Play Golf Solitaire Online for Free

Golf Solitaire is a casual, single-player card game characterized by quick gameplay and straightforward rules. The name “Golf” comes from the idea that lower scores are better—like in the sport of golf, you want to clear as many cards as possible (minimizing the number of cards left unplayed).

• Objective: Remove as many cards as possible from the tableau by moving them onto a waste pile, following ascending or descending order.
• Setup: Typically, 35 cards are laid out in seven columns of five face-up cards each, and the remaining 17 cards form the stock. The top card of the stock is turned face-up to create the initial waste pile.

Golf Solitaire is well-suited for both quick breaks and extended play sessions—especially in its online format, where you can track your performance and replay multiple hands easily.

How to Play Golf Solitaire

1. Initial Layout

   • Deal seven columns of five cards each. All these cards are face-up, and form what’s called the “tableau.”
   • Set aside the remaining 17 cards (face-down); this is your “stock.” Turn over the top card of the stock to start the “waste” pile.

2. Moving Cards to the Waste Pile

   • From the tableau, only the top card of each column (the “exposed” card) is available for play.
   • You can move an exposed card onto the waste pile if it is either one rank higher or one rank lower than the top card of the waste pile.
   • Suits are generally irrelevant in Golf Solitaire; only the rank matters. For example, if the waste pile’s top card is a 7, you can place either a 6 or an 8 from the tableau onto it.

3. Drawing from the Stock

   • If you cannot make any moves from the tableau to the waste, flip the next card from the stock onto the waste pile.
   • Continue until you either clear all tableau cards or run out of stock cards (and moves).

4. Scoring and Winning

   • Each card left in the tableau at the end is typically worth one point, and your goal is to have the fewest points possible (the “Golf” concept).
   • In many online versions, clearing the tableau entirely is a “perfect” score or zero points, which is the ultimate victory.

Interesting Facts About Golf Solitaire

1. Origin of the Name

   • The term “Golf” references the scoring system—like the sport, where fewer strokes yield a better outcome.

2. Fast-Paced Gameplay

   • Compared to some other Solitaire variants, Golf moves quickly, making it popular for short breaks at work or school.

3. Simple but Addictive

   • The core rule (moving a card up or down by one rank) is straightforward, yet the game requires planning and forethought, adding a layer of depth to an otherwise simple mechanic.

4. Variants

   • You might see adaptations like “Putt-Putt” or “Mini-Golf” Solitaire, which tweak the rules slightly (e.g., introducing jokers or altering how the tableau is laid out).

5. Minimal Setup

   • Golf Solitaire doesn’t require building suits or elaborate columns like Klondike or FreeCell, making it accessible and easy to learn.

Tips and Tricks

1. Look Ahead

   • Before moving a card onto the waste pile, check if it opens up future moves. Sometimes it’s better to keep a potential move in the tableau if it allows a bigger chain reaction later.

2. Avoid Rapid Stock Flips

   • If a move is available in the tableau, take advantage of it. Flipping cards from the stock too soon might block future chain moves from the tableau.

3. Use the Waste Pile Wisely

   • Remember that a single rank gap (up or down) limits your options. Try to create sequences on the waste pile that maintain flexibility (e.g., playing an 8 on a 9, when you also see multiple 7s in the tableau).

4. Identify “Key” Cards

   • Cards that can chain easily—like 7, 8, and 9—are particularly valuable for forming back-and-forth moves. If you see a cluster of such ranks, plan to exploit them in order.

5. Practice Makes Perfect

   • Because Golf Solitaire is less about luck than some Solitaire variants, the more you play, the better you’ll get at recognizing patterns and planning moves effectively.

Strategies for Winning

1. Clear Columns Selectively

   • While removing cards is essential, sometimes you’ll want to leave a column’s top card for a future sequence. Focus on removing problematic cards first—ones that aren’t easy to fit into 1-rank steps later.

2. Maximize Chain Reactions

   • Seek opportunities to make consecutive moves without flipping from the stock. A well-planned move can open a new card in the tableau that immediately fits on the waste pile, leading to a cascade of plays.

3. Balance Risk and Reward

   • Sometimes, playing a card that immediately fits might prevent you from making a more beneficial play. If you can wait a turn to see if a better chain reaction is possible, do so.

4. Manage the Stock

   • Each new waste card from the stock changes your range of playable ranks. Draw from the stock strategically, ensuring you’re not prematurely ending potential tableaux moves.

5. Aim for a Low “Score”

   • Remember, the ultimate aim is to minimize leftover cards, not just to make the most moves. Keep an eye on how many cards remain in the tableau columns rather than just the immediate waste pile moves.