The Official Rules
The Official Rules
The golf game most commonly known as Wolf is the basis of Hammer. Wolf is a betting game for a foursome or fivesome. Teams are chosen by the Wolf on every hole. The player with the lowest net score wins the hole for his team. If players from both teams tie for the lowest net score, then the hole is tied. There are no carryovers.
Playing Wolf
Players choose an order of play on the 1st tee. The player that hits first is the Wolf for that hole. The order of play remains the same for holes 1 through 15, however the Wolf rotates on every hole.
For Example, the order of play would be:
Hole 1:
Player A, Player B, Player C, Player D
Hole 2:
Player C, Player D, Player A, Player B
Hole 3:
Player B, Player C, Player D, Player A
Hole 4:
Player D, Player A, Player B, Player C
Choosing teams on Par 4’s and Par 5’s
The player designated as the Wolf hits his tee shot first, and gets to choose whether to play the hole 1 against 3 (himself against the other three players in the group) or 2 on 2. If there are 5 player in the group, the the wolf can choose to play 1 on 4, or 2 on 3. If the Wolf chooses to play 2 on 2 or 2 on 3, he must choose his partner immediately following that player's drive.
For example:
Player A is the Wolf. Player B hits a bad drive. Player C hits a pretty good drive. If the Wolf wants C as a partner, he must claim his partner before Player D hits his tee ball. He cannot choose Player B or Player C once Player D has hit.
Choosing teams on Par 3’s
The player designated as the Wolf hits his tee shot first, and must choose a partner or choose to go solo before any other player hits his tee shot.
Betting in Wolf
Betting in Wolf is point based. The beginning point values for each hole are as follows:
Holes 1 through 6: 1 Point
Holes 7 through 12: 2 Points
Holes 13 through 18: 4 Points
When the Wolf chooses to go solo, the beginning point value for that hole is doubled from the base. If the Wolf chooses to go Blind Wolf (Choosing to go solo before anyone hits his tee shot), the beginning point value for that hole is tripled. Points can be assigned any dollar value, but generally are worth $1 per point.
Before play begins on holes 16 - 18, the points are totaled and the low man for the day becomes Wolf for that hole. On these holes, the Wolf chooses the order in which the players hit their tee shots. If there are 4 players, then the Wolf can choose to go solo and play 1 on 3, or he can choose 1 partner and play 2 on 2. If there are 5 players, then the Wolf has 3 options:
He can go solo and play 1 on 4
He can choose 1 partner and play 2 on 3.
He can choose 2 partners after he hits, but before any of the other 4 players hit, and play 3 on 2.
Hammer
A Hammer is a betting device that doubles the point value of any given hole. During the play on any hole, any player can issue a Hammer to the other team. The Hammer must be accepted or rejected before the next shot it played. If the other team accepts the Hammer, then the point value of that hole is doubled. If the Hammer is rejected, then betting on that hole is over, and the rejecting team loses the hole at the previous point value.
Once a Hammer has been accepted, the accepting team has the option of issuing a new Hammer (Re-Hammer). If the Re-Hammer is accepted, then the point value of that hole is doubled again. If the Re-Hammer is rejected, then the betting on that hole is over, and the rejecting team loses the hole at the previous point value.
There is no limit to the number of Hammers that can be issued per hole. However, no team can issue more than 1 Hammer at a time. In order for a team to be able to issue a 2nd Hammer on any hole, the other team would have had to issue a Re-Hammer on that hole.
Hammer Time
A Hammer can be issued at the following times:
On the Tee Box, after all players have hit their tee shots... Unlimited Tee Box Hammers and Re-Hammers are allowed, and encouraged
After a player or his partner has hit a shot, but before a member of the opposing team has hit his next shot
Add-A-Hammer
When the teams on a hole are 2 on 2 or 2 on 3, then an Add-A-Hammer is possible. If ALL players’ net scores on the winning team beat the low net score of the other team, then the winning team earns an Add-A-Hammer. Just like any other Hammer, the Add-A-Hammer doubles the point value of the hole. Add-A-Hammer is automatic and cannot be rejected. Add-A-Hammer can only be applied on a hole on which a Hammer has not been rejected. It is not necessary for a Hammer to have been laid on a hole for Add-A-Hammer to be applied.
Hammer Math
At the end of the round, the amount of money won or lost is based on points. Once each player’s points are totaled, the amount of money won or lost is determined by the difference between each player’s totals.
For example:
Player A: 10 points (Points worth $1)
Player B: 20 points
Player C: 30 points
Player D: 40 points
Player A: Loses $10 to Player B, Loses $20 to Player C, Loses $30 to Player D, Loses $60 total
Player B: Wins $10 from Player A, Loses $10 to Player C, Loses $20 to Player D, Loses $20 total
Player C: Wins $20 from Player A, Wins $10 from Player B, Loses $10 to Player D, Wins $20 total
Player D: Wins $30 from Player A, Wins $20 from Player B, Wins $10 to Player C, Wins $60 total
Hammer Questions and/or Objections
Any questions and/or objections to the above rules can be formally presented to the Hammer Committee. The Hammer Committee meets on an need-based schedule and it’s exact membership is not a matter public record. However, all questions and/or objections will be dealt with in a manner in accordance with the benevolent monarchy by which the Hammer Committee is guided.