How to Play Golf Solitaire: Rules, Scoring and Par
In Golf Solitaire you deal 35 cards face up in seven columns of five and clear them onto a single pile. The bottom card of any column can go on the pile when it is one rank higher or one lower than the pile's top card, whatever the suit: a 7 goes on a 6 or an 8. When nothing fits, you turn a new card from the stock. Like real golf, lower scores are better: each hole scores the cards you leave behind.
The setup
Golf uses one 52-card deck. Deal seven columns of five cards, all face up and overlapping so you can read every card: 35 cards in all. The other 17 cards are the stock. Turn its first card face up to start the pile (also called the waste or foundation), which leaves 16 cards in the stock.
On GameLake the stock and the pile sit below the columns, and a small badge on the stock shows how many cards it has left.
The rule: one higher or one lower
Only the bottom card of each column (the one nothing overlaps) can move. It goes on the pile when it is exactly one rank above or below the pile's top card. Suits and colors don't matter. Then it becomes the new top card, and the next card has to fit that one.
So you can climb and drop as you like: 6, 5, 6, 7, 8, 7… Every card you play is one card fewer on the table, and a long string of plays without touching the stock is called a run. Tap a free card to play it, or drag it onto the pile. On Easy, the cards that fit light up.
Kings and Aces on each level
The ends of the deck are where Golf rules differ most from table to table. GameLake uses a different King rule on each level, from the friendliest to the strictest traditional one:
| Level | On a King | On an Ace | The rule |
|---|---|---|---|
| Easy | Queen or Ace | 2 or King | Kings and Aces are neighbours (Q–K–A–2) |
| Medium | Queen | 2 | Nothing wraps round |
| Hard | Nothing | 2 | A King on the pile ends your run |
On Hard, a King on the pile means you must turn a stock card next. Play Kings when nothing else fits anyway.
The stock
When no bottom card fits, tap the stock: its top card goes face up onto the pile and becomes the card to play on. You go through the stock only once, there is no redeal. You may also turn a stock card while something still fits, which is sometimes the smart move (see the strategy guide).
The hole ends when the columns are empty, or when the stock is used up and no bottom card fits the pile.
Scoring a hole
Golf is scored like golf: the lower, the better. A hole scores one point for every card left in the columns. Clear all 35 and it scores minus one for every stock card you didn't need.
| How the hole ended | Score |
|---|---|
| 4 cards left in the columns | 4 |
| 1 card left in the columns | 1 |
| Columns cleared with the last stock card | 0 |
| Columns cleared with 5 stock cards to spare | −5 |
Each hole also has a par of 3, 4 or 5: roughly the score a steady player makes on that deal. Beat it by one and the game calls it a Birdie, by two an Eagle; one over is a Bogey, two over a Double bogey.
A round of nine holes
A round is nine holes, each a different deal. The bar above the table shows the Hole (1/9, 2/9…), its Par and your score against par so far (E means even). The Scorecard under the table fills in hole by hole, with holes under par circled and holes over par boxed, and your Total at the end. After each hole, press Next hole.
- Finish the round at or under par to win it. Over par still counts as a finished round.
- Undo takes back moves during a hole. If a hole runs out of moves, you can still undo and try another way; a hole you've cleared is in the book.
- New round deals nine fresh holes.
Levels, the Daily hole and Teach me
| Mode | King rule | Deals |
|---|---|---|
| Easy | Kings and Aces wrap | The friendliest deals; cards that fit light up |
| Medium | A Queen may go on a King | Every deal the solver can clear |
| Hard | Nothing on a King | Tougher deals, par 4 or 5 |
| Daily | As Medium | One hole, the same for everyone each day |
Plenty of random Golf deals can't be cleared at all. Every deal on GameLake has been checked by a solver under its level's rules, so all 35 cards can always go. The Daily hole counts as done only when you clear every card; if you run out, try the hole again or undo a few moves.
Stuck? Press Teach me. Hops asks the solver for the move that keeps the table clearable, highlights it, and says why in one line, for example that it starts the longer run or uncovers a useful card. If clearing everything is no longer possible, he shows the move that leaves the fewest cards.
A first hole, step by step
- Look at the pile's top card and find every bottom card one above or below it.
- Before you tap, follow each choice a few cards ahead: which one keeps the run going longer?
- Play the run until nothing fits.
- Turn one stock card and look again.
- Repeat until the columns are empty or the stock is gone, then press Next hole.
Ready for more? The Golf Solitaire strategy guide shows how to plan long runs and when to turn the stock. If you like this kind of game, TriPeaks Solitaire uses the same one-up-one-down rule on three peaks, and Pyramid Solitaire pairs cards that add up to 13. Or play Golf Solitaire now.
Frequently asked questions
How do you play Golf Solitaire?
Deal seven columns of five face-up cards and turn one stock card onto the pile. Move the bottom card of any column onto the pile when it is one rank higher or lower than the top card, whatever the suit. When nothing fits, turn a new stock card. Clear the columns for the best score.
How is Golf Solitaire scored?
Lower is better. A hole scores one point for each card left in the columns. If you clear them all, each stock card you didn't use counts minus one. A GameLake round is nine holes, each with a par of 3, 4 or 5.
Can you play a King on an Ace in Golf Solitaire?
Only on Easy, where Kings and Aces are neighbours. On Medium (and the Daily) nothing wraps, but a Queen may go on a King. On Hard nothing at all goes on a King.
Do suits matter in Golf Solitaire?
No. Only the rank counts: any 8 goes on any 7 or 9.
Can you go through the stock more than once?
No. In Golf you turn each stock card once. When the stock is empty and no bottom card fits, the hole is over.
Can every Golf Solitaire game be won?
Not every random deal, especially with strict King rules. Every GameLake deal has been checked by a solver under its level's rules, so every card can be cleared.