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Here are some games that may make your golfing that much more
enjoyable.
These are just a sample taken from an oversized paperback,
The Golfers Reference Golf Games and Side Bets, written by Duncan Swift
and published by
Schaefer's Publishing, PO Box 5544, Dearborn, MI 48128.
They can be reached via e-mail: schaed@idt.net.
Games for twosomes:
Scorefest.
This is a point game. The object is to win the most points.
Scoring:
2 points for net score over 100.
5 points for net score 90 --100,
10 points for net score 85 to 89,
15 points for net score 80 to 84,
25 points for net score 75 to 79,
40 points for net score 70 to 74,
75 points for net score under 70.
Seven Point Game.
This is a point game with the object being to win the most points.
One twosome plays against another twosome with the possibility of 7
points to be won on every hole.
Scoring:
2 points for the
twosome with
the low ball of the foursome,
2 points to the twosome that does not have
the high ball of the foursome,
1 point for closest to the pin in
regulation,
1 point for a birdie,
1 point to the twosome with the
fewest total putts,
0 points for tied holes.
This game can be played
using gross scores, providing that there is not a large difference in
handicaps between the twosomes. In most cases, this game is played with
full handicaps, so the net scores are used in determining the points won
on each hole.
Specks.
This is a point game. The object of the game is to win the most specks.
In this game twosomes play against each other.
Scoring:
1 Speck is awarded for each of the following:
longest drive in the fairway,
first
ball on the green,
closest ball to the pin on the approach shot,
having a 1 putt,
lowest score on the hole.
The Wheel.
This is a best ball game. The object of the game is to have the lowest
score at the end of the round.
This game is played, using full
handicaps, in a best ball twosome format. With a minimum of 16 players,
each player can select from one up to a maximum of three other players
as partners and pay a set amount of money for each partner selected into
a common pot or kitty. At the end of play, the players then compare
their scorecards with their partners to determine the lowest net score
for each hole. The player who has the lowest score wins the pot and any
other money that might have been bet by the players.
Wipe Out.
This is a game of chance. The object of the game is to have the lowest
score at the end of the round.
This game is played either individually
or on a four-ball basis. Each player or team has the right to have the
opponent replay four shots during the course of the round.
Therefore, if you are playing four-ball teams the opponents have the
right to have both you and your partner replay four shots, with your
team having the same right.
Golf Games For Foursomes:
Rabbit.
This is a low ball game. Also called Squirrel.
The object of the game is
to have the rabbit at the end of the 9th and 18th holes.
On the first
hole, the rabbit is on the loose. The first player to win a hole is said
to "hold the rabbit". The rabbit stays with his owner until another
player wins a hole and the rabbit is on the loose again. A player must
win a hole again to claim the rabbit. Whoever has the rabbit at the end
of the 9th and 18th holes wins the predetermined amount.
Variation:
1. Greenines may also claim the rabbit, or loose the rabbit.
2. If you have the rabbit and you do not at least tie for low ball,
the rabbit is set loose.
Rabbit Legs.
This is a low ball game. Also called Squirrel Legs.
The object is to win the rabbit legs.
This game is for 2,3 4, or 5
players. One tries to get four legs on the Rabbit. Before teeing off
the first tee, all players agree on the value of the rabbit, for
betting purposes. At the first tee, the rabbit is considered "running",
this means no one has a leg on the rabbit. To get a leg, you must have a
lower score on a hole than anyone else in your group. You will keep one
leg on the rabbit until another player has a lower score on a hole than
anyone else. When that happens, you lose your leg on the rabbit and the
rabbit is running again. A player must win a hole in order to get a leg
on the rabbit again and anytime a player can earn four legs on the
rabbit, he or she wins. After a rabbit has been won, begin a new rabbit
game on the next hole.
Florida Scramble.
This is a best ball-low ball game. The object is to win the most holes.
The point value for each hole should be decided before play.
This game
is played the same as Scramble with the exception of one rule.
The player whose shot was selected must sit out for the next shot.
If player Y was selected to have the best tee shot, player Y cannot hit
the second shot, but he will be able to hit the third shot. The Player's
shot that was selected to the best second shot must sit out the next
shot, etc. Upon reaching the putting surface, all players are eligible
to putt alternating normally until the ball is holed out.
Worst Ball Scramble.
This is a worst ball - low ball game. The object is to win the most
holes.
The point value for the holes should be decided prior to play.
In this game the worst shot of a foursome or twosome
(if playing partners) is played until holed out. To score, add handicaps
of the players and divide by the number of players. Subtract that number
from the gross strokes for the score of the partners.
Games For Tournaments:
Bong.
This is a game of skill. Also called Trouble or Disaster.
The object is to have the least points at the end of the round.
This game indicates your individual weaknesses and strength on the
golf course.
Scoring:
4 points for whiffing,
1 point for teeing off
in front of the designated tee markers,
2 points when a ball is lost,
2 points when hitting out of bounds,
1 point when hitting in the water,
1 point when hitting into the bunker,
2 points when hitting from one
bunker to another,
3 points when two strokes are taken in a bunker,
5 points when three strokes are taken in the bunker,
2 points for three
putts,
3 points for four putts.
These games can be found in'The Golfers Reference Golf Games and Side Bets' written by Duncan Swift
There are tons more interesting games in this book, check it out.
Now if you like a little wager on a round,
here are some betting games you can play
FAIRWAYS AND GREENS.
This game rewards smart and consistent play over risk
taking and gambling.
BING, BANG, BONG.
Great betting game to play when your foursome has a wide range of
handicaps. Its format levels the playing field for most players.
VEGAS.
This is an interesting game that lives by it name, Vegas.
The more you gamble, the higher the rewards....
we won't talk about the downside. Very interesting, check it out.
NASSAU.
You may have heard of it, or may be familiar with it.
Here are step-by-step instructions that let you play
it your next time out. This includes some interesting
variations you may not have heard about!
FAIRWAYS AND GREENS
In this game, players receive one point for each fairway hit in
regulation on par 4's and par 5's and one point for each green hit
in regulation.
This usually equals out to about 24 points up for grabs
each round.
Points can be awarded every time a player hits a fairway or
green or can be carried over if two players hit one at the same time
(or if all miss).
That is, the entire foursome hits the first fairway,
but only one player hits the green, then that player earns two points
and the others earn none.
'Fairways and Greens' is great for less-experienced golfers,
because unlike most betting games, it encourages intelligent golf.
Narrow fairways? Leave the driver in the bag.
Other games,
such as Skins, encourage risk-taking that isn't always good for
the novice.
A Big plus is, it is hard to lose a lot of money!
BING, BANG, BONG
The format of this game puts separate values on a player's long game,
short game and putting.
Each hole has three points available.
Players may assign any monetary value they wish to each point.
The first point goes to the player hitting the green in the fewest
strokes. Fringes don't count and ties are half-point.
The second point goes to the player closest to the pin after everyone
is on the green (regardless of how many strokes it took to get there).
The last point goes to the player in the hole in the fewest strokes.
Handicaps can be used, but they only apply to the last point.
Some players award the last point to the first ball in the hole,
regardless of the number of strokes, but be aware that it encourages
a player who is otherwise out of a hole to lag one or
more putts to the point where he's just beyond the range of
the other players, thus giving himself the best shot at the final point.
On par 3 holes no point is awarded for the first ball on the green.
Instead, the first point goes to the person who is second closest
to the pin after everyone is on the green.
Bing, Bang, Bong is a good game to play when a foursome has a wide
range of handicaps, because the format acts as an equaliser.
High handicappers can come out quite well if they have good games
around the green and score well relative to their handicaps.
Players not adept at hitting greens in regulation, for example,
will have a better shot at winning the second point if they are
good chippers or bunker players.
VEGAS
First split into two teams.
This game is played by combining the two net scores by each team to
make one two-digit number.
For example, if on Team 1, Player A makes a net 5 and his teammate makes
a net 6, the scores would be combined (low number first) and their
collective score would be 56.
If Team 2's score was 45 (a net 4 and a net 5) then the second team
would win the hole by 11 points.
If a player makes a net 10 or higher, then the high number goes first.
The only other decision will be how much each point will be worth.
Bear in mind that if one team was to make two net 4's and the other team
makes two net 6's, that would be a difference of 22 points.
You might be
conservative with your wagering the first time you play this game.
Variations:
· If both players on a team fail to make Net Par or better,
that team's high score automatically goes first.
You can use
Net Bogey or higher if this fits your group better. If it does,
you may want to alter your handicaps!
· If a player makes birdie or better, the other team's high score
utomatically goes first.
NASSAU
This is the most popular gambling game in golf today so you
probably already know how it goes.
You may want to read on for some
possible variations to the basic "Nassau".
If you don't know this game, the next time someone says, "2 - 2 - 2",
they are referring to a 2 dollar nassau.
A Nassau is really three games in one.
The front nine being one, the back nine being the second and the
entire 18 being the third.
'2 - 2 - 2' would mean (in my circle of
friends, anyway) a two dollar wager on the front nine, a two dollar
wager on the back nine and a third, two dollar wager on the entire 18.
If you are playing with strangers you want to ensure that everyone
understands exactly what the wagers are before starting.
Nassaus can be played between two players or teams of two or more
players.
'Match Play' is the most popular method for keeping score.
Match play means that the score is kept based only on whether holes
are won or lost with no consideration given to the winning margin on
each hole.
Players' net scores (after handicap) are generally used and the most
popular format in foursomes is ' Best Ball'.
This means that each
team's better net score on each hole is used against the opposing team's
better score.
A team which has won 2 holes and lost 1 hole is said to be "1 up".
A team wins one of the three wagers when they are more holes up than
there are holes remaining on the 9 or 18.
Variations:
The first variation that a lot of golfers use to add spice to their
Nassau games is "The Press".
Groups that allow "Pressing" give the team
that is down on one of the wagers the option of starting a new wager
from the time of the press, to the end of the original bet, for the same
stakes as the original wager.
For example, if a team is 2 holes down on the 7th Tee, they may choose
to "Press" the front 9 wager.
This means a new wager is started on the
7th Tee for the same amount as the front 9 wager and will also finish
on the 9th hole (it will be a 3 hole match).
Both matches carry on
until the ninth hole is over.
If your group doesn't already allow pressing you should set some
guidelines for when pressing will be allowed.
Here are some suggestions:
· Presses allowed only on the 9th or 18th Tees.
· Presses only allowed when a team has already won the original wager.
· Presses only allowed when a team is down by at least 2 holes.
· Pressing allowed any time a team that is down feels like it.
This format requires some strategy as well as some courage.
· Some hyper-aggressive groups allow pressing at any time and for
any amount a team is losing.
This format can result in a serious
escalation of the stakes. If you're not familiar with exponential
growth you should look it up before you agree to this last format
with strangers!
Just so you know, there aren't any laws that require you to accept a
press if you are ahead in a match but it is a widely held view that
anyone who declines a press is
'UNCOOL'!
Scoring Variations:
· HIGH - LOW:
Each team's low score is matched against the other
team's low score for 1 point and likewise for the two high scores.
As you can see, there are two points up for grabs on each hole and
the team with more points is in the lead.
· TOTAL SCORE :
Each team adds their two scores together and the
total is used in a match play format.
· TIE BREAKER :
This is close to Best Ball with an interesting twist.
Each team uses their better score unless those scores tie.
In the case of a tie, each teams' high score is used in a tie-breaker.
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