House rules vary. This is the common way to play Wolf. Settle the details (points, stakes, handicaps) on the first tee, before anyone has hit a shot they'd like to renegotiate.
How a hole works
- Set the order. On the first tee, toss a tee to set a hitting order. The order rotates each hole so everyone takes turns in each position.
- One player is the Wolf. The most common setup has the Wolf hit first and pick a partner while watching the others drive. Some groups have the Wolf hit last instead. Decide before you start.
- Pick now or never. After each player's drive, the Wolf must say yes or no to that player right away, before the next player hits. Pass on someone and you can't go back for them.
- Or go Lone Wolf. If the Wolf passes on everyone, or announces Lone Wolf after hitting, it's the Wolf against the other three.
- Play the hole as best ball. Each side's lowest score on the hole counts. Lower team score wins the hole. A tie is usually a push, with no points.
Scoring: a common points system
Points are where groups vary most, so agree on them on the first tee. This setup is widely used and easy to remember:
| Result | Points |
|---|---|
| Wolf and partner win the hole | 2 points each to the Wolf and partner |
| The other two win against Wolf and partner | 3 points each to the two winners |
| Lone Wolf wins | 4 points to the Wolf |
| Lone Wolf loses | 1 point to each of the other three |
| Blind Wolf (declared before anyone tees off) wins | 6 points to the Wolf (some groups simply double the Lone Wolf value) |
| Hole tied | No points |
At the end, compare totals. If you play for something, settle on the difference between each pair of players' points times your agreed value per point.
Holes 17 and 18
Over 16 holes a four-player rotation gives everyone exactly four turns as Wolf. That leaves two holes. The most common house rule makes the player in last place the Wolf on 17 and 18, which gives them a chance to catch up. Another option is to double the points on the last two holes. Pick one before you tee off.
Strategy that actually helps
- As Wolf, a good drive changes everything. If you split the fairway, a Lone Wolf is tempting, especially on a hole that suits your game.
- Don't fall in love with the first long drive. Fairway beats distance. A partner in the short grass usually beats one in the trees.
- Know your handicap strokes. If you play net, a player getting a stroke on a hard hole is often a better partner than the longest hitter.
- Lone Wolf on par 3s. On a short hole one swing decides a lot, and the odds are friendlier than on a long par 5.
- Keep score as you go. Arguments in Wolf are almost always about who picked whom. Note the teams on every hole.
Variations
- Three players: the Wolf picks one partner and the third plays alone against them, or groups play Lone Wolf only. Adjust points so a solo winner gets more.
- Five players: the Wolf can pick one or two partners. Keep the points simple.
- Net Wolf: use handicap strokes on the holes where they fall, which keeps mixed-ability groups competitive.
- Pig / Wolf with a twist: some groups let a picked player refuse and play alone. That's a different game; agree before playing it.
Example hole. Ana is Wolf and tees off first. Ben pulls his drive into the trees, so Ana passes. Cal finds the fairway and Ana takes him. Dee's drive goes after the pick, so Dee and Ben are a team. Ana and Cal make 4 and 5 (team score 4). Ben and Dee make 5 and 6 (team score 5). Ana and Cal win and get 2 points each.
The scorecard
Wolf card: rotation and points
Official-ish scorecardRotation repeats every four holes. Enter points per hole using the table on this page. Everything stays in your browser; nothing is saved or sent. Your secrets are safe.
Questions people actually ask
How many players do you need for Wolf?
Four is ideal. It works with three or five if you adjust partnering and points.
Does the Wolf hit first or last?
Both are common. Hitting first means the Wolf watches every drive before deciding; hitting last means the Wolf picks before hitting. Decide on the first tee.
Is Wolf played with handicaps?
It can be. In a mixed group, use net scores with strokes given on the stroke-index holes.
Playing for money? Keep it friendly and legal where you live. The best stake is one nobody minds losing.