
Some people believe that golf is not a verb, and therefore, one cannot golf, golfs, or golfed. However, according to the Oxford and Cambridge dictionaries, golfed is indeed a word and is the simple past tense and past participle of golf. The word golfed is used to describe the act of playing a game in which clubs are used to hit a small ball into a series of 9 or 18 holes on a large outdoor course, with the objective of doing so in as few strokes as possible.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | Past tense and past participle of golf; to play a game on a large outdoor course with a series of 9 or 18 holes, using clubs to hit a small, hard ball with the objective of getting it into each hole in as few strokes as possible |
| Usage | "I golfed 18 holes this morning." "He golfed the municipal course last Saturday." |
| Synonyms | Play golf |
| Part of Speech | Verb |
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What You'll Learn

'Golfed' is the past tense of 'golf'
While some people believe that "golf" is not a verb and, therefore, cannot be conjugated, "golfed" is indeed a word and is the simple past tense and past participle of "golf" when used as a verb.
The use of "golf" as a verb is recognised by several dictionaries, including the American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition, and the Collins English Dictionary, which define "golf" as a verb meaning to play the game of golf. For example, one could say, "I golfed 18 holes this morning." Here, "golfed" is used to describe the past action of playing the game of golf.
However, some people argue that the correct phrase is to "play golf" rather than to "golf." This preference is a matter of personal style and idiom, as the usage of "golf" as a verb is recognised by reputable dictionaries.
It's worth noting that the verb "golf" is different from the noun "golf," which refers to the game itself and is not conjugated. So, while one might say, "I golfed yesterday," referring to the past tense verb, they would say, "I love playing golf," referring to the game.
In conclusion, "golfed" is indeed a word and is the correct past tense form of the verb "golf," which means to play the game of golf. Whether one chooses to use "golf" as a verb in their own speech and writing is a matter of personal preference, but it is grammatically correct and recognised by dictionaries.
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'Golf' is a verb
There is some debate over whether "golf" is a verb. Some people argue that it is not a verb, and that the correct phrase is "to play golf," rather than "to golf." They compare it to other sports, arguing that one wouldn't say they "baskettedballed" or were "basketballing" after shooting some hoops.
However, others claim that "golf" can be used as a verb, pointing out that "golfed" is listed as a word in dictionaries like the American Heritage Dictionary and the Free Dictionary, and that language evolves with usage. They also note the common usage of the word "golfer" instead of "golf player" as evidence for the verb form of "golf."
Some people take a more relaxed stance, acknowledging that while "golf" may not be technically correct as a verb, many people use it that way, and language is about communication rather than strict adherence to rules. They also point out that "golf" as a verb is more natural-sounding than "golf" as a noun in certain phrases, such as "professional golf player."
The debate over the usage of "golf" as a verb highlights the dynamic nature of language and the varying preferences and pet peeves of different individuals and groups. While some staunchly defend the notion that "golf" is not a verb, others embrace its usage or take a more pragmatic view, recognizing that language evolves and adapts over time.
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'Golf' is a noun
Golf is indeed a noun. It is a game played on a large outdoor course with a series of 9 or 18 holes spaced apart. The objective is to hit a small, hard ball with the use of clubs, with as few strokes as possible, into each of the holes.
While "golf" is a noun, some people use it as a verb, as in "I golfed 18 holes this morning." This usage is considered incorrect by some, who argue that one should say, "I played golf" instead of "I golfed." However, others accept the usage of "golf" as an intransitive verb, along with "golfing" and "golfed" as valid forms.
The word "golf" has its origins in late Middle English, with a possible relation to the Dutch word "kolf," meaning "club" or "bat." It is recorded that the game of golf was first played in Scotland and then taken to America by Scottish people in the 17th century, although the first permanent golf club was not established until 1888 in Yonkers, New York.
Today, golf is played by a wide range of people and has become more accessible, with many golf courses and driving ranges available for practice. The sport has also gained popularity through television, and major international competitions such as the British Open and the US Masters Tournament.
In conclusion, while some may disagree, the word "golf" is primarily a noun that refers to the sport or game played on a course with holes. The use of "golf" as a verb, while gaining some acceptance, is still considered incorrect by traditionalists.
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'Golf' is a game played on a large outdoor course
Golf is a sport played on a large outdoor course. The objective of the game is to hit a small ball into a series of 9 or 18 holes using various clubs, with as few strokes as possible. The modern game of golf, featuring 18 holes, was created at the Old Course in St Andrews, Scotland, in 1764. The game can be played by any number of people, but a typical group will consist of 1 to 4 players.
There are two basic forms of golf play: match play and stroke play. In match play, two players or two teams play each hole as a separate contest against each other, and the winner is the player or team that wins the most holes. In stroke play, the player with the lowest total number of strokes after all the holes are played is the winner. Stroke play is the more popular format and is the one most commonly seen at elite levels.
Golf courses are designed to resemble their native landscapes, such as along a sea coast, within a forest, among rolling hills, or as part of a desert. Each hole on a course is unique and has a teeing ground for the first stroke, and a putting green containing the cup that receives the ball. There are several standard forms of terrain between the tee and the green, such as the fairway, rough (tall grass), and hazards like water, rocks, or sand-filled bunkers.
Golf has given rise to several variations and related sports. These include Mini-Golf, Footgolf, Disc Golf, and Target Golf, among others. While the standard game of golf is played on a grass course, these variations may be played on different surfaces, such as artificial turf or a pool table.
As for the word "golfed," it is the simple past tense and past participle of the word "golf." While some people use the word "golf" as a verb, as in "I golfed 18 holes this morning," others consider it incorrect and prefer to say "I played golf."
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'Golfed' is a word recognised by the Oxford and Cambridge dictionaries
While some people disagree with the usage of the word "golfed", it is indeed a word recognised by the Oxford and Cambridge dictionaries. It is the simple past tense and past participle form of the verb "golf", which means to play the game of golf.
The game of golf is played on a large outdoor course with 9 or 18 holes spaced apart, and the objective is to hit a small, hard ball with clubs, aiming to get it into each hole in as few strokes as possible.
Some people argue that the correct phrase is "I play golf" or "I played golf", rather than "I golf" or "I golfed". This is a matter of personal preference and there is no definitive right or wrong answer. However, the usage of "golf" as a verb is recognised by reputable dictionaries, including the Oxford and Cambridge dictionaries, as well as being used in popular culture and literature, such as in the works of P.G. Wodehouse.
The word "golfed" is also acceptable in the context of the game. For example, one might say, "I golfed 18 holes this morning" or "I golfed at the municipal course last Saturday". This usage is supported by dictionaries such as the American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language and the Collins English Dictionary, among others.
In summary, while there may be varying opinions on the usage of "golf" as a verb and its conjugated forms like "golfed", it is a recognised word in the English language, as evidenced by its inclusion in multiple dictionaries and its use in popular culture.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, "golfed" is a word. It is the simple past tense and past participle of the verb "golf", which means to play the game of golf.
Golf is a game played on a large outdoor course with a series of 9 or 18 holes spaced apart. The objective is to use clubs to hit a small, hard ball into each hole in as few strokes as possible.
The word "golfed" likely originated from the verb "golf", which is derived from the name of the game, golf.
There is some debate on this topic. Some people argue that "golf" is not a verb and prefer to say "I play golf". However, others use "golf" as a verb and would say "I golfed" or "I went golfing". Ultimately, both forms are understandable and convey the same meaning.
Yes, "golfed" is a valid word in Scrabble according to some sources. However, it is always a good idea to verify with the official Scrabble dictionary or the rules of your specific Scrabble game version.











































