Golf

/ɡɒlf/

Meaning & Definition

noun
A game played on a large course with 18 holes, in which players use clubs to hit a small ball into each hole in as few strokes as possible.
He spends every Saturday morning playing golf with his friends.
The sport of hitting a ball into a series of holes on a golf course.
Golf is a popular sport among both amateurs and professionals.
A round of golf or the activity of playing golf.
They played a round of golf at the country club last weekend.
verb
To play the game of golf.
She loves to golf every chance she gets during the summer.
To hit a golf ball, typically with a club.
He golfed the ball down the fairway with ease.

Etymology

The word 'golf' is derived from the Dutch word 'kolf', meaning 'club'.

Common Phrases and Expressions

par
The number of strokes that an expert golfer is expected to need to complete a hole or course.
tee off
To start play in golf by hitting the ball from a tee.
hole-in-one
A single stroke that lands the ball directly in the hole on the first shot.

Related Words

putt
A gentle stroke used to roll the ball into the hole.
drive
A powerful stroke intended to cover a long distance.
fairway
The part of a golf course between the tee and the green.

Slang Meanings

Mulligan
When I hit my drive into the water, I took a mulligan.
Birdie
She scored a birdie on the 5th hole.