Can You Play Match Play with 3 Golfers?

Thinking you need an even number of players for a competitive match? Think again. You can absolutely play match play with three golfers and, in fact, some of the most engaging and fun golf games are designed specifically for a threesome. This article will show you exactly how to set up fair and exciting three-player games, from the most popular points-based format to true match play variations.

Yes, You Can Play - And It’s A Blast!

The first thing to understand is that traditional, one-on-one match play, where you compete hole-by-hole against a single opponent, doesn’t work with three players. It’s an odd-person-out situation by an odd number. But golfers have always been creative, and several established formats solve this problem beautifully. The goal isn't to force a square peg into a round hole but to use a game designed for a threesome from the start.

The beauty of these three-player games is that they often create dynamic shifts in strategy. You’re not just thinking about beating one person, you’re managing your game against two opponents on every hole. This can lead to more conservative or aggressive plays depending on what the other two a doing. It adds a wonderful layer of strategy that you just don't get in a standard two-person match. Next, we'll break down the most popular format, so you can put it into play during your very next round.

The Classic Threesome Game: How to Play Nine-Point

Without a doubt, the most popular and easiest game to play with three golfers is called Nine-Point, or sometimes just "Nines." It’s a simple system that awards nine points on every hole, distributed among the three players based on their scores. It keeps everyone engaged until the final putt because even a player having a rough day can still pick up a point or two on any given hole.

The Scoring Breakdown for Nine-Point

The nine available points are split up based on how the three players score on a hole, using either their gross score (actual strokes) or their net score (strokes after handicap is applied). Here’s the distribution:

• One clear winner: The player with the low score gets 5 points, the middle score gets 3 points, and the high score gets 1 point. (5-3-1)
• Tie for first place: The two players who tie for the low score each get 4 points, and the third player gets 1 point. (4-4-1)
• Tie for second place: The player with the low score gets 5 points, and the two players who tie for second each get 2 points. (5-2-2)
• All three players tie: All three players get 3 points each. (3-3-3)

A Step-by-Step Example of Nine-Point

Let's walk through a couple of holes to make this crystal clear. Imagine you're playing with Amy and Ben.

Hole 1 (Par 4):

• You make a 4.
• Amy makes a 5.
• Ben makes a 6.

You have the lowest score, so you get 5 points. Amy has the middle score for 3 points, and Ben gets 1 point.
Current Totals: You (5), Amy (3), Ben (1)

Hole 2 (Par 3):

• You make a 4.
• Amy makes a 3.
• Ben makes a 4.

Amy has the lowest score and wins the hole outright, earning her 5 points. You and Ben tied for second, so you each get 2 points.
Current Totals: You (7), Amy (8), Ben (3)

You simply continue this for all 18 holes. At the end of the round, the player with the most total points wins. It's common to attach a small wager per point to make things more interesting, or you can just play for bragging rights.

Alternative 3-Player Formats for True Match Play

If you're a match play purist and the points system of Nines isn't for you, there are other ways to compete. These require a bit more score-tracking but provide a true hole-by-hole match play experience.

1. "Vegas" or Concurrent Matches

In this format, each player has two separate, simultaneous one-on-one matches on every hole - one against each of the other two players. It feels like a high-action game because you're constantly weighing your performance against both opponents.

How It Works:

On each hole, you win, lose, or tie your mini-match against each player. You track these matches separately. Let's use another example with you, Amy, and Ben on a single Par 4 hole.

• You make a net 4.
• Amy makes a net 5.
• Ben makes a net 4.

Here’s the outcome for the hole:

• Your matches: You tie with Ben, but you beat Amy. So for this hole, you are "All Square" (AS) with Ben and "1 Up" on Amy.
• Amy's matches: She loses to you and loses to Ben. She is "1 Down" against both players.
• Ben's matches: He ties with you and beats Amy. He is "AS" with you and "1 Up" on Amy.

You would continue tracking these three independent matches (You vs. Amy, You vs. Ben, and Amy vs. Ben) throughout the round. The person who wins the most matches, or has the best overall record, is the day's champion. This game demands attention to detail, but it’s a fantastic way to feel the pressure of direct match play in a threesome.

2. The Six-Hole Round Robin

This format breaks the 18-hole round into three distinct six-hole matches, giving everyone a chance to go head-to-head with each other.

How It Works:

• Holes 1-6: Player A plays Player B (Player C is an observer).
• Holes 7-12: Player A plays Player C (Player B is an observer).
• Holes 13-18: Player B plays Player C (Player A is an observer).

The winner of each six-hole match gets 1 point. The person with the most points at the end of 18 holes wins the overall game. The downside is that one player is always "out" of the active match, which can reduce the engagement level slightly. However, it's the purest form of one-on-one match play you can organize within a threesome.

Making it Fair: How to Use Handicaps with Three Golfers

For any of these games to be fair and competitive, you need to use handicaps properly. The process is simple and ensures everyone has a legitimate chance to win holes.

Step 1: Find the Low-Handicap Player

Identify the player with the lowest Course Handicap. This person becomes the "scratch" golfer for the group, meaning they will play off a handicap of zero. They set the standard from which the others' handicaps are calculated.

Step 2: Calculate Each Player's Stroke Allotment

The other two players receive strokes based on the difference between their handicap and the scratch player's handicap.

• Player A (scratch): 8 handicap
• Player B: 15 handicap
• Player C: 22 handicap

Player A is the low-handicapper, so they play off zero.
Player B gets 7 strokes (15 - 8 = 7).
Player C gets 14 strokes (22 - 8 = 14).

Step 3: Apply the Strokes on the Correct Holes

Those strokes aren't just used whenever you want. They are applied on specific holes according to the "Stroke Index" or "Handicap" row on the scorecard. The holes are ranked from 1 (most difficult) to 18 (least difficult).

• Player B (7 strokes): Gets one stroke on the holes with a Stroke Index of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7.
• Player C (14 strokes): Gets one stroke on the holes with a Stroke Index of 1 through 14.

On a hole where a player receives a stroke, they subtract one from their gross score to get their net score for that hole. This net score is what's used to determine the winner. For example, if you make a 5 on the #1 handicap hole and you get a stroke, your net score is a 4 for the purposes of the match.

Final Thoughts

Playing match play with three players shifts the dynamics from a simple duel to a more tactical, round-robin style of competition. With great games like Nine-Point, Vegas, and the Round Robin format, you'll never have to cancel your match or feel like having an odd number is a barrier to a fun, competitive day on the course. Just pick a format that everyone understands and agrees to before you tee off, apply handicaps correctly, and get ready for a memorable battle.

Tracking who gets a stroke on which hole, managing points for a game like Nines, and deciding on the best strategy can sometimes feel like a lot to manage while you're also trying to focus on your swing. That’s where a tool built to simplify the game can be a massive help. When I’m on the course, sorting out rules or figuring out the smart play is one less thing to worry about. For instance, with Caddie AI, you can quickly ask for and receive a clarification on any format or rule in seconds. It allows you to concentrate on pulling off the shot, making the game more about playing and less about juggling details.