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

"He long steered the men's professional golf world and overwhelmed others with his unparalleled strength," he said in a statement on the organisation's website.

From Barron's

"Brooks remains passionate about the game of golf."

From BBC

He preferred to savour one of European golf's greatest weeks.

From BBC

"If all else fails, I've got golf to fall back on," she added.

From BBC

He grew up a farmer, and when he founded a golf course here 30 years ago, his favorite part was moving dirt around what had once been a peat bog.

From The Wall Street Journal