Golf Sixes is a fun, competitive format that breaks an 18-hole round into three separate six-hole matches, shaking up the teams every six holes. Throughout this article, we'll walk you through exactly how the game works - from setting up partnerships to scoring and betting - and give you simple strategies to help you and your partners come out on top. It’s the perfect way to make your next round with friends even more exciting.
At its heart, Golf Sixes (also known by names like Nines, Round Robin, or Hollywood) is a competitive game designed for a foursome. Instead of playing one long 18-hole match, you're essentially playing three distinct 6-hole matches. The twist, and the part that makes it so engaging, is that your partner changes for each of these three matches.
Imagine your group consists of Player A, Player B, Player C, and Player D. A typical Golf Sixes rotation would look like this:
By the end of the round, every player has partnered with every other player in the group. This structure keeps the day social and competitive, preventing one strong team from running away with the entire match. If you and your partner lose the first six holes, it doesn't matter, you get a clean slate and a new partner on the 7th tee.
While Гольф Sixes might sound a bit involved at first, the flow is quite simple once you're on the course. Here’s a breakdown of how a typical game unfolds.
Before you even hit your first drive, you need to decide the initial partnerships for holes 1-6. There’s no official rule for this, so you can make it fun. A common and easy method is to use the golf carts: the person driving partners with the person in the passenger seat in their cart. Another way is to just have players agree on the teams. Let's stick with our example players: Team 1 is Player A & B, and Team 2 is Player C & D.
Golf Sixes is almost always played as a Four-Ball Best Ball match. Here's a simple breakdown of how it works:
For example: On a par-4, Player A makes a 4 and Player B makes a 6, their team score is a 4. Meanwhile, Player C makes a 5 and Player D makes a 5, their team score is a 5. In this case, Team A & B wins the hole because their best score (4) is better than Team C & D's best score (5).
If both teams post the same best score (e.g., both get a 4), the hole is "halved" or "pushed," meaning no one wins the point for that hole.
The beauty of Golf Sixes is that it’s fantastic for groups with a wide range of skill levels. To balance the competition, you can play using handicaps. In this version, you compare the net scores. Before the round, figure out which holes each player gets strokes on based on their handicap. If a player gets a stroke on a hole, their gross score of 5 becomes a net 4. This ensures everyone has a fair chance to contribute to their team's success.
After the 6th hole, the first match is over. You tally the scores, settle any bets, and then reset everything. Now it’s time for the switch. The scores from the first match are left behind, and a brand new competition starts on the 7th tee with new partners.
Following our standard rotation, the partnerships will now be:
This is where the dynamic of the foursome really gets interesting. Your opponent from the first match might now be your teammate, and you'll have to work together to beat your previous partner.
Once you’ve completed hole 12, the second match ends. Again, you settle up and wipe the slate clean for the final six holes. This last match provides one more chance for glory for everyone in the group.
The final partnership rotation is:
By the time you walk off the 18th green, you’ve played three completely separate games-within-a-game.
Part of the fun of Golf Sixes is usually having a little something on the line. The stakes don't need to be high - even bragging rights are enough for some - but here are a few simple ways to handle the betting.
One of the easiest ways to score the game is a point-based system. Each six-hole match is worth a set number of points (say, 3 points for winning the match, 1 point each for a tie). At the end of 18 holes, tally the individual points each player has earned across the three matches.
An even more direct way is to assign a dollar value to each 6-hole match. For example, let's say each match is worth $5 per player. The two players on the losing team for that match each pay $5 to the winning players. This is great because it allows you to win or lose money in separate segments. A bad first match doesn't mean you can't win your money back - and more - over the next 12 holes.
If you're looking for a way to liven up your regular Saturday game, Golf Sixes offers several great benefits.
Playing well in a Sixes match isn't just about hitting good shots - it’s about playing smart team golf. Use these tips to help you and your partner win.
In a best-ball format, you can employ some simple strategy. Communicate with your partner before teeing off. For example, if you are the first to play on a par-5, you might decide to hit a safe, conservative tee shot to make sure one ball is in the fairway. This frees up your partner to be more aggressive and try to hit a huge drive to set up an eagle putt. One person plays for safety, the other for glory. This "one-safe, one-aggressive" strategy works all the way to the green.
Remember, you're not just playing a medal round, you're playing against the two opponents across from you. If your partner has already made a solid par, and your opponents are in trouble, there is no need for you to risk a tricky putt for birdie and potentially three-putt. You’ve likely already won the hole. Conversely, if your partner is out of the hole and your opponent has a birdie putt, you know you have to go for it.
If you are playing with handicaps, be aware of which players get strokes on which holes. If your opponent gets a stroke on a hole, you know that your team will likely have to make a birdie to win outright. This can influence your decision on whether to lay up or go for a tough green in two. Knowing the situation allows you to make better, more calculated decisions.
This is probably the most important tip. You are going to have bad holes, and you might even lose a six-hole match badly. It doesn’t matter. When you step onto the 7th or 13th tee, the game is completely fresh. Shake off a bad stretch, encourage your new partner, and focus only on the competition ahead of you. A positive and adaptable mindset is a huge asset in a game with so many ebbs and flows.
Golf Sixes is a fantastic format that adds a layer of strategy, camaraderie, and friendly competition to a standard round. By breaking the 18 holes into three distinct matches with rotating partners, it keeps the day lively, fair, and engaging for everyone involved, no matter their skill level.
Playing these competitive formats isn’t just about knowing the rules, it’s about making smart decisions under pressure. That’s an area where we designed our tool, Caddie AI, to give you a real advantage. When you're standing over a shot trying to decide whether to play it safe for your partner or be aggressive to win the hole, you can get instant strategic advice on course layout and club selection, helping you make a confident, informed choice for your team.
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