Definition: In golf, "whiff" refers to a swing with which the golfer misses the golf ball. And yes, it's one of the most embarrassing things that can happen to a golfer.
If you swing at the ball and fail to make contact with the golf ball, that's a whiff.
Do you have to count a whiff in your score? That depends on the golfer's intent - there are rare instances when a golfer might make a swing but miss the ball intentionally. For more on that, see our FAQ, "Does a whiff count as a stroke?".
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Also Known As: Other uses of the word include "whiffed the ball" and "whiffing the ball."
Examples:
"Try to relax on the first tee of your first round of golf, or you might whiff.""I can't believe I just whiffed the ball."

