golf

1 of 2

noun

ˈgälf 

ˈgȯlf,

ˈgäf 

ˈgȯf,

sometimes

ˈgəlf 

often attributive

: a game in which a player using special clubs attempts to sink a ball with as few strokes as possible into each of the 9 or 18 successive holes on a course

golf intransitive verb

golfer noun

Golf

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communications code word

—used as a code word for the letter g

Examples of golf in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

After their round of golf, Averill took Werth over to Tampa Downs, where some of his horses were running. —Dana O'Neil, New York Times, 2 May 2025

That’s what many of my fellow Democrats did, after Maher dined with Trump at the White House and Barkley played golf with him. —Jonathan Zimmerman, Chicago Tribune, 2 May 2025

Justin Timberlake and Travis Kelce have been doing celebrity golf tournaments together since 2021, per Getty Images. —Bethy Squires, Vulture, 2 May 2025

Oz the Mentalist has been making waves in the world of golf lately. —Tom Rogers, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English (Scots)

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Communications Code Word

1952, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing golf

• crazy golf
• disc golf
• football/golf widow
• Frisbee golf
• golf ball
• golf cart
• golf club
• golf course
• miniature golf

Kids Definition

golf

noun

ˈgälf 

ˈgȯlf,

ˈgäf,

ˈgȯf

: a game in which the player uses specialized clubs to try to hit a small ball with as few strokes as possible into each of 9 or 18 holes

golf verb

golfer noun