Golf Solitaire

Golf Solitaire Rules

Golf Solitaire is a classic single-player card game that combines simple rules with strategic depth. The goal is to clear all cards from the tableau by playing them onto the foundation pile.

Setup

The game uses a standard 52 cards deck with the following layout:

• **Tableau:** Seven columns with 5 cards each, only the top cards of each column are available for play
• **Stock Pile:** 16 remaining cards placed face-down. Draw from here when no moves are available
• **Foundation:** 1 card dealt face up to start the waste pile. This is where you build your sequence

Gameplay

The objective is to move all cards from the columns onto the foundation pile. You can only move the topmost card in each column

• Click a card that is one rank higher or lower than the foundation card to move it to the foundation
• Aces and Kings wrap around! You can play an Ace on a King, or a King on an Ace — this `turn the corner` rule adds strategic possibilities
• When no valid moves are available, click the stock pile to draw a new foundation card. Use this wisely — the Stock is strictly limited!
• Plan ahead! Look at all columns before choosing which card to play. Consider the multiple columns with the same top card. Sometimes you can clear more cards and create chain reactions

Winning

You win when all cards from the columns have been moved to the foundation pile. The number of cards left in the Stock does not matter

Losing

When you can't move any cards from the columns and the Stock is empty, your game is lost. The number of remaining cards in the columns indicates how many cards you have left

Scoring

The score is based on the number of strokes (moves) used to complete the game. Fewer strokes means a better result. The number of cards left in the Stock at the end does not matter

Strategy Tips

• Plan Ahead: Before making a move, scan all columns to find cards that can create the longest chain of moves. This maximizes your score
• Use Stock Wisely: Only draw from the Stock when absolutely necessary. Each draw uses one of your limited Stock cards
• Mind the Kings and Aces: Kings and Aces are the hardest cards to unstick: a King only plays on a Queen or on an Ace (wrap), and an Ace only plays on a 2 or on a King (wrap). Plan their columns around those scarce neighbors
• Clear Columns Evenly: Try to clear columns at a similar pace rather than focusing on just one or two columns. This prevents getting stuck with difficult end-game situations
• Consider the Wrap-around: Remember the A–K wrap-around: it can be a lifesaver when the foundation shows a King or an Ace and no other moves are available

Game Variants

Popular house variants of Golf Solitaire (not available in this version):

• Easy Variant: The `Q on K` rule: Queens may additionally be placed on Kings. Computer analysis puts the solvability rate at roughly 93% with this rule
• Hard Variant: No wrap-around allowed: Aces and Kings do not chain, so Kings often become dead ends. Win rate drops to approximately 50%