Skins Game in Golf: Show Me the Money
I bet (pun intended) we have all played a round of golf with friends and put friendly bets on different outcomes of each hole or selected shots during the round. Knowingly or not, those bets were a variation of playing a skins game in golf.
The skins game format sounds like match play golf, as it is a competition to win each hole, but it is slightly different in that the general skins game format allows for more lucrative chances during the round. This allows for more excitement and game changing moments when the right opportunities present themselves.
Key Takeaways
Skins game consists of players competing hole-by-hole to win skins, or a set money amount/value for each hole, determined before the match.
The skin value can be played in versions where the value is the same for each hole or where skins are different values per hole.
The most common version of a skins game involves carrying over, meaning a tie on a hole would carry the value of that hole over to the next one, increasing that hole’s skin.
What is a Skins Game in Golf?
Golfers play against each other, with each hole essentially being a competition of its own, to try and win skins (money/value) by shooting the lowest score on each hole. Before the skins game match, everybody involved will know that each hole holds a specific value that was already predetermined.
It is essentially playing stroke play golf, but each hole is an independent competition, so if you have a birdie on the first hole and everybody else in your group has par or worse, you win the skin (value) for that hole.
If everybody in the group gets a par on that first hole, the value of that skin is then added to the next hole’s skin. This is called a carryover, and we will dive further into the impact of carryovers later in this article.
You need to focus on each hole independently when playing a skins game. To win a skin, be the golfer with the lowest score on a particular hole. For example, if your score on a hole is a birdie, while your opponents score par or worse, you would win the skin for that hole.
Skins Game Value
Before starting the match, your group must agree on the value attached to each skin. A popular format is to assign a monetary value to skins, with each hole having a predetermined amount at stake.
For example:
Hole Value
1 $1
2 $2
3 $3
You can agree to have them valued in whichever way you like. The PGA Tour version that was played up until 2008 had the skins progressively increased as the holes went on.
They would have $25,000 per hole for the first 6 holes, $50,000 per hole for holes 7-12, $75,000 for holes 13-17, and one big skin of $200,000 on the final hole.
This significant skin on the 18th hole was called the super skin. This is a cool example of how a skins game in golf can be set up to make it more engaging.
Carryovers in Skins Games
As we touched on above, one of the most exciting aspects of the skins game is the concept of carryovers. If players have the same score on a hole, the skin is carried over, adding value to the next hole. This continues until there's a clear winner on a hole.
For example, if the value of the first hole is $1 and all players tie, the second hole becomes worth $3 – its original $2 plus the carried over $1. The player who wins the second hole takes $3, and the game proceeds with the regular value for the next hole.
Carryovers raise the stakes and pressure, making the skins game increasingly thrilling as the round progresses.
Variations of Skins Game Golf
Skins games can also have several variations to keep the format interesting. Some popular variations include:
No Carryover
In this version, skins tied on a hole are not carried over to the next hole; instead, they remain unclaimed. I find this version to be less fun than having carry-overs since they enlarge the value of the next hole and can keep aggregating over multiple holes in the event of continuous holes being tied.
That is where the real fun begins: when the pressure ramps up in the competition, the group starts playing a hole, which is now the value of multiple.
Varying Skin Values
Assign individual values to the skins of specific holes, creating a more strategic and engaging experience for golfers. This is better than the “no carryover” version, and it can add more strategy to the round and put more importance on some holes over others.
Gross Skins
In a gross skins game, handicaps are not considered, and the player with the lowest raw score on each hole wins the skin for that hole.
Net Skins
Players' course handicaps are used to adjust their scores on each hole, so they play to their net scores. The player with the lowest net score on each hole wins the skin.
Mixed Skins
You can mix it up by alternating between gross and net skins on different holes or have separate pots for both gross and net skins. This approach gives players more opportunities for winning a skin and can increase competitiveness throughout the round.
Strategy in Skins Games
Strategically taking risks is a big part of playing a skins game in golf, even more so when you have varying hole values and carryover involved.
Consider a more aggressive approach on holes when the value of a carryover has accumulated over the previous few holes. For example, if you're playing the third hole after two tied holes, it is the right time to get more aggressive in some shots or putts to collect all those skins.
Skins Game Side Bets
Golf skins games are much more entertaining when you spice it up with additional challenges and side bets. These side games bring out the competitive spirit in the players and make the round more enjoyable.
Closest to the Pin
Ideal for par 3s, each player in the group contributes a predetermined amount to the pot. The rest is pretty simple: land your tee shot closer to the hole than any of your competitors, and you win the pot.
In the RARE event that two or more players have the same distance away or the less rare event that no one lands on the green, the pot can be split or carried over to the next par 3.
Longest Drive
Again, each participant agrees on a specific amount to wager per hole or allocates a fixed sum for multiple holes featuring this side bet.
Whoever hits their driver the furthest on the hole and, MOST commonly, keeps their ball in the fairway wins the pot.
To reiterate, you generally won't win the pot if you have the longest drive on the hole, but your ball is in the rough. I have not seen it too often, but if all participants agree, you can include shots in the rough.
The rules for your particular match should be determined beforehand.
FAQ
How do handicaps affect the scoring in a skins game of golf?
When handicaps are used, each player receives strokes according to their handicap, which are applied to the most challenging holes on the course. In this approach, players can still compete for skins by factoring in their adjusted scores for each hole.
What is the history and origin of the skins game in golf?
The origin of the skins game in golf dates back to the early 20th century, though its precise origin is unclear. Some believe it originated in Scotland, while others claim it was first played in North America.
The concept gained popularity in the 1980s, thanks to the televised "Skins Game," an annual event featuring golf legends competing for significant cash prizes. Nowadays, the skins format is commonly used in friendly matches and club tournaments.
Either way, no matter where its true origins lie, it is a hell of a fun way to spice up golf.