How to play Sixes (golf): rules and rotating partners
Sixes is a game for four players where the round is split into three six-hole matches and the partners change each time. Everyone partners with everyone once, so the result reflects the whole group, not a lucky pairing.
- Players: 4 players
- Also called: Round Robin, Hollywood, Cha Cha Cha
- Teams: Played in teams or pairs in some versions
- Scores needed: Every player's score on each hole
Each golfer's score on every hole. The partners change by themselves.
Win your six-hole matches, with every partner in turn.
How to play Sixes
- Name the four players A, B, C and D. On holes 1 to 6, A and B play C and D.
- On holes 7 to 12, A and C play B and D. On holes 13 to 18, A and D play B and C.
- Each six-hole segment is its own match, scored by best ball by default. The side that wins more holes wins the segment.
- A tied segment is a push, or you can carry the stake to the next segment.
- Settle each segment at the stake per player and add the three results together.
A worked example with numbers
Stake 2 per player per segment. Segment 1: A and B win three holes, C and D win one and two are halved. A and B win the segment, so C and D each pay A and B 2. That is A +4, B +4, C -4, D -4.
Segment 2 starts fresh with A and C against B and D, and B and D win it: B +4, D +4, A -4, C -4. In segment 3, A and D against B and C, A and D win: A +4, D +4, B -4, C -4. Adding up the three segments: A +4, B +4, C -12, D +4, which nets to zero.
Options and defaults
These are the rules groups change. The first column is the setting, the second is what Hole19Tally starts with, and the last says what it changes.
| Option | Default | Choices | What it changes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pairing order | manual | manual, random, cart | How partners rotate across the three segments. |
| Segment scoring | best ball | best ball, aggregate, high low, total best ball | bestBall: match play on each side's better ball. aggregate: match play on both partners' scores added. highLow: point for low v low and point for high v high. totalBestBall: lower total of best balls over the segment wins. |
| Segment tied | push | push, carry | push: no payout. carry: the stake adds to the next segment (a tie in the last segment is a push). |
| Presses inside a segment | off | off, nassau | nassau: automatic press when a side goes 2 down (hole-by-hole scoring modes only). |
| Gross or net | net | gross, net | Net applies handicap strokes; gross ignores them. |
| Stroke method | off the low | off the low, full | Off the low: lowest handicap plays at zero. Full: everyone takes their whole Playing Handicap. |
| Handicap allowance % | 100 | 100, 95, 90, 85, 80 | Percent of the Course Handicap used, applied before rounding. |
| Hole not completed (pick-up) | out | out, net double, max | out: player is out of the hole. netDouble: records net double bogey. max: records the maximum score below. |
| Maximum score (strokes over par) | 3 | 2, 3, 4 | Used when pick-up is "max"; 3 means triple bogey. |
| Player withdraws | stand as is | stand as is, void, forfeit | standAsIs: that player's bets settle as they stand. void: bets with that player are cancelled. forfeit: they score nothing for the remaining holes. |
| Round cut short | segments | segments, void, last | segments: only completed segments settle. void: nothing settles. last: settle on standings at the last completed hole. |
Common disputes
How are partners decided?
By default you set the pairing order yourself. It can be random, or follow the cart pairings.
Can you press inside a segment?
Optionally, in the Nassau style, with an automatic press when a side goes 2 down.
What if a segment is tied?
A push by default. You can carry the stake to the next segment.
Which scoring methods are there?
Best ball, both scores added, high-low, and the lower total of best balls over the segment.
Frequently asked questions
Why is it called Sixes?
It is played in three segments of six holes.
How many players?
Exactly four.
Gross or net?
Net by default, with strokes off the low.
Is Hole19Tally a betting app?
Hole19Tally is a scorekeeper. It records scores, works out strokes and shows who owes whom, but it never holds, moves or takes a share of money, and it is not a gambling service. Players settle up directly with each other.
Score it in Hole19Tally
Hole19Tally keeps the score for Sixes, applies the handicap strokes and shows who owes whom. Hole19Tally is a scorekeeper. It records scores, works out strokes and shows who owes whom, but it never holds, moves or takes a share of money, and it is not a gambling service. Players settle up directly with each other.
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