Wolf golf game rules
Wolf is a points game for a foursome. Every hole, one player is the Wolf and decides — shot by shot — whether to team up with a partner or take on the whole group alone.
The rotation
Set a tee order on the first tee. Player 1 is the Wolf on hole 1, player 2 on hole 2, and so on, repeating through the round. The Wolf always tees off first.
Picking a partner
After each other player hits their drive, the Wolf decides on the spot: take that player as a partner, or pass and watch the next one. Passed players can't be picked later. The two teams then play the hole, usually comparing each side's best ball.
Lone Wolf and Blind Wolf
- Lone Wolf: after seeing everyone's drives, the Wolf passes on all three and plays 1 against 3. The points are multiplied (commonly doubled).
- Blind Wolf: the Wolf declares they're going alone before anyone tees off — even before their own shot. It pays a bigger multiplier (commonly triple).
Scoring
The side with the better score wins the hole and each winner earns points; ties push. A Wolf who wins alone earns the multiplied points; a Wolf who loses alone gives them to each opponent. At the end, points are turned into money by an agreed value per point, settled by the difference between players.
Worked example
$1 a point, 1 point per winner, Lone 2×, Blind 3×. Hole 1: Dave goes Lone Wolf and wins. Hole 2: Mike picks Sam and they win. Hole 3: Sam picks Jon and the hole is halved. Hole 4: Jon goes Blind Wolf and loses.
Points: Dave 5, Mike 4, Sam 4, Jon 0. Settled by the difference: Dave +$7, Mike +$3, Sam +$3, Jon −$13.
These numbers come straight from the scoring Side Pot uses in a real round. Load them into the calculator below and change anything.
Wolf calculator
Dave, Mike, Sam, Jon
- Dave+$7Net up
- Mike+$3Net up
- Sam+$3Net up
- Jon−$13Net down
Why (10 entries)
- Mike → Dave $2 · Wolf hole 1: Lone Wolf wins (+2 each) — Dave 2 v Mike 0
- Sam → Dave $2 · Wolf hole 1: Lone Wolf wins (+2 each) — Dave 2 v Sam 0
- Jon → Dave $2 · Wolf hole 1: Lone Wolf wins (+2 each) — Dave 2 v Jon 0
- Dave → Mike $1 · Wolf hole 2: Mike & Sam wins (+1 each) — Mike 1 v Dave 0
- Dave → Sam $1 · Wolf hole 2: Mike & Sam wins (+1 each) — Sam 1 v Dave 0
- Jon → Mike $1 · Wolf hole 2: Mike & Sam wins (+1 each) — Mike 1 v Jon 0
- Jon → Sam $1 · Wolf hole 2: Mike & Sam wins (+1 each) — Sam 1 v Jon 0
- Jon → Dave $3 · Wolf hole 4: Blind Wolf loses (others +3 each) — Dave 3 v Jon 0
- Jon → Mike $3 · Wolf hole 4: Blind Wolf loses (others +3 each) — Mike 3 v Jon 0
- Jon → Sam $3 · Wolf hole 4: Blind Wolf loses (others +3 each) — Sam 3 v Jon 0
Common questions
How many players do you need for Wolf?
Four is standard. Wolf also works with three or five; the rotation simply cycles through everyone.
Who is the Wolf on 17 and 18?
Many groups let the player in last place be the Wolf on the final two holes to give them a chance to catch up. It's a house rule — agree on it before you tee off.
When does the Wolf have to pick a partner?
Right after a player hits their tee shot, before the next player hits. Once you pass on someone, you can't go back to them.
Is Wolf played with handicaps?
It can be played gross or net. With handicaps, strokes are given by each hole's stroke index so higher handicaps get shots on the hardest holes.
Related games
Let Side Pot keep the book.
Tap scores, and every Wolf result, the money and the settle-up are worked out for you.
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