
- BGG rank
- BGG #452
- BGG rating
- 7.3
Abyss
- 2–4 players
- 30–60 min
- Complexity 2.3/5
- 2014

Rules assistance for Golf
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.

What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Golf is a board game for 2–6 players, 45 minutes per game, and ages 7 and up. Its main mechanics are Hand Management and Memory.
Golf is a card game played with one or more standard 52-card decks plus jokers, depending on the number of players. Generally, the game is played over 9 or 18 rounds, and the goal is to get the lowest score over those rounds. Each player is dealt cards in a 2x3 or 2x4 rectangle. On a turn, a player will replace one card out of the draw or discard pile to try to lower their score. A matched pair (top to bottom) is worth 0 points, pip cards are worth their number, face cards are worth 10, but kings are worth 0. When one player decides to stop, the other players get one more chance to lower their score before the round ends. There are restrictions on which cards can be played depending on which version of Golf you are playing. Many versions of Golf have evolved over the years, as happens with many standard card games.
Golf supports 2–6 players according to the catalogue. This range comes from the publisher’s listed player count, so the game can be set up for any group size within it. Some setups, rules and scoring details may still vary by player count, so check your edition’s rulebook for the exact configuration.
The listed playing time for Golf is 45 minutes. This is the publisher’s estimate for a full game. The actual duration depends on the group, the player count and familiarity with the rules: first sessions usually run longer, while experienced groups often finish faster. Setup and teaching time are not included in this estimate.
The catalogue lists Golf for ages 7 and up. This is the publisher’s recommendation and reflects reading demands, rule complexity and small components rather than theme alone. Younger players can often join with help from an adult, so check the age guidance on your edition and consider your group’s experience with board games.
Golf has a complexity rating of 1.3 out of 5 from BoardGameGeek players, which makes it a light game. The rating reflects how much rules knowledge, planning and decision-making a typical game demands. Expect a longer first teach for heavier games, and use a preparation guide before game night.
Golf belongs to these categories: Card Game. Its main mechanics are Hand Management and Memory. Categories describe the theme and setting of a game, while mechanics describe what players actually do on their turns. Each mechanic links to a catalogue hub with similar games, which helps when you want something comparable.
The catalogue lists Golf as a base game. It can be played on its own with the components in the box and does not require any other title. Expansions, if any exist, add new content or rules on top of it and are listed separately in the catalogue with a link back to this base game.