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

2 of 2

communications code word

—used as a code word for the letter g

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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 Golf balls, originally made of wood, are now made of hard rubber.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
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Noun
The combined company also has rights to professional golf, including the Masters tournament; National Hockey League; Major League Baseball and NCAA basketball, including March Madness, as well as European rights to televise the Olympics. — Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2026 Rachel, being drawn like a golf ball rolling towards an easy hole in mini golf, is being pulled northward by this trough. — Sean MacAday, Sacbee.com, 9 Oct. 2026 Kids are top of mind here with seasonal events, and during the summer, kids can take part in the golf, tennis, and swimming offerings. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Oct. 2026 The suit says Her displayed doctored, sexualized photos of Henry and other officers, including in Henry's own office, and drove unannounced to a golf simulator in Woodbury where Henry was spending personal time. — CBS News, 8 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for golf

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

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

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Cite this Entry

“Golf.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/golf. Accessed 12 Oct. 2026.

Kids Definition

golf

noun
ˈgälf How to pronounce golf (audio)
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

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