I. ˈgälf, ˈgȯlf also ˈgäf or ˈgȯf sometimes ˈgəlf noun
( -s )
Usage: often attributive
Etymology: Middle English (Scots), probably modification of Middle Dutch colf, colve club, stick used in a game resembling golf or field hockey; akin to Old High German kolbo club, Old Norse kōlfr clapper of a bell, bulb, arrow, Latin galla gallnut — more at gall
1. : a game whose object is to sink a golf ball into each of the 9 or 18 successive holes on a golf course by using as few strokes of a golf club as possible and avoiding various natural or artificial hazards or obstacles — compare approach , drive , fairway , match play , medal play , putt , putting green , rough , tee
2. or golf red : blood red
II. verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
intransitive verb
: to play golf
transitive verb
: to hit as if with a golf club : loft
the batter golfed a pop fly
III.
Usage: usually capitalized
— a communications code word for the letter g