Play Golf Solitaire Online - Relax & Unwind
Golf Solitaire is a simple, relaxing card game with straightforward rules. Clear all cards from seven columns by building sequences one higher or lower. Perfect for unwinding after a long day!
How to Play Golf Solitaire
Objective: Remove all cards from the seven tableau columns by playing them to the waste pile.
Game Setup
- Tableau: Seven columns of 5 cards each, all face-up
- Stock: 17 cards to draw from
- Waste Pile: Where you play cards from the tableau
Basic Rules
- Play cards that are one rank higher or lower than the top waste card
- Suits don't matter - only the rank
- No wrapping: Aces and Kings don't connect (unlike TriPeaks)
- Only the bottom card of each column can be played
- When stuck, click stock to flip a new card to waste pile
- Goal is to use all stock cards while clearing the tableau
Scoring System
Golf Solitaire is traditionally scored like golf - lower is better!
- Loss: Each card remaining in tableau = +1 point
- Win (stock exhausted): Score 0 - perfect!
- Win (stock remaining): Each unused stock card = -1 point (bonus!)
- Negative scores are possible and excellent - like being under par!
Winning Strategy Tips
- Longer columns first - Prioritize columns that are harder to clear
- Keep options open - Try to maintain multiple playable columns
- Plan ahead - Think about how removing one card affects others
- Watch for sequences - Look for natural runs in columns
- Don't rush the stock - Use stock cards wisely
- Remember Kings and Aces - These can only play on Queens and 2s
- Even columns are good - Balanced columns give more flexibility
Common Patterns to Recognize
The Chain
When multiple columns have sequential cards, you can create long chains. For example, if you have 7-8-9 across different columns, playing them in order clears three columns at once!
The Pivot
Middle-rank cards (5-9) are "pivots" that give you the most flexibility. Try to save these for when you need to change direction.
The Block
Be careful not to block yourself! If all bottom cards are Kings or Aces and your waste pile is in the middle, you're stuck.
Why Play Our Golf Solitaire?
- Simple Rules - Learn in 30 seconds
- Relaxing Gameplay - No time pressure
- No Ads - Peaceful, uninterrupted play
- Mobile Friendly - Great for on-the-go
- Track Your Score - Try to beat your best
- Instant Play - No download needed
History of Golf Solitaire
Golf Solitaire is named after the sport because the scoring works like golf - the lowest score wins! It's been a popular variant since the early 1900s and remains beloved for its simplicity and quick gameplay.
Tips for Beginners
Start with the tallest columns: These are your biggest obstacles, so address them first.
Don't panic about stock cards: 17 stock cards is plenty for most games. Focus on clearing columns.
Learn from each game: Golf Solitaire teaches pattern recognition. The more you play, the better you'll get at spotting opportunities.
Variations
Some versions of Golf Solitaire allow wrapping (King on Ace, Ace on King). Our version uses the traditional rules without wrapping, making the game more strategic since Kings and Aces are harder to play.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Aces play on Kings in Golf Solitaire?
No, traditional Golf Solitaire doesn't allow wrapping. Aces only play on 2s, and Kings only play on Queens. This makes Aces and Kings trickier to manage!
What's a good score in Golf Solitaire?
A score of 0 means you cleared the tableau exactly as the stock ran out - perfect! A negative score (like -3) means you cleared with stock cards to spare - even better! Most games end with 5-15 cards remaining (positive score). Over multiple games, aim for an average below 10.
How is Golf Solitaire different from TriPeaks?
Both use one-higher-or-lower matching, but Golf has 7 columns instead of 3 peaks, doesn't allow wrapping, and has a lower-is-better scoring system inspired by golf.
Is Golf Solitaire a game of luck or skill?
It's a mix of both, leaning slightly toward luck. However, skilled players can consistently score better by recognizing patterns and making strategic decisions about column order.
Relax and unwind with Golf Solitaire - simple, peaceful, fun!
