Golf Game Add-Ons¹
Skins
In the golf game "Skins," players compete on each hole to win a "skin," which is a predetermined value of points or money. Skins can be a standalone game or an add-on to any other golf game (for any number of players and groups) where individual scores are recorded. (e.g., Net, Gross, Stableford, Best Ball).
Here's how to play:
Here's how to play:
- Establish Stakes: Agree on the value of each skin before starting. Each hole is worth one skin.
- Winning a Skin: The player with the lowest score on a hole wins the skin for that hole.
- Carryovers: If two or more players tie for the lowest score on a hole, the skin for that hole carries over to the next hole, increasing its value. This continues until a player wins a hole outright.
- Scoring: Players track their scores for each hole, noting who wins each skin. The game continues until all 18 holes are played.
- Final Tally: At the end of the round, the player with the most skins wins.
- Gross vs. Net Skins: You can play based on raw scores (gross) or adjusted scores incorporating handicaps (net).
- Carryover Skins: Skins can carry over to the next hole if tied.
- Validation Skins: The player who wins a skin has to match or better their score on the following hole to "validate" it and keep it.
Closest To The Pin
Closest to the Pin, often abbreviated as CTP or KP, is a popular golf competition where players try to land their tee shot on a designated hole as close to the pin (the flagstick) as possible. It is typically held on a par-3 hole but can be adapted for any hole.
(While the abbreviation "KP" is widespread, particularly in the United States, there's no definitively established reason why "Closest to the Pin" is abbreviated as such, instead of the more logical "CP". Some speculate it might be a colloquialism or that it originated from a situation where "CP" was already in use. Some have suggested it could stand for "keenest position" but there is no source to confirm this. However, the USGA Library has confirmed that it's simply a colloquialism.)
General rules:
(While the abbreviation "KP" is widespread, particularly in the United States, there's no definitively established reason why "Closest to the Pin" is abbreviated as such, instead of the more logical "CP". Some speculate it might be a colloquialism or that it originated from a situation where "CP" was already in use. Some have suggested it could stand for "keenest position" but there is no source to confirm this. However, the USGA Library has confirmed that it's simply a colloquialism.)
General rules:
- Select the hole: Before the round, one or more par-3 holes are designated as the "Closest to the Pin" holes.
- Take your shot: Each player in your group takes their tee shot on the designated hole. The game focuses on the first shot onto the green.
- Must land on the green: For a shot to be eligible, the ball must come to a complete rest on the putting surface. A ball on the fringe, rough, or in a bunker does not count, even if it's closer to the hole.
- Measure the distance: If a player's shot is the closest so far, they measure the distance from their ball to the cup.
- Mark the spot: The player records their name and the distance on a special marker, often called a "proximity marker" or "KP marker".
- Leave the marker: The marker is then placed in the ground next to the player's ball.
- Update the leader: Any subsequent player who hits a ball closer to the pin repeats the process: measure, write their name, and move the marker to their ball's position.
- Determine the winner: At the end of the day, the last name on the marker's scorecard is the winner of the contest.
- Different prizes: For tournaments or large group events, there may be separate closest-to-the-pin prizes for different groups, like men and women.
- Team closest to the pin: In a scramble or team format, the team's best shot is used for the contest.
"Garbage", "Junk"...
In golf, "Garbage" is a term used to describe a popular side betting game, also known as "Dots," "Junk," or "Trash." It's a collection of small bets that golfers play concurrently with their regular round of golf.
How "garbage" is played:
How "garbage" is played:
- Agree on achievements: Before the round, the group decides on various positive and negative "achievements" that will be worth points.
- Assign points: Each achievement is assigned a point value, according to LiveAbout.
- Keep track: Throughout the round, each golfer keeps track of their points based on the agreed-upon achievements.
- Determine payouts: At the end of the round, the points are tallied, and the group members pay out the bets, according to LiveAbout.
- Positive achievements:
- Birdie, eagle, hole-in-one
- Longest drive
- Closest to the pin (Greenie)
- Hitting fairways
- Greens in regulation
- Chip-in (Chippie)
- Up-and-down (Par) from a bunker (Sandie)
- Par after hitting a tree (Barkie/Woodie)
- Negative achievements:
- 3-putt or worse (Snake)
- Hitting into a bunker
- Hitting into the water
Greenies
In golf, a "greenie" is a form of "garbage" and typically refers to a side bet or game played on a par-3 hole, where a player earns a point or a monetary amount by landing their tee shot on the green and making Par or better on that hole.
Variations:
Variations:
- Double points or money for a Birdie or Hole in One.
- Closest to the Pin is also occasionally referred to as a "greenie".
Footnotes:
[1] Unless otherwise noted, the information contained herein was extracted from extensive Google searches
[1] Unless otherwise noted, the information contained herein was extracted from extensive Google searches