Three is an awkward number for golf games. Most classic formats are built for singles or for two against two, and a threesome is left either sitting one player out or forcing a lopsided match. The games on this page are built for three from the start.
Why a threesome needs its own games
With three players, a simple match gives you one winner and two players who lost, and once someone gets well ahead the round goes quiet. Points games fix this. A fixed number of points is shared on every hole, so second place still earns something and nobody is ever out of it.
The two classics are Nines and Split Sixes. They work the same way: rank the three scores on each hole and hand out points. The only real difference is the number of points in play.
Both games also keep the pace up. Nobody waits for a partner’s decision or a team calculation; you play your ball, compare three numbers on the green and walk to the next tee. That makes them a good fit for a quick afternoon nine as well as a full round.
Nines (5-3-1): rules and tie splits
Nines shares nine points on every hole. The rules fit on the back of a scorecard.
- Each player plays their own ball and holes out.
- Rank the three scores on the hole, after handicap strokes if used.
- Award the points using the table below.
- Keep a running total. After 18 holes, settle the difference between each pair of players at the agreed value per point.
| Result on the hole | Points |
|---|---|
| Three different scores | 5, 3, 1 |
| Two tie for second | 5, 2, 2 |
| Two tie for low | 4, 4, 1 |
| All three tie | 3, 3, 3 |
Because the high score still gets a point, Nines is the gentler of the two games. Margins stay small and a bad hole rarely costs much.
Split Sixes: rules and tie splits
Split Sixes uses the same idea with six points per hole. It also goes by English, Cricket or Win, Place and Show in some groups.
- Each player plays their own ball and holes out.
- Rank the three scores on the hole.
- Award the points using the table below.
- Settle the difference between players at the end of the round.
| Result on the hole | Points |
|---|---|
| Three different scores | 4, 2, 0 |
| Two tie for low | 3, 3, 0 |
| Two tie for high | 4, 1, 1 |
| All three tie | 2, 2, 2 |
Some groups add a house rule that gives all six points to a player who wins a hole by two strokes or more. That makes the game much swingier, so keep it out until the group knows how the points add up.
A worked example: Nines over four holes
Nia, Omar and Pat play Nines off level handicaps.
| Hole | Nia | Omar | Pat | Points (N, O, P) | Running total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 5, 3, 1 | 5, 3, 1 |
| 2 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 5, 2, 2 | 10, 5, 3 |
| 3 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 4, 4, 1 | 14, 9, 4 |
| 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3, 3, 3 | 17, 12, 7 |
Scored as Split Sixes, the same four holes would read Nia 4+4+3+2 = 13, Omar 2+1+3+2 = 8, Pat 0+1+0+2 = 3. Same order, slightly wider gaps.
Settling up after the round
Points games are settled between each pair of players, not against a single pot. Take the totals from the example above after four holes of Nines: Nia 17, Omar 12, Pat 7.
| Pair | Difference | Who collects |
|---|---|---|
| Nia and Omar | 5 points | Nia |
| Nia and Pat | 10 points | Nia |
| Omar and Pat | 5 points | Omar |
At a value of a few cents per point, Nia collects from both players, Omar collects from Pat, and Pat pays both. The sums stay small even over 18 holes, which is part of why these games feel friendly.
A simpler alternative is a fixed prize: the player with the most points chooses the post-round drinks, or the player with the fewest pays for them. Either way, agree it on the first tee.
Handicaps in three-player games
Points games use handicaps the same way as stroke play. Each player receives strokes on the hardest holes on the card, and net scores decide the ranking on each hole. A common approach is to give strokes from the lowest handicap in the group, so the best player plays off zero and the others receive the difference.
Nines and Split Sixes are forgiving about handicaps. Since a bad hole only costs a point or two, a slightly generous allowance rarely spoils the game.
Other games that work with three
Several games from the main list also suit a threesome well:
- Wolf for three: the Wolf picks one partner after the tee shots, or plays alone against both. Many groups give the Lone Wolf extra points.
- Skins: every player for themselves. With three, ties are less common, so skins are won more often.
- Bingo Bango Bongo: three points per hole for position, which suits a threesome of mixed ability.
- One against two: one player plays the better ball of the other two, and the lone player rotates every six holes.
Formats built for four, such as Vegas, need an even number of players and do not convert well.
Etiquette and keeping it light
Points games ask every player to hole out, so the group should agree on gimmes and a maximum score per hole before the round. Keep the scorecard in one hand and call the points on the next tee, not on the green.
Keep the value of a point small. Over 18 holes of Split Sixes, the gap between first and last can reach 30 or 40 points. A few cents a point, or the lunch bill after the round, keeps the game friendly.
Which game to try next
A threesome that enjoys Nines often moves on to Wolf for three, which adds a partner decision on every hole. When a fourth player joins, the Nassau or Vegas are the natural team games. Every format is compared by group size and pace on the golf betting games page.