SolitaireGolf Solitaire at a glance
Golf solitaire deals seven columns of five cards, all face up, and challenges you to play them all onto the waste one rank up or down at a time. Like its namesake, the aim is a low score; every card left on the board at the end is a stroke against you.
This is the traditional version with no wrap-around: nothing plays on a King, and only a 2 follows an Ace. That makes Kings dead ends to plan around, and turns a simple-looking game into a neat exercise in sequencing. Sixteen stock cards are your safety net. Spend them wisely.
For a related up-or-down game where Kings and Aces do connect, try TriPeaks Solitaire. For deeper help here, use the Golf Solitaire rules and strategy guide.
Rules and objective
- Play any column's top card onto the waste if it is one rank above or below the waste card.
- There is no wrap-around: A–2 connect, but K–A do not, and nothing plays on a King.
- Stuck? Click the stock for a new waste card. There is no redeal.
- Clear all 35 tableau cards to win.
The table enforces legal moves and saves the current deal in this browser. Hints identify a move that is available now; they do not guarantee that the deal can still be won.
Strategy: how to play better
- Plan chains before you play: one waste card can clear five or six tableau cards in a single run.
- Watch the Kings. Each one ends a chain, so uncover and dispose of them early where possible.
- Keep count of the stock. Sixteen draws sounds like plenty; it is not.
Frequently asked questions
Can I play an Ace on a King in Golf?
Not in this traditional version. The rank order does not wrap. Aces accept only a 2, and Kings accept nothing, which is what makes them the game’s main hazard.
Why is it called Golf?
Scoring mirrors real golf: cards left on the board count as strokes, and lower is better. Clearing the board entirely is the equivalent of finishing well under par.
Is Golf solitaire mostly luck?
Less than it looks. Deals vary, but choosing which chain to play first and when to spend a stock card gives a thoughtful player a real edge.
Can I play Golf Solitaire online for free?
Yes. The full game plays free in your browser with no download, account or sign-up.