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• golf
  golf

  noun

  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.
• Golf
  Golf

  noun

  communications a code word for the letter g

golf

American  

[golf, gawlf, gof] / gɒlf, gɔlf, gɒf /

noun

1. 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.

2. a word used in communications to represent the letter G.

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verb (used without object)

1. to play golf.

golf ¹ British  

/ ɡɒlf /

noun

1. 1. a game played on a large open course, the object of which is to hit a ball using clubs, with as few strokes as possible, into each of usually 18 holes

   2. ( as modifier )

      a golf bag

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verb

1. (intr) to play golf

Golf ² British  

/ ɡɒlf /

noun

1. communications a code word for the letter g

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Other Word Forms

• golfer
  noun
• nongolfer
  noun

Etymology

Origin of golf

1425–75; late Middle English; of uncertain origin

Explanation

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.

Example Sentences

Trump also said he preferred not to do any form of regular exercise other than play golf.

From BBC • May 30, 2026

I am a CFP and play golf so that I can meet people.

From MarketWatch • May 29, 2026

Stay tuned for a follow-up featuring your creative collections, including Charlie Chaplin tees, golf pencils and copies of “Pride and Prejudice.”

From The Wall Street Journal • May 29, 2026

Then he canceled his scheduled golf outing at his Bedminster club to return to the White House.

From Salon • May 28, 2026

Finally, one of those pretend cops comes by in his little golf cart and tells me to head home.

From "Sparrow" by Sarah Moon