How to play

How to play Wolf in golf

Wolf is a four-player game full of decisions. On every hole one player is the Wolf, who picks a partner for that hole or backs themselves to beat the other three alone. Partners change every hole, so alliances never last.

Players
Exactly 4
Scoring
Points on every hole
Best for
Regular four-balls who enjoy some banter

Who’s the Wolf

Agree a playing order on the first tee. Player 1 is the Wolf on the first hole you play, player 2 on the next, and so on, so everyone takes a turn. Starting on the 10th? Player 1 is the Wolf on 10. On the last two holes the rotation simply carries on.

Picking a partner

Traditionally the Wolf tees off last and watches the others’ drives. After each drive, the Wolf decides on the spot whether to take that player as a partner. Pass on all three and the Wolf plays alone as the Lone Wolf.

Winning the hole

Each side’s best net score counts: the Wolf and partner against the other two, or the Lone Wolf against the best of the other three.

The points

  • Wolf and partner win: 2 points each.
  • The other pair win: 3 points each.
  • Lone Wolf wins: 4 points.
  • Lone Wolf loses: 1 point to each of the other three.
  • Tied hole: no points.

The most points after 18 holes wins. (Some groups use different numbers; these are the most common.)

Handicaps

Wolf uses full handicaps: everyone gets their strokes on the hardest holes, and the best net score on each side counts.

Men and women on cards with different pars? Whoever’s on the higher-par card gets the difference as extra strokes (the World Handicap System rule), and LiveBirdies does it for you once the pars are in.

Tips

  • Pick the partner whose drive leaves the easier second shot, not just the longest.
  • Going Lone Wolf is the fastest way back when you’re behind: 4 points if it comes off.
  • Late in the round, think twice before partnering the leader.

Scoring Wolf with LiveBirdies

LiveBirdies shows who’s the Wolf on every hole. The Wolf taps their partner, or Lone Wolf, on their phone, and the points and standings update for everyone. Someone has to leave? The host taps “Someone left?” on the Standings tab, and their holes without a score count as pick-ups so the game carries on.