Golf Solitaire
Clear the tableau by playing cards one rank higher or lower onto the waste pile. A fast, addictive solitaire variant with simple rules.
Objective
Clear all cards from the tableau by playing them onto the waste pile.
Setup
35 cards are dealt face-up into 7 columns of 5 cards each. One card is placed face-up as the starting waste pile card. The remaining 16 cards form the stock pile.
How to Play
Playing cards: You can play the top card of any tableau column onto the waste pile if it is exactly one rank higher or lower than the current waste pile card. Suit does not matter.
Rank order: A-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-J-Q-K. Aces and Kings do NOT wrap — you cannot play a King on an Ace or an Ace on a King.
Drawing: When no tableau card can be played, click the stock pile to draw a new card to the waste pile.
No building back: Cards only move from the tableau to the waste. You cannot move cards back to the tableau.
Winning
You win when all 35 tableau cards have been played to the waste pile. If the stock runs out and no moves remain, the game is over.
Strategy Tips
Scan all columns before playing. Look for chains — sequences where one play enables the next. Playing cards in the right order can clear several cards in a row.
Prefer longer chains. If you can play from column A or column B, choose the one that creates a longer run of consecutive plays.
Watch Kings and Aces. These are dead ends — Kings can only accept a Queen, and Aces can only accept a 2. Avoid leaving Kings or Aces as the waste pile top when possible.
Don't draw too early. Always check every column before drawing from stock. A move you miss now cannot be taken later.
Uncover short columns. Emptying a column doesn't help in Golf (unlike other solitaire games), but having fewer cards in play means fewer cards to clear.
Use undo to explore. Try different play orders to find the longest possible chain before committing to a line of play.
Mouse / Trackpad
- Click the top card of any tableau column to play it on the waste (if valid)
- Click the stock pile to draw a card to the waste
Touch
- Tap a tableau top card to play it
- Tap the stock pile to draw
Keyboard Shortcuts
- N — Start a new game
- U — Undo last move
- H — Show a hint
- D — Play the daily challenge
- ? — Show all keyboard shortcuts
Is the shuffle fair?
Yes. Every deal uses a deterministic pseudo-random shuffle based on a seed value. The same seed always produces the exact same deal.
Can I replay the same deal?
Yes. Every game has a seed shown below the game board. Share the URL to give someone the exact same deal.
What is the Daily Challenge?
Each day, every player gets the same deal. Complete it to build your daily streak.
What is the win rate for Golf Solitaire?
Golf Solitaire is a moderately difficult game. Roughly 10-15% of deals are winnable. The key is finding the longest possible chain of consecutive plays.
Can Kings wrap to Aces?
No. In standard Golf Solitaire, Kings and Aces are endpoints. A King only accepts a Queen, and an Ace only accepts a 2.
Is my data stored or shared?
No. All stats and preferences are stored locally in your browser. Nothing is sent to any server.
About Golf Solitaire
Clear seven columns by playing cards one rank higher or lower onto the waste pile. Fast, addictive, and finishable in minutes. Like golf — the fewer cards left, the better your score. About 10-15% of deals are winnable.