Golf Solitaire

1 Setup

Deal 35 cards into 7 columns of 5 cards each, all face-up and fanned so you can see all cards. Deal one card face-up to start the waste pile. The remaining 16 cards form the face-down stock.

2 Gameplay

Remove cards from the top of any column if they are one rank higher or lower than the top card of the waste pile. Suits don't matter, only rank.

Chains: You can remove cards in sequence as long as each is one higher or lower than the previous. 7 → 6 → 7 → 8 → 9 → 8 is a valid chain.

Kings block: In standard Golf, you cannot play on a King, they stop chains. Some variants allow Ace-to-King (or King-to-Ace) wrapping.

When no moves remain, flip the top stock card to the waste pile and continue. Once the stock is empty, the round ends.

3 Scoring (Lower Is Better)

Count remaining cards in the tableau columns at the end of the round. That number is your score for the "hole." Clearing the entire tableau before the stock runs out scores 0 (or negative points in some rules). Play 9 rounds, lowest cumulative score wins.

Negative scoring variant: Each stock card remaining when the tableau is cleared counts as −1 point. Finishing early rewards you.

4 Strategy

Build Long Chains

The goal is to chain as many sequential cards as possible in one move. Look across all 7 columns before removing a card, there may be a better starting point that enables a longer chain.

Avoid Burying High-Value Cards Under Kings

If a useful card is one below a King in a column, you can't reach it until all cards above are removed. Plan around blocked columns early.

Save Versatile Middle-Rank Cards

7s and 8s (middle ranks) are one away from more cards than Aces or Kings. Removing them later in chains gives you more flexibility to continue the sequence in either direction.

Watch the Stock Count

You have exactly 16 stock cards. Burn them wisely, each unproductive flip is a wasted opportunity. Try to only flip when you're truly stuck, not just when you see a shorter chain option.

5 Variants

• Ace-King Wrap: Aces and Kings connect (you can go from Ace down to King or King up to Ace), enabling longer chains. Increases win rate substantially.
• Double Golf: Two decks, larger tableau. Much harder.
• Putt-Putt (mini-Golf): Shorter game, 3 or 5 rounds instead of 9.