How To Play Golf Solitaire: Rules, Strategy & Win Odds

Looking to learn one of the most classic single-player card games? You’ve come to the right place. Many players are drawn to the simple setup of Golf Solitaire but quickly find that winning requires more than just luck; it demands a clear understanding of the rules, a solid strategy, and a bit of foresight.

Golf Solitaire is a card game where the primary objective is to move all 35 cards from a seven-column layout (the tableau) to a single foundation pile. You can play a card if it is one rank higher or one rank lower than the top card on the foundation.

This comprehensive guide breaks down everything you need to know to master the game. Leveraging extensive analysis of the game’s mechanics and established patterns, we will walk you through the official setup, core rules, and scoring system. More importantly, we’ll unpack proven strategies that can significantly increase your chances of winning this deceptively challenging game.

Key Facts

The Core Objective: The primary goal in any round of Golf Solitaire is to successfully clear all 35 cards from the starting layout, known as the tableau, by moving them to the foundation pile.

Aptly Named Game: The game gets its name from the sport of golf because the goal is to achieve the lowest possible score over nine rounds, or “holes,” with a score of 45 or less considered “par,” according to Hoyle’s Rules of Games.

A Challenging Win Rate: Golf Solitaire is known for its difficulty, with data showing a win-rate percentage of only about 3%, making strategy essential for consistent success.

The “No Wrapping” Rule: In the standard, strict version of the game, Kings and Aces are terminal cards; you cannot play an Ace on a King or a King on an Ace, which is a critical strategic consideration.

Two Ways to Score: Scoring is based on leftover cards. If you don’t clear the tableau, you get +1 point for each remaining card. If you do clear it, you get -1 point for each card left in your stockpile, rewarding efficiency.

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What is Golf Solitaire? A Quick Introduction to the Game

Golf Solitaire is a card game where the objective is to clear a 35-card tableau by moving cards to a foundation pile. Its name comes from the scoring system, where, like the sport of golf, the lowest score wins.

As a casual, single-player card game, Golf Solitaire is known for its quick gameplay and straightforward rules. The game is played with a standard 52-card deck. Your goal is to move cards from the seven columns of the main playing area, called the tableau, onto a single discard pile, known as the foundation pile. The challenge lies in the limited moves available and the finite number of cards in your draw pile.

The origin of the name is a key part of understanding the game’s objective.

According to Hoyle’s Rules of Games, the name “Golf” is used because the aim is to finish with the lowest score possible. A full game is often played over nine rounds, or “holes.”

Think of each leftover card as a stroke over par – your goal is to finish the ‘hole’ with the lowest score possible. This scoring system transforms a simple card-clearing exercise into a thoughtful game of patience and planning.

How to Set Up a Game of Golf Solitaire: The Deal Explained

To set up Golf Solitaire, deal 35 cards face-up into seven columns of five, place the remaining 16 cards face-down as a stockpile, and flip one card from the stockpile to begin the foundation pile.

A proper setup is the first step to a successful game. Unlike other solitaire variants where some cards are hidden, every card in the tableau is visible from the start, allowing for strategic planning. Here’s the step-by-step process for the deal:

Deal the Tableau: Take a standard 52-card deck and deal seven columns of cards, with five cards in each column. All 35 of these cards should be face-up and slightly overlapping so you can see the rank of every card in the column. This entire layout is the tableau.
Form the Stockpile: Place the remaining 16 cards face-down in a single pile. This is your stockpile, which you’ll use when you run out of moves in the tableau.
Start the Foundation Pile: Turn the top card of the stockpile face-up and place it nearby. This single card starts the foundation pile (sometimes called the waste pile or talon) and will be the first card you build upon.

Pro Tip: Ensure all card indices (the number or letter in the corner) are visible in each column. This is key for planning your moves later!

The Core Rules of Gameplay: How to Move Your Cards

The main rule is to move playable tableau cards to the foundation if they are one rank above or below the top card. When stuck, draw from the single-use stockpile to get a new foundation card.

Once the cards are dealt, the gameplay is simple but bound by strict rules. Only the exposed card at the bottom of each of the seven tableau columns is available to be played. Here are the core mechanics of how to play golf solitaire:

Moving Cards: You can move an available card from the tableau to the foundation pile.
The Foundation Rule: A card is only playable if its rank is one step higher or one step lower than the current top card of the foundation pile. The suit of the card is irrelevant.
Card Ranks: The cards rank in their natural order: Ace (low), 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, Jack, Queen, King (high).
The “No Wrapping” Rule: In the strict, standard version of Golf Solitaire, the ranks do not “wrap.” This means you cannot play a King on an Ace or an Ace on a King. They are effectively dead ends for a sequence.
Using the Stockpile: When you have no available moves from any of the seven tableau columns, you must turn over the top card from the stockpile and place it on the foundation pile. This becomes the new card to build upon. The stockpile can only be gone through once.

For example: If the foundation card is a 6, you can play a 5 or a 7 from the tableau on top of it. If a 10 is on the foundation, a 9 or a Jack is playable, but an 8 or a Queen is not.

Stuck with no moves? The stockpile is your lifeline, but remember—it’s a lifeline you can only use once. When the stockpile is empty and no more moves can be made, the game is over.

Understanding Scoring and How to Win the Game

Winning a round means clearing the entire tableau. Your score is +1 for each card left in the tableau, or -1 for each card left in the stockpile if you win. Aim for a score of 45 or less over nine rounds to make par.

The goal of Golf Solitaire isn’t just to clear cards; it’s to do so with the lowest score possible, typically over a series of nine rounds (or “holes”). Winning a single round happens when you successfully move all 35 cards from the tableau to the foundation pile.

Your score is calculated at the end of each round based on one of two outcomes:

Scenario	Score Calculation
Tableau Not Cleared	+1 point per card left in the tableau
Tableau Cleared	-1 point per card left in the stockpile
Nine-Round Goal	Achieve a total score of 45 or less (par)

For instance, if you finish a round with 4 cards left in your tableau, your score for that “hole” is 4. If you cleared the entire tableau with 5 cards still remaining in your face-down stockpile, your score for that hole is an excellent -5.

Quick Fact: A perfect game in Golf Solitaire is considered a score of zero or lower over nine rounds. Now that’s a challenge!

5 Winning Strategies to Increase Your Win Rate in 2025

To improve your Golf Solitaire win rate, always scan the tableau for potential sequences before moving, prioritize moves that reveal new cards, save your stockpile as a last resort, and try to keep column heights even.

With a win rate of only around 3%, Golf Solitaire is a game where strategy makes a massive difference. Moving from a beginner to a skilled player involves shifting from making the most obvious move to making the best move. Here are five expert strategies to help you win more often.

1. Plan Ahead: Scan for Sequences
Before you make a single move, look at the entire tableau. Identify potential long runs of cards. For example, if you see a 5, 6, 7, and 8 exposed in different columns, and your starting foundation card is a 4, you know you have a powerful sequence available.
* Why it works: Planning ahead prevents you from making a short-term move that breaks up a much longer, more valuable chain of plays later on.

2. Prioritize Moves That Open Up Options
If you have a choice between two playable cards, consider what lies beneath each one. The best move is often the one that uncovers a card needed for a future sequence or unlocks a column with many cards left in it.
* Why it works: Each move should be an investment in future moves. Uncovering useful cards is more important than simply clearing any available card.

3. Use the Stockpile Sparingly
Your stockpile contains only 16 cards, and you can only go through it once. It is your most valuable and limited resource. Never draw from the stockpile if there is a valid move available on the tableau.
* Why it works: Each card you draw from the stockpile is one less opportunity to change your foundation card later when you might be truly stuck. Conserving it gives you maximum flexibility at the end of the game.

4. Keep Columns Balanced
Try to avoid emptying one column completely while others remain tall. When you empty a column, you lose one of your seven available play options. Keeping cards in every column ensures you have the most possible moves at all times.
* Why it works: More available cards mean more choices. An empty column is a lost opportunity until another column is cleared on top of it, which is rare.

5. Try Basic Card Counting
This is for the pros! But even just remembering if all the Aces have been played can give you a huge edge. If you have a King on the tableau and know that all four Aces are gone, you know that King is unplayable in the standard game.
* Why it works: Knowing which cards are out of play helps you make informed decisions about which sequences are possible and which cards are dead ends.

Common Golf Solitaire Variations to Try

To change the game, try variations like allowing Aces on Kings (“wrapping”), adding Jokers as wild cards, or playing similar layout games like Tri Peaks and Pyramid Golf.

If you’ve mastered the standard game or simply want to try something new, several popular variations can change the rules and strategy. These can make the game easier or just provide a different kind of challenge.

Wrapping Cards (Putt Putt / Turn the Corner): This is the most common variation. It allows you to “wrap” around from King to Ace. You can play a King on an Ace, and an Ace on a King. With wrapping enabled, Kings and Aces are no longer dead-end cards, creating many more move possibilities.
Jokers as Wild Cards: One or two Jokers are added to the deck. A Joker can be played on any card, and any card can be played on a Joker. Adding Jokers makes the game significantly easier and increases the win rate.
Queens on Kings: A simple rule change that allows a Queen to be played on a King. This provides an extra move for the highest-ranking card.
Empty Foundation Start: In this version, the foundation pile starts empty. The player can choose any of the seven starting exposed cards from the tableau to begin the foundation pile, offering a strategic first move.
Different Layouts (Tri Peaks, Black Hole, Pyramid Golf): These are technically different games but use the same core mechanic of clearing a layout by selecting cards one rank higher or lower. If you enjoy the gameplay of Golf Solitaire, you will likely enjoy these as well.

Which variation sounds the most fun to you? A relaxing game with wild cards, or a greater challenge with a different layout?

Having a physical deck of cards is a great way to practice the game and its variations without screen distractions. For those looking to get started, a high-quality, durable set of playing cards can make the experience much more enjoyable.

FAQs About How to Play Golf Solitaire

Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about how to play Golf Solitaire.

What is the best strategy for Golf Solitaire?

The best strategy involves a combination of planning ahead to create long sequences, prioritizing moves that open up new cards, and conserving your limited stockpile. Before playing, always scan the entire tableau for potential runs. When you have a choice, make the move that reveals the most useful card underneath. Use your stockpile only as a last resort.

Why is it called Golf Solitaire?

The game is called “Golf” because the goal is to achieve the lowest possible score over nine rounds (or “holes”), mirroring the scoring objective of the sport of golf. Each card left in the tableau at the end of a round adds a “stroke” to your score, so the fewer cards you leave behind, the better your score.

What are the odds of winning Golf Solitaire?

Golf Solitaire is a challenging game with a low win rate of approximately 3%, requiring both skill and luck to win. This difficulty is why applying a solid strategy is so important. While some deals are unwinnable, a good strategy ensures you can capitalize on winnable layouts when they appear.

Can you put a King on an Ace in Golf Solitaire?

No, in standard Golf Solitaire, “wrapping” is not allowed, so a King cannot be played on an Ace (and vice versa). These cards represent the top and bottom of the sequence and cannot be connected. However, some popular game variations, sometimes called “Putt Putt” or “Turn the Corner,” do permit this move to make the game easier.

Your Next Move: Mastering Golf Solitaire

You are now equipped with a complete understanding of how to play Golf Solitaire, from the initial deal to the final score. By focusing on the core principles we’ve covered, you can approach the game with confidence and a clear plan to improve your performance.

Remember these key takeaways on your path to mastery:

Master the Setup: A correct deal with 35 tableau cards, 16 in the stockpile, and one to start the foundation is non-negotiable.
Internalize the Rules: The “one up, one down” rule is simple, but remembering the “no wrapping” rule for Aces and Kings is crucial for standard play.
Play with Strategy: Don’t just make the first move you see. Plan your sequences, prioritize revealing new cards, and guard your stockpile.

You now have all the rules and strategies needed to tackle the course. The best way to improve is to play! So shuffle a deck, deal a game, and aim for that perfect score.

Last update on 2025-09-17 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

How to Play Golf Solitaire: Rules, Strategy & Win Odds