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.
He even regularly cheats at golf because he’s so incapable of playing fair.
From Salon ● Oct. 16, 2026
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
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
On top of the disappointing run of results before the international break, Celtic's largest shareholder, Dermot Desmond, was the target of a protest during the Alfred Dunhill Links golf tournament in St Andrews.
From BBC ● Oct. 11, 2026
And then on to the shoreline, past Two Lights State Park, a golf course, and a jetport.
From "The Cruel Prince" by Holly Black
When Jon Rahm joined LIV Golf in late 2023 on a contract worth hundreds of millions, the golf league appeared to be on the verge of joining the sport’s establishment.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 15, 2026
Jon Rahm will leave LIV Golf after deeming the proposed terms for LIV 2.0 "unacceptable", his lawyer has told a bankruptcy court hearing.
From BBC ● Oct. 7, 2026
LIV Golf has secured a possible $300m in financing from BC Partners Credit in order to try to move forward with the 2027 season.
From BBC ● Oct. 6, 2026
In February, Mickelson announced that he would miss the first two LIV Golf events of the year because he and his wife, Amy Mickelson, “need to be present for a family health matter.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 30, 2026
On January 28, 2007, he arrived at the swanky Bali Hai Golf Club in Las Vegas dressed in gym shorts, t-shirt, and sneakers.
From "The Big Short" by Michael Lewis
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
Perdue often golfs with Trump and speaks with him frequently by phone.
From Reuters ● Jan. 5, 2021
The other can’t be bothered to do his homework and golfs instead.
From New York Times ● Jul. 18, 2020
No wondeh dem man-eatin' golfs is so ragin' out heah.
From Lady Luck by Hugh Wiley
Two months later, a Secret Service agent shot at a gunman pointing a rifle on Trump’s golf course as the president golfed.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 26, 2026
In March of this year, Trump golfed with Finnish President Alexander Stubb in West Palm Beach, partnering in a club tournament Trump said the two men won.
From BBC ● Jul. 25, 2025
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 Ryan McMahon golfed a cutter over the wall for a solo homer to make it 4-0.
From Seattle Times ● Mar. 1, 2024
You fished, and hunted, and golfed, and doubtless did other things.
From Mr. Munchausen Being a True Account of Some of the Recent Adventures beyond the Styx of the Late Hieronymus Carl Friedrich, Sometime Baron Munchausen of Bodenwerder by John Kendrick Bangs
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
After this his career became much quieter, with an appearance in Noel's House Party and a starring role in a 1996 film called Holed, about a golfing match.
From BBC ● Sep. 4, 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
Members pay for rewards—such as a deal on a new outfit for a golfing avatar, or a cowboy hat for PGATour—and in turn, the executives commit to paying for renewable energy.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 30, 2026
Nix that, I thought, and was about to knock on the third door, when suddenly it opened and there stood a middle-aged lady in a golfing skirt.
From "The Secret History" by Donna Tartt
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