Yes, you can definitely play Wolf in golf, and it is one of the most popular and exciting group games played for money on the course.
The game of Wolf is a fantastic way to mix up your regular foursome golf outing. It keeps everyone engaged on every single hole. Unlike many fixed-format games, Wolf is dynamic. The power to choose partners changes constantly. This keeps the strategy fresh from tee to green. If you are looking for a game that involves teamwork, individual glory, and plenty of friendly wagering, Wolf is the answer. Let’s dive deep into the Rules for playing Wolf in golf, how to set it up, and how to win big.
What Exactly is the Game of Wolf Golf?
Wolf is a popular, rotating partnership golf game played with four players. The central feature of the game is that one player, “The Wolf,” gets to choose a partner for that hole. This choice happens after everyone has teed off but before anyone hits their second shot.
The selection process rotates with the honor on each tee box. This means that on Hole 1, Player A gets to be the Wolf. On Hole 2, Player B is the Wolf, and so on, cycling through all four players.
The game involves betting, making it more exciting than just playing for bragging rights. The stakes can be low or high, depending on what the group agrees upon beforehand.
How to Start a Game of Wolf Golf
Starting a game of Wolf is straightforward, but clarity on the ground rules is essential to avoid arguments later. Before the first tee shot, the group must agree on three main things: the rotation, the scoring mechanism, and the betting in Wolf golf.
Establishing the Rotation Order
First, determine who gets the honor (who drives first) on the first tee. The player who hits the longest drive on the first hole traditionally gets the honor on the second hole, and so on. However, for simplicity, many groups just agree to rotate the “Wolf” designation based on the tee order for the first hole.
If Player A hits first on Hole 1, Player A is the first Wolf.
If Player B hits second on Hole 1, Player B is the second Wolf.
If Player C hits third on Hole 1, Player C is the third Wolf.
If Player D hits last on Hole 1, Player D is the fourth Wolf.
This ensures every player gets an equal shot at being the Wolf over 18 holes.
Deciding on Stakes and Wagers
This is crucial. Everyone must agree on what a “point” is worth in cash. Common different stakes for Wolf golf include:
- Per Point: Agreeing that one point won is worth a set dollar amount (e.g., $1 per point).
- Per Hole: Betting a set amount on the outcome of each hole regardless of points (less common in standard Wolf).
- Skin Games: Sometimes, the game incorporates elements of skins for certain outcomes.
It is vital to agree on how much a point is worth before the first drive.
The Core Mechanics: Playing a Hole in Wolf
The action in Wolf centers around the Wolf’s choice and the resulting team battle. Here is the step-by-step process for any given hole:
1. The Tee Shots
All four players hit their drives. This is where the Wolf assesses the situation.
2. The Wolf Chooses (The Crux of the Game)
After the tee shots land, the player designated as the Wolf for that hole must decide who they want as their partner.
The Wolf announces, “I pick you,” selecting one of the other three players. The selected player immediately becomes the Wolf’s partner for that hole. The two remaining players form the opposing team.
3. Partnership Dynamics
Once partners are chosen, the hole is played as a two-on-two match. The teams compete to have the best score on the hole.
4. The Solo Wolf Scenario (The Crucial Exception)
What if the Wolf looks at the drives and decides no one is a good partner? The Wolf has the option to go “Lone Wolf.”
If the Wolf declares, “I am going Lone Wolf,” they play against the other three players individually. The Lone Wolf still aims to beat the best score among the other three.
Wolf Golf Scoring System: Awarding Points
The Wolf golf scoring system determines who gets paid at the end of the hole. Points are awarded based on which format was played (Partnership or Lone Wolf).
Partnership Play (Wolf and Partner vs. The Field)
If the Wolf selected a partner, the teams are 2 vs. 2.
- Winning Team: If the Wolf’s team has the lower total score for the hole, the Wolf and their partner each win one point from each of the two opposing players.
- Payout: Wolf and Partner each win 2 points.
- Losing Team: If the opposing team has the lower score, the Wolf and their partner each lose one point to each of the winners.
- Payout: Wolf and Partner each lose 2 points.
Example: Wolf picks Player C. Team 1 is (Wolf + C). Team 2 is (A + B). Team 1 scores 5 strokes. Team 2 scores 6 strokes. Team 1 wins. Wolf wins 2 points from A and 2 points from B (Total +4). Partner C wins 2 points from A and 2 points from B (Total +4). A and B each lose 4 points total.
Lone Wolf Play (Wolf vs. Three Opponents)
If the Wolf chooses to go Lone Wolf, they play against all three other players individually.
- Wolf Wins the Hole: If the Wolf has the single best score (lowest net score), they win one point from each of the three opponents.
- Payout: Wolf wins 3 points.
- Wolf Loses the Hole: If anyone else has a better score than the Wolf, the Wolf loses one point to the player(s) who beat them.
- If Player A beats the Lone Wolf, the Wolf pays 1 point to A.
- If Players A and B both beat the Lone Wolf, the Wolf pays 1 point to A and 1 point to B.
Honoring Partnerships in Wolf Golf
Managing partnerships in Wolf golf is key to the strategy. Once a partnership is declared, it is final for that hole. No trading or switching partners is allowed mid-hole. The goal is always to maximize your team’s score against the other side.
Addressing Handicaps in Wolf Golf
Golf is rarely played with players of equal skill. Therefore, handicaps in golf must be integrated into Wolf, especially when betting in Wolf golf is involved.
The standard way to handle this is by applying stroke adjustments after the gross score is determined, just like in stroke play competitions.
- Determine Team Scores: Play the hole, noting the gross scores for both sides.
- Allocate Strokes: Apply the agreed-upon handicap strokes to the respective players on the losing team (or the players who did not win the points). The Wolf and their partner usually receive strokes collectively based on the team average or simply by adjusting the individual scores of the team that lost.
- Calculate Net Scores: The team with the lowest net score wins the points for that hole.
Example with Handicaps:
Player A (10 Hcp) and Player B (20 Hcp) are the opponents.
The Wolf (5 Hcp) picks Player C (15 Hcp) as partner.
If Team Wolf wins: The strokes are allocated to A and B according to standard stroke allocation rules (usually the player with the highest handicap gets the most strokes on the hardest holes).
If the Opponents win: The Wolf and Player C must absorb the loss based on their individual stroke entitlements.
Best Practices for Handicaps: To keep things simple, many groups agree to use net scores for determining the winner of the points, ensuring the stronger player doesn’t automatically dominate every hand.
Strategy for Playing Wolf Golf
The game is 50% luck of the draw (getting the Wolf role) and 50% strategy. Having a good strategy for playing Wolf golf can save you money!
When You Are The Wolf (The Selector)
Your decision immediately after the tee shots is the most important move of the hole.
- Assess the Field: Look for the absolute worst drive among the three others. That player is your primary target for a partnership if you feel confident in your own drive.
- Going Lone Wolf: Only go Lone Wolf if:
- You hit a phenomenal drive, and you believe you can beat the other three players on your own, or
- The other three players all hit terrible drives, making partnership too risky or too easily beaten by the remaining strong player. Going Lone Wolf forces the three weaker players to split the points if you beat them all.
- Choosing a Partner: If you pick a partner, pick the player who is slightly weaker than you (or has an equal handicap) but is generally consistent. You want a partner who will help you secure the win against the remaining two, not one who will drag your team score down. Avoid picking the absolute best player unless you absolutely need their firepower to overcome two very strong opponents.
When You Are Not The Wolf (The Selected/The Opponents)
Your goal is to make yourself an unattractive target for the Wolf.
- Don’t Look Too Good: If you hit a spectacular drive, the Wolf might pick you, which is good if you want to partner with the Wolf but bad if the Wolf is weaker than you!
- Don’t Look Too Bad: If you hit a disaster off the tee, you are almost guaranteed to be left out of the partnership, meaning you’ll be fighting as an individual against the two strongest players.
- The Lone Wolf Trap: If the Wolf goes Lone Wolf, the remaining three players must cooperate mentally. They should focus on combining their efforts to beat the Wolf, even though they are technically opponents to each other if the Wolf wins. If the Wolf wins, the three opponents lose points. If one of the three beats the Wolf, only that player wins points from the Wolf.
Different Wolf Golf Game Variations
While the core rules are standard, many groups enjoy slight modifications. Exploring Wolf golf game variations keeps the game fresh over many rounds.
A. Sinkers (or ‘The Dog’)
In this variation, if the Wolf picks a partner, but that partner subsequently hits their ball into a hazard (water, out of bounds), the partnership is immediately voided. The Wolf must then immediately declare a new partner from the remaining two players or go Lone Wolf. This adds pressure on the initial selection.
B. Blind Wolf
On particularly long or difficult holes, the group might agree to play a “Blind Wolf.” The Wolf must declare their choice before anyone hits. This removes the advantage of seeing the drives and relies purely on pre-hole assessment or risk-taking.
C. Carryover Wolf
If no points are settled on a hole (for example, in a Lone Wolf situation where two opponents tie for the best score against the Wolf), the points may carry over to the next hole, increasing the payout potential significantly. This requires diligent tracking.
Best Practices for Wolf Golf
To ensure smooth play and maximize fun, adhere to these best practices for Wolf golf:
- Keep Track Digitally: Use a scorecard app or a designated scorekeeper to track points immediately after each hole. Miscounting points is the fastest way to ruin the game.
- Agree on Net vs. Gross: Confirm whether points are awarded based on the gross score or the net score (after handicap adjustments) before the first swing. Net is usually fairer.
- Define “Winning”: In a partnership, if both teams score the same (a tie), usually no points are exchanged on that hole. Confirm this rule.
- The Wolf Must Declare: The Wolf must clearly announce their intent (Partner X or Lone Wolf) immediately after all tee shots are in play, usually before anyone prepares for their second shot.
Summary of Payout Structure (Per Hole)
This table summarizes the point exchanges based on the outcome, assuming the standard 1-point exchange rate.
| Scenario | Wolf’s Action | Result | Payout to Wolf | Payout to Partner (if applicable) | Payout to Opponents |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Partnership Play | Picks Partner | Wolf Team Wins | +2 points | +2 points | -2 points each (Total -4) |
| Partnership Play | Picks Partner | Opponent Team Wins | -2 points | -2 points | +2 points each (Total +4) |
| Lone Wolf Play | Goes Lone Wolf | Wolf Wins (Beats all 3) | +3 points | N/A | -1 point each (Total -3) |
| Lone Wolf Play | Goes Lone Wolf | One Opponent Wins | -1 point | N/A | +1 point for the winner |
| Lone Wolf Play | Goes Lone Wolf | Two Opponents Win | -2 points total | N/A | +1 point each |
Frequently Asked Questions About Wolf Golf
Can I play Wolf with three players?
While Wolf is traditionally designed for four players to ensure equal rotation and clear partnership dynamics, you can adapt it for three. In a three-person game, the player who is “It” (the Wolf) chooses a partner, leaving one opponent. The scoring adjusts: the Wolf and partner play against the lone opponent. If the Wolf team wins, they each get 1 point from the loser. If the lone opponent wins, they get 2 points from the Wolf and the partner.
What happens if the Wolf and their chosen partner tie the other two players?
If there is a tie (a push) between the two teams in partnership play, no points are exchanged on that hole. The status quo remains. This is true for Lone Wolf play as well; if the Lone Wolf ties one or more opponents, they only lose points to those who beat them outright.
Is Wolf better for match play or stroke play betting?
Wolf is inherently structured for stroke play betting. Since points are awarded based on the score of the current hole against the field, it functions perfectly as a running tally game rather than a match-play format where you only care about winning individual holes against a single opponent.
How long does a game of Wolf typically take?
A game of Wolf takes the same amount of time as standard stroke play for four people, usually around 4 to 4.5 hours for 18 holes. The decision-making by the Wolf adds only a few seconds per hole to the pace of play.