How to Split the G: The Unofficial Rules of Guinness Golf

Whether you are a Guinness devotee who already knows the exact tilt of the glass or a curious newcomer wondering why people are staring so intently at a settling pint, this guide is for you. Guinness Golf, more commonly called “Splitting the G,” turns every round into a light-hearted skills challenge, rewarding steady hands and sharp eyes with nothing more than bragging rights and a well-poured stout. In the next few minutes, you will learn the unofficial rules, the etiquette that separates friendly banter from outright blarney and a few pro tips to impress even the seasoned bar staff. Ready to master the most Irish mini-game since pub trivia? Grab a fresh pint, let it settle and read on.

What is Splitting the G?

Splitting the G is a drinking challenge associated with Guinness, whereby drinkers attempt to take a large enough opening single sip of beer so that the bottom of the Guinness foam line aligns perfectly with the gap in the middle of the ‘G’ in the Guinness logo. Essentially a visual feat, the trick is simply to estimate exactly how big of a gulp to take in order to make the beer and foam divide the “G” on the glass.

Avid beer drinkers in Australia know all about drinking games like “thong toss” (where participants literally try to throw their thong sandals further than their mates), beer pong, and other more elaborate competitions. The biggest appeal of “splitting the G” is its simplicity; all you need is a pint of Guinness and a thirst not only for a well-made, robust beer, but a thirst to best your mates in a light chugging competition.

How to Split the G – Rules & Regulations

‘Splitting the G’ is a surprisingly easy game…if you even want to call it that. Here’s a breakdown of how to attempt it:

1. Start with a fresh pint of Guinness: Ensure that the pint is properly chilled, poured correctly and served in a dedicated, branded Guinness glass.
2. Leave the pint to settle: Wait about ninety seconds, until the swirling brown foam calms into a creamy white cap and the stout turns a clear ruby black, then take your sip to Split the G.
3. Take a large, uninterrupted single sip: Pick up the glass and, after revelling at its glorious appearance, take a single sip (you can still gulp multiple times). Try to estimate the amount you need to drink so that the foam will align with the gap in the G.
4. Assess your result: After finishing your sip, set the pint down on a flat level surface (holding it is not okay). The goal is for the line between the beer and the creamy foam to stop exactly in the middle of the gap within the “G” in the Guinness logo.
5. Celebrate: If you’ve done it correctly, you’ve successfully achieved ‘Splitting the G’ or what’s more affectionately known as a “G-Split“.

An Important Note: Some might allow the foam to settle if you’ve missed your mark or overestimated slightly. Once the beer has fully settled after your sip, you can usually get an extra 2-3mm of height.

It is also important to note that no official Guinness guidelines exist, making it a cultural practice with varying interpretations. So, you can take our Man of Many interpretation as the unofficial yet authoritative Split the G rules. Others do argue “splitting the G” means aligning the beer level exactly on the horizontal line of the “G” in the Guinness logo, but given there is still a lack of consensus with no official ruling, and the hours of research we’ve put into this online and in person at pubs skulling pints, the gap in the G remains the most dominant and widely accepted target.

Honestly, that’s all there is to it. Pretty easy, right? Not so fast. While it does seem impossibly simple, there’s more to it than just taking a big sip and hoping for the best. Some drinkers really take this seriously. If you can do it, you’ll at the very least get a nice slap on the back from your mates and at the most, a generous bartender might even give you a free bag of potato chips (probably not).

Tips, Tricks & Methods for Splitting the G

Here are some handy and well-known strategies for achieving a perfect G-Split. Remember, there are many varying techniques to try and practice makes perfect, so don’t fret if you don’t get it the first time.

• Getting the Perfect Angle: Memorise the magic tilt angle from your last triumph, then pray muscle memory has a good day.
• The Visual Method: Turn the Guinness logo to be facing away from you. Assess the height of the foam (say if it’s 1.5cm). As you drink, try to wait until the TOP of the foam is near the split in the G or close to the bottom of the Guinness logo. Once you level out the beer, it should be pretty bang on.
• The Estimation Method: Close one eye, pretend you are a human spirit level, and trust the wisdom gained from, let us be honest, far too many practice pints from previous splitting the G attempts.
• The Counter: Decide it is exactly three gulps, take exactly three gulps, immediately argue with everyone who reckons it was actually four.
• The Seasoned Professional: Replace every household water glass with a Guinness pint and drill daily practice with water until the family stages an intervention. (Note: this method is found upon and I wouldn’t tell your mates).
• The Cheating Method: Your mate who holds the glass on an angle to show he’s split the G when the only person they are cheating is themselves.

Again, any athlete knows their strengths and limitations, which is why a practiced drinker will know what each gulp is capable of doing.  Because of the mixture of sweet and creamy flavour, chilled at the right temperature, and fighting the urge to drink most of it down on the first drink, a seasoned athlete will know they need to show restraint. Without chugging the whole thing and winding up in the rough, or overshooting into a sandtrap.  

Alternate Methods & the Harp Controversy

Even the usually sharp Betoota Advocate tripped over this one and, tongue firmly in cheek, we are blaming the slip on its Queensland pedigree, because plenty of our mates north of the Tweed also muddle “Guinness Golf” with the much narrower challenge of “Split the G”. While it is literally in the name, some punters insist the head merely needs to settle anywhere between the foot of the harp and the top of the wordmark, but that is a different game altogether, and calling it Splitting the G is like calling a dropped pie a meat pie. Anyone who attempts this is completely wrong.

If you’re wondering about where the harp even comes from, it originates from Brian Boru, who is celebrated throughout Ireland. Boru fought to unify the warring kingdoms and clans of Irelan,d and his harp has been a symbol of Ireland finding its way on its flags, coats of arms, and attributed to the rich history. A harp called Brian Boru’s Harp is on display in Trinity College’s Long Room, alongside the Book of Kells and other artefacts. The harp of Brian Boru also found its way to become the official mark of Guinness.

The Murky Origins of Splitting the G

Guinness has existed since 1759, when brewer Arthur Guinness established his brewery at St. James Gate in Dublin, Ireland. Within a few steps from the docks, or quays, of the River Liffey, Guinness saw an opportunity to take over a defunct brewery. According to history, he leased the property for the next 9,000 years for £45 per year. He began shipping his product to England, starting with ale and porter beers, but soon found a niche when it came to a new recipe for stout.

Since then, the predominant product of the Guinness brewery has been going strong and the facilities have grown to several acres.  The stout is known around the world and enjoyed on more occasions than St. Patrick’s Day. Guinness arrived in Australia and New Zealand in the mid 1800s. The extra hops meant that it could withstand the long haul from Ireland over the span of several months.

Like many seemingly silly bar-related games, the origins of ‘Splitting the G’ aren’t fully known. It likely started in a pub somewhere (maybe Ireland?) as a goofy game between mates enjoying pints of Guinness together after a long day of work. It took off at some point last year on social media with Guinness Stout drinkers taking to TikTok and other platforms to show off their Guinness drinking prowess. Even celebrities like John Cena, Joe Jonas, Ed Sheeran, Paul Mescal, and Jason Momoa got in on the Guinness chugging action.

You might be surprised to learn that Guinness has nothing to do with the phenomenon of ‘Splitting the G’. While all the social media videos and tags are a boon for the brand, Guinness itself didn’t start this trend. But, like any smart beer brand, it’s leaning in as much as possible.

What You Need to Know About Guinness

When poured correctly, a pint of Guinness is one of the most beautiful sights in the world. Its colour is so dark brown that it’s borderline black; the type of darkness you’d find if you were lost in the woods on a moonless night far from the twinkling lights of the city. When poured correctly, it should have just a hint of a creamy head that’s so perfect in its appearance and size that it practically calls to you from across the room like a siren’s song.

Guinness Stout Specifications:

• ABV: 4.2%
• Ingredients: Brewed from malted barley, water, yeast, and hops.
• Consistency: Rich and creamy.
• Colour: Deep, reddish black forming a creamy white head.

Before your first sip, aromas of dark chocolate, caramel malts, and roasted coffee beans swirl in your nostrils. Sipping it reveals notes of roasted malts, freshly brewed coffee, dried fruits, chocolate, and a gentle, dry finish that leaves you craving more. All in all, few things in life are more exceptional than when a perfectly poured Guinness Stout is placed in front of you in a busy bar.

How to Pour the Perfect Guinness

Before you start splitting the G, you (or your bartender) need to learn how to pour the perfect pint of Guinness from a beer tap with our easy step-by-step guide.

1. Rinse and chill a clean Guinness glass.
2. Hold the glass at a forty-five-degree angle under the tap, with the spout just inside the rim.
3. Pull the handle fully towards you and let the stout hit the inside wall, filling the glass to the golden harp (about two-thirds full).
4. Set the glass on the bar and let it settle for about ninety seconds until the surge stops and the body turns deep ruby black.
5. Return the glass upright under the tap, gently push the handle away from you, and top up until a creamy dome sits just above the rim.
6. Wipe any drips, present the pint with the logo facing the drinker, and enjoy the nods of approval.

Split the G Tools, Apps & Websites

People have even built a web-app that allows you to take a picture of a Guinness; and it will give you a score of how well you split the G! Another one that came from the UK, but unfortunately their website is down, so we recreated the image in Cavna ourselves that lets you have multiple attempts at splitting the G if you miss it the first go. Simply hold up the image on your phone besides your pint and get two extra goes!

Try It Yourself

Next time you find yourself in an Irish pub (or anywhere that serves proper pints of Guinness Stout), order a Guinness and give the challenge a try. Just don’t film it. There are already enough videos of celebrities and other people trying it. Simply have a laugh with your friends and see if anyone can do it. Once you’ve given it a try (whether you split the G or not), sit back and relax. Enjoy the rest of your pint at a calm, casual pace. Even though you took one big gulp to start, a great beer like Guinness Stout deserves to be enjoyed slowly while you talk with your mates about the news of the day or argue about your favourite teams.

Split the G FAQs