Wolf: The Golf Betting Game, Explained
Wolf is the best betting game for a foursome because the teams change every hole — and the “Wolf” gets to gamble on how good everyone’s tee shot looks.
The setup
Before the round, set a tee order for the four players. That order rotates each hole, so everyone takes a turn as the Wolf:
- Hole 1: Player A is the Wolf
- Hole 2: Player B
- Hole 3: Player C
- Hole 4: Player D
- Hole 5: back to Player A — and so on.
(Over 18 holes everyone is the Wolf either 4 or 5 times. Many groups set holes 17–18 so the players in last place get to be the Wolf.)
The Wolf’s choice
The Wolf tees off last and watches everyone else hit first. After each opponent’s tee shot, the Wolf can pick that player as their partner — but they have to decide right after that shot, before the next player hits. Like a great drive? Grab them. Once you pass on a player, you can’t go back.
It’s 2-on-2 for the hole, low ball or combined depending on your group’s rule, and the winning side takes the points.
Going “Lone Wolf”
If the Wolf doesn’t like anyone’s drive — or feels bold — they can declare Lone Wolf and play 1-against-3. Win as a Lone Wolf and you collect from everyone, usually at double or triple points. Lose, and everyone collects from you. That’s the gamble that makes Wolf swing.
Scoring and money
Assign a point (or dollar) value per hole. Track each hole’s winner, apply the Lone Wolf multipliers, and total it up at the end. Because partnerships shift every hole, the running tally is a roller coaster — which is the whole point.
Keep the tally straight
Wolf’s rotating partners and Lone Wolf multipliers are a nightmare to track on a scorecard. BirdieBoard already automates the classics — skins, Nassau, match play, and presses — and settles up who owes who at the end, with more games on the way. So you can argue about your tee shots instead of the math.