Get the Skinny

18 GOLF ACTION GAMES, INCLUDING:

Intimidated by wagers within your foursome or afraid of some sandbagger you don’t know swiping your hard-earned cash? It’s time to bet your buddies—or that weird single—on the first tee without hesitation. GolfMoolah will teach you every wagering game and calculate every wager for you, making sure it’s done according to your handicaps. No more wasting time with messy score cards and incorrect math. Get the complete wager breakdown, and e-mail the scorecard with sure-to-please bragging rights. This will put an end to the post-round cocktail debacle, and will allow you more time to swill while the wife or husband thinks you are still playing—haha.

It doesn’t matter if you’re a beginner or pro; the GolfMoolah application caters to everyone from the hooker, slicer, chili dipper, a case of the yips, broken chicken wings, or the person who thinks their game is ready for the tour (not likely)! Pick the game that best suits your situation, lay out the amount of action, and you are good to go. Our scorecard will keep track of everything hassle free, especially for those of you thinking your opposition might not be on the up and up. We can’t cure the foot wedge or the ever-so-sneaky hand toss out of the bunker, but we can simplify things for you to enjoy your day.

Nassau

Format: Individual or Team Number of Players: 2, 3, 4, or more

This is one of the most universal games in golf, and it can be used for both individual and team matches. It breaks an eighteen-hole match into three matches: one for the front nine, one for the back nine, and then one for the overall score. A predetermined amount of money is agreed on before the match begins, so a $5 Nassau would mean a total of $15 is at stake in the match ($5 for the front, $5 for the back, $5 for the overall match, or any amount you desire).

During the golf match, a twist of the Nassau allows—for the player(s) who is trailing—to offer a new bet (normally for the same amount as one of the three others bets) for the hole or holes remaining on that nine. That player can say “I press”. For example, if someone is two down with three holes to play on the front nine, that player can call for a press for the remaining three holes. That means there is a new three-hole bet, but the other bet still remains. Occasionally, the player in the lead can refuse a press, so it’s good to clarify what form of Nassau you are playing. Another variation allows for an automatic press when the deficit in the front—or back—nine match gets to a certain point, such as two down, by either player. Press bets can be pressed, so there can be several bets going on at the same time.

Pick–Up Sticks (Alias — Bag Raid):

A match-play or Nassau game with a tweak: A player who wins a hole gets to remove a play competition where there are nine or more potential bets over the course club from the opponent’s golf bag (putter not included in this). Once the club is removed, it is dead for the rest of the round and can’t be used again.

Super Nassau:

Is a match-of the match. Every three holes, one bet concludes and a new one begins for a total of six three-hole bets. There also are three bigger bets in a traditional Nassau format—the front nine, the back nine, and the overall eighteen holes. The three big bets should be worth at least three times the amount of the smaller bets. For example: $1 for the three-hole bets, and $3 for the nine-hole and eighteen-hole bets. Presses can be included in this format as well, so make sure you predetermine that.

Skins

Format: Group Number of Players: 3 or more

In Skins, each hole is worth one skin, and a dollar value is agreed upon prior to the first tee. For example: Each hole would be worth $2 per person. The player that wins the hole earns the skin. If there is a tie, the skin is carried over to the next hole, and every member of the group is eligible to win, except this time, it will be worth two skins. If the carryovers continue, which often happens, it’s not unusual for one hole to be worth multiple skins. You can also add variations to the game by awarding skins for things other than winning a hole. You can add “junk” for a predetermined amount to be awarded to players for “greenies” (landing your tee shot on the green closest to the flag on a par three), “sandies” (earning a sand save and making par), and “nasties” (chipping in for par or less).

Carryovers:

If a skin or hole is tied, then the value is carried over to the next hole. For example, if each skin is worth $1, and the first hole is tied, then the second hole is worth $2. If the second is tied, then the third is worth $3, and so on.

Validation:

Validation is something the pros use on carryovers to make sure your win wasn’t a fluke. If a player wins a hole, the skin is in-hand, and then must validate the skin by tying the lowest score on the next hole. If another player has the lowest score on the next hole, then they steal the skin and must validate. If a player wins the last hole, validation is not necessary.

The Snake

Format: Individual Number of Players: 2, 3, 4, or more

Snake is a great side-bet for all levels, and will provide some excitement and shaky hands when faced with a crucial putt. The “snake” is attached to the first player of the match who three-putts or worse. That player holds onto the snake and pays a per-hole fee until someone else three-putts or more and takes over possession of the snake. For example: If the snake is worth $5, and a player holds onto it for four holes, he owes each player $20, and so on until the snake is passed to another player. This is a great game to play with your buddies, and makes for an interesting round.

Wolf

Format: Team and/or Individual Number of Players: 4

This game takes more than golf balls to play! Determine a set rotation before teeing off as players alternate being the “wolf” (two players will be the wolf five times in a foursome). Agree on a set price of what each hole will be worth per player. On each hole, the player designated as the wolf will choose—before teeing off—who will be his partner for that hole, or he can chance it and decide to play wolf, in which he will take on the rest of the group by himself. If the wolf and his partner win the hole, the two players split the winnings. If a player decides to go wolf and wins the hole, they win the set amount per hole from each player. If a player goes wolf and loses the hole, they must pay the other three players.

Sixes

Format: Team Number of Players: 4

This is a great game, because you get the chance to be paired up with everyone in your foursome. It’s a best-ball match between two teams of two players, but you change partners after every six holes. There are three different matches played within one eighteen-hole round of golf. Everyone chips in a determined amount per person for each match, no matter who your partner is. The low score of that particular match takes the loot for those particular six holes.

Las Vegas

Format: Team Number of Players: 4

If you want to switch it up from the norm, give Las Vegas a shot. At the completion of each hole, a team’s score is derived by making the lower number of the two scores the first digit of your team’s total score. For example: If you post a three, and your partner gets a five, your team’s score is thirty-five. All the same, if someone birdies (or eagles) a hole, the other team must reverse the numbers in their score. Using above as an example, your team would be hit with a fifty-three rather than a thirty-five, because one of your opponents scored a birdie. The team with the lowest score at the end of the round wins. You can increase the action by playing for $1, $2, or more per point. If you do this, the winning team gets the differential between the two scores at the end of the round.

Bingo, Bango, Bongo

Format: Individual Number of Players: 2, 3, or 4

The key to this game is that you must play it in the correct order, according to proper golf rules, or it will not work. Three points are available on each hole, and a predetermined amount for each point must be agreed upon prior to teeing off on the first tee: one for the first player to reach the green (bingo), another one for the player closest to the pin once all the balls are on the green (bango), and one for the first player to hole out (bongo). This game is great for all skill levels, since the best score isn’t always going to win. Something noteworthy: Short hitters or “Nancy”s have an advantage sometimes, because they will have “honors” when everyone is on the fairway, and that puts them in prime position to win the “bingo” point.

Acey Deucey

Format: Individual Number of players: 4

In Acey Deucey, it’s necessary to use handicaps, since a better player could easily monopolize the game. On each hole, the low score (the “Ace”) wins an agreed-upon amount from the other three players, and the high score (the “Deuce”) loses a determined amount to the other players in the group. The Ace bet in most cases is worth twice the Deuce bet. Use caution, as even a low-action game could get costly for the losers, and like winning the lottery for the winners. Ties for either the Ace or the Deuce eliminate any money-changing hands on that hole. If you like, your foursome could decide to play the game with carryovers (only if you are not taking heart medication, and are under doctor’s supervision—haha).

Quota Points

Format: Team or Group Number of Players: 4 or more

Fantastic game to play on an outing, trip with the boys, or just multiple groups, with each player or team anteing a set amount into the pot. Prior to the match, each player subtracts their handicap from thirty-six. That number becomes the player’s “quota”. For example: If your handicap is a ten, then your quota would be a twenty-six. Consequently, you are then awarded one point for a bogey, two points for a par, four points for a birdie, and eight points for an eagle (for a twist, you can penalize players a point if they post more than a bogey). The idea here is to get more points than your quota. The person or team with the most points over their quota at the end of the round wins the pot.

Bridge

Format: Team Number of Players: 4

This game will involve strategy and determine who has ice in their veins! A foursome is required to play this game involving two teams of two players each. Prior to each hole, one of the teams bids on how many strokes (gross—without handicaps or net—with handicaps) it will need it to finish the hole. For instance, a team may bid eight on a hole, meaning that it is betting it can play the hole in eight combined strokes or less. The other team then has three options. It can bid that it can shoot a lower score than nine, accept the bet, and see if the opposing team can make its bid, or accept the bet and double the per-hole stakes. Please make sure you decide on a set amount per hole, in order to make the game nerve-wracking and fun for all.

Cut Throat on the Tee

Format: Individual Number of Players: 2, 3, or 4

This is something to keep you occupied on a brutally slow round on the tee box while you’re waiting for the group ahead of you to move out of range or to snap another shot. Each player in your group drops a ball on the ground near the tee marker on one side of the tee box. Rules state that you use the club you are teeing off with, but really, who cares which one? The point is to knock your ball across the tee box, hitting the far tee marker; then back to the side you started on, hitting that tee marker; then look to eliminate your partners’ golf balls (get rid of them by hitting their golf balls with yours). If you hit the target with your first try, you go again, and keep going until you miss. If you miss with your first try, it’s the next person’s turn, and so on, alternating turns. If a ball is hit off the tee box, that player has two turns to get back onto the tee box, or they are eliminated. When you commence Cut Throat for the first time during the round, toss a tee to

figure out playing order. Then, the first person eliminated on the previous tee box goes first; the previous winner goes last. Last but not least, apply a dollar amount that each player will chip in to award the winner of Cut Throat.

COD (Carts Others Drivers)

Format: Team Number of Players: 4

Once again, this involves rotating your partner every six holes, and a predetermined wager amount per hole is established as it should be in all action games. The team with the lowest combined score wins each hole. Each member of the winning team gets a point for each hole that they win. After six holes, the partners change, and so forth. The last pairing will be on Hole 13. The order of the pairings should be the following: Players in the same cart are partners for the first six holes, the driver of one cart and the passenger of the other cart for the next six holes, and the drivers versus the passengers for holes for the last six holes. At the completion of your round, the points are tallied up, and the predetermined bet is paid off on a per-point basis.

Hammer

Format: Individual Number of Players: 3 or 4

Once again, a predetermined amount is established for the action prior to teeing off, as well an order of play. Every hole is initially worth the agreed-upon bet amount. Each player follows the order of play, and will take turns being the “hammer”. On the box, the hammer selects a player that they will challenge for that hole, thus “hammering” them. That challenge is made for the action decided on above, and must be accepted by the player who has been challenged. The hammer is now in ownership of the challenged player, and they may hammer the original person back for double the bet (it could get ugly, I know). This challenge can go back and forth at any time on the hole, each time redoubling the bet amount. The challenge must always be accepted hands down. When the hole is completed, the winner is paid, and the hammer passes to the next person in order.

High/Low

Format: Team Number of Players: 4

Teams are chosen prior to the start, as well as a bet amount per point awarded. Two points are awarded on each hole, with the first point being awarded to the team that has the member with the lowest score for that hole, compared to the lowest score of the other team. The second point is given to the team that has the lowest high score, compared to the highest score of the other team. No ties—or pushes as a result of ties—and only two points are given out per hole. At the completion of the round, the points are added up, and the predetermined bet is paid on a per-point scale.

Nines

Format: Individual Number of Players: 3 or 4

Threesome:

Every hole has a total point value of nine points. Players earn points by posting the low score as five points, The second lowest score as three points, and the high score as one point. If by chance two players tie for low score, the two who are tied receive four points each. If two players tie for high score, the tied players get two points each, and if all three players tie for low score, each player gets three points.

Foursome:

All holes have a total point value of sixteen points. Each player can earn points by posting the low score as seven points, the second lowest score as five points, the third lowest score as three points, and the high score as one point. If players tie, points are added, and then divided by the number who tied.

Thirty-Two

Format: Individual Number of Players: 2, 3, or 4

This is a side-bet that is a great way to annoy your fellow group members and add a bit of spice to putting. In Thirty-Two, you challenge one golfer to avoid a three-putt. For example, one player is faced with a ridiculously long putt, or they just suck at putting. You implore the thirty-two side bet to them. If the player three-putts (or worse), they owe you two units of the bet. If they two-putt (or better), you owe them three units of the bet. (If the bet is $1, for example, and he/she three-putts, he/she owes you $2; if he/she two-putts, you owe $3).

Air presses

Format: Individual Number of Players: 2, 3, or 4

This is an individual hole wager between two players that are called while a ball is in the air, not the ground. Determine the wager amount on the first tee to avoid any fights—haha. Air presses are automatic—no “and”s, “if”s, or “but”s about it. When an Air Press is shouted out, it is automatically accepted by that player. For instance, your opposition steps up and crushes a drive, but it seems to be going right, left, or headed for the tall stuff. You can call an air press, and the bet is locked in. You are betting that you will beat your opponent on that particular hole. So it’s your turn on the box: Now your opponent has the option, while your ball is in the air, to double the bet.

Back It Up

Format: Group Number of Players: 3 or more

This is one of many variations on the traditional skins game, but one of the more widely used. The player who wins a skins hole has the option of keeping the value or leaving it out there, thus doubling the value of the skins by winning the next hole—affectionately referred to as “backing it up”. For example, a player wins a skin for $1. If the player leaves it on the table and wins the next skin, the value doubles, and the player will win $4 for the two skins (each worth $2). If someone other than that player wins the hole, it goes back to the original dollar amount. Now, if the hole is tied, the dollar value is back to the original skin amount for the next hole (all three for $3). Validation is the key here, people—gotta back up a win with another win.

Golf Moolah Features:

Multiple games for any number of players

Fully detailed instruction on how to play each game

Automated scorecard to keep track of all wagers

Scorecard can be used for non-wagers as well

Ability to e-mail scorecard to anyone for bragging rights

All games will be tabulated at the end of each round for payment distribution

Record your regular foursome results for year-end stats

Adjusts strokes based on each player’s handicap to keep accurate score

Languages:

English

Requirements:

Compatible with iPhone and iPod touch

Blackberry compatibility coming soon

One Comment to “Get the Skinny”

Tom 17 July 2010 at 4:44 pm #

Bought the app today and trying to figure out how to add the “junk” part of skins. In addition to skins for winning holes, we play a skin for closest to pin on par 3’s and 4 skins for low round. That possible?
Thanks,
Tom