Winding hole

A winding hole (/ˈwɪndɪŋ/) is a widened area of a canal (usually in the United Kingdom), used for turning a canal boat such as a narrowboat.

Etymology

The word is correctly pronounced with a short "i" to rhyme with "tinned", rather than to rhyme with "finding". It has been suggested that the word derives from the practice of using the prevailing wind to assist with the turn, but no verifiable reference has been quoted for this suggestion. However, nowadays, both pronunciations are in use. In German the term for turning a vehicle is "wenden"; this suggests Germanic origins of the pronunciation.

History

Because the width of a canal channel (about thirty to forty feet) is less than the length of a full-size canal boat it is not usually possible to turn a boat in the canal. Winding holes are typically indentations in the off-side (non-towpath side) of the canal, allowing sufficient space to turn the boat.

One unverified suggestion for the derivation of the name winding hole comes from the fact that the winding hole is on the off-side of the canal. When horses were used to pull the boats, it was not possible for them to assist with the turning of the boat, due to being on the wrong side of the canal. As a result, it was considered favourable to use the wind to assist in turning the boat, to reduce the amount of human power needed.

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Latest News for: winding hole

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The 10 most famous landmarks at Augusta National

Golf 26 Mar 2025
The name of the area of the course that encompasses holes 11, 12 and 13 ... A body of water that winds behind the 11th green and in front of the 12th green, thereby adding intrigue to some of Augusta National’s most famous and consequential holes.
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TGL winners, losers: What worked and what didn't during inaugural season

Usatoday 26 Mar 2025
Can we put the players on an incline or decline depending on where they're playing the ball? If the tee shot winds up on a downhill lie, can we manipulate the in-arena shot area to match the slope so ...
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Northern Lights will shine across parts of the UK TONIGHT as a 'High Speed Stream' ...

The Daily Mail 26 Mar 2025
Coronal holes are darker, cooler and less dense regions on the corona (the outermost part of the sun's atmosphere). From these holes, high speed solar wind streams – made up of highly-charged particles – can escape at about 1 million miles per hour.
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Can YOU see the Northern Lights? Aurora borealis visible to the eye everywhere in the ...

The Daily Mail 26 Mar 2025
Coronal holes are darker, cooler and less dense regions on the corona (the outermost part of the sun's atmosphere). From these holes, high speed solar wind streams – made up of highly-charged particles – can escape at about 1 million miles per hour.
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I’m the only golfer still alive from the first Open at Royal Portrush in 1951

Yahoo Daily News 25 Mar 2025
“The first hole was straight into the wind, and I played a driver and a three-wood ... The fellow I played with in those two rounds, Eric Brown, had 59 putts for the 36 holes while I had 73 putts.
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Brian Twite: I’m the only golfer still alive from the first Open at Royal Portrush in 1951

The Daily Telegraph 25 Mar 2025
“The first hole was straight into the wind, and I played a driver and a three-wood ... The fellow I played with in those two rounds, Eric Brown, had 59 putts for the 36 holes while I had 73 putts ... Cerdá needed an eagle on the final hole to tie.
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Short-game expert reveals the key for hitting a knockdown shot

Golf 24 Mar 2025
With winds ... Standing on the iconic 17th hole — an island green with wind in his face — Rory hit a three-quarter 9-iron from 130 yards to a back pin, controlling his trajectory perfectly.
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How Texas oil workers, technology are helping build a new renewable boom

The Hill 24 Mar 2025
Rather than pulling oil out of the earth, the hole he was helping drill would be used to store clean, transient power from south Texas wind and solar farms. Rodriguez, who was helping drill the hole ...
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Early tee times a boon on a blustery Day 1 at Valspar Championship

Tampa Bay Times 21 Mar 2025
PALM HARBOR — The wind started gusting up to 40 mph around 1 p.m ... Up, up and away from the scores of the morning tee times — when the winds were more tame ... Jacob Bridgeman, one of Thursday's early risers and Day 1 leaders, walks the 14th hole.
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Punts? Tomahawks? Tempers flaring at difficult Valspar Championship

Golf 21 Mar 2025
Kizzire withdrew a couple of holes later ... While the outbursts by Kizzire and Theegala might be related to their own games, the Copperhead Course has been a difficult test through 36 holes, with wind gusts and cold temperatures giving players fits.
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2025 Valspar Championship leaderboard: Keith Mitchell among leaders as Jordan Spieth, Justin Thomas struggle

CBS Sports 21 Mar 2025
The afternoon wave got rocked by a pop-up shower that combined with the heavy winds to give players fits for a few holes before it ultimately passed through ... 8 (his 17th hole) ... rough closing holes.
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One hectare of forest land destroyed in fire in Sus village

The Times of India 21 Mar 2025
We will be investigating the matter further,' said Hole.'It is a man-made fire ... Our team utilised wind blowers and whatever was present to douse it by 2 AM,' said Nandkumar Shelar, round officer.Two ...
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Munro goes low to kick off Heritage Classic

PGA Tour 20 Mar 2025
As the wind strengthened, Munro and his group turned back toward The Heritage clubhouse to play the closing three-holes into the strong breeze ... “A good second shot in there under the wind and holed a nice one from about 15 foot.
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The Valspar Championship: inside the Copperhead Course, Florida’s toughest PGA Tour track

Golf 365 20 Mar 2025
The ‘Snake Pit’ is a daunting closing run through holes 16, ... The 230-yard 13th hole is especially brutal with the par 3 often playing into the wind with a small green surrounded by bunkers.
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