When I first joined my local club, I never imagined a golf game with five players could be anything more than a slow, frustrating way to play a round of golf. Like many players, I assumed that groups of 2 or 4 were the only way to enjoy the sport. The thought of adding an extra player to our weekend rounds used to make me a little angry, especially since most courses already take 4-5 or even 5+ hours to finish.
But one day, a friend brought along his colleague on a busy weekend, and surprisingly, the game turned out to be more fun, amusing, and quite an opportunity to test new formats. Our marshal was active, keeping the pace steady, and the team structure we used added a healthy layer of competition and excitement.
With the right setup, clear rules, and the right mix of skills among the members, a 5-player group can truly work. In fact, it adds a certain spice, especially on guys’ trips or public courses, where playing with a small group often leads to more engaging games, deeper memories, and a chance to show off your best irons.
I’ve found that these formats are not just ideal for casual rounds but also great for honing your competitive edge across all levels, especially when the structure involves individual competitions or team-based methods. Whether you’re playing with a business partner or an old friend, the case for a five-player game is stronger than ever. Just make room and let the format shine.
- Playing golf with five players is less common but offers a fun and fresh way to mix up the game.
- Different games like Lone Wolf and Five-Player Scramble create many possibilities for enjoyment and competition.
- Keeping a good pace of play is important to avoid slowing down other groups and ensure everyone enjoys the round.
- These formats suit all skill levels, making the game more engaging and exciting for everyone.
- Playing with five players adds variety, friendly competition, and memorable experiences on both public and private golf courses.
Some Interesting Golf Game with Five Players
Playing golf with four buddies isn’t just about a normal round anymore; when five people team up, the game can become even more fun and amusing. While most courses don’t allow it often, a five-player setup opens the door to exciting games, creative methods, and new rules that bring extra energy.
One of my favorite memories was from a version of the “8 amazing methods of playing golf,” where the rules made it easy to switch strategies mid-game and keep everyone engaged. With each hole, we discovered that playing in a five-player format wasn’t just doable, it was a blast when done right.
Wolf Game
The Wolf game is one of the most fun golf games you can play with three, four, or five players, making it perfect for a casual or competitive round. The premise starts on the first tee, where players flip a tee to decide the order of play, which then alternates on the next holes.
Normally, each player tees off multiple times over 16 holes, but with five guys, everyone gets to tee off three times. The rules of Wolf can be normal or adjusted to fit the group, such as recruiting another player to form a team, creating a 2 vs. 3 dynamic since the number of players is odd.
What makes the Wolf game exciting is the mix of gambling stakes, strategy, and the chance to be the lone wolf or choose a teammate after each tee shot. The wolf gets to hit first on the hole with a top-rated golf iron and decide whether to play solo or with a partner, adding an extra layer of competition and excitement.
Points are awarded based on winning or losing holes, keeping the game fresh and engaging. This format perfectly combines elements of match and stroke play, giving every player a chance to challenge others in a fun, social, and competitive environment.
High and Low Game
Playing golf with five players can be a lot of fun, especially with games like the High and Low Game. In this game, teams are made by pairing the two golfers with the lowest handicaps against the three with the highest handicaps, which keeps the match competitive and balanced. The players follow a rotation similar to the best ball scramble, where each team records scores for every hole.
If one team is losing badly, you can switch teammates after nine holes to keep the game fair and fresh. Sometimes, the two best players play their own balls while the others join a 3-man scramble, adding a creative twist based on the handicap difference. This mix of formats and chances to change teams makes the game more exciting and enjoyable for every golfer in the group.
Stableford Game
When playing with five players, the Stableford game brings a fresh twist to the usual golf format. Instead of counting total strokes, players earn points for each hole based on their scores, like par, birdie, or even an eagle. The scoring system is simple:
- . Eagle = 7 points
- . Birdie = 4 points
- . Par = 1 point
- . Bogey = 0 points
- . Double bogey or worse = -1 point
The great part is the game doesn’t penalize bad holes; you just don’t get points there. Players can decide whether to play individually or in a 2 vs. 3 team setup, making it flexible for any number of players. This format keeps things exciting and fun without needing the traditional stroke method, allowing each golfer to play their own balls and stay motivated to improve their highest score.
Adjusting for handicaps or mixing in different scoring variations makes every round unique, and the winner is simply the player or team with the most points, which means it’s not always the one with the lowest total score. From my experience, this game keeps a group closely engaged and eager to play again.
Skin Game
The skin’s event is always exciting, especially on trips like a guys’ trip or a Bachelor party. Each player puts up some money, anywhere from $5, $10 to $100, before the round starts at the first tee box to make the pot. The main goal is to get the lowest score on each hole, whether it’s gross or net.
If you are the only one with the low or specific score on that hole, you win that skin as your prize. Sometimes the contest results in ties, which means the prize carries over to the next hole, making the stakes higher. The skins are divided at the end of the round based on the total number of skins won, so fewer skins mean bigger payouts.
This format encourages more risky tee shots, like using more drivers, firing at the flag, and taking aggressive short game shots. Plus, you keep your own score and can place side bets between players, which adds to the fun. With just one skin, you can win money back and even cover the cost of your tee time.
Round Robin
When you’re playing in a 5-player group, the Round Robin game is also a perfect format that keeps things fresh, exciting, and fair. You’ll rotate partners every 3 holes or 6 holes, which means you’ll eventually team up with everyone. It starts with 3 players facing 2 players, and after each stretch, you re-pair.
You can even use tee spinning to pick your next partner, just watch where the tee points, or simply throw balls toward a target and let the closest three balls form one team while the remaining two become the other team. Every player keeps track of their own results across multiple matches, and at the end of the round, the winner is the one with the most matches won.
For example, player A might pair with player B for the first six holes, then switch to player C for the next. With each team facing other teams and earning points per match, it’s key to keep all team matchups and results well noted. When scores are added up, the player or team with the most points wins a great way to enjoy the entire round with different teammates in a truly competitive group.
Stroke Play with Points Game
When my group wants a competitive yet simple change to our usual golf game, we go for a fun twist called Stroke Play with a Points System. Each player is still competing for the lowest total score, but now points are awarded based on every hole. The player with the lowest score earns 3 points, second place gets 2 points, and the highest score still walks away with 1 point, unless there’s a tie, in which case we split the points.
The aim is not just a clean round, it’s also hitting key achievements to earn more. By the end, whoever has the most points wins the game. This format works great whether you’re doing best ball, match play, or even just a simple round. The addition of points keeps everyone involved and brings out just enough rivalry to make things interesting.
Best Ball Scramble Game
One of the most wonderful ways to relax on the course without stressing about competing is to play best ball scramble, especially when you’re out with five players who just want to enjoy the beauty of golf. In this game, the same team shares the round; each player hits their ball from the tee, and then the group decides which was the best drive.
From that position, everyone plays their second shot, and this rotation continues until you complete the hole. It’s a casual, team-based format that lets everyone feel part of the action without worrying about individual scores.
Best Ball Format Game
One of our go-to golf games is the best ball format, mainly because it keeps things fun and engaging for all skill levels. In this game, each player plays their own ball during the round, and only the best score on every hole counts for the team.
The group gets divided into teams, typically with two teams of two players and a solo team called the lone wolf. We’ve had some great rounds where the strong player carries the group, but even the others get opportunities to shine, which makes it especially rewarding. I like tossing in side bets like closest to the pin or longest drive on specific holes.
These types of bets keep the day exciting. Whoever records the lowest score on each hole wins that hole, and the team with the most points at the end wins the game. Everyone feels like they can contribute, no matter the skill level, and that’s what makes this format so popular with us.
Tips to Keep Five-Player Golf Games Fun and Fast
When playing in a group of five, things can get slow if you’re not careful, so here are smart tips for keeping the round smooth.
- Communicate clearly: Make sure everyone knows the turn order and game rules to avoid confusion.
- Prepare before the game: Bring extra balls and tees to prevent delays when someone needs a replacement.
- Practice good etiquette: Be mindful of other groups and keep a respectful pace.
- Stay ready: Be prepared for your shot to keep the game moving smoothly.
- Avoid unnecessary delays: Don’t waste time between shots to maintain a good pace.
- Keep the game flowing: Especially important for larger groups to ensure everyone enjoys the experience.
- Respect the course pace: Play at a speed that keeps the game fun and respects other players on the course.
Final Thoughts
Playing a golf game with five players is not something you see every day at most golf courses, but it can bring a fresh, fun way to mix it up if your course allows. You won’t get the usual round-robin style, but trying different games like Lone Wolf or the Five-Player Scramble opens up many possibilities.
This setup gives everyone a chance to compete, enjoy the game, and share some great moments on the course. Just remember to keep a good pace of play so you don’t slow down other groups, letting everyone have the best experience possible. These new formats fit players of all skill levels, making every round more engaging and exciting.
Whether you prefer team-based styles like the best ball format or individual challenges such as bingo bango bongo, there is a game to suit your group’s style. Playing with five also means more chances to show your skills, enjoy some friendly competition, and make your time on the golf course memorable. From public to private courses, these options make your game with five players both fun and competitive, giving you a fresh way to enjoy golf with friends.
FAQ’s
How to Play a Scramble With 5 People?
In a scramble with five players, you start with four players who are designated as player 1, player 2, player 3, and player 4. On the first hole, player 1 hits two drives, while the other 3 members each hit one drive. This gives the team a total of five drives to pick from. The team then has the option to select the best shot.
If the team chooses player 1’s second drive, it is counted as a drive for a fictional 5th player, adding a unique twist to the usual scramble. This way, all five players can be part of the game even though only four are actively hitting, which makes the game fun and fair for everyone.
Can 5 People Play a Round of Golf?
Most better courses usually don’t allow more than a 4-ball to play together, especially on a weekend when the course is busy. It is rarely possible for 5 people to play a full round of golf at the same time on these courses. From my experience, it’s best to check the course rules before planning a group of five, as many places prefer smaller groups to keep the game moving smoothly for everyone.
What Are Fivesomes in Golf?
A fivesome is the maximum allowed group size on many golf courses. When a fivesome group plays, their pace is often monitored to ensure the play is not held up for others. Sometimes players are required to speed up play or allow faster players to play through if their game is slowing the pace of the course. From experience, being aware of your group’s speed helps keep the round enjoyable for everyone involved.
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