Wolf is a popular and lively points-based golf game that adds a nifty twist to your rounds. Here’s an in-depth guide on how to play Wolf.
Wolf presents the option to shake up the teams on every hole, with each player taking a turn as the “Wolf” and choosing a partner or going it alone vs the others.
What Is the Wolf Golf Game?
Wolf can be played with as few as 3 or as many as 5 players although 4 players is most common.
The Wolf has the option to pick a partner after seeing each player’s drive or go solo versus everyone else, with different point values based on the setup.
Low net score wins the hole earning a predetermined number of points.
Even though you’ll likely partner with someone from one hole to another, your goal is to accumulate more points than everyone else. Players must of course decide what a point is worth.
Why Golfers Love Playing Wolf
Wolf makes for a lively, energetic game since you’re not sure who you’ll be paired with from one hole to the next. Picking the right partner or deciding whether to take everyone on by yourself when you’re the Wolf keeps everyone on their toes.
The unpredictable nature of Wolf, with its shifting alliances and opportunities to go “Lone Wolf,” keeps the game exciting and competitive from beginning to end.
Beside points earned for different scenarios (Wolf & Partner, Lone Wolf, Blind Wolf) there are many tweaks for gaining even more points including Doubling, Birdie/Eagle Multipliers, Junk Points and Carryovers.
Having the chance to partner with different players on a per hole basis can be a lot of fun with constant engagement and friendly banter. Ultimately though, whether partnered up or not, you’re aiming to have the highest point total by the end of the round.
How to Play Wolf
Wolf is a dynamic game that requires players to constantly adapt their strategy. The core of the game revolves around determining the Wolf for each hole, choosing your partnership setup, and, finally, the scoring. Before you can tee off, you must first establish the rotation for who gets to be the Wolf.
Choosing a Wolf for Each Hole
Before teeing off on the first hole, players determine a Wolf order, with the Wolf teeing off first. The teeing order should be maintained from one hole to the next so you always go after one particular player and before another.
Sample Tee Order:
Hole 1 Player A as Wolf, followed by Players B, C and D
Hole 2 Player B as Wolf, followed by Players C, D and A
Hole 3 Player C as Wolf, followed by Players D, A and B
Hole 4 Player D as Wolf, followed by Players A, B and C
Hole 5 Player A becomes the Wolf again and so on
After everyone has had an equal turn at Wolf (in a 4-player game after Hole 16), it’s customary to give the player with the least points Wolf honors on 17 & 18.
Picking a Partner or Going Lone Wolf
On each hole the Wolf makes an important decision – which player to pick as a partner or maybe risk contesting the hole alone vs the others.
Strategy is obviously key here – identifying the hot player, perhaps the one getting a stroke or bravely taking everyone on for a higher payout.
Scoring in Wolf
Whatever partner arrangement the Wolf decides, and with 4 players that’s either 2v2 or 1v3, low net score takes the points. Given the longer odds of winning 1v3 a larger payout is offered.
While players naturally decide what each scenario is worth points-wise, remember that every hole is zero-sum, whatever one side wins, the other side loses the same amount in total. In case of a tie no points are awarded although some variations will carry over to the next hole and make it worth more.
Sample Payout:
- Wolf & Partner vs Others, 1 point to each player on the winning side
- Wolf vs Others, 2 points to the Wolf if they win vs 1 point to each of the others if they win
So if the Wolf goes alone, they’re looking at a 2 to 1 payout, meaning they can win twice as much as they can lose. But with a partner it’s even, one point gained or lost depending on the outcome.
Wolf Golf Game Variations
Beyond the basics, there are many variations adding opportunity and perhaps angst to the mix so players should decide which ones apply at the outset. Below are some of the most common.
Blind Wolf Option
Blind Wolf offers an even higher payout for the Wolf, generally 3 to 1, should they decide to go it alone before anyone tees off.
Chosen Partner Rejects the Wolf
This can happen, again by player agreement beforehand, if a person chosen by the Wolf prefers going it alone instead. Say on a par 3 the Wolf tees off and rinses it (into the water) while another player sticks it close to the pin so the Wolf picks them as partner. Liking their chances, the player can reject the Wolf and go it alone.
Include Junk Points
Add extra points for “Junk”, scoring related like natural birdie or eagle, or manually assigned like greenies, sandies and chippies.
Birdie/Eagle Multiplier
Double point totals for natural birdie and triple for natural eagle.
Progressive Betting Options
Another method of increasing available point totals from one hole to the next, either based on a carryover from tying the last hole or deciding to “hammer” the other side by doubling, tripling or quadrupling the stakes.
Wolf Strategies for Winning
In order to win, players must constantly evaluate their own game, their opponents’ skills, and the strategic implications of choosing a partner or going solo, making each hole a new challenge, especially with strokes involved. Knowing where you stand points wise is also important – do you need to make up ground or protect a lead?
When to Pick a Partner
Assessment is key, both of your own game and the others. Is the potential partner stroking and did they hit a good tee shot? Or you might just choose the strongest player (and hope they won’t reject you if that’s an option).
When to Go Lone Wolf
Feeling confident, perhaps stroking alone and ready to step it up with a bold move? Or perhaps behind on points and needing to make an aggressive play? That’s the time to go Lone Wolf, perhaps even Blind!
Wolf vs Other Golf Betting Games
If you’re already familiar with games like Nassau or Skins, you’ll find that Wolf introduces a unique level of strategy and excitement due to its unpredictable nature. The key distinction is that in Wolf, your partnership and the stakes of the match change on every single hole, forcing a completely different mindset compared to games with fixed player arrangements.
Wolf Compared to Nassau and Skins
The biggest difference between Wolf and other games is that you don’t know how you’ll be paired up from one hole to another. In a Nassau game you’ll have the same opponent(s) for the entire round, either in team format or individual play. Likewise in Skins, where you’ll either have one teammate or be on your own for the duration.
Wolf definitely adds fluidity and a different mindset compared to games where the player arrangement is fixed.
Also read: Best Golf Betting Games
FAQs About Playing Wolf in Golf
How does the Wolf golf game work?
Wolf is a golf betting game where players rotate as the “Wolf” on each hole. The Wolf decides whether to pick a partner or go solo, competing for points based on how the hole is played.
How do you score Wolf in golf?
Scoring varies, but typically a winning side (low net on a hole) when there are partners earn one point each, while a Lone Wolf winner gets two points and a Blind Wolf gets three. If the Lone or Blind Wolf loses, the other players gain one point. Points are given a monetary value at the outset so damages can be calculated.
What is a Lone Wolf in golf?
A Lone Wolf is when the player with the Wolf role chooses to play the hole alone against the others. It’s a higher-risk, higher-reward option that doubles the stakes for that hole.
What is a Blind Wolf in golf?
A Blind Wolf is when the player with the Wolf role chooses to play the hole alone against the others, before anyone tees off. It’s a higher-risk, higher-reward option that triples the stakes for that hole.
How many players do you need for Wolf?
Wolf is most often played with four golfers, but it’s also a blast with five if you can get out with that many, or as little as three players, ensuring 1v2 on every hole.
What are some other names for the Wolf golf game?
Wolf also goes by Captain, Boss, Manager, Pig, Ship, Crew, Pack or combinations thereof based on where one might be located.
Is there an app for the Wolf golf game?
With ever shifting partner setups and multiple point values, keeping score for Wolf manually can be rather challenging. Fortunately, the Golf Crow app has a robust Wolf offering, where points and other options are preset and per hole pairings easily chosen, along with Damages and a Match Summary at the end. As an added bonus it’ll capably manage a 5-player Wolf game too.