a game in which clubs with wooden or metal heads are used to hit a small, white ball into a number of holes, usually 9 or 18, in succession, situated at various distances over a course having natural or artificial obstacles, the object being to get the ball into each hole in as few strokes as possible.
a word used in communications to represent the letter G.
1425–75; late Middle English; of uncertain origin
Golf is a game that involves using a club to hit a small ball into a series of cups laid out on a course. If golf seems too difficult, you might try taking up miniature golf — with a short course and whimsical obstacles — instead. Scotland is famous for its golf courses, and in fact the game was invented there during the 15th century. Golf comes from the Scottish gouf, an alteration of the Middle Dutch colf, "bat or club." The first known printed use of the word golf was in a statute banning the game — King James II believed that archery was more important and that golf was a distraction. Later monarchs enjoyed the game and lifted the ban.
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Do I want to have to send out a little digital warrior to fight for me every time I want to book a golf tee time, lest there be none left?
From Slate ● Oct. 14, 2026
In golf, the Asian Tour said it is "closely monitoring the situation in Saudi Arabia" with its season-closing PIF Saudi International scheduled to take place at the Riyadh Golf Club from 18-21 November.
From BBC ● Oct. 14, 2026
Maguire can be seen pronouncing Ogunlesi and jewelry designer Meyer, 49, husband and wife as the newlyweds share a kiss in a photo from the luxury golf course wedding.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 12, 2026
Nearby is the Black Desert Resort, which hosts an annual PGA Tour golf tournament.
From Salon ● Oct. 11, 2026
Teams of workers scrubbed streets and buildings, and broke ground on the nation’s first and only golf course.
From "Fallout: Spies, Superbombs, and the Ultimate Cold War Showdown" by Steve Sheinkin
"We are discussing the developing situation with our partner Golf Saudi with respect to hosting the PIF Saudi International in Riyadh in November," the tour told Reuters.
From BBC ● Oct. 14, 2026
Under the terms of its court-supervised restructuring process, LIV Golf needs to sign players up by 25 October.
From BBC ● Oct. 12, 2026
The only tournament the golfer known as Lefty has competed in this year was LIV Golf South Africa, where he finished at 7-under par and tied for 48th place, in March.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 30, 2026
Golf Clubs I always have my clubs with me.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 21, 2026
In that place, where they tore the nightshade and black* berry patches from their roots to make room for die Medallion City Golf Course, there was once a neighborhood.
From "Sula" by Toni Morrison
He frequently golfs at his courses in Florida or Virginia on weekends, and he keeps in touch with golf personalities.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 13, 2025
“It’s still hard, but that’s natural because a lot of players like golfing on the weekend,” said Jongseo Joseph Lee, president of the SoCal Dream Golf Club, who golfs twice a month on city courses.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 19, 2025
Worse, he no longer golfs or snowmobiles —- including rides with his brother, friends and his 20-year-old son, Anthony.
From Seattle Times ● Mar. 5, 2024
Ms. Benefield was diagnosed with asbestosis and has been on supplemental oxygen full-time since 2015, though she still golfs and bowls, she says.
From New York Times ● Feb. 25, 2022
No wondeh dem man-eatin' golfs is so ragin' out heah.
From Lady Luck by Hugh Wiley
Former congressman Michael G. Oxley, who golfed with him a number of times, said Greenspan’s enthusiasm for the game was high but his skill level “sub-mediocre.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 22, 2026
The next day, he golfed and spent the afternoon at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida.
From BBC ● Mar. 23, 2026
For years after the campaign, the two men golfed together, and as vice president Mr. Biden had Mr. Burris and his granddaughter into the White House.
From New York Times ● May 2, 2024
But his 0-1 curveball was golfed over the right-field fence.
From Seattle Times ● Mar. 6, 2024
To be sure, she had heard some one saying that he golfed extremely well; but as yet her social education was far too rudimentary to allow her mind to grasp all that that fact connoted.
From The Brentons by Wilson C. Dexter
Redick praised how Doncic planned a team minicamp in Slovenia where players and some assistant coaches participated in basketball practices while enjoying team-bonding activities such as golfing, rowing and sightseeing in Doncic’s hometown of Ljubljana.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 27, 2026
The golf-mad president -- whose relaxed relationship with the game's rules was documented by sports journalist Rick Reilly in the 2019 book "Commander in Cheat" -- has repeatedly boasted about his golfing talent.
From Barron's ● Sep. 13, 2026
Police released body camera footage in April that captured the aftermath of the incident, showing the golfing legend after his vehicle clipped a truck and rolled over.
From BBC ● Sep. 2, 2026
He could have spent his whole life doing nothing but golfing and hanging out with Jeffrey Epstein, and he would have ended up vastly more wealthy than he is today.
From Salon ● Aug. 28, 2026
He was dressed in golfing clothes and looked slightly ill at ease.
From "Mountains Beyond Mountains" by Tracy Kidder and Michael French
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