Money games · 4 players
Wolf: how to play
Also known as Lone wolf, Blind wolf
Pick a partner after the drives, or go it alone for double.
Wolf is the most sociable game a fourball can play. One player is the wolf on each hole and the role rotates through the tee order. The wolf tees off first, watches the other three drive, and then decides: pick one of them as a partner for a two-against-two hole, or go lone wolf and take on all three for double points.
Call lone wolf before anyone has hit, and you are a blind wolf playing for triple. It is a game of reading your mates as much as the course, and Golf Daddy scores all of it so the only thing you need to track is who is howling.
Score Wolf in Golf Daddy
Pick Wolf on the first tee and the app applies the strokes, keeps the live leaderboard and settles the points for the whole group. Free on iPhone and Android.
Wolf rules
- 1.The wolf rotates each hole in tee order.
- 2.The wolf tees off first and picks a partner after watching the drives, or declares lone wolf.
- 3.Sides play better ball; each player on the winning side scores a point.
- 4.A lone wolf who wins scores double; a blind wolf (declared before any drive) who wins scores triple.
- 5.If the lone wolf loses, each of the other three players scores a point.
- 6.Halved holes score nothing.
How handicaps work
Holes are decided on net scores using each player's handicap strokes, so a high handicapper is still a tempting partner on their shot holes. Golf Daddy shows who gets a shot on the hole before the wolf chooses.
Worked example
You are wolf on the 9th. Jo bombs one down the middle, so you pick Jo. Your side makes a net 4, the other side a net 5: you and Jo score a point each. On the 13th you go lone wolf, win the hole, and score two.
Tips and variations
- The classic variant says the wolf must choose a partner immediately after that player's drive, before the next one hits. Agree which version you play.
- Go lone wolf on the holes you get a shot and your mates don't.
- Over 18 holes the wolf order repeats, so holes 17 and 18 are often played with the player who is last in points as wolf.
Wolf FAQs
How many players do you need for Wolf?
Four. The rotating wolf and the two-versus-two structure only work with a fourball.
What is the difference between lone wolf and blind wolf?
A lone wolf goes alone after seeing the drives and plays for double points. A blind wolf declares before anyone has driven and plays for triple.
How do you score Wolf?
Each player on the winning side gets a point for the hole; a winning lone wolf gets two and a blind wolf three. If the lone wolf loses, the other three get a point each. Golf Daddy keeps the running totals.
Related formats
All golf formats and games →Play Wolf this weekend
Download Golf Daddy and let the app do the maths while you do the talking. Guests who haven't got the app can play too.