If you’ve ever wondered how a simple deck of cards could bring the excitement of golf to your kitchen table, learning this classic game is your ticket to low scores and high smiles.

This guide will teach you everything you need to play a winning round of golf card game, from the basic rules and setup to tips for strategic gameplay that will have you beating your friends and scoring bragging rights with the lowest points.

Let’s dive into how to deal those cards and master your golf card skills!

What Is Golf Card Game

The game of golf card game is a fun, simple card game that can be played by two to four players using a standard 52-card deck. The objective of golf card game is to be the player with the lowest score at the end of nine rounds of play.

Unlike the actual sport of golf, in the golf card game, the lowest score is the winner. It is a strategic and luck-based game that involves discarding and drawing cards in an effort to have the cards with the lowest point values in your hand at the end.

Golf card game is a great game to play with family and friends as it is easy to learn but still involves skill and strategy.

How To Set Up And Deal Golf Card Game

Setting up a game of golf card game is quick and easy. To begin, one player should shuffle the entire 52-card deck thoroughly in order to randomize the cards.

Once shuffled, the dealer then distributes seven cards face down to each player. This gives each player seven cards to start with in their hand.

Any remaining cards are placed face down in a pile in the center of the table, This pile is called the draw pile since it is where players will draw additional cards from during gameplay.

After the draw pile has been created, the dealer then takes the top card off the draw pile and places it face up next to the draw pile. This face up card begins the discard pile.

The discard pile is where players will discard one card per turn; any player can also choose to draw the top card of the discard pile instead of the unknown top card of the draw pile.

Having the initial discard card face up allows players to consider if they want to draw that card or draw blindly from the stock pile.

Once all players have their seven starting cards and the draw and discard piles have been set up, gameplay can begin!

Golf Card Gameplay

Golf card game starts with the dealer and proceeds clockwise around the table until nine total rounds have been played. The gameplay on each player’s turn is fairly straightforward and consists of two actions – drawing a card, then discarding a card.

However, it does require some strategy of which cards to pick up and which cards to discard.

On Your Turn

On your turn at golf card game, follow this sequence:

First, you must draw one card into your hand. You can choose to draw either the top card from the face-down draw pile or the top card from the face-up discard pile. ‘If you choose the discard pile, you pick up that one card and add it directly into your hand.

If you pick the draw pile, look at that top card and decide whether you want to draw it or not. If you don’t want it, return it face down, reshuffle the discard pile into the draw pile, and then draw the new top card from the newly shuffled draw pile.

Next, you must discard one card from your hand onto the top of the discard pile. Try to discard cards of high point values like face cards or 10s since you want to end up with low cards. Discard strategically!

Play then moves on to the next player in clockwise order. They too will pick up either the draw or discard pile, then discard a card from their hand. This continue until all nine rounds have been played.

Scoring Golf Card Game

After all nine rounds have been played, each player adds up the point value of all the cards left remaining in their hands.

Standard card game scoring is followed: number cards are worth their printed number value, all face cards (Jack, Queen, King) are worth ten points each, and aces are worth one point. Any jokers or 2s played are considered wild cards and are worth zero points.

The player with the lowest score is the winner of that game of golf card game. Since golf rules are followed, the lowest – not highest – score achieves victory just like getting the lowest total strokes in golf sport.

It is therefore advantageous try to discard high cards so you are holding cards with low values during scoring.

Other Rules And Notes About Golf Card Game

If at any time during gameplay the draw pile runs out because players have drawn all the cards, simply reshuffle the discard pile cards to create a new draw pile deck to draw from. Gameplay continues as normal.

Additionally, if a player is holding a 2 or a joker when game end scoring occurs, they can declare it to replace their highest card held. For example, if you had a 10, 8, 7, 5, and 2 in your hand, you could replace the 10 with the 2.

This helps lower your total points! Jokers are considered wild and have a value of 0.

Lastly, on the very last round of gameplay right before scoring, players have the option to not draw a card at all. Decline drawing if you feel your hand is low enough as it is and do not want risk drawing any more high value cards.

Simply discard your chosen card onto the pile to end your turn.

Strategies For Successfully Playing Golf Card Game

While golf card game relies partially on the luck of the draw from the deck, there are some tips and strategies to increase your chances of having the winning low-score hand:

Remember The Discard Pile Contents

Pay attention to cards being discarded by all players throughout the game. Remembering what high value cards have already been discarded allows you to make smarter choices when considering picking up the discard pile versus unknown draw pile.

If you saw multiple face cards thrown earlier on, the discard pile may be good to draw since remaining cards are likely low numbers.

Discard High Cards Early

Try your best to discard high number cards early on in gameplay. Getting rid of 10s, jacks, queens and kings in the starting rounds means you hopefully won’t be stuck with them in your hand when final scoring comes.

Even if you have to pick up a low card to discard them, eliminating them from your hand will help keep your score low.

Consider Your Last Round Carefully

When playing your final round right before scoring, consider carefully whether picking up another card from either pile will benefit or harm your chances.

If your hand already has fairly low cards in it, you may stand the best chance simply discarding a card and not even drawing on that final round. Don’t risk picking up new high value cards at that stage in the game.

Conclusion

Golf card game is the perfect casual and strategic card game for passing time with friends and family.

Its simple rules and gameplay make it accessible for players of all ages to learn, while still allowing for skillful play around discarding high cards early and remembering what cards have been played.

Bring golf card game along for vacations, parties, or even just a quiet night at home – with some practice, you’ll be beating your opponents and scoring the winning low hand in no time!