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

Example Sentences

Woods was scheduled to attend the opening of “The Patch,” a municipal golf course in Augusta that he helped redesign.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 1, 2026

Last week he competed in the TGL indoor league finals - his first competitive golf for more than a year - and had not ruled out playing in next month's Masters.

From BBC • Mar. 31, 2026

Since becoming president, Trump has essentially replicated the formula that characterized his career as a businessman: promoting his name like a brand, engraved in gold letters on his golf clubs, hotels and merchandise.

From Barron's • Mar. 31, 2026

The day after the news of the car crash broke, I shot a round of golf at a local municipal course.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 31, 2026

Well, I suppose I could figure out a way to play golf but I'm so not gonna because golf is booooring.

From "Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus" by Dusti Bowling