History of the Golf Card Game: Names, Origins & Variants
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Golf is a card game where you draw and swap cards to get a low score. It is not solitaire Golf. Pagat and Wikipedia say the names match but the games do not.
Why is it called Golf?
You want the lowest score, like golf the sport. Pagat calls each deal a hole. Many groups play nine holes, and some play eighteen.
What other names does it have?
Pagat says Golf is sometimes known as Polish Polka or Polish Poker. Some players call four-card Golf Turtle, six-card Hara Kiri, and nine-card Crazy Nines. Wikipedia lists these names too.
Sources: Pagat Golf, Wikipedia Golf (card game)
Where do people play it?
Pagat says Golf is common in North America and in Britain. It may show up in other English-speaking places. Pagat also says it is rare in card-game books.
How do the main layouts differ?
Pagat lists four-card Golf and six-card Golf as the two main forms. It also lists eight-, nine-, and ten-card forms, but Pagat says those bigger layouts seem less common.
Standard rules (four-card)
In four-card Golf you may knock when you think you have the lowest score. Pagat treats knock as the usual way to end a round in that layout.
Source: Pagat Golf
Standard rules (six-card)
When you swap, the new card goes face up. When one player has all cards face up, the hole ends and you add scores.
Source: Pagat Golf
Common rule
Pagat says many groups give each other player one last turn after someone ends the hole. Our Classic game on this site plays that way too.
What is the power-card branch (Cabo)?
Pagat lists four-card games with power cards. Names include Cambio, Pablo, Cabo, Cactus, and Dacz. You still hide cards and swap for a low score.
A power card from the stock may use its action, or it may act as a normal card. A power card from the discard pile is only a normal card.
Pagat names Cabo (2010) and Kombio (2019) as published decks.
Common variant
Cabo-style games use their own decks. They are kin to Golf, but they are not six-card Golf with one 52-card pack.
Source: Pagat Golf with power cards
What we don't know
Pagat does not name one inventor. Wikipedia does not name one start year.
We cut claims that are not on those pages. Your home rules may still be fine. Call them house rules when you teach.
Play the rules on this site
Our free game follows Pagat-style six-card rules in Classic. See the variations page for other online formats.