What does plugger mean?
A plugger is, at its most literal, a person or thing whose function is to plug, seal, or fill an opening. The best-known specialized use is in golf, where a plugger denotes a long-driving club, especially an older-style wooden club or a modern equivalent. In that context, “plugger” often conveys power and distance rather than simply identifying a precise modern club type. The word can also describe someone who promotes or strongly recommends a product, service, or idea, though this use is informal. Outside these relatively limited contexts, “plugger” is uncommon, and the ordinary word “plug” is normally preferred when referring to the object inserted into a socket or hole.
A person or thing that plugs, seals, or fills an opening; by extension, someone who promotes a product or service enthusiastically.
"He acted as the product's plugger at trade shows."
The promotional sense is informal and much less common than the occupational and golf uses.
A long golf club used to strike a ball from the tee, especially an older-style wooden club valued for distance.
"He teed off with a plugger and reached the fairway."
Chiefly North American; in modern golf, “driver” is more usual for the standard large-headed club.
The plural is regular, though the noun is uncommon.
"The company's pluggers promoted the new model at several events."
In golf, a plugger gets its name from the long, forceful shots it was traditionally associated with, not simply from the act of plugging something.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of plugger
The word was formed in the early modern period by adding the suffix “-er” to “plug,” meaning a person or thing that performs the action of plugging. Its various occupational and sporting senses developed from that general meaning. The golf sense arose from the traditional association of the club with powerful, long shots.
Related word forms
How plugger is actually used
The word is uncommon in general modern English. Its golf sense is chiefly North American, while senses involving someone who plugs, promotes, or plugs an opening tend to be informal or occupational.
Easily confused with plugger
A plug is the object inserted into a socket or opening, whereas a plugger is a person or device that applies or drives in a plug.
A driver is a standard modern golf club with a large head, while a plugger is an older or regional term for a long-driving club.