How to Play Golf Solitaire
Golf Solitaire is a quiet, thinking game you can play alone in a few minutes. If you like trying to clear a layout by finding simple matches, this guide from Playmore will get you started fast.
Quick facts
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Game | Golf Solitaire |
| Family | American patience |
| Players | 1 |
| Deck | Full normal 52-card deck |
| Core idea | Remove exposed cards that are one rank above or below the waste card |
| Note | This guide covers the classic “one-rank” mechanic. It is not the Six-Card Golf variant. |
What you are trying to do
Your goal is simple: use a single face-up waste pile to remove exposed cards from the tableau by matching cards that are one rank higher or lower. If you manage to clear the tableau using the available draws, you’ve won. Exact scoring and some small rules can change by version, so check the official rules for the exact layout and scoring used at your table.
What you need and how to set up
Use one normal 52-card deck. Shuffle well. Many versions deal a tableau of several columns with only the top card of each column face-up; a common layout is seven columns of five cards, but this can vary. The remaining cards form a face-down stock. You will turn cards from the stock to make a face-up waste pile. Because rules differ, confirm the exact deal size and whether some cards start face-up with your ruleset.
How to play
- Turn the top card of the stock face-up to start the waste pile. This card is the active card.
- Look at the exposed (face-up) cards in the tableau. You may remove any exposed card that is one rank higher or one rank lower than the waste card. For example, if the waste is a 7, you may remove a 6 or an 8.
- When you remove a tableau card, the card beneath it (if any) becomes exposed and may be used immediately.
- Keep removing cards as long as you have legal one-rank moves from the waste to the tableau. You can remove a chain of cards if each next card matches the current waste card.
- When no more moves are available, draw the next card from the stock and place it on the waste. That new card becomes the active card and can be used for more removals.
- Repeat drawing and removing until the stock is exhausted and no moves remain, or until you clear the tableau.
- Many rule sets define wrapping (King to Ace) or allow other small changes; check your chosen rules for that detail and for scoring.
How a round or game ends
A round ends when you can no longer make moves and the stock is empty, or when you have removed all tableau cards. Clearing the tableau is usually a win. If the stock runs out and exposed cards still remain that cannot be matched to the waste, the round is over and you did not clear the layout. Exact scoring systems and win conditions can vary by version, so check the official rules you’re using.
Beginner tips
- Look ahead before removing a card. Choose the move that exposes useful cards beneath.
- If two moves are available, prefer the one that frees more covered cards or longer chains.
- Keep track of suits only if your rule set uses them; for basic Golf, suit doesn’t matter—only rank does.
- Be careful with middle ranks. Removing a middle card can open up both higher and lower ranks for later chains.
- Try to leave flexible cards (like 7s or 8s) for later: they can match a wide range of waste cards.
- If you play on a phone or computer, use undo or replay to learn which choices work best.
FAQ
Can Aces be high or low?
That depends on the rules you’re playing. Some versions treat Ace as low only; others allow Ace–King wrapping. Check the specific rule set before you start.
Can I remove cards of the same rank as the waste?
In classic Golf Solitaire you remove cards one rank above or below the waste. Removing the same rank is not standard, but house rules exist. Always confirm before you play.
How is score usually counted?
Scoring systems vary. A simple way is to count how many tableau cards remain. More formal variants give points per cleared card or use penalties. Check the official or regional rules for exact scoring.