In this Article
The wolf golf game rotates one decision-maker each hole, who can pick a partner or go alone. Learn the rules, points, a worked example, and 5 tips to win more.
Four golfers, one tee box, and nobody wants another plain skins game. That is when somebody says, ‘Let’s play Wolf.’ The wolf golf game is a rotating format where one player each hole decides whether to team up with a partner or go it alone, and that single decision makes every tee shot matter to the whole group.
I run it with my students in Chicago whenever a foursome wants more drama than stroke play gives them. This guide covers the rules, the order of play, the scoring, a worked example, and five ways to win more points.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
What Is the Wolf Golf Game? The Short Answer
The wolf golf game is a betting or points format for groups of four. Players take turns being the Wolf, and the Wolf chooses either a partner for that hole or to play alone against the other three. The side with the better score on the hole wins the points.
Because the order rotates, every player is the Wolf on a set of holes, so over 18 holes you also spend time as the one being picked, or ignored. That mix of strategy and nerve is why it is one of the most popular golf side games, according to Golf Digest.
The game works at any skill level. A 25-handicapper can beat a scratch player because the partner choice matters as much as the shots do. You can play for dollars, drinks, or just bragging rights.
How to Play the Wolf Golf Game, Step by Step
Here is the sequence for every hole. Once your group has run through it a couple of times, it moves as fast as any other game.
- Set the tee order. On the first tee, pick an order for the four players. This order rotates by one spot each hole, so the player who hit first on hole 1 hits second on hole 2, and so on.
- The Wolf tees off first. The first player in the order is the Wolf for that hole. In most groups the Wolf hits first, which means the Wolf is choosing with the least information.
- Watch every drive. After each of the other three players hits, the Wolf can claim that player as a partner on the spot.
- Decide before the next player hits. Once the next player tees off, the earlier players are off the table. The Wolf cannot go back and pick someone who already hit.
- Go alone if nobody fits. If the Wolf passes on the first three players, the fourth player is the last option. Whoever is left, the Wolf either takes that partner or plays the hole as a Lone Wolf.
- Play the hole. A partner hole is a two-versus-two match using the better ball from each side. A Lone Wolf hole is one against three, and the Wolf plays the best ball of the other three.
The timing is the whole game. If you pick the first player because he hit it 280 down the middle, you may watch the next player hit it 300 and 10 feet from the pin. MyGolfSpy notes the same trap: choose too early and you may regret it, wait too long and you are forced into a partner you did not want.
Lone Wolf and Blind Wolf
Going alone is where the wolf golf game earns its reputation. You have two ways to do it, and both pay more than picking a partner.
Lone Wolf
You declare that you are playing alone after seeing at least one tee shot. It is riskier than a partner hole, because you face the best ball of three players, but it doubles the payout in most groups.
Blind Wolf
You declare before anyone has teed off, including yourself. It is the big gamble, and groups usually triple the payout, or at least double it. I only recommend it on a hole you know well, such as a short par 3 where you trust your tee shot.
Keep one more rule in mind. In some groups a player can refuse to be picked, which forces the Wolf to play alone. That version is often called Pig, so agree on it before the round.
Wolf Golf Game Scoring
Scoring varies from group to group, so settle it on the first tee. This is the setup I use most often. It follows the standard points described by Golf Digest, with the blind multiplier added.
| Result | Points awarded |
|---|---|
| Wolf and partner win the hole | 1 point each for the Wolf and partner |
| Wolf and partner lose the hole | 1 point each for the two opponents |
| Lone Wolf wins the hole | 2 points for the Wolf |
| Lone Wolf loses the hole | 1 point each for the three opponents |
| Blind Wolf wins or loses | Double the Lone Wolf points |
| Hole is tied | No points, or carry over to the next hole |
The player with the most points after 18 holes wins. If you play for money, agree on a value per point. A dollar a point is plenty, because a Blind Wolf swing can move several dollars on one hole.
A Worked Example
Here are the first four holes of a round with players A, B, C, and D, using the points above. Each player is the Wolf once in this stretch.
| Hole | Wolf | What happened | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | A | Picks B, and they win | A +1, B +1 |
| 2 | B | Goes Lone Wolf and wins | B +2 |
| 3 | C | Goes Lone Wolf and loses | A +1, B +1, D +1 |
| 4 | D | Picks A, and the hole is tied | No points |
After four holes, B leads with 4 points, A has 2, D has 1, and C has none. C is now tempted to go alone again to catch up, which is exactly the trap I warn about in the tips below.
Ties, Handicaps, and the Last Holes
Ties are the first thing to agree on. Most groups either call the hole a wash or carry the points to the next hole, which makes the next one worth double. Pick one on the first tee.
For handicaps, the simplest fair method is net scoring. Each player gets strokes on the holes their handicap allows, and you compare net scores on every hole. That lets a 25-handicapper be a real threat to a single-digit player. If everyone is within a few strokes, you can skip handicaps entirely.
Many groups also add a catch-up rule for the closing holes. When the tee order would make the leader the Wolf on 17 or 18, the player furthest behind in points takes the Wolf role instead. It keeps the game alive to the end.
Popular Variations
- Wolf tees off last. Some groups let the Wolf hit last, so the Wolf sees all three drives before choosing. It favors the Wolf, so most groups then make the points smaller.
- Scotch Wolf. The Wolf and partner play alternate shot instead of best ball, which makes a partner hole much harder to predict.
- Birdie doubles. A birdie by the winning side doubles the points for the hole.
- Three-player version. With only three players, the player with the second-best drive is the Wolf for the hole. It is not as strong as a foursome, but it works.
Wolf vs Other Golf Side Games
The wolf golf game sits between a team game and an individual one, because your partner changes every hole. A skins game rewards only the lowest outright score, so a strong player can dominate it. Wolf spreads the points around more evenly.
If your group has a big skill gap, bingo bango bongo golf is still the fairest format, because it rewards position instead of score. For a quick side bet on a par 3, add a greenie on top of Wolf. Playing as one team against the course instead? Read our guide to what a scramble is in golf.
Wolf also keeps everyone engaged between shots, which helps pace. If your round is running long, our guide on how long 18 holes of golf takes shows what a normal pace looks like.
5 Tips to Win More Points
Knowing the rules is half the battle. These are the adjustments I teach my students to win the wolf golf game more often.
1. Be selective with your partner
Do not grab the first decent drive. If you hit first, a 240-yard fairway shot is a good sign, but wait to see whether the next player has something better. A partner who hits it in the rough on the first hole of a long par 4 is a poor bet.
2. Go alone when the group is struggling
If all three opponents hit poor drives, a Lone Wolf call pays double and the odds are in your favor. Short par 3s are also good lone-wolf holes, because there is less that can go wrong.
3. Do not chase losses
The biggest mistake I see is a player who is behind and calls Lone Wolf on every hole. Against the best ball of three, the odds work against you. Pick your spots and play the holes you know.
4. Know your own strengths before the round
You are the Wolf on specific holes, so scout them early. If hole 7 is a long par 5 you cannot reach in two, think about partnering. If hole 12 is a short par 3, plan to go alone.
5. Settle the rules on the first tee
Agree on ties, blind multipliers, whether partners can refuse, and the points per hole. Write the decisions on the back of the scorecard, and you will avoid most arguments later.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the wolf golf game?
It is a betting or points format for four players. One player is the Wolf on each hole and chooses a partner or plays alone, and the better side wins the points.
How many players do you need for Wolf?
Four is the standard number, because it creates two-versus-two partner holes. Three players can play a modified version, but it is not as balanced.
Who goes first in Wolf?
The Wolf for that hole tees off first in most groups. The order rotates by one player each hole, so everyone is the Wolf an equal number of times.
What is the difference between Lone Wolf and Blind Wolf?
A Lone Wolf declares after seeing at least one tee shot. A Blind Wolf declares before anyone hits, so it pays more, usually double the Lone Wolf points or triple the partner points.
What happens if the hole is tied?
You decide before the round. Either nobody scores, or the points carry over to the next hole so it is worth more.
Can you pick a partner after they hit?
Yes, and you must pick right after their shot. Once the next player hits, the earlier players are no longer available.
The Bottom Line
The wolf golf game turns an ordinary round into a hole-by-hole decision for every player in the group. Agree on the points and tie rules, choose partners patiently, and save your Lone Wolf calls for holes that suit you. Do that, and your next round will be a lot more fun than another round of plain stroke play.
