A Complete Guide to Golf Betting Games

The Short Answer: Golf betting games include…

1. Nassau

2. Skins

3. Match Play

4. Team Games (e.g., Wolf and Banker)

5. Points Games (e.g., Bingo Bango Bongo)

Whether you're a weekend warrior or a seasoned player, golf betting games can transform an ordinary round into an engaging competition. This complete guide explores the most popular golf betting formats that players use to add an extra layer of excitement to their time on the course. We'll walk through everything from basic two-player wagers to complex group games that test both skill and strategy.

Golf betting games do more than just put a few dollars on the line; they sharpen focus, encourage friendly rivalries, and create memorable moments during your round. In this guide, you'll discover how to set up and play classic golf betting games, understand the scoring systems, and learn tips for keeping the competition fun and friendly. Whether you're playing a casual round with friends or organizing a club tournament, you'll find the perfect betting format to match your group's skill level and preferences.

Why Should You Add Golf Betting Games to Your Round?

Golf betting games add a whole new competitive element to your round, turning an ordinary 18 into an engaging challenge. These friendly wagers create natural pressure situations that mirror match play tournaments, helping players develop mental toughness and shot-making abilities under stress.

The beauty of gambling games lies in how they maintain engagement throughout all 18 holes. Even if you're having a rough front nine with several double bogeys, a well-structured betting game gives you chances to bounce back and stay competitive. This sustained focus leads to better scoring and more consistent play, as every stroke carries meaning beyond just your overall score.

These games also build camaraderie within your regular playing group. The friendly competition and minor stakes create memorable moments and lasting golf relationships. Additionally, golf betting games sharpen course management skills. Players think more strategically about risk versus reward, club selection, and playing to their strengths when there's something on the line. 

Classic Golf Betting Games

The most common scoring format is, of course, stroke play (think almost any PGA Tour event), but here are a few other common scoring systems you can use to make things fun with your friends.

Nassau

The Nassau stands as one of the most popular golf betting games, consisting of three separate match play bets wrapped into one. Golfers compete for the front nine, back nine, and total 18-hole match scores. When playing a Nassau, scores reset after nine holes, giving players two fresh starts. The overall match combines both nines for a third betting opportunity. Press bets add excitement when trailing, as you can start a separate bet on any particular hole. Most groups allow automatic presses when a player falls 2-down, creating multiple simultaneous wagers that keep everyone engaged until the final putt.

Skins

The skins game rewards golfers for winning individual holes outright. Each hole carries a dollar amount, but you must win the hole clearly to collect. Ties result in a "carryover" where the points accumulate to the next hole. This creates mounting pressure and larger stakes as the round progresses. The scoring follows a simple pattern - win a hole cleanly, collect the skins. But when players tie, those skins carry forward, making the next hole worth more.

Match Play

Match play pits players or teams head-to-head, counting holes won rather than total strokes. Here's how it works and the common variations:

• Standard Singles Match Play: The lowest score on each hole wins that hole. A player is considered "dormie" when they lead by the same number of holes remaining.

• Best Ball Match Play: Two-person teams compete, using the best score from each partner on every hole.

• Alternate Shot: Teammates take turns hitting each shot. This format adds strategy in deciding who tees off on odd/even holes.

• Scramble Match Play: Both players hit every shot and choose the best result to play from. It encourages aggressive, low-scoring play.
  
  

These variations work well for groups of four, creating natural team competitions. The winning team or player takes the match when they lead by more holes than remain to be played.

Other Golf Betting Formats

Team Games

Wolf: A popular golf betting game where one player (the lone wolf) picks their partner after watching tee shots on each hole. The wolf plays against the other two golfers, with the option to "go alone" for a higher bet. Players rotate being the wolf, adding strategy to partner selection and timing.

Vegas: Pairs players into teams, using a unique scoring system that combines both players' team scores into a single number. For example, if partners shoot 4 and 5, their lowest score is 45. If the other group of partners shoots 5 and 5, their lowest score would be 55. The first group would be up 10 points going into the next hole (55-45). 

Hammer: Amplifies the excitement by letting players "hammer" or double the bet after seeing their opponent's tee shot. This creates intense moments of decision-making, as players must quickly assess risk versus reward on each hole.

5-3-1: Splits nine points between three players per hole: five points for the lowest score, three for second, and one for the highest score. This format maintains engagement throughout the round as players compete for different point positions on each hole.

Rabbit: Rewards the first player to win a hole outright, who then "holds the rabbit" until another golfer wins a hole. The player holding the rabbit at designated checkpoints wins that portion of the betting pool.

Banker: Designates one player as the "banker," who competes against all other players individually. The banker position rotates throughout the round, creating multiple one-on-one matchups.

Points and Scoring Games

Stableford: Assigns points based on scores relative to par: 0 points for double bogey or worse, 1 for bogey, 2 for par, 3 for birdie, and 4 for eagle. This system rewards aggressive play while limiting the damage of poor holes. Many groups modify the point system to suit their competitiveness or skill levels.

Sixes: Divides the round into six-hole matches. Players can earn points in different ways during each mini-match, with partners rotating every three holes. This golf game maintains focus by creating several shorter competitions within the round.

Bingo Bango Bongo: Distributes three points per hole: first on the green, closest to the pin once all balls are on the green, and first in the hole. This format rewards different skill levels and keeps players of varying abilities competitive throughout the round. Players must take turns and follow proper order (no “ready golf”) to ensure fair play, since timing determines who earns each point.