The Defender Golf Game: Rules of the Duel Game
In The Defender, a role is won and lost on every hole: one player is the Defender, all the others are Attackers, and on every hole the Defender takes on each Attacker in a 1v1 duel — lowest score wins, 1 point changes hands per duel (the winner +1, the loser −1, a tie = 0 points). The twist that makes the format: the best Attacker who beats the Defender takes over the role from the very next hole. If no Attacker manages to beat them, the Defender keeps the throne. Being the Defender therefore means playing 2 or 3 duels at once on every hole — big risks, but also big potential rewards, since beating everyone earns as many points as there are Attackers facing you. The final ranking is read from the net points total, positive or negative. A perfect format to spice up a threeball or fourball, where power changes hands on every hole.
How to play The Defender, hole by hole
- Choose the first Defender — in the app, they are drawn at random at the start of the round. The other players are automatically the Attackers on the hole.
- On every hole, the Defender takes on each Attacker separately in a 1v1 duel. The lower of the two scores wins the duel.
- 1 point changes hands per duel: the winner gets +1, the loser −1. If the two are tied, no point changes hands.
- The throne changes hands: the best Attacker who beat the Defender takes over the role on the next hole. If several winning Attackers are tied, the new Defender is drawn at random from among them.
- If no Attacker beats the Defender, they keep the role and take on everyone again on the next hole.
- Final ranking: the net points total — the highest wins the round.
Hole 7: Sarah is defending against Karim, Élodie and Thomas. Scores on the hole: Sarah 4, Karim 3, Élodie 4, Thomas 5. Three duels are played side by side: Karim beats Sarah (Karim +1, Sarah −1); Élodie ties with Sarah (no points exchanged); Sarah beats Thomas (Sarah +1, Thomas −1). Result for the hole: Karim +1, Sarah 0 (net), Élodie 0, Thomas −1. Karim, the only Attacker to have beaten the Defender, takes over as Defender on hole 8.
Why The Defender works so well with 3 or 4 players
- Being the Defender means playing several duels at once. Big risks, big rewards: beating everyone earns as many points as opponents faced.
- The rotating role brings every hole back to life. Nobody stays in the same position for long — power changes hands as soon as an Attacker comes out on top.
- The net total keeps everyone involved. Even a player who has never been the Defender can rack up points by regularly beating whoever is.
A strategy tip: as an Attacker, aim at the Defender and the Defender alone — the other Attackers don't count in your duel. As the Defender, consistency pays: a solid par is often enough to win 2 duels out of 3 while the Attackers take risks to knock you off your throne.
Frequently asked questions
How is the first Defender chosen?
In the Game of Swing app, the Defender for hole 1 is drawn at random at the start of the round. The other players are automatically the Attackers on the first hole.
How are the points for each duel worked out?
On every hole, the Defender takes on each Attacker separately: the lower of the two scores wins the duel, and 1 point changes hands (the winner +1, the loser −1). If the two are tied, no point changes hands.
Who takes over the Defender's role on the next hole?
The best Attacker who beat the Defender on the hole takes over the role on the next hole. If several winning Attackers are tied, the new Defender is drawn at random from among them.
What happens if no Attacker beats the Defender?
The Defender keeps the role on the next hole and takes on each Attacker in a duel again. A consistent Defender can therefore stay in the role for several holes in a row, banking the points from every duel won.
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; The Defender 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 The Defender
The Game of Swing app handles the duels, the points total and the handover of the Defender's role automatically, hole after hole. The Defender is waiting in the catalogue of 41 formats — with 5 free games to get you started.
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