golf

noun, often attributive

\ ˈgälf

, ˈgȯlf, ˈgäf, ˈgȯf, sometimes ˈgəlf\

Definition of golf

(Entry 1 of 2)

: 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

communications code word

Definition of Golf (Entry 2 of 2)

—used as a code word for the letter g

Other Words from golf Did You Know? Example Sentences Learn More about golf

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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 Golf balls, originally made of wood, are now made of hard rubber.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.

Examples of golf in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

On Saturday, while at his golf club in Scotland, Trump blamed Obama for not acting against Russia’s election interference. — BostonGlobe.com, "Crossed signals on Russia show Trump untethered from advisers," 14 July 2018 However, Sky Harbor Airport isn’t exactly teeming with golf-club-carrying visitors to fill up those hotels at this time of year. — Weldon B. Johnson, azcentral, "8 reasons to love the Phoenix heat in summer," 14 July 2018 Earlier this year, the company asked to hire 14 foreign workers to be cooks and waiters at the Trump golf club in Westchester County, N.Y. — David A. Fahrenthold, latimes.com, "Trump’s Mar-a-Lago Club in Florida seeks to hire 61 foreign workers as seasonal cooks and waiters," 6 July 2018 For starters, first place in Dubai will worth $3 million, the biggest tournament check in golf. — Doug Ferguson, The Seattle Times, "PGA Tour contemplating cut to top 65 and ties," 19 Feb. 2019 Cliff Welch—Icon Sportswire via Getty Images Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson, the two biggest names in golf, are reportedly planning a one-on-one match that will see the winner walk away with $10 million. — Chris Morris, Fortune, "Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson Will Face Off in a $10 Million, One-on-One Match," 6 July 2018 That led to the PGA Tour investigating DeChambeau’s use of this type of compass in golf. — Kevin Casey, USA TODAY, "USGA rules that Bryson DeChambeau can't use drawing compass on golf course," 6 July 2018 Your information will be used as described in our Privacy Policy SOUTHAMPTON, N.Y. (AP) — Shinnecock Hills is one of the toughest challenges in golf. — Barry Wilner, Houston Chronicle, "USGA apologizes for unfair course in 3rd round of US Open," 17 June 2018 While Woods, his playing parter, has been spiraling toward an ugly missed cut for the first two rounds and the rest of the field has been brutalized the the conditions at Shinnecock, Johnson has made the toughest test in golf look manageable. — Nick Schwartz, For The Win, "The U.S. Open is Dustin Johnson's tournament to lose," 15 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.

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Last Updated

19 Apr 2019

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Time Traveler for golf

The first known use of golf was in the 15th century

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More Definitions for golf

golf

noun

English Language Learners Definition of golf

: 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

See the full definition for golf in the English Language Learners Dictionary

golf

noun

\ ˈgälf

, ˈgȯlf\