The Missouri native spent four seasons in the majors as both a starting and relief pitcher. He was plucked from the Dodgers in the 1961 expansion draft and started 18 games with the Colt .45s in their inaugural season.

In 1962, Golden posted a 7-11 mark with two shutouts, one save and a 4.07 ERA. He appeared in three more games in 1963 before spending the rest of the season injured. Golden was sent to the White Sox the following winter in the trade that brought Nellie Fox to Houston but Golden never pitched for Chicago and retired with a career record of 9-13 and an ERA of 4.54.