golf

Golf is a precision ball-and-club sport in which players use a set of clubs to hit a small ball into a series of holes on a course, aiming to complete the course in the fewest strokes possible. A standard round is played on an 18-hole course, though variations exist in length and format for different events and skill levels.

Players carry or push a bag of clubs, including drivers for long shots, irons for mid-range shots, wedges for approach and special lies, and putters for rolling the ball on the greens. A course typically features fairways, rough, hazards such as bunkers and water, and greens where putting occurs. Each hole has a designated par score.

Competition is governed by the Rules of Golf, which cover play, penalties, and how to replace or move the ball. Scoring can be stroke play (total strokes) or match play (hole-by-hole). Common terms include par, birdie, eagle, bogey, and double bogey; the objective is to finish with the fewest strokes.

Originating in Scotland in the 15th century, golf evolved into a global sport during the 19th and 20th centuries. The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews and the United States Golf Association are major governing bodies, jointly maintaining the Rules of Golf. Professional tours include the PGA Tour, DP World Tour, and LPGA; amateur and youth programs also exist worldwide.