golfer

IPA/ˈɡɒlfə(r)/
KK[ɡˈɑlfɚ]IPA/ˈɡɑːlfər/

golfer — noun

  • golfersingular
  • golfersplural

1. an individual who takes part in the sport of golf, either for a living or simply

1.nounB1
Definition

an individual who takes part in the sport of golf, either for a living or simply as a pastime

Example

Aiko, a talented young golfer, won the regional championship with a score of sixty-eight.

appositive noun with adjective modifier

The tournament organizers interviewed every golfer before the final round.

Common collocations
  • avid golfer
  • professional golfer
  • amateur golfer
  • aspiring golfer
  • talented golfer
Synonyms
  • player

    broader term that can refer to participants in any sport; 'golfer' is sport-specific

  • pro

    informal shortening of 'professional golfer'; implies paid status and high skill

Usage Note

Commonly used with adjectives describing skill or commitment level (avid, talented, professional, enthusiastic).

Common Mistakes

My brother is a golf.
My brother is a golfer.
'golf' is the name of the sport; 'golfer' is the person who plays it.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

While 'golfer' is the standard and most precise term for anyone who plays golf, 'player' is a broader word that can refer to participants in any sport or game — you would say 'a tennis player' or 'a chess player,' but when golf is the specific sport, 'golfer' is preferred. 'Pro' (short for professional) refers exclusively to a golfer who earns income from the sport and often carries connotations of advanced skill, as in 'She turned pro after winning the national open.' 'Enthusiast' highlights a strong personal interest rather than skill level or profession, so you might call someone an 'avid golf enthusiast' even if they play only occasionally. For example: 'Every golfer dreams of a hole-in-one,' but 'Only a pro can read the greens that quickly.'

player ↗pro ↗enthusiast ↗

Etymology

Middle DutchScotsEnglish

Derived from the sport name 'golf' combined with the agent suffix '-er,' which means 'a person who does something.' The word 'golf' first appeared in Scottish legal texts from the 1400s and likely came from Middle Dutch 'colf' or 'kolf,' meaning 'club' or 'bat' — a reference to the curved stick used to hit the ball.