Item: 9CardGolf
Rating: 75
Author: Dinsun

Dinsun Review

Card games like 'Golf' rely on the social tension of the table—the groans when someone pulls a King, the laughs when you flip a pair. 9CardGolf removes all of that and leaves you with a math exercise. The UI is clean, sure, but it’s sterile. There’s no soul here. It’s a fine way to pass the time in a waiting room, but it’s not something I’d ever seek out for enjoyment. It’s the kind of app that comes pre-installed on a cheap tablet and stays there, ignored, until you’re desperate for a distraction. It does exactly what it says on the tin, but the tin is quite small and rather dull.

Overall Stats

Pros & Cons

Accurate rules
No ads during play

Zero personality
Lack of social features
Visually uninspired

Technical Report

Performance: Lightweight and fast.

Accessibility:

Clear Card Fonts

Audience Fit

Buy if: You specifically love the 9-card golf game and want a digital version for solo play.

Skip if: You want a card game with high production values or deep progression.

Similar Games:

Solitaire
Phase 10
Skip-Bo

Reviewer Context

Reviewer: Dinsun, 40-year-old conservative expert gamer
Hardware: iPhone 13
Playtime: 2 hours
Status: Played through several 9-hole rounds

The Game

Available on: iPhone, iPod

481892107

$1.99 4+★3.7 9 reviews

Author : Iron Sheep Productions, LLC

Pubish Date : Thu Feb 23 2012

Last Update Date : Fri Dec 17 2021

Support Languages : N/A

Genres :

Version 2.4Fri Dec 17 2021

- Animation Repairs in support of iOS 15
- Updated screen sizes supported (adds latest screen sizes)
This is the 9-Card variant of the Game of Golf. In this simple, fun game of matching cards, players try to earn the lowest number of points (as in the sport of Golf) over the course of 9 or 18 hands (holes)! Fun strategies come into play as you compete against computer players of various experience levels to improve your game. We have carefully crafted this game so that play interaction feels like you are actually playing the card game.
In support of our 9CardGolf playing community, we have added requested variations of the game (match 3 vs. 2 cards, allow flip up of card in hand before replacing, or not) in addition to our fun experimental rules.
Brief Highlights:
-Play against a friend on the same device via "Pass and Play"
-Strengthen your own game play by practicing against one of our AI players
-Three levels of computer (AI) player: Beginner, Intermediate, and Experienced
-Adjustable number of hands (play game shorter than 9 or 18 holes?)
-Full score-keeping system (view prior game score-cards and in-game card)
-Choices of table surfaces, card-backs, card-fronts and AI player speed
-Sound effects during game play (can be disabled)
-Enable/Disable experimental rules affecting game play
-Select from our rule variations making it the game you learned how to play
-Game Center Achievements and LeaderBoards when playing AI players
-Rules and current scores available in-game
-Getting started video shows a full two-hand game and more
Requires iOS 12.0 or later. Compatible with iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.
This is the 9-Card variant of the Game of Golf. In this simple, fun game of matching cards, players try to earn the lowest number of points (as in the sport of Golf) over the course of 9 or 18 hands (holes)! Fun strategies come into play as you compete against computer players of various experience levels to improve your game. We have carefully crafted this game so that play interaction feels like you are actually playing the card game.
In support of our 9CardGolf playing community, we have added requested variations of the game (match 3 vs. 2 cards, allow flip up of card in hand before replacing, or not) in addition to our fun experimental rules.
Brief Highlights:
-Play against a friend on the same device via "Pass and Play"
-Strengthen your own game play by practicing against one of our AI players
-Three levels of computer (AI) player: Beginner, Intermediate, and Experienced
-Adjustable number of hands (play game shorter than 9 or 18 holes?)
-Full score-keeping system (view prior game score-cards and in-game card)
-Choices of table surfaces, card-backs, card-fronts and AI player speed
-Sound effects during game play (can be disabled)
-Enable/Disable experimental rules affecting game play
-Select from our rule variations making it the game you learned how to play
-Game Center Achievements and LeaderBoards when playing AI players
-Rules and current scores available in-game
-Getting started video shows a full two-hand game and more

Ratings & Reviews

3.7 out of 5 with 9 Counts

★★★★★

Age Rating 4+

9 Card Golf is a digital version of the traditional card game 'Golf.' Players are dealt nine cards face down and must swap them with cards from the deck or discard pile to achieve the lowest possible total score. Strategic thinking is required as you decide when to reveal cards and when to swap. Featuring clean graphics, smooth animations, and adjustable difficulty, it’s a perfect casual experience for card game enthusiasts.

Features

Faithful recreation of 9-card Golf

Single-player against challenging AI

Clean, easy-to-read card designs

Track your stats and high scores

Relaxing casual gameplay

Tips

The Objective

Aim for the lowest score over 9 or 18 'holes' (rounds). Aces are worth 1, and face cards have high values, so swap them out quickly!

Matching Pairs

If you align two cards of the same value in a column, they often cancel each other out or provide a score of zero, depending on the specific house rules used.

Promotion Videos

How To Play 9-Card Golf - YouTube

Gameplays

Draw and Discard

On your turn, draw from the deck or discard pile. Replace one of your nine cards to lower your total, but be careful—once you flip a card, it stays flipped.