Holes Won: the Golf Game That Counts Holes, Not Strokes
Holes Won turns your round into eighteen mini-competitions: every hole is won separately, and only the number of holes won counts at the end. On every hole, all players play their own ball and count their strokes; the best score on the hole scores 1 point — alone or tied. So a disaster never costs more than one hole: a 9 does exactly the same damage as a bogey, and every tee is a complete reset. For 2 to 4 players, with no points scale to memorise and no setting to choose before you start, it is one of the simplest formats to score — and since nobody ever really drops out of contention, the game is often decided on the last three holes.
How to play, hole by hole
- Every hole is a mini-competition. All players play their own ball and count their strokes.
- Compare the scores on the hole: the lowest wins the hole.
- Award 1 point for the best score on the hole — to every player who made it, alone or tied.
- Add up the holes won. The player with the most wins the game.
Three players. Hole 3: Nadia 4, Rémi 4, Chloé 5 → Nadia and Rémi score 1 point each, Chloé nothing. End of the round: Chloé has won 7 holes, Nadia 5, Rémi 4 — several holes were shared along the way. Chloé wins, whatever each player's total of strokes.
And when a hole is tied?
Everyone scores. That's the rule, and there is only one:
| Situation on the hole | Points awarded |
|---|---|
| A single player with the best score | 1 pt for them |
| Two (or more) players tied for the lead | 1 pt for each of them |
| Hole not completed by everyone | The hole doesn't count |
What it means out on the course: level with an opponent on the green, the safe putt is already worth something. Only take a risk if you are behind on the hole — it is the only case where you have nothing to lose.
The two are often confused. Nassau is a betting structure: three separate bets on the same round — the front nine (holes 1 to 9), the back nine (10 to 18) and the full match — laid on a match play for 2 or 4 players, with the option to “press” a losing bet. Nothing to do with counting holes won.
Why we love this format
- The total of strokes doesn't count. A 9 does the same damage as a bogey — a single hole lost. Ideal for inconsistent players.
- Every tee is a reset. Nobody ever really drops out of contention, and the game is often decided on the last three holes.
- After a bad hole, forget it fast: the next one is worth exactly as much. It is the best school for the mental game in golf among friends.
Frequently asked questions
How do you win a hole in Holes Won?
Every player plays their own ball and counts their strokes; the lowest score on the hole wins the hole. The total of strokes over the round doesn't count: only the number of holes won decides who wins the game.
What happens when a hole is tied?
Everyone scores. Every player who made the best score on the hole takes 1 point, whether alone or tied. There is no setting to choose before you start: the rule is the same from the first hole to the last.
Is it the same as Nassau?
No. Nassau is a betting structure: three separate bets on the same round — the front nine, the back nine and the full match — laid on a match play for 2 or 4 players. It is a completely different game. Holes Won simply counts the holes won over the whole round.
How many players can play Holes Won?
From 2 to 4 players, each playing their own ball. With no points scale to memorise, it is one of the simplest formats to score — and since every tee resets the counters, nobody ever really drops out of contention.
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. Holes Won is in it, along with the 5 formats you can play for free in the app.
Download the free sample →PDF · 14 pages · direct download, no email needed · the complete guide covers all 41 formats
Your holes won count themselves
The Game of Swing app spots the winner or winners of every hole and shows the count of holes won live. Holes Won is waiting in the catalogue of 41 formats — with 5 free games to get you started.
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