How to play Golf Solitaire
Golf is solitaire at its most immediate: seven columns of five face-up cards, and one simple move — play a column's top card onto the waste when it's one rank up or down from the waste card. No foundations, no suits, no wrapping. Clear the "course" and you win.
- Chains — a 6 takes a 7, the 7 takes an 8, the 8 takes a 7 again… one stock flip can clear half a column.
- Kings are walls — nothing plays on a King except a Queen, and Aces only accept 2s.
- The stock — 16 flips, no recycling. Every flip you waste is a card you may miss later.
Strategy tips for a lower score
- Milk every flip. Before drawing, scan all seven columns — the longest available chain is the whole game.
- Choose chains that end where the next one starts. Between two playable 7s, take the one whose column reveals another playable card.
- Dig out the Kings early. A King buried mid-column blocks everything above it; columns topped by Kings should be attacked first.
- Watch the edges. Aces and Kings kill chains — plan to play cards next to them while you still have connectors.
- Keep column counts even. One stubborn full column at the end is much harder to clear than seven short ones.
Frequently asked questions
What are the rules of Golf Solitaire?
Thirty-five cards are dealt face up into seven columns of five. Play the top card of any column onto the waste when it is one rank above or below the waste card, and flip a new stock card when nothing plays. Clear every column to win — the leftover stock does not matter.
Why is it called Golf Solitaire?
In traditional scoring, every card left in the columns at the end is a stroke against you, and players compete over a nine-deal "course" for the lowest total — just like golf. Clearing the board entirely is the hole-in-one.
Can I play an Ace on a King in Golf Solitaire?
Not in the classic rules used here — the sequence stops at the ends, so only a Queen plays on a King and only a 2 plays on an Ace. Kings are the game's roadblocks; plan around them.
How often can you win Golf Solitaire?
Classic no-wrap Golf is winnable roughly a third of the time with strong play. Chains — playing several column cards on one stock flip — are what separate winning games from losing ones.
Can I play Golf Solitaire offline or on my phone?
The game runs entirely in your browser and works on phones, tablets and desktops. Your game in progress is saved automatically, so you can close the tab and pick up where you left off.
More free card games
Want the same rhythm with three peaks and wraparound chains? Play TriPeaks Solitaire. Prefer a puzzle? Try Pyramid Solitaire — or the classic Klondike.