golf

noun, often attributive \ ˈgälf , ˈgȯlf , ˈgäf , ˈgȯf , sometimes ˈgəlf \

|Updated on: 9 Aug 2018

Definition of golf

: 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

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golf

intransitive verb

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golfer

noun

See golf defined for English-language learners

See golf defined for kids

Recent Examples of golf from the Web

But Mr Trump will spend hardly any time in the capital, instead meeting the prime minister at her country house, Chequers, and seeing the queen at Windsor Castle, before heading to Scotland for a spot of golf.

— The Economist, "London gives a warm, orange welcome to Donald Trump," 12 July 2018
The Burbank Chamber of Commerce will host its 40th annual golf outing Aug. 3 at Gleneagles Country Club, 13070 McCarthy Road, Lemont.

— staff report, Daily Southtown, "Sports calendar," 10 July 2018
There's weather that happens, but that's part of the game of golf.

— edgar thompson, OrlandoSentinel.com, "PGA sets schedule, officially reinstates true Florida Swing," 10 July 2018
Markel said he is thoroughly trained in firing the Civil War cannons and has fired them at Fourth of July celebrations, weddings, funerals, golf outings, Boy Scout and other events.

— jane ford-stewart, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Greenfield man defies police by continuing long-running tradition of firing off Civil War cannons on 4th of July," 5 July 2018
Other activities include a St. Patrick’s Day celebration, library night, golf outing, annual gala entitled The Green Tie Affair and a class in Irish language.

— laura a. hobson, Cincinnati.com, "Columbia Tusculum center celebrates Irish arts, culture," 26 June 2018
The Aurora East Educational Foundation will host its 17th annual benefit golf outing July 19 at Phillips Park Golf Course in Aurora.

— staff report, Aurora Beacon-News, "Golf outing to benefit Aurora East Educational Foundation," 15 June 2018
The day after the golf outing, a minor social media controversy flares up.

— andrew sharp, SI.com, "There's Never a Bad Time With Deandre Ayton," 12 June 2018
The company also holds one-off events like golf outings and bowling, and recently added random cookouts to the corporate calendar.

— michael l. jackson, Indianapolis Star, "Top Workplaces 2018: Van Rooy Companies," 10 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'golf.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Did You Know?

This is a game in which a player using special clubs attempts to sink a small ball into each of the nine or 18 successive holes on an outdoor course, using as few strokes as possible. Golf developed in Scotland as early as the 15th century; the courses were originally fields that herds of sheep had clipped short in their characteristic grazing style. Golf balls, originally made of wood, are now made of hard rubber. Clubs are known by the traditional names of “irons” and “woods”; today irons are more likely made of stainless steel than iron, and the heads of woods are usually made of metal such as steel or titanium instead of wood.

Origin and Etymology of golf

Middle English (Scots)

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First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

Other General Sports Terms

kegler, mulligan, rappel, turkey

Golf

communications code word

Definition of Golf

—used as a code word for the letter g

First Known Use of golf

1952

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

Other Alphabet Terms

cuneiform, linear, minuscule, pictograph, rune, symbology, wedge

GOLF Defined for English Language Learners

golf

noun

Definition of golf for English Language Learners

: an outdoor game in which players use special clubs (called golf clubs) to try to hit a small ball with as few strokes as possible into each of 9 or 18 holes