Golf is a beloved sport for many, offering an opportunity to connect with friends, enjoy the outdoors, and engage in friendly competition. For those looking to make their next round of golf even more entertaining, there are various games that can be played within a foursome. These games can add a fun twist to the traditional round, and can even make for more enjoyable golf outings, regardless of skill level.
While a standard round of golf is enjoyable on its own, incorporating different games into your foursome can keep things fresh and exciting. Games like Scramble, Bingo, Bango, Bongo, and Greensomes each bring unique challenges and enjoyment to the course. Not only do they help improve camaraderie among group members, but they also provide a chance to hone specific skills, with some games emphasizing strategy over individual prowess.
As we delve deeper into different golf games for your foursome, we will explore the rules, objectives, and appeal of each. Whether you are a novice golfer or a seasoned player, these games are sure to add an extra layer of fun to your next round while also fostering connection and friendly competition among your group.
Fun Team Golf Games
Best Ball
Best Ball is a popular game for golf foursomes, where two players form a team, and each player plays their own ball throughout the round. The team’s score for each hole is determined by the lowest individual score of the two players. This game allows players to benefit from their teammate’s great shots while not being too heavily penalized for their own mistakes. It’s a fantastic format for encouraging teamwork and camaraderie among players.
Skins
Skins game is another exciting format for golf foursomes. In this game, each hole is assigned a certain value or “skin.” The player with the lowest score on a hole wins the skin for that hole. If there is a tie, the skin for that hole is carried over to the next hole, increasing its value. This continues until a player wins a hole outright, taking all the accumulated skins. The player with the most skins at the end of the round wins the game. Skins game adds an element of strategy and excitement, as each hole becomes a mini-tournament within the round.
Nassau
Nassau is a popular golf game that combines three separate bets into one, making it a perfect game for a foursome. The game consists of three matches: front nine, back nine, and overall 18 hole scores. Each match is scored separately and can have different winners.
In Nassau, players compete in either individual or team formats. For individual Nassau, players bet against each other on who will have the lowest net score for each of the three matches. In team Nassau, two groups of two players compete against each other, usually with the best ball format, for the lowest team score in each match. This game not only adds excitement but also offers multiple opportunities for players to redeem themselves throughout the round.
Individual Golf Games
Stroke Play
Stroke play is one of the most common formats in golf, where the player with the lowest total strokes wins. Each golfer plays their own ball throughout the round, keeping track of their individual scores. In stroke play, it’s crucial to focus on consistency, as every shot contributes to the total score. This format can be played within a foursome, allowing each player to compete against one another at their own pace.
Stableford
Stableford is another popular format that involves a point-based scoring system. Each golfer earns points based on their net score on each hole relative to par. The golfer with the highest total points at the end of the round wins. Generally, the point system is as follows:
- 1 point for a bogey
- 2 points for a par
- 3 points for a birdie
- 4 points for an eagle
- 5 points for an albatross
Stableford encourages aggressive play since there’s no penalty for high scores on individual holes. In a foursome, you can compete for the highest points while still enjoying individual play.
Murphys
Murphys, also known as Worst Ball, is a challenging individual golf game where the golfer plays two balls on each hole and must count the higher score as their final score for that hole. This format demands precision and consistency as one bad shot can significantly impact the overall score. In a foursome, each player can engage in their own Murphys game, comparing their worst-ball scores at the conclusion of the round for an exciting twist on competition.
Competitive Foursome Games
Six-Six-Six
Six-Six-Six, also known as 6-6-6 or Hollywood, is a fun game for golf foursomes. In this game, four players pair up into two teams for a round of 18 holes. The format changes every six holes, making for three different competitive games within one round.
- Holes 1-6: Best Ball – Each player plays their own ball, and the team takes the lowest score of the two on each hole.
- Holes 7-12: Greensomes – Both players on each team tee off and then choose the best drive. They then alternate shots until the hole is completed.
- Holes 13-18: Foursomes – Players alternate shots, with one player teeing off on even-numbered holes and the other on odd-numbered holes.
This format keeps the game fresh and challenging, and allows players with different skill levels to contribute to the team’s success.
Ghost
Ghost is a unique game where a three-player group competes against an imaginary “ghost” player. The ghost player’s score is given as the par for each hole. Players take turns competing with the ghost on a hole-by-hole basis, and the team with the lowest score wins.
To play the game, follow these steps:
- Determine the order of play.
- Rotate the order of play after each hole.
- Record each player’s score, and award points as follows:
- Win against the ghost earns 2 points
- Tie with the ghost earns 1 point
- Lose to the ghost earns 0 points
The player with the most points after 18 holes wins the game.
Nines
Nines, also known as 5-3-1, is a competitive golf game that assigns point values to different outcomes on each hole. The total value of points available on each hole is 9, which are allocated as follows:
- 5 points for the lowest score
- 3 points for the second-lowest score
- 1 point for the third-lowest score
- 0 points for the highest score
In case of ties, the points are divided equally among those who are tied. For example, if two players tie for the lowest score, they each receive (5+3)/2 = 4 points, while the third player receives 1 point and the highest scorer gets 0 points. After 18 holes, the player with the most total points is the winner.
Challenging Games for Skill Improvement
Worst Ball
Worst Ball is a game that can help you focus on consistency and minimize mistakes. In this game, each player in your foursome plays two balls and the team selects the worst shot to play from. This process continues until the ball is holed. At the end of each hole, the highest score from the two balls is recorded as the team’s score. This adds a layer of difficulty, as players must focus on improving their weakest shots.
Bingo Bango Bongo
Bingo Bango Bongo is a game that rewards strategic play and diversity in skill sets. The game is played as follows:
- Bingo: The first player in the group to get their ball on the green.
- Bango: The player whose ball is closest to the hole once all balls are on the green.
- Bongo: The first player to hole their ball.
Each of these achievements is worth one point. The player with the most points at the end of the round wins. This game challenges each player to excel in different aspects of the game, such as driving, approach shots, and putting.
Portuguese Caddy
Portuguese Caddy is a game that adds an element of unpredictability to your golf round. Before teeing off, your playing partners choose the club you must use, which could be anything from a driver to a putter. They cannot choose the same club twice during the round, so you will be forced to adapt to various situations with unusual club selections.
This game requires creativity and adaptability, as well as skill in executing different types of shots with unconventional clubs. By practicing various clubs and shots under pressure, you can improve your overall golfing skills.
In summary, Worst Ball, Bingo Bango Bongo, and Portuguese Caddy are challenging and fun golf games to play in your foursome to help improve various aspects of your game. These games promote consistency, strategic play, and adaptability on the course, ultimately contributing to your overall skill level as a golfer.
Creative and Entertaining Golf Games
Chairman
The Chairman game is a unique twist on traditional golf games, as it assigns rotating roles to players within the foursome. Each hole, one player takes on the role of the Chairman, who determines the format for that hole (Stroke play, Best Ball, etc.). The other three players compete using the chosen format, and points are awarded based on performance. This game keeps things interesting and allows for variety in gameplay throughout the round.
Snake
Snake is a game that penalizes players for three-putting greens. It begins with each player contributing a small pre-determined amount of money to a pot. Whoever three-putts a hole first becomes the holder of the “Snake.” Each time another player three-putts, they take on the Snake and must add money to the pot. The pot continues to grow until the end of the round, and the player holding the Snake pays the total amount to the other players. This game adds a fun, high-stakes element and encourages better putting.
Stringball
Stringball is a creative game that allows players to utilize string for advantageous purposes. At the start, each player receives a pre-determined length of string (usually based on their handicap strokes). Players can use their string to move their ball closer to the hole, avoiding hazards, or other strategic purposes. Each time a player uses their string, they must deduct the length used from their total. The objective is to finish the round with the fewest strokes after considering the remaining string. This game is great for encouraging strategy and precision.
Lagging
Lagging is a game that focuses on approach shots and proximity to the hole. Players earn points based on their ball’s distance from the hole after their approach shot. The points system can be as follows:
| Distance from Hole | Points Awarded |
|---|---|
| 0-3 feet | 3 points |
| 3-6 feet | 2 points |
| 6-9 feet | 1 point |
| >9 feet | 0 points |
Players tally their points after each hole, and the golfer with the most points at the end of the round wins. Lagging emphasizes precision and accuracy on approach shots, making it both engaging and competitive.
