Can You Play Golf with 6 Players?

Ever tried to organize a golf day for a large group of friends or family, only to wonder if your six-person crew will even be allowed on the course? You're not alone. The short answer is that most golf courses have a firm rule against groups larger than four, but it's not a complete dead end. With the right approach, a bit of planning, and a commitment to speedy play, you can sometimes make a six-some work.

This guide will walk you through why courses are reluctant to allow six-player groups, how to respectfully ask for an exception, and the best game formats to play if you get the go-ahead. Our goal is to help your group have an amazing time on the course without slowing down play for anyone else.

Why Most Golf Courses Say No to 6 Players

If you've ever called a pro shop and been told a firm "no foursomes only" policy, it can feel a bit rigid. But from the course's perspective, this rule is about protecting the experience for every single golfer on that day. The objections aren't personal, they're based on logistics and flow.

The Golden Rule of Golf: Pace of Play

The number one reason for the four-player limit is pace of play. A typical 18-hole round is designed to be completed in about four to four-and-a-half hours. Each group is sent off the first tee at 8-10 minute intervals, creating a carefully managed flow across the entire course.

A standard foursome involves four tee shots, four walks to the ball, four pre-shot routines, four approach shots, and four putting sequences on every hole. Now, add two more players into that mix. You've just increased pretty much every step by 50%. Suddenly, a four-and-a-half-hour round can stretch to six hours or more. This creates a ripple effect, causing a massive bottleneck behind you. The foursome on the tee box two holes back? They are now waiting on every single shot, their rhythm is destroyed, and their day is far less enjoyable. A single slow six-some can frustrate dozens of other golfers and throw the entire course's schedule into disarray.

Logistics, Etiquette, and Course Maintenance

Beyond pace, other practical factors come into play:

• Cart Availability: Most courses have a fleet of golf carts built for two. A six-some requires three carts. On a busy Saturday morning, that commitment of three carts to one group can be a logistical strain, potentially leaving another group without a ride.
• Course Wear and Tear: It's simple math. Six sets of feet walking on the greens and three carts driving down the fairways create more traffic and stress on the turf than four players and two carts. Over time, allowing larger groups accelerates wear on the course a superintendent works so hard to maintain.
• A Feeling of Chaos: Golf, for many, is an escape. A foursome feels orderly. A six-some can often feel crowded and chaotic. There's more talking, more movement, and more general commotion, which can be distracting not only for your group but for players on adjacent holes. It changes the atmosphere of the game.

How to Respectfully Arrange a 6-Player Game

So, given the very valid reasons courses have against six-somes, how can you ever hope to get one approved? The secret isn't in finding a magic loophole, it's in courtesy, communication, and strategic planning. You can't just show up with six golfers and expect to play.

Step 1: Call The Pro Shop Far in Advance

This is the most important step. Spontaneity is not your friend here. Call the golf course days, or even a week, before you plan to play. Ask to speak directly with the Head Golf Professional or the Director of Golf. Cá,lling during a slower time, like a weekday afternoon, is better than peak hours on a weekend morning. The person answering the phone initially may just give you the standard policy, you want to talk to the decision-maker.

Step 2: Choose the Absolute Best Time to Play

Your chances of getting a "yes" increase tenfold if your request doesn't interfere with the course's regular flow of players. Offer to take a time slot that is least disruptive:

• The Very First Tee Time of the Day: If you're the first group out, there is nobody behind you to hold up. You can take a little extra time without impacting anyone.
• The Very Last Tee Time of the Day: Booking a "twilight" round means the course is emptying out. You might not finish all 18 holes before dark, but you'll have the course largely to yourselves.
• Slow Weekday Afternoons: A Tuesday at 2 PM is a much easier ask than a Saturday at 9 AM. If the tee sheet is wide open, the pro is much more likely to be accommodating.

Step 3: State Your Case and Show You're Prepared

When you speak to the Head Pro, be polite and understanding. Start by acknowledging their position. Try saying something like: "Hi, I have a special situation. We have a family outing with six of us, and we'd love the opportunity to play together. We completely understand that pace of play is the top priority and have a plan to make sure we don't hold anybody up."

This is where you make your case. Tell them:

• You are all experienced golfers (if true).
• You plan to play a fast format like a scramble. (More on this below).
• You will be hyper-aware of your pace and insist on letting any group play through immediately.

This proactive approach shows you respect their course, their rules, and their other customers. You're not just asking for a favor, you're presenting a responsible plan.

Step 4: Gracefully Accept Their Decision

Some courses have a categorical "no exceptions" insurance policy or management mandate. If the answer is no, thank them for their time. Don't argue or try to lay on a guilt trip. Instead, ask for the next best thing: "No problem at all, I completely understand. Could we book two consecutive tee times as two groups of three?" This maintains the relationship and shows you’re reasonable.

The Best Golf Formats for a 6-Player Group

If you get the green light, your job is to prove the Head Pro right for trusting you. The key is to pick a format that is inherently fast and fun. For a six-some, playing your own ball (stroke play) is almost never the right choice.

Format 1: Two Teams of Three in a Scramble

This is the gold standard for large-group golf. It's fast, social, and takes the pressure off less-skilled players.

• How it Works: Divide your six players into two teams of three. On every shot, all three players on a team hit from the tee. The team then chooses the best of the three shots. The other two players pick up their balls and all three players hit their next shot from that best spot. You repeat this process until the ball is in the hole.
• Why it's Perfect: You are effectively playing as just two "golfers" (one for each team). After every stroke sequence, five golf balls are picked up. You never waste time looking for errand shots. This format easily keeps pace with a standard foursome, if not faster.

Format 2: Three Teams of Two in a Best Ball ("Three-Ball")

This format is great if your group is little more competitive and wants to feel like they're playing their own ball more often.

• How it Works: Divide into three teams of two. Each player plays their own golf ball from tee to hole, just like normal. But at the end of each hole, the team only records its single lowest score. If you make a 6 and your partner makes a 4, the team's score is a 4.
• Why it's Good for Pace: It really speeds things up around the greens. Once your partner has putted out for a 4 (a par, for instance), and you are still lying 4 with a 40-foot putt for your own 5, you can just pick up your ball. Your score can't a­,ffect the team total, so there's no need to putt it out.

Format 3: Shamble

A shamble, sometimes called a Texas Scramble, is a fantastic hybrid that mixes the team benefit of a scramble with the challenge of individual play.

• How it Works: As a six-some, everyone hits a tee shot. The group then selects the single best drive of the six. Here's the twist: From that spot, everyone drops their own ball and plays their own ball individually into the hole. Their score for the hole is their personal score.
• Why it's a Great Compromise: Finding six okay tee shots is often the slowest part of a round. A shamble solves that by getting everyone into a good position off the tee. From there, play is quicker because you're in the fairway. It maintains individual competition while dramatically increasing the pace of play.

Fast-Play Rules for Your Group

No matter which format you choose, agree on a few internal rules beforehand to keep things moving.

• Play "Ready Golf": Don't stick to the "farthest from the hole plays first" tradition. If you're ready to hit and it's safe to do so, go.
• Shorten the Search: Agree from the start on a 60-second rule for looking for a lost ball. It's just one shot. Move on.
• Putt Everything Out: End the time-wasting process of marking, waiting, and re-placing 2-foot putts. If it’s short, just tap it in.
• Be Proactive About Playing Through: Designate someone to be the "pace marshal." At the first sign of a group waiting behind you on a tee box, wave them through. Waiting for them for 5 minutes is a small price to pay for the privilege of playing together.

Final Thoughts

While playing golf with six people isn't the norm, it's certainly possible. Success hinges on advanced communication, choosing a low-traffic time, and being genuinely committed to a swift pace of play. By adopting a fast-paced format like a scramble and being courteous to other golfers, your six-some can enjoy a fantastic and memorable day on the links without disturbing the harmony of the course.

Managing the course logistics is one challenge, making smart shot decisions under pressure is another. In fast-paced formats where every shot counts for the team, getting quick and reliable advice is invaluable. That’s where applications like Caddie AI become incredibly helpful. When your scramble team is facing a tough par 3 and can’t decide between clubs, or you need an instant strategy for a risky par 5, you can get an expert recommendation right on your phone. It cuts out the doubt and debate, allowing you to make confident choices that keep your group moving smoothly and focused on hitting great team shots.