Nines

Three players, nine points a hole — 5 for low, 3 for middle, 1 for high.

Nines — written 5-3-1 and sometimes just called five three one — is the game for a threesome. Every hole puts nine points on the table and splits them by finishing order: 5 to the low score, 3 to the middle, 1 to the high. Nobody is ever out of a hole, because even last place scores.

Ties split the places

Tied players share what their places are worth, added together and divided between them:

  • Two tied for low — they split 5 and 3, so 4 each, and the third player takes 1.
  • Two tied for high — the winner takes 5, the other two split 3 and 1 for 2 each.
  • All three tied — 5, 3 and 1 split three ways, 3 each.

Whatever happens, nine points leave the table every hole. That's what makes the running total worth watching.

Settling up

Points are only points until you agree what they're worth, and there are two customs. Say the round finishes 70, 55 and 37 at $1 a point:

  • Point gap from each opponent — you collect the difference from both of them separately. The winner takes (70−55) + (70−37) = $48.
  • Against the group average — each point above the average (54 here) is worth the stake once, so the winner takes $16.

Same golf, three times the money. Settle which one you're playing on the first tee, not the 18th green.

Common variations

  • Different point values — 3/2/1 is the other common set. Any three numbers work as long as they go from most for the low score to least for the high.
  • Birdies double the hole — a birdie by anyone doubles every point on it, so 5/3/1 becomes 10/6/2.
  • Three-way ties carry over — instead of 3 each, nobody scores and the nine points ride onto the next hole, which is then worth 18.

Example

Par 4. You make 4, Dave makes 4, Mike makes 5. You and Dave split 5 and 3 for 4 points each; Mike takes 1. Next hole you birdie with doubles on: it's worth 10/6/2 instead.

In GimmeTab

  • Needs exactly 3 golfers and hole-by-hole scores.
  • Points come straight off the scorecard as you enter it — there's nothing to tally by hand.
  • Set the point values when you create the bet: 5/3/1 and 3/2/1 are one tap, or type your own. Odd sets can produce half points on a tie, and we keep the half rather than rounding it.
  • Choose either settlement custom when you set the bet up; the bet card says which one is running.
  • Handicaps are optional. Everyone plays off the lowest handicap in the bet, and each stroke lands on a specific hole — the hardest ones if you've entered the card's stroke index, spread evenly if not. The finishing order is then decided on net scores.
  • Doubles read a gross birdie — one on the card. A net birdie made with a stroke wins the hole but doesn't double it. An eagle doubles once, the same as a birdie.
  • With carryover on, points still riding when the round ends are lost — the card tells you how many rather than quietly dropping them.
  • Supports presses: a fresh Nines over the holes left in the round, at the same stake and points, settled on its own. Automatic presses open on a points deficit rather than holes down. How presses work →