Side games
Wolf: rules, scoring and a free calculator
One player is the Wolf on each hole. After watching everyone tee off, the Wolf picks a partner, or goes alone for double points.
3 or 4 players (4 is the classic)
How Wolf works
- Players tee off in the same order on every hole. The order rotates: player 1 is the Wolf on hole 1, player 2 on hole 2, and so on.
- The Wolf tees off last. After each other player hits, the Wolf can pick that player as a partner right away. Once the next player hits, the earlier ones are gone.
- If the Wolf does not like any tee shot, he or she can go lone wolf: one against the rest. Going lone wolf before anyone has hit is a blind wolf and is worth triple.
- Teams play the better score of the two. The winning side collects points from the losing side, one pair at a time: 1 point from each opponent with a partner, 2 with a lone wolf and 3 with a blind wolf.
On each hole
- Find out who is Wolf on the hole. Everyone else tees off first, in order.
- The Wolf calls a partner right after a tee shot, or goes lone wolf.
- Play the hole, with the better score of each side counting.
- The side with the lower score wins. A tie scores nothing.
- In the calculator, set the Wolf’s call on each hole and the points are added up for you.
Choosing a partner, or going alone
A good partner is the one who just hit it in play when the hole is hard. A lone wolf is a gamble: you need to beat the best score of everyone else.
The rewards are why people do it. In a four-player game a lone wolf who wins collects 2 points from each of the three others, 6 points in all, and a loss costs the same.
A blind wolf is a decision before anyone tees off. It is worth triple points and is a favorite when a player is trailing late in the round.
With four players and eighteen holes, holes 17 and 18 do not fit the rotation. Some groups hand them to the players in last place so the trailing players get the chance to catch up.
Common variations
- Some groups pay a lone wolf 3 points per opponent instead of 2, and a blind wolf 4.
- Birdies count double, so a good hole is worth twice as much.
- Ties carry the points to the next hole.
- Net Wolf: handicap strokes apply, so the game is fair for mixed handicaps.
Wolf calculator
Add your players and type the strokes for each hole. You get the standings, who won what and who pays whom. It uses the same game engine as the Pocket Looper live card.
Handicap strokes (optional)
| Hole | Player 1 | Player 2 | Player 3 | Player 4 | Wolf’s call |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | |||||
| 2 | |||||
| 3 | |||||
| 4 | |||||
| 5 | |||||
| 6 | |||||
| 7 | |||||
| 8 | |||||
| 9 |
Enter scores to start
Not started
Who won what
Settle up
Nobody owes anything.
Questions golfers ask
How do you play Wolf in golf?
The Wolf rotates each hole. The Wolf tees off last and chooses a partner after seeing the others tee off, or goes alone. The better score on each side counts, and the winners earn points from the losers.
What is a lone wolf?
A lone wolf plays alone against the other players, for double points. A blind wolf, who goes alone before anyone has teed off, plays for triple points.
How many players do you need for Wolf?
Three or four. The classic game is four players, so the rotation is simple and a two against two team is possible.
How does scoring work in Wolf?
The winning side earns points from each losing player. With a partner, each loser pays one point to each winner. A lone wolf collects two points from each of the others, and a blind wolf three.
Who is Wolf on the last holes?
With four players and eighteen holes, holes 17 and 18 do not fit the rotation. Some groups keep rotating, and others make the player in last place the Wolf. The calculator keeps rotating.
More side games
Get this on every shot
Pocket Looper keeps Skins, Nassau, Wolf and more for your group on the live card, works out the settle-up as you play, and it is free.