Golf

Rules and Gameplay

The standard game of Golf Solitaire uses one deck of 52 playing cards. To set up the game, the dealer lays out seven columns of five cards each, all face up and fully visible to form the tableau. A single card is then dealt face up to start the foundation pile. The remaining 16 cards are placed face down to form the stock. Play proceeds by moving cards from the tableau to the foundation pile. Only the topmost card of each column, the one closest to the player, is available for play. When that card is removed, the card beneath it becomes available. A card from the tableau can be moved to the foundation if it is exactly one rank higher or one rank lower than the current top card of the foundation, regardless of suit. For example, if the foundation shows an 8 of hearts, a 7 or a 9 of any suit can be played. A strict rule prohibits playing any card on top of a King, meaning building stops if a King becomes the foundation's top card. When no moves are available from the tableau, the player turns cards from the stock one at a time, placing them on the foundation to create new opportunities. There is no redeal, and the game ends when the stock is exhausted and no further moves can be made from the tableau.

Scoring in Golf Solitaire follows the principle that lower scores are better, mirroring the sport. After the stock runs out and play concludes, the player scores one point for each card remaining in the tableau. If a player successfully clears the entire tableau of all 35 cards, they achieve a special negative score, earning minus one point for every card left in the stock. A full game consists of nine such deals, or holes. A total score of 45 or lower after nine holes is considered par, while a perfect score would be zero or lower. The game acknowledges that some initial tableaus may be impossible to clear if, for instance, all Queens are buried under Kings. In such cases, the accepted practice is to reshuffle and redeal the cards to begin a fair hole.

Common Variations and Related Games

Several common rule variations exist to make Golf Solitaire easier or to alter its challenge. One popular relaxation allows Queens to be played on top of Kings, which the strict rules forbid. Another widespread variant, often called Putt Putt, permits turning the corner, meaning a King can be played on an Ace and an Ace on a King, creating a continuous loop. Some players add one or both Jokers to the deck as wild cards that can represent any rank to facilitate play. Another option is to start with an empty foundation pile, allowing the player to choose any exposed card from the tableau for the first move, granting a strategic head-start. Beyond rule tweaks, the core gameplay mechanics of Golf have inspired several distinct solitaire games that use similar building principles but different layouts. These games share Golf's emphasis on sequencing and clearing cards through adjacency in rank, demonstrating the versatility of its core concept.

• Tri Peaks: Uses a tableau of cards arranged in three overlapping peaks.
• Black Hole: All cards are eventually built onto a single foundation pile, the black hole.
• Pyramid Golf (Escalator): Features a tableau shaped like a pyramid.
• Spit: A fast-paced, real-time competitive game for two players that uses similar matching concepts.

Multiplayer Golf Card Games

While Golf is most commonly played as a solitaire game, the name also applies to several competitive card games for multiple players. These games share the goal of achieving the lowest score over multiple rounds but use different mechanics. In the multiplayer card game often simply called Golf, each player is typically dealt six cards face down from one or more standard decks, sometimes including jokers. Players arrange these cards in a two-by-three grid in front of them and turn two cards face up. The objective is to reduce the point value of one's hand by drawing from a stock or discard pile and swapping cards. A game is played over nine holes, and the player with the lowest cumulative score wins. Scoring in this version assigns specific point values to each card rank, which are crucial for strategy.

In the multiplayer Six Card Golf game, a pair of equal-rank cards in the same column scores zero points for that entire column. This scoring rule applies even if the equal cards are 2s. Golf Patience, the solitaire version, can also be played competitively by two or more players. They can play the same solitaire layout simultaneously and compare their total scores after completing 18 holes. Alternatively, they can use match-play scoring to track how many holes each player is ahead or behind their opponent.

Digital and Online Play

Golf Solitaire has found a significant audience in digital form, available on numerous websites and as mobile applications. Many free online versions, such as those on CardGames.io and Green Felt Solitaire, offer the game with polished graphics, unlimited undo options, and relaxed rule sets to increase winnability. The game is also featured on the AARP website, marketed as a fun and challenging cognitive exercise for its members. Mobile app stores list versions like Golf Solitaire Pro and Golf Solitaire Classic, which sometimes include advertisements or offer premium ad-free experiences. Player reviews frequently describe the digital game as addictive, challenging, and a good test of strategic planning. Common features in digital implementations include keyboard shortcuts for efficient play, auto-finish functions for foundation games, and card-highlighting tools to help players locate specific ranks or suits.

Collectible Golf Trading Cards

Separate from the card game, the term golf cards also refers to collectible trading cards featuring professional golfers, a niche but active collecting field. Major sports card manufacturers like Upper Deck and Panini produce annual sets. For example, the 2026 Upper Deck Golf set features a 140-card Base Set with several distinct subsets that collectors seek to complete. These subsets highlight different aspects of the sport and its players, offering variety within the collection. Panini's 2026 Contenders LIV Golf Hobby Box contains six packs with eight cards per pack. These collectibles are sold through hobby shops, online retailers like Walmart.ca, and dedicated golf card stores, with prices varying from blaster boxes to premium hobby boxes. This collecting market operates entirely independently of the solitaire card game but shares the golf theme.

• Vets/Legends: Cards featuring veteran and legendary golfers.
• Season Highlights: Cards commemorating notable moments from the golf season.
• Debut Dates: Cards marking the professional debut of golfers.
• Young Guns: The signature rookie cards for new golfers.
• Retrospective Young Guns: A 2026 subset featuring rookie card designs for top golfers who had not previously had a Young Guns card.

Strategy and Skill Considerations

Success in Golf Solitaire depends more on thoughtful planning than on luck, especially compared to many other solitaire games. The key strategic element involves managing the sequence of cards played to the foundation to avoid blocking valuable cards in the tableau. Since only the top card of each column is available, players must consider the consequences of revealing the card beneath. A common tactic is to avoid playing a card from a column if the card underneath it would be unplayable for many turns, such as a King in the strict version. Players must also use the stock wisely, turning cards only when necessary to unblock the tableau, as each turned card permanently changes the foundation and the available moves. The goal of clearing the tableau for a negative score adds a layer of depth, encouraging players to think several moves ahead rather than simply making the first available play. Mastery involves recognizing patterns, anticipating dead ends, and maximizing the utility of every card drawn from the stock.

Popularity and Cultural Presence

Golf Solitaire maintains a steady popularity due to its simple rules, quick rounds, and satisfying strategic depth. It is a staple in digital solitaire collections and is often recommended as a gateway game for those new to patience games. Its presence on the AARP website highlights its appeal to an older demographic looking for engaging mental exercises. The game's terminology and scoring, borrowed from the sport of golf, make it intuitively understandable for many. The existence of numerous digital versions, from free browser games to mobile apps, ensures it remains accessible to a wide audience. While not as universally recognized as Klondike, Golf Solitaire has carved out a dedicated niche among card game enthusiasts who appreciate its unique challenge. Its influence is also seen in the family of related solitaire games like Tri Peaks, which have themselves become popular digital pastimes.

Questions about Golf

What is Golf Solitaire?

Golf Solitaire, also known as One Foundation, is a patience or solitaire card game. Players try to earn the lowest number of points over the course of nine deals, which are called holes. The game involves a tableau of 35 face-up cards and one foundation pile. Cards are moved from the tableau to the foundation if they are one rank higher or lower than the foundation's top card.

How do you play Golf Solitaire?

You start by dealing seven columns of five face-up cards each to form the tableau. One card is dealt face up as the foundation. Play by moving the top card from any column to the foundation if it is one rank above or below the foundation's top card. When no moves are possible, draw cards one by one from the 16-card stock onto the foundation. The game ends when the stock is empty and no more moves exist. You score one point for each card left in the tableau.

What are the rules for building in Golf Solitaire?

The core building rule allows you to place a card on the foundation pile if it is exactly one rank higher or one rank lower than the current top card, regardless of suit. In the strict version, you cannot play any card on top of a King, effectively stopping building on that foundation. There is no building on the tableau itself, only from the tableau to the foundation. Variations like Putt Putt allow turning the corner, building an Ace on a King or a King on an Ace.

Can you play Golf Solitaire online for free?

Yes, you can play Golf Solitaire online for free on various websites. These sites often feature the game with simple gameplay and graphics. Some popular platforms include CardGames.io and Green Felt Solitaire. These free versions are playable directly in a web browser and may offer features like unlimited undos.

What is a good score in Golf Solitaire?

In Golf Solitaire, a score of 45 or lower over nine holes is considered par. A perfect score is zero or lower. Players score one point for each card left in the tableau after the stock is exhausted. If the tableau is cleared completely, the player scores a negative point for every card remaining in the stock.

What is the difference between Golf Solitaire and Six Card Golf?

Golf Solitaire is a single-player patience game played with a tableau of 35 cards. Six Card Golf is a multiplayer card game where each player has a hand of six cards. Both games use golf terminology like holes and aim for the lowest score. However, their rules, setup, and number of players are completely different.

Sources and further reading

• Golf (Wikipedia)
• 2026 Upper Deck Golf (upperdeck.com)
• Six Card Golf (bicyclecards.com)
• Golf Solitaire (games.aarp.org)
• Golf Solitaire | Play it online (cardgames.io)
• Golf Solitaire (greenfelt.net)
• Golf Solitaire, Card Game, App on Amazon Appstore (amazon.ca)

Checked by the Nosy Mag desk. Last updated 2026-11-10.