golf club

IPA/ˈɡɒlf klʌb/
IPA/ˈɡɑːlf klʌb/

golf club — noun

1. A piece of sports equipment with a long narrow handle and a shaped head, which a

1.nounA2
Definition

A piece of sports equipment with a long narrow handle and a shaped head, which a golfer swings to hit the ball around the course.

Example

Ravindra pulled a driver from his bag and walked toward the first tee.

pull a golf club from a bag — take it out ready for use

Ingrid cleaned her golf club with a damp cloth after every round.

Common collocations
  • pull a golf club
  • swing a golf club
  • grip a golf club
  • set of golf clubs
  • head of a golf club
  • bag of golf clubs

Grammar Patterns

a golf club

golf clubs

set of golf clubs

Usage Note

For different shot distances golfers use different types of club (driver, iron, wedge, putter); 'golf club' is the general term that covers all of them.

Common Mistakes

I joined a golf club yesterday to improve my swing.' (when meaning the tool).
I bought a new golf club yesterday to improve my swing.
'Join' is used for the organization, not the physical object.

2. A formal group of people who play golf regularly, together with the building and

2.nounB1
Definition

A formal group of people who play golf regularly, together with the building and outdoor area where they meet and play.

Example

Eitan joined the local golf club after retiring from his teaching job.

join a golf club — become a member of the organization

The golf club holds a charity tournament every summer to raise money for the hospital.

Common collocations
  • join a golf club
  • leave a golf club
  • golf club membership
  • golf club member
  • golf club facilities
  • golf club tournament
  • golf club restaurant
Synonyms
  • country club

    usually a larger facility offering golf alongside other sports and social activities; more upscale in tone

  • golf course

    refers only to the playing area (the 18 holes), not the membership organization or clubhouse

Grammar Patterns

a golf club

the golf club

golf club + noun (membership, facilities, restaurant)

Usage Note

Context tells you whether the word means the membership group or the physical buildings and land. Verbs like 'join', 'leave', 'belong to' point to the organization; verbs like 'holds', 'has', 'hires' often point to the venue.

Common Mistakes

She bought a golf club membership yesterday.' (when joining).
She joined a golf club yesterday.
Use 'join' when becoming a member, not 'buy.'

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/2

'Golf club' (sense 2), 'country club', 'golf course', and 'links' all relate to places where golf is played, but they differ in scope and formality. A 'golf club' is the membership organization plus its buildings and land — it focuses on the social and administrative side. A 'country club' is a larger, more expensive venue offering golf alongside tennis, swimming, and dining; the term carries an upper-class feel. A 'golf course' refers strictly to the playing area with holes, tees, and greens — it says nothing about membership or clubhouse facilities. 'Links' is a specific type of coastal golf course with sandy soil, few trees, and strong winds; most English-speaking learners will only encounter it as part of a course name (e.g. 'St. Andrews Links'). Example: 'My father joined a golf club last year for the social events, but he only plays on the golf course twice a month.'

country clubgolf courselinks ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • golf club membership
  • golf club member
  • golf club restaurant
  • golf club tournament
  • golf club grounds
  • set of golf clubs
  • golf club head
  • golf club shaft

Prepositions

  • at a/the golf club

Etymology

DutchMiddle ScotsEnglish

The word 'golf' comes from Middle Scots 'golf' or 'gouff', probably borrowed from Dutch 'kolf', meaning a club or bat used in a similar medieval game. 'Club' derives from Old English 'clubbe', a heavy stick. The compound 'golf club' first referred to the hitting tool in the 16th century; by the 18th century the same phrase was also used for the society of players who gathered to play the game, and later for the buildings and land that society used.