golf

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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

The famous golf swing celebration isn’t out of place either. —Tim Ellis, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025

The winger spent time with family and took up new sports in golf and padel during his downtime. —Roshane Thomas, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025

In the 2025 Netflix sequel, Happy returns to the golf world decades after retiring with a Tour Championship to his name. —Jacqueline Weiss, PEOPLE, 7 Sep. 2025

Just over four months after abruptly ending his PGA Tour season, Billy Horschel is back in professional golf. —Julio Cesar Valdera Morales, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Sep. 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