Nines

Also called 9-Point or 5-3-1. Every hole is worth nine points: 5 for the outright best net ball, 3 for second, 1 for third. Ties split the points they cover — two tied for best take four each, two tied for worst take two each, all three tied take three.

The rules

Points accumulate all round and settle on the gaps at the end, at the stake a point. Because every hole pays something to everyone, nobody is ever out of the round — the fight for 3-versus-1 on the 18th is real money. A hole with any score missing stays unscored until all three are in; there is no blitz bonus and nothing carries.

Main game or side bet

In Rivalry a threesome can make this the whole round — pick 9-Point as the main game — or keep it as a side bet alongside something else, like Defender. It cannot be both at once: the app will not let Nines ride on a 9-Point round, because that would settle the same nine points twice.

Handicaps

Played net or gross, agreed before the first tee. Net puts the strokes on the holes the card's index says, so the match is between the golfers, not the handicaps.