crazy golf: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowInformal
Quick answer
What does “crazy golf” mean?
A recreational game, a variant of mini-golf, featuring elaborate obstacles such as windmills, ramps, and tunnels on a small course.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A recreational game, a variant of mini-golf, featuring elaborate obstacles such as windmills, ramps, and tunnels on a small course.
Used figuratively to describe any convoluted, obstacle-filled process or situation, often humorously.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term "crazy golf" is primarily British. In American English, the concept is typically called "mini-golf" or "putt-putt," though "crazy golf" might be used for specific courses with very fanciful obstacles.
Connotations
UK: Strong association with seaside resorts and family entertainment. US: If used, emphasizes novelty and eccentric obstacles over standard mini-golf.
Frequency
High frequency in UK English for the specific activity; very low frequency in US English, where "mini-golf" is dominant.
Grammar
How to Use “crazy golf” in a Sentence
[play] + crazy golf[go] + for + crazy golfVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “crazy golf” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- It was a crazy-golf-themed birthday party.
American English
- He built a crazy-golf obstacle in his backyard.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Everyday
Common in UK leisure/tourism contexts, e.g., planning weekend activities.
Technical
Used in the leisure/tourism industry for specific attraction categorization.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “crazy golf”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “crazy golf”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “crazy golf”
- Using "crazy golf" in American English where "mini-golf" is expected. Using it as a verb (e.g., "We crazy golfed").
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Very similar. 'Crazy golf' is a British term for a specific style of mini-golf that emphasizes whimsical, elaborate obstacles. All crazy golf is mini-golf, but not all mini-golf is crazy golf.
It will likely be understood, especially in tourist areas, but 'mini-golf' or 'putt-putt' are the standard, more common terms in American English.
Yes, it is a closed compound noun. It is typically hyphenated when used attributively (e.g., crazy-golf course) but not when used nominally (e.g., Let's play crazy golf).
It is strongly associated with traditional British seaside resorts, holiday parks, and family entertainment centres.
A recreational game, a variant of mini-golf, featuring elaborate obstacles such as windmills, ramps, and tunnels on a small course.
Crazy golf is usually informal in register.
Crazy golf: in British English it is pronounced /ˌkreɪzi ˈɡɒlf/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌkreɪzi ˈɡɑːlf/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “It's like a round of crazy golf. (describing a chaotic situation)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: The course design is so wild and full of strange obstacles, it must be CRAZY.
Conceptual Metaphor
A COMPLEX TASK IS A GAME OF CRAZY GOLF (involving unexpected twists and obstacles).
Practice
Quiz
Which term is MOST commonly used in American English for the game 'crazy golf'?