The 6-6-6 golf format is one of the best betting games ever invented for a group of three. It keeps every hole competitive, the alliances are always shifting, and it prevents one player from running away with the whole match if they get hot early. This guide will walk you through exactly how to play the 6-6-6 game, including scoring, common variations, and some simple strategies to help you and your partners come out on top.
In its simplest form, 6-6-6 is a competitive format designed for a threesome playing an 18-hole round. The game's name comes from its structure: the round is broken down into three separate, six-hole matches. In each of these six-hole matches, the an of the three players change partners, creating a unique 2-vs-1 dynamic.
For example:
Each six-hole match is its own distinct competition. This setup means that even if your team gets hammered in the first six holes, you get a completely fresh start on the seventh tee with a new partner and a chance at redemption. It’s a brilliant way to keep an entire round interesting, fair, and highly engaging for everyone inovlved.
Because the partnerships always change, you'll sometimes see this format called "Round Robin," "Hollywood," or "Switch." It takes the core idea of a Nassau bet (front nine, back nine, overall 18) and supercharges it with constantly changing team dynamics.
While you can use different game formats within the 6-6-6 structure, the most common and traditional way to play is by using Best Ball (also known as Better Ball) scoring for each of the three matches. Here’s a detailed breakdown of how a typical game unfolds.
Before teeing off on the first hole, you'll establish the initial teams. Let's stick with our example of Players A, B, and C.
The game format for this stretch is Best Ball. All three players play their own ball from tee to green. At the end of the hole, you compare the scores. The team of two (A & B) takes their single lowest score (the "best ball") and compares it to Player C's score.
Example - Hole 1 (Par 4):
The "best ball" for Team A & B is Player A's 4. Since their score of 4 matches Player C's score of 4, the hole is a "push" or a "tie." No team wins the hole. This process repeats for the first six holes, with the team winning the most holes taking the first match.
Once you finish the 6th hole, the first match is over. You tally the scores for that match, and then the partnerships rotate. A typical rotation would have Player B, who was just on Team 1, now playing solo.
The rules are identical to the first six holes: a 2-vs-1 Best Ball match. Player A and C are now working together to beat Player B on each hole. Maybe Player C was struggling on the front six, but now with Player A as a partner, they find a groove. Or perhaps Player B is an excellent player and thrives under the pressure of playing alone. This is what makes the format so compelling - the dynamic is completely different.
Example - Hole 8 (Par 5):
The "best ball" for Team A & C is Player C's 5. Since a 5 beats a 6, the team of A & C wins the hole. They are now "1 up" in the second match.
For the final six holes, the partnerships rotate one last time, with the final player taking their turn playing solo. In our example, Player A would now be alone.
This final match gives everyone a chance to either solidify their winnings or make a comeback. Someone who was on the losing end of the first two matches has a clean slate and one last shot. This is where friendships are tested and legendary comebacks are made. By the end of this stretch, every player will have been partnered with every other player for a six-hole match.
While the partnership structure is fixed in 6-6-6, how you score it and what formats you play can be flexible. Here are some of the most common ways to manage the game.
The standard way to score 6-6-6 is with Match Play. Each six-hole stretch is a separate contest.
When it comes to betting, the easiest method is to assign a value to each of the three matches. A common, friendly bet might be $5 or $10 per six-hole match.
The payout is straightforward. If a player loses the 2-vs-1 match, they pay out to both winners. Using our $5 example:
At the end of the round, each player simply settles up based on their individual wins and losses over the three matches. One player might win one match and lose two, another might win two and lose one, etc.
If you and your friends get tired of playing Best Ball for all 18 holes, you can mix in different formats for one or more of the six-hole chunks. Just make sure everyone agrees on the formats *before* the first tee shot.
A fun way is to replace one of the Best Ball matches with a two-person team. In a two-person team, the two partners hit their first shot, then pick their team's best one and they play their next shot.
Alternate Shot (also called Foursomes) is a classic format that demands real teamwork. Partners on a team alternate hitting the *same ball* until it's holed out. Player A tees off, Player B hits the second shot, Player A hits the third, and so on. This format puts pressure on every single shot and often feels more strategic than Best Ball.
For a high-pressure finale, a switch on some versions like this might use a ModifiedChapman instead which still leaves everyoneon team. With two individual balls on teams there'sa much higher margin of individual effort needed rather than working collectively.This makes forevery golfer's skill directly impacting team results more.
Part of the fun of 6-6-6 is the strategy and mind games that go along with the shifting partnerships. Here are a few tips from a coach's perspective to help you play smarter.
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