Sixes Golf Game: Rules for Rotating Teams
Sixes answers the touchy question every fourball faces: who plays with whom? The answer: everyone, each in turn. Teams rotate every 6 holes — three phases, three different partners in the same round, so every player teams up with each of the other three. On every hole, the two pairs go head to head in the format chosen at the start — Better Ball by default, or The Total, High-Low Ball, Las Vegas — and the points of the hole won go to each of the two players on the winning team (tie = 0 points). The twist that changes everything: the final ranking is individual. Everyone adds up their points over the three phases, and your partner of the moment remains your rival on the overall leaderboard. No putting up with the same teammate for 18 holes, and no resting on a lead either: alliances change, and the suspense lasts until the last rotation.
▶ The rule in 60 seconds, in French with English subtitles — the Game of Swing channel
How to play Sixes, phase by phase
- Make up a game of exactly 4 players. The course is split into 3 phases of 6 holes (3 holes each over 9 holes).
- Teams rotate at each phase: holes 1–6: A+B against C+D · holes 7–12: A+C against B+D · holes 13–18: A+D against B+C.
- Choose the format at the start, for the whole round: everyone plays their own ball, then the two pairs are compared in Better Ball (default), The Total, High-Low Ball or Las Vegas — details in the table below.
- The team that wins the hole scores: its points go to each of the two players in the pair. Tie = 0 points.
- Individual final ranking: everyone adds up their points over the 3 phases — the player with the most wins the round.
- “Phases as matches” option: each rotation becomes a match. The pair that scored more over the phase earns 2 points per player, a tied phase gives 1 point to everyone; hole points break ties at the end.
- “+1 point per birdie” option: a player who makes birdie or better scores 1 extra point, whether or not their pair wins the hole. An eagle counts the same as a birdie.
Team rotation at a glance
| Phase | Holes | Teams |
|---|---|---|
| Phase 1 | 1 to 6 | A + B against C + D |
| Phase 2 | 7 to 12 | A + C against B + D |
| Phase 3 | 13 to 18 | A + D against B + C |
The 4 formats of Sixes
| Format | The hole is won… | Points for the hole |
|---|---|---|
| Better Ball (default) | with the pair's best ball | 1 point each |
| The Total | with the lowest sum of the two scores | 1 point each |
| High-Low Ball | best ball against best ball, worst against worst | 0, 1 or 2 points each |
| Las Vegas | with the lowest number made by the two scores (4 and 5 → 45) | the gap between the two numbers (a cap of 10 is advised) |
Better Ball frees you to attack, The Total forgives nothing: nobody hides behind their partner. High-Low Ball rewards both players at once, and Las Vegas raises the stakes. In Las Vegas, a common variant has a birdie flip the other team's number (56 becomes 65).
Alice, Bastien, Chloé and David. Phase 1 (Alice+Bastien): 3 holes won to 2, one halved → Alice and Bastien +3, Chloé and David +2. Phase 2 (Alice+Chloé): a 4–2 domination → +4 each, +2 for Bastien and David. Phase 3 (Bastien+Chloé): 3 holes to 1, two halved → +3 each, +1 for Alice and David. Totals: Chloé 9 · Alice 8 · Bastien 8 · David 5 — Chloé wins, always in the right pair at the right time.
With the “phases as matches” option, the three pairs that win their phase take 2 points each: Alice 4 · Bastien 4 · Chloé 4 · David 0. A three-way tie, broken on hole points: Chloé (9) ahead of Alice and Bastien (8).
Why Sixes is so popular
- Everyone plays with everyone. Affinities change, and so do alliances — no more being stuck with the same partner for 18 holes.
- A format for every round. In Better Ball, one player makes sure of par while the other goes for birdie; in The Total, every shot counts for the team; in Las Vegas, a single hole can turn the round around.
- The suspense is individual. In the last phase, your partner of the day is also your rival on the leaderboard — but winning the hole together is still the only way to score. A delicious dilemma.
Frequently asked questions
How do the teams rotate in Sixes?
In three phases of 6 holes: holes 1 to 6, A+B against C+D; holes 7 to 12, A+C against B+D; holes 13 to 18, A+D against B+C. That way, every player partners each of the other three during the same round.
How are points scored in Sixes?
It depends on the format chosen at the start, for the whole round. In Better Ball (the default), the best score of each pair goes head to head and the team that wins the hole earns 1 point for each of its two players. In The Total, the pair's two scores are added up; in High-Low Ball, 2 points are at stake on every hole (the best ball and the worst); in Las Vegas, the two scores make a number (4 and 5 → 45) and the gap counts as points. If the hole is tied, nobody scores.
Is the final ranking by team or individual?
Individual: each player adds up the points won over the 3 phases, and whoever has the highest total wins the round. That is what keeps the suspense going until the last rotation.
What is the “phases as matches” option in Sixes?
Each rotation becomes a match. The pair that scored more points over its phase earns 2 points per player; a tied phase gives 1 point to all four players. The final ranking is on these match points (6 at most), and hole points break ties. The suspense lasts until the last hole.
Can Sixes be played over 9 holes?
Yes: the principle stays the same, but the 3 phases last 3 holes each instead of 6. You do, however, need exactly 4 players, whatever the number of holes.
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; Sixes is in the complete guide.
Download the free sample →PDF · 14 pages · direct download, no email needed · the complete guide covers all 41 formats
Your next fourball turns into Sixes
With the Game of Swing app, the team line-up is shown on every hole and every rotation is announced — individual points counted automatically, leaderboard live. Sixes is waiting in the catalogue of 41 formats — with 5 free games to get you started.
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