How to play Wolf (golf game): rules and point values
In Wolf, one player is the wolf on each hole and decides, after seeing the others tee off, whether to take a partner or play alone against everyone. The wolf rotates, and playing alone pays more if you win and costs more if you lose.
- Players: 3 to 5 players
- Also called: Wolf game, lone wolf, blind wolf
- Teams: Played in teams or pairs in some versions
- Scores needed: Every player's score on each hole
Who the wolf picks (or Lone / Blind), then every score.
Score the most points: partner up when it is safe, go alone when you are sure.
How to play Wolf
- Set a tee order and rotate the wolf each hole. By default the wolf tees off last so they see every shot before choosing.
- After each tee shot the wolf may pick that player as a partner, or pass. If everyone has been passed on, the wolf plays alone.
- A lone wolf plays one against the rest, and a blind wolf declares alone before anyone tees off for even bigger points.
- Best ball decides the hole between the two sides. Net scores are used by default.
- Score the points from your table and settle with the unit value. With the simple table, a winning wolf and partner score 1 each and a lone wolf wins 2.
A worked example with numbers
Ann is the wolf, picks Bo after his tee shot, and they beat Cy and Di on best ball. At 1 per point each of Cy and Di pays 1 to both Ann and Bo. That makes Ann and Bo each +2 and Cy and Di each -2.
On the next hole Bo is the wolf, goes alone and beats the other three. The simple table pays a winning lone wolf 2 points from each opponent, so Bo is +6 and the other three are -2 each. If a blind wolf wins, the default pays 3 from each opponent.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wolf tee position | wolf last | wolf last, wolf first | Wolf last: sees every tee shot before choosing. Wolf first: decides on each player right after that shot. |
| Leftover holes | last place | last place, rotation, wolf choice | Holes after the last full rotation: last place is wolf, rotation continues, or you name the wolf. |
| Lone wolf | on | on, off | Whether the wolf may play alone. |
| Blind wolf | on | on, off | Whether a wolf may declare alone before anyone tees off. |
| Points table preset | B | B, A | B is the simple table, A pays more for opponents beating a team. |
| Wolf and partner win (each) | 1 | 1, 2, 3 | Points each of the wolf and the partner score when they win. |
| Opponents beat wolf and partner (each) | 1 | 1, 2, 3 | Points each opponent scores when they beat the wolf and partner. |
| Lone wolf wins | 2 | 2, 3, 4 | Points a lone wolf wins from each opponent. |
| Lone wolf loses (to each opponent) | 1 | 1, 2 | Points a lone wolf pays to each opponent on a loss. |
| Blind wolf wins | 3 | 3, 4, 6 | Points a blind wolf wins from each opponent. |
| Blind wolf loses (to each opponent) | 1 | 1, 2 | Points a blind wolf pays to each opponent on a loss. |
| Tied hole | no points | no points, carry | Carry: the next decided hole is worth one extra hole of points per tie. |
| Gross or net | net | net, gross | Whether scores are net or gross. |
| Stroke method (net) | off the low | off the low, full | Whether net scores use strokes off the low or the full handicap. |
| Handicap allowance % | 100 | 100, 95, 90, 85 | How much of each Course Handicap is used. |
| Partner may refuse (pig) | off | off, on | A refusing partner makes the wolf play alone at double value. |
| Settlement | pairwise | pairwise, pot | Pairwise: each pair pays the points difference x unit. Pot: leader takes everyone's ante. |
| Pot ante (units) | 10 | 5, 10, 20 | The ante each player puts in when settling to a pot. |
Common disputes
What happens on holes after the rotation ends?
With 16 holes covered by four players, holes 17 and 18 default to the player in last place being the wolf. You can continue the rotation or name the wolf.
What if the hole is tied?
The default is that nobody scores. You can set it to carry points forward.
What is the pig rule?
An optional rule where a partner can refuse the wolf, making the wolf play alone at double value.
How is it settled?
By default pairwise, each pair paying the difference in points times the unit. You can instead play for a pot with an ante.
Frequently asked questions
How many players can play Wolf?
Three to five. Four is the classic number.
What is a blind wolf?
A wolf who declares they are playing alone before anyone hits a tee shot. It is worth more points than a lone wolf.
Does the wolf have to choose a partner right away?
By default the wolf tees off last, then picks or passes on each player after their shot. The other setting has the wolf tee off first and decide on each player right after that shot.
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 Wolf, 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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