How the 3 Balls/3 Points Golf Game Works

The golf game known as 3 Balls/3 Points is a game for a group of three, and on each hole a maximum of three points is available to be won by the players. It is a variation on the Three Ball format that is described in the Official Rules of Golf.

In standard Three Ball, each golfer in the threesome is playing a match against each of the other two: Golfer A is playing simultaneous matches against both Golfer B and Golfer C, for example. They are playing match play, so if Golfer A beats Golfer B but loses to Golfer C on the first hole, the A is 1-up vs. B, but 1-down vs. C.

In 3 Balls/3 Points, each golfer in the trio is also playing simultaneously against each of the other two. But points are earned for beating one's opponents. Any given golfer can win a maximum of two points on a hole, but a total of from zero to three points is split among the three golfers on each hole.

Here's how the points are won in 3 Balls/3 Points: If you don't beat either of the other two golfers in the group on a given hole, you earn zero points; if you beat one but not the other, you get one point; if you beat both the other golfers, you win two points. Beat a golfer, earn a point.

Some examples:

• On Hole 1, Golfer A scores 3, Golfer B scores 4, Golfer C scores 5. Golfer A earns two points because she beat both B and C. Golfer B earnes one point because he beat C. Golfer C earns nothing — he lost to both A and B.
• On Hole 2, Golfer A scores 5, Golfer B scores 5, Golfer C scores 4. Golfer C earns two points for beating A and B; A and B earn zero points, they didn't win the hole against anyone. (Ties do not award points in this game.)
• On Hole 3, all three golfers make a four. No points are awarded because there were no hole-winners.

And so on throughout the round. To sum up: Each golfer plays a match against each of the other two. Win the hole against an opponent, earn a point.

3 Balls/3 Points can be played using gross scores if the three golfers are close in ability. But you'll need to use net scores with golfers of varying skill levels.

To wager on 3 Balls/3 Points, each golfer can chip in to a pot with the high points-earner winning the pot at the end. Or you can agree on how much each point is worth and pay out the differences.

More golf games:

• How to play 1-2-3 Best Ball
• The Canadian Foursomes format explained
• How the N.O.S.E. format works