Thinking Man’s Golf

About this board game

Thinking Man’s Golf is a 1-4 player golf game with a playing time of about 90 minutes, featuring 18 holes from various golf courses on a double-sided board.

Part of the 3M Sports Games line, the game uses a wrap-around box as its board. The laminated surface is erasable, allowing players to mark each shot and follow the progress of the ball throughout a round.

Every shot begins with the wind. First determine the wind speed and direction, then choose the club for the stroke. Place the range-finder on the board and roll for the shot using the game’s tables.

1. Determine the wind speed and direction.
2. Choose a club and place the range-finder on the board.
3. Roll on the distance table, then roll on the direction table to determine where the shot landed.
4. Mark the result on the laminated, erasable board.
5. Continue until reaching the green, then roll on the putt table.

The distance and direction tables make each stroke a sequence of decisions and rolls, while the erasable board provides a clear way to record every result. Players repeatedly assess their position, select a club, and chart the next shot until they reach the green.

Released in 1966, Thinking Man’s Golf presents an 18-hole tabletop golf experience for solo play or groups of up to four players. Its double-sided layout and various course holes give the game a substantial board to explore within a session.