Nine Point is one of the best betting games you can play on the golf course, turning any casual threesome into an engaging competition down to the final putt. It's easy to learn, keeps every player involved on every hole, and makes for some dramatic swings in momentum. We’ll cover the complete rules, how to handle scoring, and the smartest strategies to make sure you walk off the 18th green with the most points (and bragging rights).
At its heart, Nine Point (often called "Nines," "Points," or "9-Point Game") is a stroke-play competition designed specifically for a group of three golfers. On every single hole, a total of 9 points are up for grabs. Based on how the three players score relative to one another on a given hole, those 9 points are distributed among them. The player with the highest cumulative point total at the end of the round wins.
The beauty of the game is its balance. Because points are awarded on a relative basis, you're not just playing against the course, you're in a direct mini-match with your partners on every tee box. One bad hole won't necessarily knock you out of the running, and one great hole can massively shift the standings. It’s dynamic, it’s fair, and it’s a ton of fun.
Understanding the scoring is really all you need to know to get started. All players play their own ball from tee to green, just like a regular round of stroke play. At the end of the hole, you compare net scores to determine who gets how many of the 9 available points.
Decide before your round if you're playing with or without handicaps. For players with different skill levels, using net scores (a player's gross score minus any handicap strokes they get on that hole) makes the game much more fair and competitive. If you're all scratch golfers or close in skill, playing straight-up gross scores works just fine.
The simplest way to award points is when there are no ties on a hole. The outcomes are straightforward:
Example 1 (No Ties): On a par 4, here's how the scoring plays out:
Simple enough, right? The 5-3-1 distribution covers a lot of the holes you'll play. But the real intrigue of 9 Point comes from how you handle the ties.
Ties happen all the time in golf, and Nine Point has an elegant way of splitting the points. You simply add up the points for the places that are tied and divide them evenly among the tied players.
When two players tie for the low score on a hole, you add the points for 1st place (5) and 2nd place (3) together for a total of 8 points. You then split those 8 points between the two tied players. The player in 3rd place still gets their 1 point.
Example 2 (Two-Way Tie for First): On a par 5:
When two players tie for the middle score, one player wins the hole outright and gets the full 5 points. The other two players split the points for 2nd (3) and 3rd place (1).
Example 3 (Two-Way Tie for Second): On a par 3:
If everyone in the group makes the same net score on a hole, all 9 points are added together and split evenly among anl three players. This one is easy to remember.
Example 4 (Three-Way Tie):
The easiest way to keep score is to dedicate a section of your scorecard to the game. Create three columns, one for each player, and simply write the points they earned on each hole. Keep a running total at the bottom. It helps to have one designated scorekeeper for the group to avoid any confusion.
Your card might look something like this:
Hole | Player A | Player B | Player C
------------------------------------------
1 | 5 | 1 | 3
2 | 3 | 3 | 3
3 | 2 | 5 | 2
------------------------------------------
Total| 10 | 9 | 8
Okay, you know the rules and how to score. Now, how do you actually win? As a coach, this is where the fun starts. 9 Point isn't just about making birdies, it's a game of risk management and strategic thinking. It pays to be the smartest player, not always the longest hitter.
Your number one goal should be to avoid finishing last on any given hole. That lone, single point is a killer. Earning just 1 point while an opponent bags 5 creates a 4-point swing that is tough to recover from. Conversely, the difference between getting 5 points (1st) and 3 points (T-1st) is much smaller.
Focus on just beating one person on every hole. This shifts your mental approach from "I have to make a birdie" to "I just need to avoid making double-bogey." Play conservatively, aim for the middle of greens, and stay out of big trouble (hazards, out of bounds). Solid, steady golf that produces a lot of 3 and 4 point holes will often beat the player who has a rollercoaster round of 5-point birdies and 1-point disasters.
Your individual strategy should adapt based on your skill level relative to your opponents.
Don't underestimate the power of a tie. Let’s say you and another player are on the green, and the third player is already in the clubhouse with a high score. They're guaranteed to get 1 point. You have a tricky 4-footer for par and your playing partner has already made their par. Do you really need to ram that putt in? If you make it, you both get 4 points. If you miss, you get 3. The aggressive play only gains you one point. Sometimes, it's smarter to cozy the putt up to the hole, secure your 3 points, and move on without the risk of a disastrous three-putt that could drop you into last place on the hole in a different scenario.
As you near the final holes, the pressure builds. Pay attention to the leaderboard. Your strategy might need to change based on your position.
The 9 Point game is a perfect way to add a layer of competitive spark and strategy to a round of golf with two friends. By focusing on avoiding mistakes, playing smartly against your opponents, and understanding how the points are distributed, you can turn a good day on the course into a winning one.
The core of a winning 9 Point strategy is making smarter, more confident decisions without the guesswork. This is exactly what we built Caddie AI to help you with. When you're standing over a tough shot, wondering what the right play is to avoid that costly 1-point hole, you can get instant, expert advice right in your pocket. Having a tool that helps you with course management and tough lies means you can focus on pure execution, giving you the best chance to grab those crucial points every hole.
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