How to play Wolf in golf

This is one of the most popular games on the course, so here’s how to play Wolf.

Wolf is a strategic game where you can rely on yourself, or your playing partner(s), whilst offering a solid pivot from a standard foursome.

It’s also played among tour players, as pointed out by world No.1 Scottie Scheffler.

After a heated rivalry with Tom Kim at the 2024 Presidents Cup, the US star said it was like playing Wolf with his friend at home.

You might not hit shots like the Masters champ, but you can play the same game, so here’s what you need to know…

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How to play Wolf

Wolf can be played with three players, but it is generally more enjoyable if four players are teeing it up together.

There are no honours in Wolf, so the first task is to pick an order on the first tee. You can do this manually or through a random generator.

Each hole, one player will be the Wolf, following the tee off order as the game progresses.

Let’s assume golfers are named Player A, B, C and D. The ‘Wolf’ always tees off last, so Player D would get the game underway on hole one.

Then, Player A on hole two, Player B on hole three and Player C on hole four before coming back round to Player D on hole five.

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Playing as the Wolf

The Wolf has options in this game.

The first choice is to go alone – a lone Wolf, of course. This must be decided before or after the Wolf’s tee shot.

If you rate one of your playing partners, then you can choose their ball instead. This is for the specific hole and must be done before anyone hits their tee shots.

Otherwise, wait to see the shots of your playing partners, and pick which one you like the most, as you see it.

Therefore, you can’t go back to pick Player A’s shot if Player B smashes one out of bounds.

If you wait for Player C and aren’t impressed either, that’s when you can become a lone Wolf, creating a 1v3 best ball match against the remaining three players.

Should you select someone’s tee shot, you’ll team up with them in a 2v2 one-hole match.

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How do you score the game?

The great thing about Wolf is that scoring can be decided by the players, as there are no carved rules.

Generally, being the lone Wolf comes with a greater scoring risk-reward, simply given it’s tougher to win a 1v3 match.

So, if you go alone and win, you’ll be awarded three points – one for every player. Lose, however, and every other player will win three points.

A 2v2 match would award two points to each player for a win, on that basis.

There is room to change this, however, with some variations removing points from players’ scoring totals if they lose, while others award different point tallies.

Agree it all before the group tees off and you can’t go wrong.

Finally, have the most points after 18 holes and you win.