How to Play Rabbit in Golf

Updated February 2026 · 5 min read

The Rabbit game is a fast-paced, easy-to-learn golf side game that adds a fun layer of competition to any round. It's sometimes called "Chase the Rabbit" and the concept is simple: win a hole to "catch" the rabbit, then hold onto it. If you can hold the rabbit for three consecutive holes, you keep the pool. If someone else wins a hole, the rabbit is loose again.

What Is the Rabbit Game?

Think of the rabbit as a token that gets passed around the group. At the start of the round, the rabbit is "loose" — nobody has it. The first player to win a hole outright (lowest score, no ties) catches the rabbit. Once you have it, you need to hold it for three consecutive holes without anyone else winning a hole. If you hold it for three holes, you win the round.

But here's the tension: if any other player wins a hole while you're holding the rabbit, the rabbit is set free and the chase starts over. This means the entire group is rooting against whoever has the rabbit, creating natural alliances and drama.

How to Set Up

1. Set the points: Each player puts a set amount into the pool (typically 2–10 points). This is the prize for successfully holding the rabbit.
2. Decide on ties: If the hole is tied between the lowest scores, the rabbit stays in its current state — either still loose or still held by the current holder. Ties don't change anything.
3. Front nine and back nine: Most groups play two separate rabbits — one for the front nine (holes 1–9) and one for the back nine (holes 10–18). Each has its own pool.
4. Gross or net: Decide whether to use handicap strokes. Net scoring is more fair for mixed groups.

How Scoring Works

Here's a step-by-step walkthrough of how the rabbit moves:

1. Hole 1: Player A shoots 4, everyone else shoots 5. Player A catches the rabbit. (Hold count: 1)
2. Hole 2: Everyone ties with 4. The rabbit stays with Player A. (Hold count: 2)
3. Hole 3: Player A shoots 5, Player C shoots 4, others shoot 5. Player C wins the hole — the rabbit is freed! Player A loses their hold. Player C now catches the rabbit. (Hold count: 1 for C)
4. Hole 4: Player C shoots par, everyone else shoots bogey or worse. Rabbit stays with C. (Hold count: 2)
5. Hole 5: Player C wins again or ties. If C wins or no one else wins outright, C has held for 3 holes and wins the round!

What Happens After the Rabbit Is Caught?

If the rabbit is successfully held for three holes, the holder wins the round. Then everyone puts in again for a new rabbit. If the rabbit is never held for three consecutive holes during the nine-hole stretch, the points carry over or is split — your group decides the rule before the round.

Popular Variations

Two Rabbits

Play separate rabbits for the front nine and back nine. Each has its own pool. This is the most common way to play.

Kill the Rabbit

If you make a birdie (or better) while someone else holds the rabbit, the rabbit is "killed" — not just freed, but eliminated. The holder loses extra points, and a new round starts. This raises the intensity dramatically.

Progressive Rabbit

The pool grows each time the rabbit is freed. If no one holds it for three holes, the value increases, creating bigger and bigger rewards as the nine progresses.

One-Hole Rabbit

A faster variation where you only need to hold the rabbit for one hole after catching it. This creates more frequent rewards and works well for groups that want constant action.

Strategy Tips

You don't need to catch the rabbit — you need to hold it. Playing steady, consistent golf is more valuable than having one great hole. If you catch the rabbit, focus on making pars for the next two holes.

Play defense when someone else holds it. When an opponent has the rabbit for two holes, everyone should be gunning for a win on the next hole. Take a few more risks than usual to free the rabbit.

The back nine rabbit is often worth more. If nobody catches the front nine rabbit, many groups add that pool to the back nine. This makes the back nine rabbit extra valuable.

Ties are your friend when you have the rabbit. A tied hole means the rabbit stays put. You don't need to win — you just need to not lose.