How to Play Golf Solitaire
Golf Solitaire is a fast-paced, simple solitaire game where you try to clear the tableau by playing cards that are one rank higher or lower than the top of the discard pile. Like the sport, the goal is to get the lowest score possible. Golf is one of the quickest solitaire games to play, making it perfect for a 2-3 minute break.
About Golf Solitaire
Golf Solitaire is the speed round of the solitaire world — a fast-paced, straightforward card game that trades deep strategy for rapid decision-making and quick play sessions. Named after the sport where the lowest score wins, Golf Solitaire challenges you to clear as many cards from the tableau as possible, with fewer remaining cards meaning a better "score."
Thirty-five cards are dealt face-up across seven columns of five. The remaining 17 cards form the stock pile, with one card turned face-up to start the discard pile. You play cards from the tableau onto the discard pile if they are one rank higher or lower — suits do not matter. A 7 can go on a 6 or an 8, a Queen on a Jack or King. The catch is that Kings and Aces are dead ends: nothing goes on a King going up, and nothing goes on an Ace going down.
With most games taking just 2-3 minutes, Golf Solitaire is perfect for quick breaks and coffee-time gaming. The win rate sits around 10%, making it challenging enough to keep things interesting while keeping games short enough that you will always want to try "just one more." Many players find Golf addictive precisely because of this quick-play, try-again appeal.
1Game Setup
- 1Shuffle a standard 52-card deck.
- 2Deal 35 cards face-up in seven columns of five cards each.
- 3Place the remaining 17 cards face-down as the stock pile.
- 4Turn over the top stock card to start the discard pile.
2Rules
- 1Play the top card of any tableau column onto the discard pile if it is exactly one rank higher or lower than the current discard top.
- 2Suit and color do not matter — only rank.
- 3In standard rules, you cannot wrap around from King to Ace or Ace to King.
- 4When no tableau card can be played, draw from the stock pile to the discard pile.
- 5The game ends when either the tableau is cleared (you win) or no moves remain and the stock is empty.
- 6Your score is the number of cards remaining in the tableau — lower is better, and zero is a perfect game.
- 7Only the top card of each tableau column is playable.
- 8Kings are dead ends — no card can be played on top of a King (since wrapping is not allowed).
- 9Aces are also dead ends — no card can be played below an Ace.
- 10You can chain multiple plays in a row if the ranks connect (e.g., 5-6-7-8 or 8-7-6-5).
- 11There is no foundation — the discard pile is the only destination for tableau cards.
- 12The stock is not recycled — once all 17 stock cards are drawn, no more draws are available.
!Strategy Tips
- Look for long runs. If the discard shows a 7, check if you can chain 8-9-10 or 6-5-4 across multiple columns.
- Avoid playing cards that break a potential chain. Think ahead before moving.
- Focus on columns with fewer cards — clearing a column reduces complexity.
- Pay attention to which ranks are still in the stock. If you need a specific card, it may be coming.
- Do not draw from the stock immediately. Check all columns for possible plays first.
- Sometimes it is better to play a card from a longer column even if both options are valid.
- Watch for Kings and Aces — they block runs. Try to play cards near these dead-end ranks before they cause problems.
- If multiple cards match, choose the one that leaves the most options for the next play.
- Long chains earn more points. Prioritize plays that extend the current chain over starting a new one.
- In the late game, every stock card matters. Use them wisely to bridge gaps in the tableau.
?Frequently Asked Questions
Why is it called Golf Solitaire?
Like golf, the goal is the lowest score. Your score is the number of tableau cards remaining when the game ends — zero (clearing the board) is a perfect game.
Can you wrap around in Golf Solitaire?
In the standard version, no — you cannot play a King on an Ace or an Ace on a King. Some variants allow wrapping, but this version uses standard non-wrapping rules.
What is a good score in Golf Solitaire?
A score of 0 (clearing the tableau) is perfect. Any score under 10 is excellent. The average score for a skilled player is around 10-15 remaining cards.
Why are Kings and Aces bad in Golf?
Kings and Aces are dead ends because wrapping is not allowed. No card can be played above a King or below an Ace, so they stop any chain in its tracks.
How many stock cards are there in Golf Solitaire?
There are 17 cards in the stock (52 total minus 35 dealt to the tableau). One stock card starts the discard pile, leaving 16 draws.
Can I recycle the stock in Golf Solitaire?
No. Once all stock cards are drawn, no more draws are available. The game ends when no moves remain.
Is Golf Solitaire mostly luck?
Golf has a significant luck component since many deals are unwinnable regardless of skill. However, choosing which cards to play and when to draw from the stock involves genuine strategy.
How long does a Golf Solitaire game take?
Golf is one of the fastest solitaire games — most games take 2-5 minutes. It is perfect for quick breaks.