Games

Golf betting games and formats, explained

The rules of the games groups actually play on the tee, each with a worked example on a sample card, the common house rules, how handicaps apply and how the money settles.

Run a game free

Free for a single round. Players never sign up.

Pick the game, read the rules.

Skins The lowest score on a hole wins it outright. Carryovers, validation and the payout. Read the rules → Nassau and presses Front, back and overall as three match-play bets, and how a press works. Read the rules → Wolf A rotating Wolf picks a partner after each drive, or goes Lone or Blind. Read the rules → Vegas Two pairs make a number from their scores; a birdie flips the other side's. Read the rules → Stableford Points against par instead of strokes, and the modified table that goes negative. Read the rules → Scramble, shamble and best ball The team formats side by side, alternate shot and Pinehurst too, with each one's allowance. Read the rules → Match play and the cup Up, dormie and 3&2, and the Ryder Cup format for a golf trip. Read the rules →

Most games score themselves.

Every game on this page is worked out from the scores on the card: nobody adds anything up. A few need one tap from the scorer for something the card can't know, and the contests nobody can see from a score need a person to name the winner.

Run a game free On a trip In a league

Off the cardSkins, Nassau, Vegas, Sixes, Stableford, Modified Stableford, Quota, Chicago, low net, team best ball and shamble, scramble, alternate shot and Pinehurst, two-on-two matches, and the cup.

Off the card, plus one tapWolf: the scorer taps the Wolf's call on each tee. Nassau and Sixes presses: the scorer taps Press for the side that's down, unless the Nassau's presses are automatic.

Someone names the winnerClosest to the pin, longest drive, Bingo Bango Bongo, Snake, Trash and the other side games in the library, and any game you describe yourself. The pot and the payout are still worked out for you.