How to Score in Wolf Golf

Tired of the same old stroke play grind during your weekend rounds? The golf game known as Wolf is the perfect way to inject a healthy dose of strategy, competition, and trash talk into your foursome. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about how to set up, play, and most importantly, how to score in Wolf, turning your standard 18 holes into a dynamic and engaging battle of wits.

What is Wolf Golf Anyway?

At its heart, Wolf is a four-player game where the alliances shift on every single hole. It’s not just about who shoots the lowest score, it’s about strategic partnerships, risky decisions, and knowing when to go it alone against the field. One player on each hole is designated the "Wolf," and they get to decide whether to take on a partner to beat the other two players or bravely face them all. It's a fantastic game for golfers of varying skill levels because a single great shot can make you a valuable partner, even if your total score isn't the best.

The Player Rotation: Who is the Wolf?

The order is determined before you start. Let's say you have players A, B, C, and D. The rotation is decided for the entire round:

• Hole 1: Player A is the Wolf.
• Hole 2: Player B is the Wolf.
• Hole 3: Player C is the Wolf.
• Hole 4: Player D is the Wolf.
• Hole 5: The rotation repeats with Player A as the Wolf again, and so on.

A player's tee box honor (who scored best on the last hole) doesn't change the Wolf rotation. This predetermined order keeps things fair and simple to track. Players often use the scorecard to mark who is Wolf for each hole before the round starts (e.g., A marker next to hole 1, a B next to hole 2, etc).

How to Play: The Wolf's Critical Decision

Each hole begins with the Wolf making a critical decision on the tee box. This is where the game’s true excitement comes from. One of the game's most important rules is that the designated Wolf always tees off last. This gives them the enormous advantage of seeing how their three opponents play the hole first.

As players B, C, and D hit their drives, the Wolf watches carefully. After each drive, the Wolf has the option to choose that player as their partner for the hole. This creates a moment of delicious tension.

Choosing a Partner to Hunt With

Let's walk through an example. It's the third hole, and Player C is the Wolf. Player A tees off first and hits a good drive, but it lands in the first cut of rough. After the shot, the Wolf (Player C) must decide.

• The Wolf stays silent: If Player C wants to see a better shot, they say nothing. This puts Player A "on the clock," and the Wolf has now passed on A as a potential partner for the moment.
• Play moves to the next player. Now, Player B steps up and smokes a drive right down the middle of the fairway.
• The Wolf makes a choice: Before Player D tees off, Player C announces, "I'll take B!"

Now, the teams for the hole are set. It’s a 2-vs-2 match: Player C (Wolf) and Player B versus Player A and Player D. The hole is then played out in a best-ball format - more on that in the scoring section.

Here’s the catch: You must choose your partner immediately after their drive. You can't wait to see all three drives and then pick your favorite. If player B hit next and pushed it into the trees, the Wolf could still wait for Player D's drive. But if D also hits a poor drive, the Wolf is left with no choice but to go it alone or, in some variations, is forced to take the last player regardless of their shot quality.

Going It Alone: The "Lone Wolf" Declaration

Sometimes, the Wolf feels confident. Maybe it's a hole they always play well, or maybe all three other players have hit lackluster tee shots. After seeing all three opponents hit their drives, and having chosen none of them, the Wolf becomes the "Lone Wolf." This is a bold move where the Wolf plays a 1-vs-3 best-ball match against the other players. The risk is high, but so is the potential point reward.

The Boldest of Them All: "Blind Lone Wolf" or "Super Wolf"

For the truly brave (or foolish), there’s one more option. On the tee box, before anyone hits a single shot, the player designated as the Hole's Wolf can declare, "Blind Lone Wolf!" By doing this, they're announcing their intention to take on all three other players without the benefit of seeing their drives first. This decision carries the highest risk and, naturally, earns the biggest point bonus.

How to Score in Wolf Golf: A Simple Points System

Forget trying to track individual strokes against one another. Wolf is a points game. At the end of the round, you tally up your points, and however you decide to settle the score (purely for bragging rights or for a pre-determined bet), it’s all based on this total. Winning the hole is determined by which team has the lowest individual score (a best-ball format).

For example, if the Wolf gets a 5 and their partner gets a 4, their team score for the hole is a 4. If the two other players get a 5 and a 6, their team score is a 5. The Wolf and their partner win the hole. Here’s a common points breakdown:

• Wolf and Partner Win the Hole: They each receive 2 points.
• Other Two Players ("Hunters") Win the Hole: They took down the Wolf's team and each receive 3 points.
• Lone Wolf Wins the Hole: The Lone Wolf receives a big payout of 4 points for beating the field.
• Lone Wolf Loses the Hole: When a Lone Wolf fails, the other three players on the winning team each get 1 point.
• Blind Lone Wolf Wins*: For pulling off the riskiest move, the Blind Lone Wolf earns a massive haul, often 5 or 6 points (this should be agreed on before the round).

*The beauty of Wolf is its flexibility. Feel free to adjust these point values to whatever your foursome agrees on. Some groups double the points of a winning Lone Wolf, or even triple them! The key is to establish the rules before teeing off.

Keeping Score on the Card

The easiest way to track points is to dedicate a small section of your scorecard to the Wolf game. Simply create four columns for Players A, B, C, and D. After each hole, do the quick math and add the points earned to each player’s column.

For example, after hole 3 where Player C (Wolf) and B won as partners:


Player A: 0
Player B: +2
Player C: +2
Player D: 0


Just add to each player's running total. It’s simple and avoids any confusion on the 18th green.

Essential Wolf Strategy to Win More Holes

Wolf is a thinking person's game. To consistently rack up points, you need to play with your head as much as your swing.

Strategy for the Wolf

• Player Selection is Everything: Don't just pick the player who hits the longest ball. Who is the most consistent? Who is clutch with their short game? On a tough par 5, picking the guy who you know will be in the fairway is often smarter than picking a long-hitter who might find trouble.
• Assess Your Own Game: When considering going Lone Wolf, be honest. Are you feeling good about your long irons? Does this hole suit your eye? Going Lone Wolf based on ego after a shaky warm-up session is a recipe for handing out points to everyone else.
• Don't Be Afraid to Wait: Don't jump at the first decent drive. If it's merely "okay," it might be worth the risk of seeing if the next player gives you a better look. But don't get too greedy, waiting too long and getting stuck with two players in the trees can force you into an unwelcome Lone Wolf situation.

Strategy for the Hunters

• Put on the Pressure: If you are one of the first two players to tee off on a hole, a great drive can force the Wolf's hand early. Making them take you might be a better outcome than letting them wait for the team's best driver.
• Play for the "Team": Once the Wolf has chosen their partner, and you are on the other team, your mindset must shift. You and your new partner for the hole need to work together to produce one winning scorecard. If your partner is in perfect position in the fairway, you can afford to take a more aggressive line at the flag. If they are in trouble, your job is to play it safe and guarantee you post a solid, "counter" score.

Using Handicaps and Settling the Match

Handicaps can be implemented easily - simply have players play off their course handicap and use their net score on each hole. This keeps the game competitive for all skill levels.

As for settling bets, the easiest methods are:

1. Winner Take All: The player with the most points at the end wins a predetermined pot.
2. Pay the Top Dog(s): Players pay the difference between their score and the top score. For example, if the winner has 40 points and you have 35, you'd owe them 5 units (e.g., $1 per unit = $5).

Just remember to clearly define the stakes on the first tee!

Final Thoughts

Wolf golf transforms a regular round into a dynamic and highly social event. It focuses on moment-to-moment decisions and hole-by-hole teamwork, ensuring every player remains engaged from the first tee shot to the final putt. Give it a try on your next outing, you'll find it’s one of the most fun and exciting ways to compete on the course.

While Wolf adds a layer of strategic thinking to your round, sometimes the biggest challenge is the one presented by the course itself. For those moments when you're deciding on a club for a tough approach shot or need a smart plan for navigating a hole, we've designed Caddie AI to act as that trusted expert in your pocket. You can get instant, course-management advice tailored to your situation, so you can stop guessing and feel confident over every shot, whether you're playing as the Wolf or one of the hunters.