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 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 involved.
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 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.
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 (also known as Better Ball) scoring. 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.
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.
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 Scramble. In this format, the two partners hit their first shot, then pick their team's best one and they play their next shot from that position.
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, you might consider a version where one player (the "Lone Wolf") has the option to play against the partners for double points. This increases the stakes and requires a player to bet on their ability to beat the combined efforts of the opposing team.
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.
Best Ball strategy 101: when you have a partner, you can play a "safe and aggressive" game. One of the partners should focus on making a conservative, "safe" score on the hole by hitting the fairway, getting on the green, and making an easy par. This takes the pressure off the other player in the squad to make aggressive plays, such as firing towards a tight pin or going for a par five in two to score a birdie or eagle. If that aggressive play works, terrific - you have a great chance of winning. If not, though, you always have at least your partner’s safe par score to fall back on. When playing as the lone player, your role will be to play more conservatively and patiently. Let the other team make mistakes and take every opportunity they present when they mess up. Just being the steady player putting in pars consistently will put immense pressure on the team duo, knowing one of them will have to come in with a birdie to beat you.
Knowing your partner makes a big impact in these six-hole formats. If your partner is a good long-ball striker, encourage them to be aggressive when attacking on par 5s. Conversely, when they have an outstanding short game, give them the chance to get you up and down, saving valuable pars on many holes. That's where having knowledge of a partner's weaknesses and strengths gives you huge leverage.
One of the beauties of the 6-6-6 format is the segmented nature of the round. You could play badly in your first six-hole matchup and lose it, but it doesn't really matter too much. Because the moment you reach the seventh tee, you get a completely new, clean sheet with a new partner and an opportunity for a reset. It stops one poor run from ruining your card and mental state because it splits the whole golf game into three smaller mini-golf competitions. Remember to maintain a positive mindset since you can always rebound in the next game, regardless of how bad the prior match went.
6-6-6 is one of the most fun, dynamic, and equitable formats for any threesome. It's brilliant in that it prevents any one player from running away with the game and keeps all players engaged by breaking up the 18-hole round into three distinct competitions. By mastering the 2-vs-1 dynamics and being flexible in your strategic planning, you can make sure every round is filled not just with good shots but smart play as well. As a personal golfing goal, my ultimate aim is to simplify golf so you can play with confidence. On a course with a game format like this, managing the shifting team dynamics adds an extra layer of strategy on top of every shot choice. Our tool, Caddie, is designed to back what you offer when you're unsure about whether to take the safe or aggressive line in a Best Ball format or when you need a quick strategy for a tough hole when you're the solo player. We can provide simple recommendations in seconds, so think like a pro without feeling the pressure, leaving you free to focus on executing great shots.
Thinking about hosting a golf tournament fundraiser is the first swing, executing it successfully is what gets the ball in the hole. This guide will walk you through the entire process, step-by-step, from laying the initial groundwork months in advance to watching your happy golfers tee off. We’ll cover everything from securing sponsors and setting your budget to planning the on-course fun that makes an event unforgettable.
A golf handicap does more than just give you bragging rights (or a reason to demand strokes from your friends) - it’s the game’s great equalizer and the single best way to track your improvement. This guide breaks down what a handicap is, how the supportive math behind a handicap index a is, and exactly how you can get one for yourself. We’ll look at everything from Course Rating to Adjusted Gross Score, helping you feel confident both on the course and in the clubhouse.
The compression of a Pinnacle Rush golf ball is one of its most defining features, engineered specifically to help a huge swath of golfers get more distance and enjoyment from their game. We'll break down exactly what its low compression means, who it's for, and how you can use that knowledge to shoot lower scores.
Figuring out which spikes go into your new (or old) pair of Puma golf shoes can feel like a puzzle, but it’s much simpler than you think. The key isn't the brand of the shoe, but the type of receptacle system they use. This guide will walk you through exactly how to identify your Puma's spike system, choose the perfect replacements for your game, and change them out like a pro.
The Golf Genius app is one of the best tools for managing and participating in competitive golf events, but figuring it out for the first time can feel like reading a new set of greens. This guide cuts through the confusion and shows you exactly how to use the app as a player. We’ll cover everything from logging into your tournament and entering scores to checking the live leaderboard so you can enjoy the competition without any tech headaches.
Walking onto the first tee with sweaty palms, worried you’ll be a good partner to paly wtih...or even asked back again ...We’ve all been there - trust me! The real trick of feeling confortable... is about how you handle you’re ready to plsy. THIS guide explains the simple rules of the rode to show you hnow t play golf while staying calm relaxed and focused... an having much morse fun while you,',re aat it? You'll also play with confidence a dn make fiendsa while you're at i
Just ask a question or share a photo and Caddie gives personalized guidance for every shot - anytime, anywhere.
