A Six Shooter in golf is one of the best betting games ever invented for a threesome, turning a standard round into a dynamic and strategic competition. If you've ever been the odd one out in a group of three, you know it can feel a little awkward, but this game makes it the most fun number to play with. This article will show you exactly what a Six Shooter is, how to play it step-by-step, the best strategies for winning, and a few common variations you can try.
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What Exactly Is a Six Shooter in Golf?
At its core, a Six Shooter is a three-player betting game that divides an 18-hole round into three separate, six-hole matches. The name "Six Shooter" comes from these six-hole segments. The most interesting part of the game is that the partnerships rotate after each six-hole block. This means every player gets to team up with every other player for one of the three matches.
This constant rotation keeps the game from getting stale. No one gets stuck with a partner who is having an off-day for the entire round, and no one has to fend for themselves for 18 straight holes. Over the course of the round, you will play:
Six holes with Player A against Player B.
Six holes with Player B against Player A.
Six holes against both Player A and Player B.
This setup ensures the competition stays balanced and engaging right up to the final putt on the 18th green. It's a game of shifting allegiances where the friend who helped you win the last hole could be the opponent you need to beat on the next.
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The beauty of the Six Shooter is its simplicity. While you can add your own twists, the standard rules are easy for any group to pick up and play. Here’s what you need to know:
The Setup
Before you tee off on the first hole, you need to agree on two things:
The Partners: Decide the pairings for the three six-hole matches. It doesn't matter how you decide, as everyone will play with one another eventually. A simple way is to flip a tee. An example rotation would be:
Holes 1-6: Player A &, Player B vs. Player C
Holes 7-12: Player A &, Player C vs. Player B
Holes 13-18: Player B &, Player C vs. Player A
The Bet: Agree on the value of each point. This is usually something small, like $1 or $2 per point, to keep it friendly. The money is just there to add a little pressure and make the putts feel important.
The Scoring Format
The game is a match-play format contested on each hole. The two-person team uses their best ball score (the lowest score between the two partners on that hole) to compete against the score of the lone player, often called the "shooter."
For each hole, points are awarded based on the outcome:
If the team wins the hole: Both partners on the winning team receive +1 point. The lone player (the shooter) receives -2 points.
If the lone player wins the hole: The lone player receives +2 points. Both partners on the losing team receive -1 point.
If the hole is a tie (a push): All three players receive 0 points for the hole.
Each player keeps a running total of their individual points throughout the entire 18-hole round. At the end of the round, those with positive point totals get paid by those with negative point totals.
How to Keep Score in a Six Shooter Game: A Step-by-Step Guide
Tracking the scores can seem a little complicated at first, but once you get the hang of it, it’s quite simple. Let’s walk through a detailed example with three players: Tom, Rick, and Harry. They agree to a $1 per point bet.
Step 1: Get Your Scorecard Ready
On a blank scorecard, create columns for each player's points per hole and a running total. It's much easier than trying to remember everything in your head.
Step 2: Holes 1-6 (Team: Tom &, Rick vs. Shooter: Harry)
For the first six holes, Tom and Rick team up. Let’s look at Hole #1, a par 4.
Tom scores a 4 (par).
Rick scores a 5 (bogey).
Harry scores a 5 (bogey).
Result: The team's best ball score is Tom's 4. This beats Harry’s 5. The team wins the hole.
Point Allocation:
Tom: +1 point (Running Total: +1)
Rick: +1 point (Running Total: +1)
Harry: -2 points (Running Total: -2)
Step 3: Holes 7-12 (Team: Tom &, Harry vs. Shooter: Rick)
The partners switch. Now Tom and Harry are a team, and Rick is the lone shooter. Let’s look at Hole #7, a par 3.
Tom scores a 3 (par).
Harry scores a 4 (bogey).
Rick scores a 3 (par).
Result: The team's best ball score is Tom's 3. Rick also scored a 3. The hole is a tie.
Point Allocation:
Tom: 0 points (Running Total stays at +1)
Harry: 0 points (Running Total stays at -2)
Rick: 0 points (Running Total stays at +1)
Step 4: Holes 13-18 (Team: Rick &, Harry vs. Shooter: Tom)
Time for the final rotation. Rick and Harry team up against Tom. Let’s look at Hole #13, a par 5.
Rick scores a 6 (bogey).
Harry scores a 6 (bogey).
Tom scores a 5 (par).
Result: The team's best ball score is 6. Tom’s score is 5. Tom, the lone shooter, wins the hole.
Point Allocation:
Tom: +2 points (Running Total: +3)
Rick: -1 point (Running Total: 0)
Harry: -1 point (Running Total: -3)
Step 5: Settling the Bets at the End
At the end of 18 holes, you'll total up all the points. A positive score means you win money, and a negative score means you pay out. The net of all scores should always be zero.
Let's imagine these are the final scores:
Tom: +8 points
Harry: +1 point
Rick: -9 points
The Payout ($1 per point):
Rick owes Tom $8.
Rick owes Harry $1.
Tom and Harry collect their winnings, and everyone heads to the clubhouse as friends.
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A Six Shooter isn't just about hitting good shots - it’s also about thinking strategically. How you approach a hole should depend on whether you have a partner or if you're playing alone.
When You're on the Two-Person Team
Play Off Your Partner: Communication is a huge advantage. If your partner hits a great tee shot down the middle, you have a green light to be more aggressive. Go for that tucked pin or try to carry a bunker. If they hit a poor shot, your job is to play conservatively and keep your team in the hole.
Focus on Pars: Your primary objective is to not lose the hole. Two chances at a par are much better than one. A simple par from either you or your partner will win or push a majority of the holes.
Cover Your Partner: On difficult holes, make sure at least one of you takes a safer route. Don't let both of you take on a high-risk shot that could lead to a double bogey. The worst thing a team can do is make two big numbers on the same hole.
When You're the "Shooter" (The Lone Wolf)
Your Goal is the Push: When you're playing 1 vs. 2, a "push" (a tie) is a victory. It means you survived the hole without losing any points. Think of your job as managing a period of damage control. Don't try to win every hole - just try not to lose them.
Play to the Fat Part of the Green: Resist the temptation to be a hero. Your opponents have two chances to beat you. Instead of firing at the flag, aim for the center of the green. A two-putt par is an excellent result as the shooter. Force your opponents to make a birdie to beat you.
Embrace the Grind: This six-hole stretch can be tough. Don't get discouraged if you lose a couple of holes. Your fortune will change when you get a partner for the next set of six. Stay patient and avoid "meltdown" holes that cost you -2 points easily.
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Once you’ve mastered the basics, you might want to mix things up. Here are a few popular variations to keep the game fresh:
Adding Presses: A "press" is an optional second bet that begins on a hole. Many groups play an automatic press if a team goes two holes down. Others will allow the team that is behind to press the bet for the remaining holes in that six-hole match. This can make for some exciting comebacks.
Birdie Bonuses: To reward excellent play, you can double the points for any winning score that is a birdie or better. For example, if a team wins with a birdie, they each get +2 points, and the shooter gets -4. If the shooter wins with a birdie, they get +4 and the team members get -2 each.
Using Handicaps: To level the playing field between players of different abilities, you can use handicaps. The higher-handicap player receives strokes on the hardest-ranked holes on the scorecard, as they normally would in a handicap match. This ensures everyone has a fair shot at winning a hole, regardless of their skill level.
Payouts Per Match: Instead of waiting until the end of the 18 holes, some groups prefer to settle up after each six-hole match. This creates three smaller games-within-the-game.
Final Thoughts
The Six Shooter golf game is a brilliant way to add a layer of competitive fun and strategy to a round with three players. By rotating partners every six holes, it keeps everyone involved and engaged, turning a potentially awkward grouping into one of the most enjoyable ways to play golf.
Thinking your way around the course is a huge part of winning a strategic game like the Six Shooter. Knowing when to be aggressive as part of a team or when to play conservatively as the lone shooter is key. We built Caddie AI to help develop that same on-course intelligence. When you need help with club selection, a strategy for a tough hole, or even an opinion on how to play a tricky lie, our app can give you the guidance you need to make a confident decision. Think of it as your own personal strategist, helping you play smarter no matter what game you have on the line.
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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