Ready to spice up your regular weekend foursome? The 666 golf format is one of the most entertaining ways to compete on the course, blending three different games into a single 18-hole round. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about playing 666, from the rules of each six-hole match to the strategies that will help your team walk away with the win.
The 666 format, sometimes called "Hollywood," "Round Robin," or "Three Sixes," is a golf game designed for a group of four players, split into two teams of two. Over the course of 18 holes, your foursome will play three separate, six-hole matches, each with a different set of rules.
The beauty of this format is its variety. Just when you’re getting used to one style of play, the rules switch, requiring new strategies and a different mental approach. It keeps everyone engaged and can help level the playing field, as some partnerships might excel at one format over another. It’s a perfect way to break up the routine and introduce a fun, competitive spark to your round.
Typically, the 18 holes are broken down as follows:
Let's break down how each of these mini-games works.
Each six-hole match feels like its own little battle. Understanding the rules for each section is the first step to building a winning game plan.
The round starts with a Scramble, which is a fantastic format for warming up and building team chemistry. It's often the most forgiving and lowest-scoring portion of the day.
The Scramble is all about teamwork and capitalizing on your best opportunities. It tends to produce very low scores and lots of birdies.
As you make the turn to the seventh hole, the game shifts to Fourball, more commonly known in North America as "Best Ball." Here, the reliance shifts slightly from pure teamwork to more individual play, but with a partner as your safety net.
For example, if you make a 4 and your partner makes a 5, the team's score is 4. If you both make a 4, the score is still 4. This format allows one player to play aggressively and hunt for birdies, knowing their partner can hopefully secure a safe par in the background.
The final six holes are often the most demanding and strategic part of a 666 match: Foursomes, or "Alternate Shot." This format tests trust, patience, and true partnership like no other.
This is where things get interesting. You’re not just responsible for your shot, you’re responsible for setting up your partner's next shot. It's rewarding when it works and a good test of your relationship when it doesn't!
The most common way to score 666 is with match play for each six-hole segment. You’re essentially playing three separate mini-matches.
Here’s how it works hole by hole:
At the end of each six-hole match, you tally the points to find a winner for that segment. For instance, after the first six holes of Scramble, your team might have won 4 to 2. You then reset the score to 0-0 for the Fourball and Foursomes matches. Players will often place a small wager on each of the three matches, plus an overall winner for the combined 18-hole score. This keeps things interesting even if one team runs away with an early lead in one format.
Playing 666 well isn't just about hitting good shots - it’s about playing smart and adapting your strategy to each new format.
The approach here is "safe and aggressive." Since you have two cracks at every shot, you can afford to let one player take a risk.
Communication is the cornerstone of good Fourball play. The phrase "you've got a partner" is never more true.
This is where rounds are won and lost. Foursomes demands a pre-round huddle and an ego-free approach.
The 666 format is a fantastic change of pace, testing your team’s versatility, communication, and adaptability across three unique acts. It ensures that no part of the round ever feels stale and provides a balanced competition where every player's strengths can come to the surface at different times.
Managing three different game plans in one round requires a lot of on-the-fly thinking. During a tense Alternate Shot match, you might find yourself in the trees, unsure how to play a shot without wrecking the hole for your partner. For these tough decisions, we built Caddie AI to serve as your instant, on-demand strategist. You can take a photo of your ball's lie, and we’ll give you a smart recommendation on exactly how to play it. Instead of guesswork, you get clear guidance that gives you the confidence to commit to the shot and keep your team in the game.
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