Popular Golf Betting Games and Side Money Bets

Tired of playing the same old $2 nassua? Need a way to spice up your Men's day or Sunday morning golf round with your buddies?

Here are the most common golf betting games or side bets to consider for your next round of golf.

Golf Betting Games By Score

1) Nassua

The Nassau is three bets in one game: (1) low score on the front nine, (2) low score on the back nine and (3) low score over the overall 18. A $5 Nassau might be the most common wager in golf. Once again it is three $5 bets based on the bets listed above.

2) Skins Game

A game played amounts any number of golfers in a group or event. It is a game played on a per hole basis where the sole lowest scorer/winner of a hole wins a skin (usually a set dollar amount). If there is a tie (two players birdie a hole) No skin is won. Some groups will play carryovers so the pot increases by that dollar amount for the next hole.

Some skins games are played by throwing in a set a dollar mount for the round ($10) and payouts are calculated by dividing the pot amount by the number of skin winners.

2b) Skins Game With Validation

Can be played with any number of players. It is a twist on traditional skins as you must validate a skin won with a net par on the next hole. It will have you believing in the "power of the skins" when someone is holding a bunch of skins and skanks one off the tee box.

3) Wolf

Wolf is a classic four golfer game where on each hole partners are established by a person (the wolf) or gutsy decision is made to go alone. Players rotate being the "Wolf." in an established order. The player designated as the "Wolf" tees off then gets to choose to play the hole by themselves (1vs3) or watch the golfers hit and choose a partner (2v2) immediately after the golfer tees off but prior to the next person teeing off. When a player hits, the previous player can no longer be chosen. After the fourth person hits the wolf has two options, select player 4 or go alone. If the wolf goes alone after seeing and passing on the 3 previous players he would be called The Lone Wolf. (not a blind wolf because he saw the tee shots)

This game is best explained with a scenario. The Wolf crushes a drive or hits one close to pin on a par 3 they have option and must announce to be the Lone Blind Wolf. Prior to anyone else teeing off the game is now (1v3). Or the Wolf one by one watch the other players tee off. Once again the Wolf has to choose his partner immediately after each remaining golfer hits their shot and prior to the next player. So player 2 hits a bad shot. The Wolf passes and watches player 3. Player 3 hits a solid shot but chooses to pass on the player (maybe because the player isn't playing well) and now watches player 4. If player 4 hits a good shot the wolf could either select them as partner or if the Wolf thinks they can beat everyone they have option to be a lone wolf. (once again 1 v 3).

So the first part of the game is a partner selection game. The hole is played and the team with the lowest individual score wins the hole. If there is a tie for the lowest score there is no carryovers.

As far as payouts, if it's 2 on 2, then each player wins 1 unit from the losing team. In a LONE Wolf situation, the units doubles and the wolf wins 2 units from each player. If the Wolf loses they pay $2 units to each player.

In a BLIND Wolf decision the units triple. A blind wolf stands to win a lot of lose a lot.

4) Sixes

Sometimes called Hollywood or Round Robin

Sixes pits the group members against each other, 2 on 2. Players rotate partners after every six holes so that each member of the foursome is partners for a six hole stretch.

Any scoring format for the 6-hole matches can be used, and each 6-hole segment is a separate wager.

Betting formats include low ball, low total, high/low (+point for lowest -point for being highest)

5) Las Vegas

Las Vegas is a big money game for teams of two players each. Each golfer on a side plays their own ball, and the two scores are combined in a string for each hole. Not added together, but strung together with the lowest number first. For example, the scores of Team A are 4 and 5, so the team score is 45. Team B gets a 5 and a 6 so their score is 56. The difference is the number of units won/lost. 56-45 is 11. A value is set for points. In this case if the units were established at $1 the winnings and losing can add up quickly.

6) Las Vegas Wolf

This is a hybrid between Wolf and Las Vegas so partners are constantly changing. When the Wolf goes alone they use their score twice in the string and the two lowest scores of the 3 are strung together. You can decide if lone and blind lone wolfs doubls and triples.

So if a lone wolf make a 3 they would have 33. If opposing team shot a 4,5 and 6. They would string together a 45 (not use the 6). The difference is 11. So the wolf would win 11 unites (or 22 if playing double for lone wolf) from each player.

7) High/Low or Aces/Deuces

The player with the lowest score (ties not awarded)gets a point from everyone and the player with highest score (ties not penalized) pays the highest. This game should be played with golfers of similar ability or played with handicap. (net scores)

8) Las Vegas Wolf

This is a hybrid between Wolf and Las Vegas so partners are constantly changing. When the Wolf goes alone they use their score twice in the string and the two lowest scores of the 3 are strung together. You can decide if lone and blind lone wolfs doubls and triples.

So if a lone wolf make a 3 they would have 33. If opposing team shot a 4,5 and 6. They would string together a 45 (not use the 6). The difference is 11. So the wolf would win 11 unites (or 22 if playing double for lone wolf) from each player.

8) Left Right

Great game with 5 guys but can be played with 4. Each hole the teams are determined by who is on the left side and ride side of the hole looking at the flag. If you have 5 guys, you will do even holes have 3 on the right and 2 on the left and uneven holes have 3 on the left and 3 on the right. When playing with 5 guys the team with 3 players has two bets going. There is a point for closest to the pin, 2 points for low ball, and another 2 points if you have both low balls. If you take all 5 points on a hole the bet doubles.

Golf Games Based On Accomplishments or Events

1) Bingo, Bango, Bongo

A classic golf game, independent of skill level. The game awards points based on the first player to do these events on each hole.

Bingo - First On = 1 point
Bango - Closest To The Pin (once all on) = 1 point
Bongo - First In = 1 point

It is important to follow the order of play correctly (who is out). At the end of the round, points are totaled, and the differences are paid out.

2) Bogeys

Rumor has it many tour players play bogeys for some big money. Where a golfer throws a unit into the pot for each bogey and the player at the end of the round with the best score or most birdies wins the pot.

This game can be played with players paying into a pot for whatever negative action (3 putts, bogey or double bogey, etc) and a payout of the pot when something positive happens (one putt, birdie or etc). Or the entire pot is awarded to the best score or player with most positives.

3. Flaggies

When a putt is made from longer than the length of the flag stick the golfer is paid 1 unit from each player. (best to measure prior to putting). A putt, chip in or hole out from the fringe or beyond the green is counted as a double flaggie. More than 1 player can make a flaggie on a hole. Once again use the flag stick if the put is longer than the flag stick a flaggie is won

Savies

Similar to Flaggies but the emphasizes is on par saves. If a player misses a green and gets up and down it counts as a par save or par savie. This often played with gross score (not handicapped) and should be played with similar handicap players. (assuming gap is within 6-8 strokes). Surprisingly the game does not always favor the stronger player as better players hit more greens in regulation. If a player gets a savie one unit is collected from each player. If player is in sthe and around green and a sand save is made it counts as a sandy savie increasing to 2 units. It's a great game to increase focus on par saves. (better chips and more focus on par saving putts). Many times Savies and Flaggies are played together in a game called Recoveries.

6) Thirty-Two

Thirty-Two is a side bet for golfers that focuses on putting. It's essentially a challenge from one golfer to another to avoid a three-putt.

Let's say your buddy is facing a long, difficult putt. You invoke the thirty-two side bet. If your buddy three-putts (or worse), he owes you two units. If he two-putts (or better), you owe him three units of the bet.

Animal Game

A simple game where the last player to do an event is the holder of the animal. At the conclusion of the round, the player holding each animal pays every other player a unit.

Hit in water - Alligator
Hit any part of a tree - Monkey
Hit it in sand - Camel
Hit it in woods - Wolf
Hit it a cart path - Snake

Th article ends with a few words of wisdom. Please play or bet within your means. If you lose pay up and if you win do it with grace. Friendships are more important than green backs.