Wolf is the perfect betting game for foursomes who want every hole to feel fresh. Unlike fixed partnerships, Wolf rotates who's teaming up and creates pressure-packed decisions on every tee box.

The core mechanic is simple: one player becomes the Wolf each hole and chooses a partner after seeing tee shots, or goes solo against the other three. The strategy runs deep.

How Wolf Works

The Wolf rotates among the four players. On the first hole, Player A is the Wolf. On the second hole, Player B. This continues through 18 holes, with each player being the Wolf four or five times.

Tee shot order matters. The Wolf hits last, giving them the advantage of seeing all three potential partners hit before deciding.

After each tee shot, the Wolf can immediately choose that player as their partner for the hole. Once the next player hits, the previous option is gone. If the Wolf passes on all three players, they become the Lone Wolf and play 1-versus-3 for that hole.

The best tee shot wins the hole. Winning team splits points, Lone Wolf takes all points if they win.

Basic Scoring System

Standard Wolf:

Wolf + Partner beat the other two: 2 points each
Other team wins: 3 points each
Lone Wolf beats all three: 4 points
Lone Wolf loses: Other three get 3 points each

At the end of 18 holes, total up points. Typical bet structure:

$1 per point
$5 per point
$10 per point

Low rollers might play for quarters per point. High stakes groups can go higher.

Strategic Decision Points

When to pick a partner early: If Player 1 stripes it down the middle 280 yards, taking them as your partner secures a strong ball. The risk is Players 2 and 3 might both hit better shots.

When to wait: If the first tee shot is mediocre, waiting gives you more options. But if Player 2 crushes one and you wait for Player 3 who then hits it even better, you might end up forced into Lone Wolf when you did not want it.

When to go Lone Wolf:

You hit a great drive and feel confident
All three opponents hit poor tee shots
It's late in the round and you need points to catch up
You're on a hole that fits your game perfectly

The key tension: picking a partner early locks in safety but limits upside. Going Lone Wolf quadruples your potential win but also triples the opponents fighting against you.

Advanced Variations

Blind Wolf: The Wolf must decide before anyone hits. This creates chaos and forces gut decisions based on hole difficulty and player tendencies.

Wolf with Carries: Points carry over on tied holes, creating bigger swings. If a hole ties, those points add to the next hole.

Escalating Wolf: Double points on holes 7-12, triple points on holes 13-18. This keeps everyone in the game and creates late drama.

Hammer: Any player can "hammer" at any point, doubling the hole value. The other side can accept or concede immediately. This adds a layer of gamesmanship during the hole.

Common Wolf Mistakes

Picking too early: New Wolf players get excited and grab the first decent tee shot. Often the second or third player hits it better. Be patient unless someone truly smokes it.

Going Lone Wolf too much: The math is against you. Even if you are playing well, 1-versus-3 means one of them will likely make a good score. Save Lone Wolf for clear advantages or desperation moves late.

Forgetting who has how many points: Wolf requires scorekeeping vigilance. Use a scoring app or designate someone to track points after every hole. Nothing kills momentum like "wait, who won hole 6?"

Not adjusting strategy based on position: If you are up big late in the round, play conservatively as the Wolf. Take safe partners. If you are down, you need to gamble more on Lone Wolf opportunities.

Ignoring personalities: Some players crack under pressure. Others thrive. Factor in who is hot today and who is struggling when picking partners.

Why Wolf Works for Foursomes

Wolf solves the biggest problem with foursome betting: someone getting paired with the worst player all day. In Wolf, partnerships rotate, so variance evens out.

Every hole has tension. Even if you are up points, you might be the Wolf next hole with tough decisions. The format never gets stale.

The point spread stays tight. Unlike stroke play where someone can run away with it, Wolf keeps everyone within striking distance through 18 holes because of the partnership rotation.

Playing Wolf with Handicaps

Full handicap creates the fairest game. If Player A is a 5 handicap and Player B is a 15 handicap, Player B gets 10 strokes distributed across the hardest holes per the scorecard.

On handicap holes, the higher handicap player subtracts strokes. If it's a 2-handicap hole and Player B gets a stroke there, their 5 becomes a 4.

This matters for Wolf partner selection. That 15 handicap might be more valuable on a tough hole where they get a stroke than on an easy hole where they do not.

Getting Started with Wolf

First time playing Wolf: Start with low stakes ($1 per point) and standard rules. No Blind Wolf, no Hammer, no escalation. Learn the basic rhythm first.

Tee box routine:

Announce who is the Wolf for this hole
Set the hitting order (Wolf goes last)
After each tee shot, Wolf verbally states if they pick that partner or pass
Play the hole, low score wins
Record points immediately

Scorekeeping: Use a notes app or Mulligan Money (launching Spring 2026) to track points live. Update after every hole so no one has to remember 18 holes of results.

Join the Mulligan Money waitlist to get early access to Wolf scoring, automatic point tracking, and instant settlement when our app launches.

Wolf turns a standard foursome into a dynamic competition with fresh partnerships and strategic decisions on every hole. Try it on your next round.