theStick suggests the Wolf for each hole, and the rotation restarts at hole 10. For the first holes of each nine (one per player) the Wolf rotates in your set order; on the rest of that nine it suggests whoever is down the most in that nine so far. You can pick a different Wolf on any hole.
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Picking a Partner
After each non-Wolf player tees off, the Wolf must immediately decide: pick them as a partner, or pass. The decision must be made before the next player hits. Once passed, that player cannot be picked later.
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Team vs. Lone Wolf
If the Wolf picks a partner, it's Wolf + partner vs. the other two. The team with the lowest net score wins the hole. If the Wolf passes all three players, they become the Lone Wolf — taking on all three opponents solo.
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Payouts
Each hole is worth the point value (default $20). Normal team match: each winner collects the point value and each loser pays it (with uneven sides, the smaller side's stake scales up so the hole still nets to zero). Lone Wolf wins: each opponent pays the Wolf the value × the lone-wolf multiplier (default 2×, set per selection). Lone Wolf loses: the Wolf pays each opponent the multiplied amount.
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Options & Variations
Point value (default $20), per-selection lone-wolf multiplier (default 2×) and an optional Buyout mode. Handicaps: Index on Low HC (on) with a percentage (0/50/75/85/100%, default 100). Birdie rules: birdie doubles the hole (on), an escalating birdie increment (on), loser-birdie-cancel (on), and birdies judged on Gross or Net (default Gross). A Hammer (double-or-nothing) toggle is also available (on).
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In theStick
Setting up Wolf: stakes, handicaps and the game's own options.Entering Wolf on a hole, with the running total underneath.Wolf results after 18 holes, settled automatically.
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Pro Tips
•Passing on a long hitter hoping for Lone Wolf is a high-risk, high-reward play.
•Birdie doubling plus the increment can make a single hole swing huge — adjust both in settings.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many players do you need for Wolf?
Wolf takes 4 to 12 players in one group, rotating who plays as the Wolf each hole in a fixed order. With more than 4, the Wolf can pick more than one partner, and at 6 or more players everyone plays to scratch. theStick suggests the Wolf each hole: the order rotates for the first holes of each nine (one per player) and restarts at hole 10, and on the rest of each nine it suggests whoever is down the most in that nine. You can pick a different Wolf on any hole.
When does the Wolf have to pick a partner?
Immediately after each player tees off. Once the next player has hit, the earlier player can no longer be picked — so the Wolf is constantly weighing a decent drive in hand against the unknown of the next swing.
What is a Lone Wolf?
If the Wolf passes on all three players, they play the hole alone against the other three. Winning as a Lone Wolf pays multiples of the point value; losing pays out to everyone. Declaring Lone Wolf before anyone tees off (Blind Wolf) raises the stakes further in most groups.
How does money work in Wolf?
Wolf is usually scored in points with a dollar value per point. In a 2v2 hole each winner collects the point value and each loser pays it; Lone Wolf multiplies the point swing (2× by default in theStick). Over 18 holes a $1 point value typically moves $10–30 per player — set the point value with the worst case in mind.
Do handicaps apply in Wolf?
Yes — most groups play Wolf with net scores using each player's course handicap and standard stroke allocation, so the hole winner is decided after strokes. Groups of similar ability sometimes play it gross for simplicity.
