Back in 2007, I wrote Golf Digest's Complete Book of Golf Betting Games. Since then, friends, family, even perfect strangers have stopped me on countless occasions to share their "perfect" golf-gambling game. In short, if the game works for you and your group, it's a perfect game. However, if you struggle on the first tee to think of a fun game to play for the next 18 holes, here are my Top 10 Golf Course Games.
1. BISQUE
PERFECT FOR: Golfers who routinely struggle with a specific hole
DESCRIPTION: Instead of the scorecard mandating where handicap strokes are given, a player can use his or her handicap strokes on any hole until they run out. You can use a maximum of two strokes on any one hole. The only catch is that the handicap stroke (or two) has to be declared before the tee shot on that hole. The player with the low-net score wins the pot. This game is great because, if there are holes on your course where you routinely struggle, you can use your strokes on those holes to avoid a big score.
2. 5-3-1
PERFECT FOR: Threesomes
DESCRIPTION: It's tough to find good games for three players but this one might be the best. There are a total of nine points available on each hole (a point has a predetermined dollar amount). The player with the low score on a hole gets five points. The player with the second-lowest score gets three. And the worst score on a hole gets one. If there are ties, you simply divide the points by the number of players tied. For example, two players tie for the best score on a hole. That means they split the first- and second-place points (5+3/2=4 apiece).
3. CLOSEOUT
PERFECT FOR: Golfers who like to keep it simple and fair
DESCRIPTION: The problem with the popular gambling game called a "nassau" is that winning the 18-hole match is often undervalued. If the front, back and 18 are equal in the amount wagered, that means a golfer or team could conceivably win the first 10 holes, and halve all but two of the remaining and win only a third of the amount wagered. Hardly fair. With a closeout, the 18-hole match is worth a set amount and once it's decided, a second match on the remaining holes begins for half the original amount. It reduces the odds of a lackluster payout for really solid play. But the real beauty of this game is that it's simple to keep track of the match.
4. QUOTA
PERFECT FOR: A group of any size with legitimate Handicap Indexes
DESCRIPTION: Each player takes his or her course handicap, then substracts that number from 36 and that becomes the point quota they have to make during a round. Typical scoring for a mid-handicap group would be 1 point for a bogey, 2 points for a par, 4 for a birdie and 8 for an eagle (points can be adjusted in any way). The player with the most points above their quota wins a predetermined pot. If no one finishes above their quota, you can roll the pot into the next round or decide it by some kind of tiebreaker. I like this game because pars and birdies are worth so much more to average golfer than just being one shot better than a bogey.
5. STRIKE THREE
PERFECT FOR: Mid-to-high handicap groups
DESCRIPTION: At the end of a round, each player gets to throw out his or her score on three holes and then the best 15-hole score wins the pot. This is a great game for mid-to-high handicappers because it keeps everyone involved much deeper into the round, especially if a player or two had a couple of "blow-up" holes along the way.
To see the other 5 gambling games, go here.
Source: Ron Kaspriske Golf Digest Mel Sole Golf School
Pictures: PHOTOS BY GETTY IMAGES
Thanks for reading - Top 10 Golf Course Games. Use these. You'll have some fun!