Settle the Card
How to Play Nines Golf Game
Nines (also known as 9-Point) is the premier social golf game designed specifically for **exactly three players**. In a three-player group, standard team games or head-to-head match play are impossible. Nines solves this by distributing exactly **9 points on every hole** among the three players based on their relative scores. It keeps all three golfers intensely competitive on every single shot.
The Standard Point splits (5-3-1)
On each hole, the three players' gross or net scores are ranked. In a clean hole with no ties, the points are distributed as follows:
- 1st Place (Lowest Score): Receives 5 points.
- 2nd Place (Middle Score): Receives 3 points.
- 3rd Place (Highest Score): Receives 1 point.
Note that the points always sum to exactly 9 (5 + 3 + 1 = 9).
Handling Ties (Splits)
Because ties are extremely common in golf, Nines has specialized rules to split the 9 points fairly depending on the type of tie. Settle the Card automatically calculates these splits:
| Scenario | Point Split | Example Scores | Allocation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clean Split | 5 - 3 - 1 | 4, 5, 6 | 5 pts to 4 · 3 pts to 5 · 1 pt to 6 |
| Tie for 1st | 4 - 4 - 1 | 4, 4, 5 | 4 pts to each 4 · 1 pt to 5 |
| Tie for 2nd | 5 - 2 - 2 | 4, 5, 5 | 5 pts to 4 · 2 pts to each 5 |
| Three-way Tie | 3 - 3 - 3 | 4, 4, 4 | 3 pts to each player |
Handicap Strokes in Nines
Nines can be played gross or net. In Net Nines, course handicaps are applied to each hole before ranking the scores. For example, if Player C gets a stroke on a par-4 and scores a gross 5, their net score is a 4. If Players A and B get gross 4s (and receive no strokes), all three players have net 4s. The points are split 3-3-3. This keeps the match fair even with players of widely different skill levels.
Settle the Card Standings & Ledger
Because there are 9 points distributed on every hole, the average score is exactly **3 points per hole** (9 points / 3 players). Over a standard 18-hole round, the total points available is 162, and the average player's score is 54 points.
Final standings compare each golfer's total points against this average (54 points for 18 holes, or 27 points for 9 holes). Payouts on Settle the Card are calculated based on how far above or below the average each player finishes. If Player A gets 60 points (+6 relative to average) and Player B gets 54 points (0), Player C must have 48 points (-6). At a rate of $1 per point, Player C owes Player A $6, and Player B breaks even.
Ready to Settle the Card?
Enter your three players, select Nines under Game Selection, set your point value, and let Settle the Card manage the point calculations and final payouts.
Launch Nines Scorecard