How 9-Point works
On every hole, the three players split nine points:
| Result on the hole | Points |
|---|---|
| Three different scores | Low 5, middle 3, high 1 |
| Two tie for low | 4 and 4, the other player 1 |
| Two tie for high | Low 5, the other two 2 each |
| All three tie | 3 each |
Every hole hands out exactly nine points, so 18 holes hand out 162 — an average of 54 per player.
Settling up
The simplest way is to compare each player to the average of 54. If you finish above it, you collect the difference; below it, you pay. At $1 a point:
| Player | Points | vs. 54 | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anne | 70 | +16 | Wins $16 |
| Ben | 52 | −2 | Pays $2 |
| Cal | 40 | −14 | Pays $14 |
The results add up to zero: Ben and Cal’s $16 covers Anne’s winnings.
A hole-by-hole example
| Hole | Anne | Ben | Cal | Points (A / B / C) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 5 / 3 / 1 |
| 2 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 4 / 4 / 1 |
| 3 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 5 / 2 / 2 |
| 4 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 3 / 3 / 3 |
Variations
- Net 9-Point: use handicap strokes on the hardest holes.
- Birdie bonus: some groups give a sweep (all nine points) to an outright birdie.
- Four players: the four-player version, Split Sixes, follows the same idea with different point splits.
9-Point FAQ
How many players do you need for 9-Point?
9-Point is built for three players. With four, most groups play a different game such as Wolf or Vegas.
How are ties scored in 9-Point golf?
Two players tied for low get 4 each and the third gets 1. Two tied for high get 2 each and the low score gets 5. A three-way tie is 3 points each.
How do you settle a 9-Point game?
There are 162 points in 18 holes, so the average is 54. Each player wins or pays the difference between their total and 54, at an agreed value per point.
