Golf Games & Wagers
Wolfman... a.k.a. Wolf
Version #1
3 Players
Option 1:
Players rotate being the Wolfman.
Option 2:
The Wolfman on each hole is determined by the 2nd longest drive on the par 4s and par 5s, or the 2nd closest to the pin on the par 3s.
The other two players become the Hunters for that hole. The Wolfman doubles his net score on the hole against the sum of the Hunters net scores.
The bet amount is determined before the round, example $1 per hole. On each hole the Wolfman puts up double the bet amount.
If the Wolfman wins the hole, each Hunter owes the Wolfman $1. If the Hunters win the hole, the Wolfman owes each Hunter $1. If the Wolfman and Hunters tie on a hole, the bet amounts usually Do Not carry over.
Handicaps: Full or None.
Wolfman... a.k.a. Wolf
Version #2
4 Players
Players rotate being the Wolfman.
The player designated as the Wolfman gets to choose whether to play the hole Wolfman against three Hunters or two on two. If the Wolfman chooses to play two on two, the Wolfman must choose his partner immediately following that player's drive.
The bet amount is determined before the round, example $1 per hole. The side with the lowest better ball score wins the hole. If it's 2 on 2, then the winning side wins the bet. If it's Wolfman against three Hunters, the Wolfman wins double or loses double. The bet amounts usually Do Not carry over.
Handicaps: Full or None.
Wolfman... a.k.a. Lone Wolf
Version #3
4 Players
There's also Lone Wolfman, in which the Wolfman announces before anyone tees off, including himself, that he's going it alone, Wolfman against three Hunters. On a Lone Wolfman hole, the Wolfman wins triple or loses triple. The bet amounts usually Do Not carry over.
Handicaps: Full or None.
Bingo, Bango, Bongo
Bingo, Bango, Bongo is a simple game to keep track of and can be played with players of all abilities. The object of this game is simple, gather more points than your competitors. Points are gathered using the following guidelines.
Player who hits the longest drive (on the fairway) = 1 point.
Player who hits it closest to the pin (in regulation amount of strokes) = 1 point.
Player who puts their ball in the hole first = 1 point.
It is important to follow the order of play correctly while playing this game. Furthest from the hole always go first and all missed putts must be marked. No gimmies are allowed.
Payment occurs as the point differences are calculated between each player and the player who has less than another paying that player the given value multiplied by their point difference.
Handicaps: None.
Version #1
Nassau
The Nassau is three bets in one: low score on the front nine, low score on the back nine and low score over the full 18.
The $2 Nassau is perhaps the most common bet among golf buddies.
Handicaps: Full or None.
Version #2
Nassau
4 Players
Team Match Play... 3 bets in one: front nine, back nine and total.
When playing a two-man team Nassau, each hole has 2 points to win or lose, a low-man and a high-man, the low scores per hole and the high scores per hole are matched against each other.
A common addition to Nassau play is an adjustment to the points lost after the front nine. The thinking here is to adjust for a player(s) bad front nine and keep that player or team in the game.
However many points the winning player(s) won by on the front are divided in half when adding up the final points to determine the winner(s) of 'total'.
Example: A 3 point lead on the front nine would be reduced to a 1.5 point lead for 'total' and have no effect on the scoring of the back nine.
Handicaps: Full or None.
Round Robin
Round Robin, also known as Hollywood or Sixes, is a betting game for groups of four that involves two members of the foursome teaming up against the other two.
The catch is that partners rotate every six holes.
Handicaps: Full or None.
Scotch
4 Players
Scotch Teams compete for 5 available points per hole.
Low Ball = 2 Points
Low Total = 1 Point
Closet To Pin In Regulation = 1 Point
Natural Birdie = 1 Point
No points are awarded for any catagory ending in a tie.
If either team wins all 5 points the points are doubled to 10.
Handicaps: None.
Best Ball
Best Ball - Only the lowest ball of each team, per hole, is counted. This game can be used with multiple foursomes or in a tournament setting using full handicaps.
Handicaps: Full or None.
Bisque
Bisque Teams may allocate their handicap in any way they choose throughout the round as long as the stokes are allocated before any Golfer tees off on each hole. The winning team of the previous hole must announce stoke allocation first.
Handicaps: Full.
Stableford
Stableford Competitors use full handicaps and win points for their net score on each hole.
Eagle = 5 Points
Birdie = 3 Points
Par = 1 Point
Bogey = -1 Point
Handicaps: Full or None.
Modified Stableford
A common Modified Stableford format for amateurs is to shift the points earned into a more human range and award more points for good holes.
Eagle = 8 Points
Birdie = 4 Points
Par = 2 Points
Bogey = 1 Point
Double Bogey = 0 Points
Triple Bogey = -1 Point
Quadruple Bogey = -2 Points
Handicaps: Full or None.
Par
Similar to Stableford as far as the allocated shots are concerned but you either win (+1 Point), halve (0 Point), or lose (-1 Point) the hole.
Its a little tougher, as anything worse than a net par is a loss.
At the end you add up your wins against your losses.
Handicaps: Full or None.
Scramble
In a Scramble, each foursome is a team competing against all other foursomes. Each player in the group drives off the tee, then all four golfers play their second shorts from the best-driven ball. All then play their third shots from the best second ball, and so on.
Each player in a foursome must have at least four of their drives used by the group. Don't wait until the end!
Handicaps are not used during play, but they are used to create teams. All players should split into four handicap groups (lowest to highest, i.e., A-B-C-D players). Use four hats, and pick a player from each hat to form a team.
"A" and "B" players should tee off from the back markers.
A Scramble usually calls for a shotgun start, preceded by lunch or followed by dinner.
Seven-or-eight-under is usually the score to beat.
Handicaps: None.
Chapman
Each player (2 man teams) hits a tee shot. They then each play a second shot using their partner's ball. At this point, they select the best ball and the player who did not hit it plays, alternating shots until the ball is holed (only the first two shots are hit by both players).
Handicaps: None.
Pinehurst
Pinehurst (2 man teams) is similar to the Chapman format, except that each player hits a drive, and the best drive is then chosen and players alternate in from there. Unlike the Chapman, players do not both hit second shots from their partners drives.
Handicaps: None.
Pink Ball
To play Pink Ball, use teams of four. Each foursome has a hideous, bright pink ball that rotates among players. Of course, the ball can be any color, but the more obnoxious, the better.
Keep the overall net score for the pink ball separately, and give a prize to the team with the best pink ball score. If a team loses the pink ball, it's out. This makes for considerable camaraderie (and tension) if you're playing on a course with a lot of water.
Handicaps: Full or None.
USGA Policy on Gambling
The Definition of an amateur golfer provides that an amateur golfer is one who plays the game as a non-remunerative and non-profit-making sport. When gambling motives are introduced, problems can arise which threaten the integrity of the game.
The distinction between playing for prize money, which violates the Rules of Amateur Status, and gambling, which does not, is essential to the Rules of Amateur Status. The USGA urges amateur golfers to seek USGA guidance whenever it is unclear whether the prize format constitutes playing for prize money or gambling and, in the absence of such guidance, not to play for cash prizes. Such a course of action would ensure that no one jeopardizes his amateur status.
The USGA does not object to informal wagering among individual golfers or teams of golfers when the players in general know each other, participation in the wagering is optional and is limited to the players, the sole source of all money won by the players is advanced by the players on themselves or their own teams and the amount of money involved is such that the primary purpose is the playing of the game for enjoyment.
On the other hand, organized events open to the general public or designed and promoted to create cash prizes are not approved by the USGA. Golfers participating in such events without first irrevocably waiving their right to cash prizes are deemed by the USGA to be playing for prize money.
The USGA is opposed to and urges its Member Clubs, all golf associations and all other sponsors of golf competitions to prohibit types of gambling such as: (1) Calcuttas, (2) other auction pools, (3) pari-mutuels and (4) any other forms of gambling organized for general participation or permitting participants to bet on someone other than themselves or their teams. The USGA may deny amateur status, entry in USGA Championships and membership on USGA teams for international competitions to players whose activities in connection with golf gambling, whether organized or individual, are considered by the USGA to be contrary to the best interests of golf.
