Golf Solitaire

Play cards one rank up or down and clear all seven columns

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Practice on your own, no connection needed.

Solvable deals only

Progress is saved only in this browser. Clearing site data removes it. The timer pauses while you are away.

How to play

Golf Solitaire gameplay screenshot
  • 35 cards are dealt face up in 7 columns of 5. Another 16 cards form the stock, and 1 card is turned up to start the waste pile.
  • The bottom card of any column can be played onto the waste pile if it is one rank above or below the top waste card, regardless of suit. The card above it is then uncovered and can be played next.
  • A and K don't connect. Nothing can be played on a K, so when a K is on top of the waste pile you must draw from the stock.
  • When you can't play, tap the stock to turn a card onto the waste pile. Clear all 35 cards to win; the game ends when the stock runs out and no card can be played.
  • Lower scores are better: each card left in the columns at the end scores 1 point; if you clear them all, each card left in the stock scores -1.
  • Option: "Solvable deals only" (on by default). Undo, hints, restarting the deal and new deals are available. This device keeps your best score. Each game lasts up to 60 minutes.

Playing guide

These options and rules describe the current JoyPip version. Choose a mode above before starting; rules are also available during play.

Step-by-step examples

Select a step to see what changes. These are partial examples, not full starting positions.

Practice options

Solvable deals only
On · Off

Detailed rules and controls

Scoring
  • At the end of the game you score 1 point for each card left in the columns; playing none at all scores 35.
  • If you clear the columns, each card left in the stock scores -1. Clearing them without drawing a single stock card gives the best score, -16.
  • Cards played in a row without drawing make a combo. It's only shown for fun and doesn't affect the score. Your best score only counts finished games, not ones you gave up or replaced with a new deal.
Controls
  • Glowing, slightly raised cards can be played. If you tap a card that can't be played, it gives a little shake.
  • A hint highlights a card worth playing, or the stock when it's time to draw. When a way to clear the columns is found, following the hints is sure to clear them; when they can't be cleared, the hints leave as few cards as possible.
  • Solvable deals only: before dealing, a solver checks that the columns can be cleared. Deals it can't verify are skipped in favor of the next one.
  • Classic Golf rules apply: A and K don't connect, and nothing can be played on a K (some variants allow a Q on a K; this one doesn't).

Frequently asked questions

When two columns can both be played, which should go first?

The top waste card is a 9, and two columns end in an 8 and a 10. The 8 covers a 7 and a 6: play the 8 first and you can follow with the 7 and the 6, three cards in a row. The 10 covers a K: play the 10 first and that's the only card you get, and the 8 no longer fits. So start with the 8's column. The more stock cards you save, the lower your score when you clear the columns, so don't draw while you still have a play.

Do I need a download or a linked email?

Play directly in your browser without a download. Linking email is an optional way to recover your account. Before clearing browser data, consider whether you need to keep your account or local records.

Do matches earn or spend coins?

Earn coins by checking in and spend them on cosmetics. Matches never cost or award coins.

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