Nine-point golf explained
without the scorecard argument.
The three-player format that shares nine points on every hole, including every tie combination.
Who it suits
Choose nine-point when this sounds like your group.
Best for exactly three players who want every hole to carry equal weight and no points rolling into the next.
The format in plain English
Nine points are divided on each hole: 5 for the lowest net score, 3 for second and 1 for third. Highest total after the round wins.
How ties split
A tie for first splits 5 and 3 into 4 points each, with 1 for third. A sole winner above two tied players receives 5 while the tied players receive 2 each. A three-way tie is 3-3-3.
Handicap handling
Yardages converts the three gross scores to net hole scores using its configured stroke allocation before distributing points. Nine-point is an informal side game, so a competition organiser should state any different allowance or tie convention before play.
Worked example
Two holes of nine-point
Alex, Ben and Chris compare net scores.
- Hole 1: Alex 4, Ben 5, Chris 6. They receive 5, 3 and 1.
- Hole 2: Alex 5, Ben 4, Chris 5. Ben receives 5; Alex and Chris receive 2 each.
- After two holes: Alex 7, Ben 8, Chris 3.
Exactly 18 points have been distributed and the next hole starts fresh.
Common pitfalls
- Trying to run the format with anything other than three players.
- Using 5-3-1 after a tie instead of splitting the tied finishing positions.
- Confusing nine-point with the R&A's separate three-ball match-play format.
How Yardages handles it
- Yardages locks nine-point setup to three players.
- It converts entered scores to net scores, then distributes 5-3-1, 4-4-1, 5-2-2 or 3-3-3.
- Pickups receive zero while the remaining available points are shared by valid scores.
Accuracy sources
Related pages
More after Nine-point
Skins, carryovers, and three-ball formats that don't ruin the round
Skins and nine-point without the rulebook energy. How carryovers work, why three-ball is awkward, and the small rule changes that keep the game interesting on the back nine.
Read moreSkins golf explained
How individual holes become skins, how carryovers build and how Yardages settles the pot.
Read moreStableford scoring explained
How Stableford points, handicap strokes, pickups and round totals work.
Read more
Less admin. More golf.
Let Yardages score nine-point live.
Join the waitlist for supported scoring, joined-player standings and a round history worth returning to.