope I’ve made my point. You and your friends can continue to use it. Please do it just gives me stories to add to my "Public golf" journal
Whoah!!!! Can you say "over-reaction"? Who said anything about "guzzling beer" or wearing tank-tops? Talk about stereo-typing disguised as rational argument. How would you feel if I were to describe you as a nail-filing, halter-top wearing bimbo? Especially when there is no justification for it. The point being made is that people are becoming just a little bit too sensitive these days. And you proved the point. Personally, I like using the phrase "you the man!" when a playing partner leaves a putt very short. But, I suppose that is sexist too. Alas, we are witness to the death of humour.
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: : : : : I hate that expression especially when people you dona’t know say it to : : you. I think it’s just plain stupid and somewhat sexist. : : : : We can’t escape Political Correctness, even at the golf course. Give : : me a friggin’ break ! : : : Get your putts up on the hole and nobody will call you Alice, Alice ! : : : Yes, what do you consider the "charm" of golf. A bunch of guys with : tank : tops on guzzlin a 6 pack of beer with their black socks with tennis : shoes on?? To me this is just crap! I just hate the expression, can you : respect MY opinon or are you so self centered that you have to force it : upon everyone else. I have been called it too, I don’t care I don’t use : it myself because it does demonstrate some sexist "views". I’d like to see : you outhit Laura Davies (Did i spell that right?), and putt better than : any LPGA pro. I hope I’ve made my point. You and your friends can : continue to use it. Please do it just gives me stories to add to my : "Public golf" journal : Whoah!!!! Can you say "over-reaction"? Who said anything about "guzzling : beer" or wearing tank-tops? Talk about stereo-typing disguised as rational : argument. How would you feel if I were to describe you as a nail-filing, : halter-top wearing bimbo? Especially when there is no justification for it. : The point being made is that people are becoming just a little bit too : sensitive these days. And you proved the point. : Personally, I like using the phrase "you the man!" when a playing partner : leaves a putt very short. But, I suppose that is sexist too. : Alas, we are witness to the death of humour. QWell, I don’t think you’d sterotype me as a nail-filing bumbo, since I’m a male. Second, I like you da man, that seems funny actually..:-) And haven’t you seen the beer guzzlin’ guys out on golf couses!~ LOL 
— -andy- http://members.aol.com/golhopy1/homepage.html
Response:
Does anyone know the derivation of the expression "Hit it, Alice"? I have heard that it comes from golfer Peter Allis, who had a tendency to leave his putts short. Naturally, it was transformed into hitting it like a girl. Since I tend to putt like Peter and my name is Alice, I am interested in the expression.
I have no idea whether it is correct or not, but the story that I heard goes as follows: In a Rider Cup several decades ago the cup hinged on a late singles match involving Britain’s Peter Alliss. Having missed the green, he faced a rather standard chip which he left VERY short. In the silence that follows a very poor and very important shot TV microphones easily picked up a teammates exasperated exclamation. "Ohh, hit it Alliss!" Alliss proceeded to hole the long par put. —-
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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – : I hate that expression especially when people you dona’t know say it to : you. I think it’s just plain stupid and somewhat sexist. [snip] Whoah!!!! Can you say "over-reaction"? Who said anything about "guzzling beer" or wearing tank-tops? Talk about stereo-typing disguised as rational argument. How would you feel if I were to describe you as a nail-filing, halter-top wearing bimbo? Especially when there is no justification for it. The point being made is that people are becoming just a little bit too sensitive these days. And you proved the point.
They both proved it, Kenneth being the first to overreact. Nothing in Andy’s first post (which is retained above) merited Kenneth’s knee-jerk I’m-being-persecuted-by-the-PC-police follow-up. And nothing in Kenneth’s followup merited the stereotyping in Andy’s response. Alas, we are witness to the death of humour.
Well, certainly Kenneth’s post was humorless, but I’m more worried about the death of civility. Cheers, Greg — Gregory Tucker-Kellogg Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology Harvard Medical School, Boston MA 02115
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Well I was going to hold off on this thread but some people’s refusal to enjoy life and the great game of golf has forced me to voice my humble opinion on the expression. I just finished a round today and me and my long time partner must have used that expression more than a few times. I’m a young player (21) and I have only been playing seriously for about 3 years. I picked up the phrase from my friend/partner who has been playing most of his life. I never ever ever thought of it as anything sexist, and my friend never has either. We just always say it when we come up short on a putt or another shot for that matter. Saying Alice would have as much meaning as saying "Hit it Bill" to us. It is just an "expression!!!" and nothing more to me. Heck to be honest I always thought it came from the Honeymooners. i.e. "To the Moon Alice" which would be sexist in the context that it was used in that program. All I’m saying is don’t read into things so much, if we could all just take many things like expressions at face value instead of looking for an underlying awful meaning to vent our personal crusades about then the world (and golf) would be a much better place. Kelby Cody
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: : : : : I hate that expression especially when people you dona’t know say it to : : you. I think it’s just plain stupid and somewhat sexist.
actually, it’s sexist yet still hilarious. : : : : We can’t escape Political Correctness, even at the golf course. Give : : me a friggin’ break ! : : : Get your putts up on the hole and nobody will call you Alice, Alice !
Amen, bro’ ! : : : Yes, what do you consider the "charm" of golf. A bunch of guys with : tank : tops on guzzlin a 6 pack of beer with their black socks with tennis : shoes on?? To me this is just crap! I just hate the expression, can you : respect MY opinon or are you so self centered that you have to force it : upon everyone else. I have been called it too, I don’t care I don’t use : it myself because it does demonstrate some sexist "views". I’d like to see : you outhit Laura Davies (Did i spell that right?), and putt better than : any LPGA pro.
we’re talking about the average, here, Charlie — not the tail end of the distribution. I hope I’ve made my point. You and your friends can : continue to use it.
thanks, I will. Please do it just gives me stories to add to my – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – : "Public golf" journal : Whoah!!!! Can you say "over-reaction"? Who said anything about "guzzling : beer" or wearing tank-tops? Talk about stereo-typing disguised as rational : argument. How would you feel if I were to describe you as a nail-filing, : halter-top wearing bimbo? Especially when there is no justification for it. : The point being made is that people are becoming just a little bit too : sensitive these days. And you proved the point. : Personally, I like using the phrase "you the man!" when a playing partner : leaves a putt very short. But, I suppose that is sexist too. : Alas, we are witness to the death of humour. QWell, I don’t think you’d sterotype me as a nail-filing bumbo, since I’m a male.
since when ? Second, I like you da man, that seems funny actually..:-)
no, actually it’s "played". And haven’t you seen the beer guzzlin’ guys out on golf couses!~ LOL
never. where do you hack ? — -andy- http://members.aol.com/golhopy1/homepage.html
– Steve Lemanski http://www.cris.com/~slemansk/index.htm
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TONS of stuff snipped about sexist remarks and political correctness. DID NONE OF YOU READ THE EXPLANATION OF WHAT "HIT IT ALLISS" MEANS? Yes I’m shouting. The expression has nothing to do about Alice, but Peter Alliss leaving a putt short during a Ryder Cup match. Wow, talk about going off on tangents…. Best regards as always…. Glenn (McGee) "No Guts, No Glory"
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I think it’s just plain stupid and somewhat sexist.
Being a sexist sounds like a lot more fun than it actually is. 
— SCHOOL OF NURSING || all opinions are mine alone
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snip… DID NONE OF YOU READ THE EXPLANATION OF WHAT "HIT IT ALLISS" MEANS?
…snip I think that you spelled ALICE wrong.
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: TONS of stuff snipped about sexist remarks and political correctness. : DID NONE OF YOU READ THE EXPLANATION OF : WHAT "HIT IT ALLISS" MEANS? : Yes I’m shouting. The expression has nothing to do about Alice, but : Peter Alliss leaving a putt short during a Ryder Cup match. Wow, talk : about going off on tangents…. : Best regards as always…. : Glenn (McGee) : "No Guts, No Glory" Thanks Glenn, Maybe you stopped this string that I shoudln’t have started!!! If ou use it in the context of hit it Alliss that’s just peachy and ducky. And if it’s between a group friends and you use it in the context of Alice, that’s fine. I just hate it when others (you don’t know) say it to you. I just don’t say anything because when I leave a putt short I’m usually pissed, and some other people might be too (if they miss their putt). CAN WE PLEASE STOP THE STRING!!! LET’S JUST BE HAPPY AND TALK ABOUT GOLF! — -andy- http://members.aol.com/golhopy1/homepage.html
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Does anyone know the derivation of the expression "Hit it, Alice"? I have heard that it comes from golfer Peter Allis, who had a tendency to leave his putts short. Naturally, it was transformed into hitting it like a girl. Since I tend to putt like Peter and my name is Alice, I am interested in the expression.
Right or wrong, I’ve always took the phrase as a reference to Peter Allis, as many other have already pointed out. At the risk of starting another thread, my group & myself refer to a putt hit far too strong with a ‘Way to go, Conan!’ – as a reference to Conan the