What Is Golf Solitaire?

Golf Solitaire is a fast and simple solitaire game where the goal is to clear all cards from the tableau by playing them onto a single foundation pile. Cards are removed one rank higher or lower than the current foundation card, regardless of suit — similar to TriPeaks but with a flatter layout.

The “golf” theme comes from the scoring system: the fewer cards remaining on the tableau, the better your score. The lowest possible score (0 remaining cards) is called a “hole in one.”

How to Play Golf Solitaire

Setup

Tableau: 7 columns of 5 cards each (35 cards total), all face-up. Cards overlap slightly so all are visible.
Stock: The remaining 17 cards.
Foundation: One card turned face-up from the stock to start.

Rules

Play any fully exposed tableau card that is one rank higher or lower than the current foundation card. Suit does not matter.
Draw from the stock when no tableau card can be played.
Kings can only be played on Queens (no wrapping in standard Golf Solitaire).
You win when all 35 tableau cards have been removed.
The game ends when the stock is empty and no moves are available.

Golf Solitaire Strategy

Tip 1: Look for Long Runs

Before making a move, scan the tableau for sequences that allow you to chain multiple cards. A single long chain can clear several columns at once.

Tip 2: Choose Wisely Between Equal Options

When two cards of the same rank are available, choose the one that uncovers the most useful cards beneath it.

Tip 3: Prioritize Columns with Fewer Cards

Clearing an entire column is always beneficial — it removes a set of cards permanently and simplifies the board.

Tip 4: Watch the Stock Count

With only 17 stock cards, you have limited draws. Make every tableau move count before drawing.

Tip 5: Memorize Key Cards

Keep track of which Kings and Aces have been played. Since Kings cannot wrap in standard Golf, they are dead ends.

Golf Solitaire Win Rate

Golf Solitaire has a relatively low win rate — approximately 5–10% of games are winnable depending on the specific rules. The variant “Relaxed Golf” which allows wrapping (Kings on Aces and vice versa) increases the win rate significantly.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a good score in Golf Solitaire?

Any game where you clear the entire tableau (0 remaining cards) is excellent. Having 5 or fewer remaining cards is considered a good round.

Can you wrap Kings and Aces in Golf Solitaire?

In standard Golf Solitaire, no — Kings are dead ends. Some variants allow wrapping for a more forgiving game.

How is Golf Solitaire different from TriPeaks?

The core mechanic is similar (play one higher or lower), but Golf uses a flat 7-column layout while TriPeaks uses three overlapping pyramids. TriPeaks also allows King-Ace wrapping by default.