Acey Ducey Golf Game: Rules Explained
Acey Ducey is a double-edged points game: on every hole, the best score is the Ace and the worst is the Deuce. In the default variant, the Ace wins +2 points, the Deuce loses −2, and the players in between stay on 0. The threat of the Deuce changes the whole way you play a hole: you cannot ease off once the Ace is out of reach, because sliding into last place costs you points straight away. If players tie for first or last place, the points are shared equally; if every score is the same, the hole is dead. The app also offers a Positional variant, where every rank counts: you score as many points as opponents you beat, minus as many as opponents who beat you. The format is played with 3 or 4 players, each with their own ball, and finishes decided by a single point are the norm — a classic that is fiercely contested.
How to play Acey Ducey, hole by hole
- Choose the scoring variant before you start: “Ace & Deuce” (default) or “Positional”.
- Play the hole and note down every score. The best score is the Ace, the worst is the Deuce.
- Default variant: the Ace wins +2 points, the Deuce loses −2 points, the players in between stay on 0.
- Tie for the Ace or the Deuce: the points concerned are shared equally between the tied players.
- All players tied: the hole is dead, nobody scores.
- Add up over 18 holes. The best net total wins the round.
The app's two variants
Acey Ducey is played with one of the following two variants, chosen in the game set-up:
| Variant | How it works |
|---|---|
| Ace & Deuce (default) | The best score on the hole wins +2 points, the worst loses −2 points. The players ranked in between stay on 0, whatever their exact rank. |
| Positional | Each player scores according to their exact ranking on the hole: +1 point per opponent beaten, −1 point per opponent who beat them. Every place counts, not just first and last. |
The default variant puts everything at stake at the two ends of the ranking — Ace and Deuce — while Positional rewards consistency at every rank, including the middle of the order. The choice mostly depends on your group: clear-cut or finely shaded.
Default variant, a threeball between Nadia, Rémi and Bastien. Hole 3: Nadia 3, Rémi 4, Bastien 5 → Nadia (Ace) +2, Bastien (Deuce) −2, Rémi 0. Hole 4: all three make par → dead hole, nobody scores. Hole 5: Nadia and Rémi make 3, tied for the Ace → +1 each; Bastien, the only Deuce, −2. The group total always stays at zero: whatever one player wins, another one has to lose.
A typical finish, on net total:
| 🥇 Nadia | 🥈 Rémi | 🥉 Bastien |
|---|---|---|
| +9 | +2 | −11 |
Why golfers love Acey Ducey
- You play on two fronts at once. Going for the Ace without ever losing sight of last place: every hole needs a double calculation.
- Nobody is ever completely safe. A leader can slump to the Deuce with a single bad hole — the totals can swing fast.
- Finishes decided by a single point are the norm: the net total keeps the suspense going until the 18th hole.
A strategy tip: when the Ace is out of reach, beat at least one opponent — securing a middle place on 0 points is often the best play on the hole. In Positional, every place is worth points: play every putt out, even when the hole seems decided.
Frequently asked questions
What are the Ace and the Deuce?
On each hole, the player with the best score is the Ace, and the player with the worst score is the Deuce. In the default variant, the Ace wins +2 points and the Deuce loses −2, while the players in between stay on 0.
What happens if players tie for the Ace or the Deuce?
The Ace's or the Deuce's points are shared equally between the tied players. If every player on the hole is tied, the hole is dead: nobody wins or loses points.
What is the Positional variant of Acey Ducey?
In this variant, each player scores according to their exact rank on the hole: as many points as opponents beaten, minus as many points as opponents who beat them. Unlike the default variant, the middle places earn points too.
How many players is Acey Ducey for?
3 to 4 players, each playing their own ball. In the default variant, the Ace and Deuce principle needs at least one player in the middle who stays on 0 points — hence a minimum of 3 players.
Every format on a single page: step-by-step rules, a worked example, the points scale and a strategy tip — to read the night before a round or to print. The free sample covers 10 formats, including the 5 you can play for free in the app; Acey Ducey is in the complete guide.
Download the free sample →PDF · 14 pages · direct download, no email needed · the complete guide covers all 41 formats
Make your next round a game of Acey Ducey
The Game of Swing app spots the Ace and the Deuce on every hole, applies the variant you chose, shares out ties and tracks everyone's total live. Acey Ducey is waiting in the catalogue of 41 formats — with 5 free games to get you started.
Try the app for free → 5 free games, no account required — on your phone and computerGot a game in mind? A house variant to share? The app grows with every update — send us your idea, the best ones join the catalogue.