Rung #29: GOLF to DARK — the solution

The Rung ladder from September 12, 2026: GOLF to DARK, one letter at a time, every step a real word. Par is 5, with one two-letter leap in hand.

The puzzle

Climb from GOLF to DARK. Par is the shortest climb through the whole accepted dictionary, counting the leap — two letters changed in one move, once, at the cost of two rungs — so it cannot be beaten. The leap does not shorten this one: 5 rungs is the shortest climb with or without it.

The walkthrough

A climb that makes par, one of 67 shortest: at every step a single letter changes and every word on the way is one the game accepts.

1. GOLF → GOLE — the fourth letter, F becomes E.
2. GOLE → DOLE — the first letter, G becomes D.
3. DOLE → DALE — the second letter, O becomes A.
4. DALE → DARE — the third letter, L becomes R.
5. DARE → DARK — the fourth letter, E becomes K.

Other routes as short: GOLF · GOLE · DOLE · DORE · DARE · DARK; GOLF · GOLE · DOLE · DORE · DORK · DARK; GOLF · GOLE · GALE · DALE · DARE · DARK; and more.

The answer

GOLF · GOLE · DOLE · DALE · DARE · DARK — 5 rungs.

Previous: Rung #28 (Fri, Sep 11) · Next: Rung #30 (Sun, Sep 13) · All Rung solutions

About Rung

Rung is Noggin’s daily word ladder: four letters that day, five now, one changed at a time, par set by the shortest climb there is. Any real word is a rung; a two-letter leap is yours once a day, and a hint when you are stuck. How to play Rung, or play today’s.