der
Golfplatz
⛳ What Exactly is a Golfplatz?
A Golfplatz (masculine, article: der) is a specially designed area of land where golf is played. It typically consists of a series of holes or fairways, each comprising a Tee (teeing ground), a Fairway (mown grassy area), Rough (longer grass), Hindernisse (obstacles like sand bunkers or water hazards), and a Green (shortly mown area with the hole). Usually, there are 9 or 18 such holes.
There is only this one article for the word, as it refers to a clearly defined place. ⚠️ Be careful not to confuse it with the sport itself (das Golf or der Golfsport).
Article rules for der, die, and das
-tz → almost always masculine.
🧐 Grammar Under the Microscope: Der Golfplatz
The word Golfplatz is a noun and is masculine. Its article is der. It is declined as follows:
Singular
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative (Nom) | der | Golfplatz |
| Genitive (Gen) | des | Golfplatzes |
| Dative (Dat) | dem | Golfplatz / Golfplatze |
| Accusative (Acc) | den | Golfplatz |
Plural
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative (Nom) | die | Golfplätze |
| Genitive (Gen) | der | Golfplätze |
| Dative (Dat) | den | Golfplätzen |
| Accusative (Acc) | die | Golfplätze |
Example Sentences
- Der neue Golfplatz wird nächste Woche eröffnet.
(The new golf course will be opened next week.) - Die Qualität des Golfplatzes ist hervorragend.
(The quality of the golf course is excellent.) - Wir treffen uns morgen auf dem Golfplatz.
(We will meet at the golf course tomorrow.) - Siehst du den schönen Golfplatz dort drüben?
(Do you see the beautiful golf course over there?) - In dieser Region gibt es viele Golfplätze.
(There are many golf courses in this region.) - Die Pflege der Golfplätze ist sehr aufwendig.
(The maintenance of the golf courses is very costly/elaborate.) - Auf den Golfplätzen gelten bestimmte Etikette-Regeln.
(Specific etiquette rules apply on the golf courses.)
🏌️♂️ When to Use 'Golfplatz'?
The term Golfplatz is used specifically to denote the grounds where golf is played. It distinguishes itself from more general terms like Sportplatz (sports field) or Anlage (facility, complex) by clearly naming the sport.
- In a sports context: Most commonly, the word is used in connection with the sport of golf itself, e.g., when describing tournaments, practice sessions, or membership in a golf club.
- In leisure planning: One talks about a Golfplatz when looking for or describing a place to play golf.
- In landscape description: Golf courses are often large, well-maintained green areas that can also be described as part of a landscape.
Comparison: While a Golfplatz is specifically for golf, a Sportplatz is a more general term for various sports fields, and a Golfanlage (golf facility) can include the clubhouse and practice areas in addition to the course, but is often used synonymously with Golfplatz.
🧠 Mnemonics to Help You Remember
- Article Aid (der): Think of der Rasen (the lawn) that grows on the golf course. Or imagine a male golfer (der Golfer) playing on dem Platz. Many German words ending in "-platz" (Marktplatz - market square, Parkplatz - parking lot) are masculine (der).
- Meaning Aid (Golf Course): The word is a compound: Golf + Platz. Literally, a 'place for golf'. Easy!
🔄 Similar and Opposite Terms
Synonyms (Similar Meaning)
- Golfanlage: Often used synonymously, but can also refer to the entire complex including the clubhouse, etc.
- Golfgelände: Describes the terrain/grounds where golf is played.
- Golfresort: Often includes hotel and spa facilities in addition to the course.
- (Colloquial) Grün (Green): Can sometimes refer to the entire course, but usually means the specific area around the hole.
Antonyms (Opposite Meaning)
Direct antonyms are difficult. One could name places that are the opposite of an open, manicured sports area:
- Innenraum / Halle: Indoor areas / hall.
- Wildnis / Urwald: Wilderness / primeval forest (uncultivated natural terrain).
- Industriegebiet / Stadtzentrum: Industrial area / city center (built-up areas not used for recreational sports).
⚠️ Risk of Confusion
- Minigolfplatz: A place for miniature golf, a different sport with different types of holes/courses.
- Sportplatz: General term for football pitches, athletics fields, etc.
😄 A Little Joke
Warum nehmen Golfer immer zwei Paar Hosen mit auf den Golfplatz?
(Why do golfers always take two pairs of pants to the golf course?)
Falls sie ein Hole-in-One schlagen!
(In case they get a hole-in-one!)
📜 A Poem About the Course
Auf weitem Grün, so schön und rein,
liegt der Golfplatz, lädt uns ein.
Mit Schläger, Ball und festem Stand,
zieht man von Bahn zu Bahn durchs Land.
Der Bunker lauert, tief der Sand,
das Wasser glitzert, kühles Band.
Das Fairway lockt, das Green so nah,
ein Paradies für Golfer, wunderbar!
On wide green, so beautiful and pure,
lies the golf course, inviting us for sure.
With club, ball, and a steady stance,
one moves from hole to hole across the expanse.
The bunker lurks, the sand so deep,
the water glitters, secrets to keep.
The fairway beckons, the green so near,
a paradise for golfers, banishing fear!
🤔 Riddle Time
Ich habe viele Löcher, doch halte kein Wasser.
Ich habe Grüns und Bunker, aber kein Geld und keine Kohle.
Man braucht Schläger, um mich zu bespielen, doch ich werde nicht geschlagen.
Was bin ich?
I have many holes, but hold no water.
I have greens and bunkers, but no money or coal.
You need clubs to play on me, but I don't get beaten.
What am I?
Solution: Der Golfplatz (The golf course)
💡 More Interesting Facts
Word Composition:
The word Golfplatz is a compound noun, composed of:
- Golf: Refers to the sport of golf, whose name comes from English (possibly from Scottish "goulf" meaning 'stroke').
- Platz: A general German word for a place, an area, or grounds.
Together, it means 'place for golf'.
Trivia: The oldest golf course in the world is believed to be in Scotland (St Andrews Links).
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Golfplatz?
The German word for a golf course is der Golfplatz (masculine). There are no other articles or genders for this word. The plural form is die Golfplätze.