Tired of the standard weekend stroke play that starts feeling a little stale by the back nine? Then it’s time to learn how to play Sixes, one of the best betting games in golf. It’s a dynamic, partner-based game that keeps every hole fresh, fair, and fun, no matter the skill levels in your group. This guide will walk you through exactly how to set up the game, keep score, and apply a little strategy to come out on top.
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What is Sixes, and Why Should You Play It?
Sixes, also known as Hollywood, Round Robin, or Chairman, is a competitive format typically played by a group of three or four golfers. The best part of the game is its rotating partnerships. Over the course of 18 holes, you’ll play in three separate six-hole matches, and in each match, you’ll have a different partner.
This simple twist solves a lot of common frustrations in group golf:
It balances the teams. If one player in your group is having a lights-out day, you don't have to play against them for 18 holes straight. Before long, they’ll be your partner, and you’ll get to benefit from their hot streak.
It keeps everyone engaged. With the team dynamic changing every six holes, the round never gets boring. It’s like playing three mini-games in one, each with its own feel and strategy.
It promotes camaraderie. You get a chance to team up with everyone in your group, which makes for a more friendly and connected round. You’ll be rooting for every player at some point during the day.
In short, it’s the perfect way to add competitive flavor to a round without the pressure of pure individual stroke play or the monotony of a single pairing.
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The beauty of Sixes is its simplicity. Before you tee off, all you need to do is establish the teams for each six-hole stretch and agree on how you'll keep score. Let’s break it down for the most common formats.
The Classic Threesome (Three Players)
Sixes shines brightest in a three-player group. It creates a classic “2 vs. 1” scenario on every hole that requires a good mix of teamwork and individual grit. Let's call the players Alex, Ben, and Chris.
Holes 1-6: Players Alex and Ben team up against Player Chris (2 vs. 1).
Holes 7-12: The partners switch. Now, Alex and Chris play as a team against Ben (2 vs. 1).
Holes 13-18: The final rotation. Ben and Chris join forces against Alex (2 vs. 1).
As you can see, everyone gets a turn being the lone wolf and being part of a team. This setup ensures that no single player can run away with the game easily.
Adapting for a Foursome (Four Players)
Playing with four people is just as easy. It’s a standard two-on-two match where the teams are jumbled every six holes. Using players Alex, Ben, Chris, and Dana:
Holes 1-6: Alex & Ben vs. Chris & Dana
Holes 7-12: Alex & Chris vs. Ben & Dana
Holes 13-18: Alex & Dana vs. Ben & Chris
This is the most common and balanced foursome rotation, ensuring every player partners up with every other player once.
Keeping Score: A Simple Point System
While you can use any scoring format you like, the best way to play Sixes is with a simple point system that keeps the math easy and the stakes clear on every hole. The goal is to accumulate the most points over 18 holes. We recommend playing a Best Ball match.
How Best Ball Points Work:
Each hole is worth a set number of points based on the outcome of the Best Ball match. Here’s a popular and fair way to score it:
Team Win: Each player on the winning team gets +1 point. Each player on the losing team gets -1 point.
Tie (Push): No points are awarded to anyone. The hole is a wash.
You can adjust the points - some vets play for a higher count per hole! - but this +/- 1 system is the easiest way to start. It keeps the scorecard from getting out of hand and makes it easy to figure out the betting payout at the end of the round. A player's final score is their total points from all 18 holes, and the differences are paid out. For example, if Alex finishes with +5 points, Ben with +1, and Chris with -6, Ben would owe Alex four "bets," and Chris would owe Alex eleven.
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Sometimes the best way to understand a game is to see it in action. Let’s walk through a few holes with our threesome of Alex, Ben, and Chris, who are playing for +/- 1 point per hole winnings.
Match 1: Holes 1-6 (Alex & Ben vs. Chris)
For the first six holes, Alex and Ben are a team, playing their best score against Chris as a solo player. Their goal as a team is to beat Chris on each hole.
Hole 1 (Par 4):
Alex makes a 5.
Ben makes a 4.
Chris makes a 5.
Result: Alex and Ben's team best ball is a 4 (thanks to Ben). This beats Chris’s 5. Team Alex/Ben wins the hole. Score Update: Alex: +1, Ben: +1, Chris: -1.
Hole 2 (Par 3):
Alex makes a 4.
Ben hits his drive in the water and makes a 6.
Chris makes an excellent par, 3.
Result: Alex and Ben's team best ball is a 4. Chris’s 3 wins the hole for him. Score Update: Alex: 0 (loses a point), Ben: 0 (loses a point), Chris: +1 (gains a point for the hole, increasing his running total from -1 to +1).
Let's reboot this point structure for the threesome for better clarity:
A Clearer Point System for Threesomes (2 vs. 1):
To keep the accounting balanced, the points exchanged should always sum to zero for a hole.
If the team of two wins: Each of the two players gets +1 point. The single player gets -2 points.
If the single player wins: The single player gets +2 points. Each of the two players gets -1 point.
If there’s a tie: All players get 0 points.
This keeps everyone’s scorebooks tidy.
Let’s replay that example with the new scoring...
Match 1, Take Two (Alex & Ben vs. Chris)
Hole 1 (Par 4):
Alex: 5, Ben: 4, Chris: 5.
Result: Team Alex/Ben’s best ball is 4, which beats Chris’s 5. The team wins. Point Update: Alex gets +1, Ben gets +1, Chris gets -2.
Hole 2 (Par 3):
Alex: 4, Ben: 6, Chris: 3.
Result: Chris’s 3 beats the team’s best ball of 4. Chris wins. Point Update: Chris gets +2, Alex gets -1, Ben gets -1.
Running Total After 2 Holes: Alex is at 0 (+1, -1), Ben is at 0 (+1, -1), Chris is at 0 (-2, +2). The game is all square!
Match 2: Holes 7-12 (Alex & Chris vs. Ben)
Now, Alex has a new partner in Chris. They are focused on beating Ben, who plays on his own. Suddenly, Alex is rooting hard for the very person he was playing against just a few holes ago.
You’d continue this format for all 18 holes, tallying up your personal score (+/-) in the clubhouse. The highest point total wins the day.
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Like any golf game, Sixes has its own layer of strategy. Thinking your way around the course as a team will help you rack up points quickly.
When You’re on the Team (2 Players)
Teamwork makes the dream work. Your strategy here is all about managing risk.
The “One Safe, One Aggressive” Approach: Communicate with your partner. If the first player on your team hits a solid shot into the middle of the fairway or safely on the green, this gives the second player a green light to play more aggressively. They can fire at the pin or try to cut a corner, knowing their partner is already in a good position to make par.
Cover for Your Partner: If your partner chunks a shot or finds the trees, your job changes immediately. Play the high-percentage, safe shot. Get your ball in play, find the middle of the green, and secure a "boring par". Don’t compound one mistake with another. The worst outcome for a team is when both players are out of the hole, giving the single opponent an easy win.
When You’re the Lone Wolf (1 Player)
Playing alone in a 2-vs-1 format can feel intimidating, but you have one mission: make a solid score, and be patient.
Play for Par: Your goal isn't to make heroic birdies. Your goal is to apply pressure by consistently making pars. A solid par will win plenty of holes against a team when one or both of them make a mistake. Avoid the big numbers at all costs.
Play Your Own Game: Don’t get pulled into your opponents’ on-course drama. If one of them hits a great shot, don’t feel like you have to follow it with an even better one. Just stick to your game plan and focus on executing a smart path to the hole. Let them make the mistakes.
Final Thoughts
Sixes is one of the most entertaining and balanced ways to compete on the golf course. By rotating partners every six holes, it keeps the dynamic of the round interesting and gives every golfer a fair chance to come out on top, making any foursome a great pairing - no matter if you're playing for bragging rights or for a modest bet.
In a tactical game like Sixes, decisions matter - especially when you’re the single player under pressure or your partner leaves you to fend for yourself. Knowing the right shot to hit versus forcing a low-percentage play can be the difference between winning and losing a point. This is why we created Caddie AI. Our app provides on-demand, expert advice to help you think through any situation on the course, so you can make smarter decisions with more confidence, be a better partner in the round, and enjoy the on-course competitions to their fullest extent.
Spencer has been playing golf since he was a kid and has spent a lifetime chasing improvement. With over a decade of experience building successful tech products, he combined his love for golf and startups to create Caddie AI - the world's best AI golf app. Giving everyone an expert level coach in your pocket, available 24/7. Caddie's mission is simple: make world-class golf advice accessible to everyone, anytime.
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