Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1941 (SND Vol. II). Includes material from the 1976 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1891-1897
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BULGER, n. 1. “A large marble used in children's games” (Cai. 1905 E.D.D. Suppl.). Cf. Bulsher. Not known to our correspondents.
2. A golf-club of a particular shape (see quots.). Invented by W. Park of Musselburgh c.1884. Now obs.Sc. 1891 J. G. McPherson Golf & Golfers 77:
The bulger is so small-headed and unseemly to the eye that we of the old school would be afraid of missing with it.Fif. 1897 R. Forgan Golfer's Manual 9, 11:
The second variety of Driver is a comparatively recent invention, called the "Bulger." The name is derived from the characteristic peculiarity of the club, which has a convex face like a cricket bat. . . . Let the player "heel" or "toe" his ball-no matter, the "Bulger" sends it always straight. . . . The "Bulger" Mid-Spoon . . . is made with or without a "brass-sole," and is used for playing up to the hole when the distance is a little too far for the Cleek, and not far enough for the "Bulger" Brassy.
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"Bulger n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 6 Apr 2026 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/bulger>
