Find the clue you need
Reveal one answer or the full solution.
- 1
Inadequate amount
LACK - 2
Enjoy, as a lollipop
LICK - 3
Word following "missing" or "cuff"
LINK - 4
Animal related to the weasel
MINK - 5
Not yours
MINE
Top + bottom clue
The top + bottom rows = A two-word phrase for the second half of a golf course. Keep in mind: The first word may be at the bottom.
The complete word ladder
Read from top to bottom. Highlighted letters show what changes from the previous word.
- BACKTop endpoint
- LACKBACK → LACK changes position 1 from B to L.
- LICKLACK → LICK changes position 2 from A to I.
- LINKLICK → LINK changes position 3 from C to N.
- MINKLINK → MINK changes position 1 from L to M.
- MINEMINK → MINE changes position 4 from K to E.
- NINEMINE → NINE changes position 1 from M to N.
How the endpoints answer the clue
BACK + NINE
The top + bottom rows = A two-word phrase for the second half of a golf course. Keep in mind: The first word may be at the bottom.
Clue meanings and letter changes
| Clue | Answer & meaning | Change from previous word |
|---|---|---|
| Top endpoint | BACK BACK is the answer to “The top + bottom rows = A two-word phrase for the second half of a golf course. Keep in mind: The first word may be at the bottom.” and serves as an endpoint. | Start of ladder |
| Inadequate amount | LACK LACK is the answer to “Inadequate amount”. | BACK → LACK changes position 1 from B to L. |
| Enjoy, as a lollipop | LICK LICK is the answer to “Enjoy, as a lollipop”. | LACK → LICK changes position 2 from A to I. |
| Word following "missing" or "cuff" | LINK LINK is the answer to “Word following "missing" or "cuff"”. | LICK → LINK changes position 3 from C to N. |
| Animal related to the weasel | MINK MINK is the answer to “Animal related to the weasel”. | LINK → MINK changes position 1 from L to M. |
| Not yours | MINE MINE is the answer to “Not yours”. | MINK → MINE changes position 4 from K to E. |
| Bottom endpoint | NINE NINE is the answer to “The top + bottom rows = A two-word phrase for the second half of a golf course. Keep in mind: The first word may be at the bottom.” and serves as an endpoint. | MINE → NINE changes position 1 from M to N. |
How to work out the order
BACK → LACK starts the chain with a change in position 1. From there, the changed positions run 1, 2, 3, 1, 4, 1, which is a quick way to verify the order without relying on meaning alone.
- Solve the middle clues, then anchor LACK beside BACK because they differ at exactly one position.
- Continue through LACK → LICK → LINK → MINK → MINE, checking spelling position by position rather than grouping words by topic.
- Place NINE at the other endpoint and use the shared endpoint clue to connect BACK with NINE.
One takeaway
This edition rewards positional checking: its 6 legal moves change letter positions 1, 2, 3, 1, 4, 1. When the clue meanings wander, the one-letter rule keeps the ladder from wandering with them.
More CrossClimb
Nearby editions: #924 · 2026-11-10 · #923 · 2026-11-09