A sixsome in golf is exactly what it sounds like: a single group composed of six golfers playing one hole together. This article breaks down everything you need to know about this fun, social, and often controversial way to play, including whether it's allowed, how to pull it off without causing a scene, and the best game formats to keep things moving and enjoyable for everyone.
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So, Are Sixsomes Actually Allowed on the Golf Course?
This is the most important question, and the short answer is: usually not. The vast majority of public and semi-private golf courses have a strict policy limiting groups to a maximum of four players, traditionally known as a foursome. Showing up to the first tee with six golfers and expecting to play together is almost certain to result in a polite but firm "no" from a marshal or the pro shop staff.
Why are courses so strict about this? It boils down to one critical factor: pace of play. Golf is already a slow game. A legendary golf adage states that more than four in a group just can't work well together for a typical round of golf. It’s a simple matter of logistics:
More Shots: Six players mean six tee shots, six second shots, six putts (or more!). The time adds up quickly.
More Searching: With more balls in play, there's a higher chance of someone hitting an errant shot, leading to more time spent searching in the rough or trees.
More Congestion: It's harder to manage six people, three carts (or six walking paths), and six bags around tees and greens. Things can get cluttered and slow.
A slow sixsome doesn't just impact your group, it creates a frustrating traffic jam for every group behind you for the rest of the day. Maintaining a good pace is about showing respect for your fellow golfers, and courses enforce the four-player limit to protect the experience for everyone on the property.
When Is It Okay to Play in a Sixsome?
While standard daily play is off-limits, there are a few specific situations where you might get the green light for a sixsome:
Private Clubs: Some private clubs are more lenient with their members, especially during very quiet periods. If you and your five friends are members, it’s worth asking the head professional.
The Last Tee Time of the Day: If you book the very last time slot, the course might not object since there won't be anyone behind you to hold up. This is your best shot at getting approval on a public course.
Charity Outings &, Scrambles: It's common for larger scramble tournaments to feature fivesomes or even sixsomes to maximize fundraising and participation. In these events, the format is specifically designed for speed.
Very Quiet Courses: On a rare day at a remote course where you are literally the only people around, a course manager might let it slide. But you must ask first.
The golden rule is this: always, always call the pro shop ahead of time to ask for permission. Never just assume it will be okay.
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Assuming you've gotten permission, playing in a six-person group can be a highlight of your golf season - or a complete mess. It helps to know what you're getting into.
The Benefits
Incredible Social Atmosphere: The number one reason to play as a sixsome is the fun. It's fantastic for family outings, bachelor parties, or just a big group of friends who want to hang out. The laughter and banter are turned up a notch.
Easier Logistics (for Scheduling): It can be simpler to get one tee time for six people than to try and coordinate a foursome and a following twosome, then spend the round waiting for each other.
Unique Team Formats: A group of six opens the door to some super fun team games that you can’t play otherwise, like 3 a side competitions or 2 vs. 2 vs. 2 matches. We'll cover these in detail below.
The Downsides
Inherently Slow Play: Even if you're all playing fast, it's just going to take longer. An average foursome takes about 4.5 hours, a sixsome can easily push 5.5 or even 6 hours if you're not careful.
Pressure from Other Groups: If you aren't the last group out, you will likely feel the pressure from the group behind you. This can make the round less relaxing.
Rules and Scoring Confusion: With so many players, it can be hard to keep track of who's away, whose turn it is, and what everyone’s score is, especially in complex team games.
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How to Play a Sixsome Successfully: The Etiquette Guide
If you have been given the go-ahead, you now have a responsibility to be a "model" six-person group. Your goal is to be so efficient and respectful that the golf course staff is happy to have you back. Here’s how you do it.
Step 1: Get Express Permission
We’ve mentioned it before, but it bears repeating. Call ahead. Explain your situation. Ask what time of day would be best. Being proactive and respectful goes a long way.
Step 2: Choose the Right Game Format
This is the most important key to success. Do not - under any circumstance - try to play a six-person stroke play competition where everyone holes out on every hole. It will take an eternity. You need a format that promotes speed.
The absolute best choice is a scramble. In this format, all six players hit a tee shot, the team chooses the best one, and all six players hit their next shot from that spot. It’s fast, fun, and low-pressure.
Step 3: Embrace "Ready Golf" Mentality
Ready golf is essential for a sixsome. It means abandoning the traditional order of play ("farthest from the hole plays first") in favor of efficiency.
As soon as you reach your ball, if it is safe and you are ready to hit, do so. Don't wait for your five playing partners to get set.
Walk or drive directly to your own ball. Don't travel as a pack from shot to shot.
While others are hitting, plan your own shot and select your club.
On the greens, line up your putt while others are putting so you're ready when it’s your turn.
Leave the green immediately after the last person holes out. Do your scoring at the next tee box, not on the green.
Step 4: Be Vigilant and Courteous
Always be aware of your position on the course. If a hole opens up in front of you and a smaller, faster group is waiting behind you, do the right thing and let them play through. Signal them to come forward, stand to the side of the fairway or green, and wait for them to pass. This simple act of courtesy will be greatly appreciated.
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Choosing the right format can make or break your sixsome's experience. Here are a few of the best options in more detail.
The 6-Person Scramble: The Gold Standard
A scramble is the ideal format because only one ball is ever truly in play after the drives, dramatically speeding up the round.
How to Play:
Every player hits a tee shot.
Review all six shots and decide which one is the best. The "best" can mean longest, safest, or in the best position.
All players pick up their balls and move to the location of the best shot.
All six players hit their second shot from that spot (within one club-length, no closer to the hole).
Repeat this process until the ball is in the hole. The team records one score for the hole.
Fun Twist: To make it more democratic, create a rule that you must use at least one (or two) tee shots from every player during the round. This stops you from relying on just the one bomber of a driver in your group, and gives everybody a chance to shine.
3 vs. 3 Best Ball (Chapman or Pinehurst Scotch)
This format splits your group into two teams of three and creates a fun competitive match.
How To Play: You are two teams, Team A and Team B. Every player on both teams plays their own golf ball from tee to green. On each hole, you compare scores. The single lowest score from a player on Team A becomes that team's score. The single lowest score from Team B is their score. If Team A's best score was a 4 and Team B's was a 5, Team A wins the hole. This moves quicker than stroke play because if a player is having a bad hole, they can simply pick up their ball once they can no longer make the best score for their team on that hole.
2 vs. 2 vs. 2 (Three-Team-Battle)
Break up into three teams of two. This can feel more manageable than massive three-person teams.
How to Play: This format is played just like a standard four-ball match, but with three teams competing against each other. Each member of a two-person team plays their own ball. The lower of the two partners' scores on each hole counts as the team's score. For example, if you shoot a 5 and your partner shoots a 4 on a hole, your team score for that hole is 4. You then compare your team's score against the scores of the other two teams to determine who wins the hole. This can be a very dynamic and fun wager game!
Final Thoughts
Playing in a sixsome breaks from tradition, but it can be an exceptionally fun and memorable way to enjoy golf when done in the right circumstances. The most important things to remember are to always ask for permission first, choose a fast-paced format like a scramble, and practice impeccable etiquette to keep your pace of play up and ensure you don’t disrupt other golfers.
Navigating the rules and scoring for these bigger formats can sometimes cause confusion on the course. We designed Caddie AI to be your 24/7 golf brain, ready to help clear things up in seconds. If you're unsure how to score a 3 vs. 3 match or need a quick refresher on scramble rules, you can just ask it. With instant answers right in your pocket, you can spend less time debating rules and more time just enjoying the great company and your round of golf.
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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