How to Play Golf the Card Game

Golf is a family Card game for all ages

The card game Golf has been around for a number of years, and like all games like it, there have been any number of Golf rule changes.

In this post, we will cover what you need, how to play 6 hole Gold, 9 Hole Golf, 18 Hole Golf. We’ll go over the card game Gold rules, the variations and where to get our free score sheet. Let’s get to it.

This post may contain affiliate links. I receive a small commission at no cost to you when you make a purchase using my link.

Supplies for Golf Card Game

For Golf, you will need a standard deck of playing cards with the Jokers included.
In addition, here at Family Game Shelf we created a score sheet that can be used for any Golf game, no matter the variation you want to play. To get your free score Golf Score sheet head over to the Fun Library here. You can get your free password by signing up with the link in the black box below.
Variation note—some rules say to use two decks of cards.

Number of Golf Players

This is the first rule where there are many variations. First, some rules say that Golf is a two player game. Next, some say that it is a four player game. And lastly, many rules call for any number of players. However, with a larger group a second deck may be needed.

Object

The object of Golf is the same, no matter what variation you are playing. That is to get the lowest score possible, just like in real life golf game.

6 Hole Golf

Set up for Golf Card Game

For a game of 6 Hole Golf, players are dealt six cards that they place in front of them on the table facedown. The cards are arranged in two rows of three cards. The discard and draw piles are placed in the middle of the playing area.

How to Play Card Game Golf

On a player’s first turn, he chooses two cards to turn over. Next, he can choose to take the top card of the draw or discard pile. He then picks a place to put the card or to discard the card. Any of the cards in front of him can be replaced—either the face up cards or the face down ones. Once he chooses, he discards and play moves on to the next player.

Players continue, trying to get the lowest score that they can.

When a player flips over the last of her cards, the round is over. All other players get one more turn to try to better their scores. After the last player has a turn, all cards are flipped over.

Scoring Golf Card Game

If the card in the top row is a match with the one in the bottom—a pair—then they equal each other out and count as zero.

Face cards are equal to their face value. For example a 4 is worth 4 points.
Aces are worth 1 point.
Kings are worth 0 points.
Queens and Jacks are worth 10 points each.
Jokers are worth -2 points.

Winning Golf

The player with the lowest score is the winner.

Golf Card Game Variations

There are many variations of this card game.

9 Hole Golf or Crazy Nines

For 9 Hole Golf, sometimes called Crazy Nines, players are dealt 9 cards instead of 6. Again, they are arranged on the table facedown. The cards are in three rows of three. To start, players flip over three cards. If a row, either horizontally or vertically, has three of a kind in it, then they zero each other out. The play and the scoring work the same as 6 Hole Golf.

One Player Golf Card Game

To play one player Golf, a player can choose between the 6 Hole or 9 Hole game. Play is the same as above but the player will keep track of their score and try to beat their personal best each time.

Queen of Spades

In this variation of Golf, when the Queen of Spades is drawn from the deck the player who drew it must place it in their grid. He then must keep it for at least three rounds. After the three rounds, he is free to discard it. However, if he does not discard it (and doesn’t match it with other queens) the card is worth 25 points. Ouch!

Under Score

For Under Score Golf, the game play is the same. However, when the game ends, if there are players who have a score less than the player who went out first, the player who went out gets an additional 20 points added to her score, per player.

For example, If Player A goes out and has a score of 10, Player B has a score of 8, Player C has a score of 17 and Player D has a score of 1 then Player A would have the score: 10 + 20 + 20 = 50.

9 or 18 Rounds Golf

For this variation, players can choose to play with either 6 holes or 9 holes. Player is the same. However, the difference is that scores are kept and added together—like in real life golf. You can choose to play 9 rounds or 18 rounds. The winner is the player with the lowest score after either 9 or 18 rounds. For this variation, we have created a score sheet, You can get yours in our free resource library here.

8 Hole Golf

8 Hole Golf is played the same as the 6 hole version except that there are two rows of 4 cards instead of 2 rows of 3. And if you have two pairs in two rows then you get a score of -10.

Peek-a-Boo Golf Card Game

With this Golf rule, players can look at the two cards that are closest to them at the beginning of the game. The cards are not to be look at again until they are either flipped over at the end or are replaced and discarded.

Rearrange

Some rules let players rearrange the flipped over cards at the start of a game.

The Four of Golf Card Game

The card game Golf has many ways to play and many rules and variations. No matter how you choose to play, Golf is an easy to learn and play card game that is great for kids and adults to play together. Remember to get your copy of our Golf Card game score sheet by clicking the black box below.

If you love golf games be sure to check out Golf dice game, Straight Golf Dice Game, Play Nine and our original game Whacky Putt – the indoor, mini golf game that everyone loves. You can see all our seasonal Whacky Putts in the Family Game Shelf Shop!

Need new playing cards? You can shop for some fun new ones here. Canadians can shop paying cards here. We love the cute Care Bears ones.