How to play 6-6-6

Steve Carroll

What is 6-6-6 and how do you play it? Here’s what you need to know about this fun golf format

Golfer celebrating shot while partner holds flagstick - stock photo

The 6-6-6 golf format is a fun game where the play changes every six holes. (What gave it away?)

As golfers, we’ve all had that debate on the first tee when it comes to which format you should play that day. Well with 6-6-6, you can quash these squabbles by playing three separate golf matches using three different formats of your choosing.

6-6-6 golf games are best played in teams of two to fit the requirements of the changing formats. Other variations of the game include 9-9 and 3-3-3 competitions.

How to play 6-6-6 golf

Start by selecting which three formats you would like to play within your 18-hole match. This can be any format of your choosing, but the most commonly used in 6-6-6 are foursomes, four-ball, and scramble.

The game then involves a best of three format playing your three mini matches every six holes.

This means holes 1-6 could be foursomes, 7-12 four-ball, and 13-18 a scramble. Whichever pair wins two or more of the three games therefore wins the overall match.

Formats can be played in any order you like, and teams can always be swapped around between games if you’re only playing a causal round.

Overall, 6-6-6 is an exciting game which allows players to get used to a range of different formats all in one match. 6-6-6 encourages strategic team play and keeps things competitive without applying too much pressure.

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About the author

Steve Carroll

A journalist for more than 25 years, Steve has been immersed in club golf for almost as long.

A former club captain, he has passed the Level 3 Rules of Golf exam with distinction having attended the R&A’s prestigious Tournament Administrators and Referees Seminar.

Steve has officiated at a host of high-profile tournaments, including Open Regional Qualifying, PGA Fourball Championship, English Men’s Senior Amateur, and the North of England Amateur Championship. In 2023, he made his international debut as part of the team that refereed England vs Switzerland U16 girls.

A part of NCG’s Top 100s panel, Steve has a particular love of links golf and is frantically trying to restore his single-figure handicap. He’d like to tell you he floats around 10. The reality is more like 13.

Steve plays at Sandburn Hall, in York, and is a country member at Close House in Newcastle. He has served on various club committees during his time in the game, and is the current Rules Secretary at Sandburn.

Having studied history at Newcastle University, he became a journalist having passed his NCTJ exams at Darlington College of Technology. He began his career working on weekly papers in Newcastle, before joining the York Press in 2001. After five years as a news reporter, he joined the sports desk – specialising in horse racing and snooker – and was Digital Sports Editor when he joined National Club Golfer in 2016.

What’s in Steve’s bag: TaylorMade Stealth 2 driver, 3-wood, and hybrids; Caley 01T irons 4-PW; TaylorMade Hi-Toe wedges, Odyssey 2Ball Microhinge putter.

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