Playing a friendly competitive match is one of the best ways to get more out of your golf round. Tee games add a layer of focus, camaraderie, and excitement that can turn an average day on the course into a memorable one. This guide will walk you through the rules, strategies, and nuances of some of the most popular golf tee games so you can confidently suggest or jump into a game on the first tee.
Before we get into specific games, it’s important to understand two core concepts that make them fair and fun: handicaps and stakes.
Handicaps: Most serious betting games use handicaps to level the playing field. When a player "gets a stroke" on a hole, it means their gross score is reduced by one for betting purposes. For example, if a player who gets a stroke on the 3rd handicap hole shoots a 5, their "net" score for the hole is 4. This allows players of different abilities to compete against each other fairly. Always determine how strokes will be allocated before the round begins.
Stakes: The stakes don't have to be monetary. You can play for pride, post-round drinks, or a simple dollar-a-point. The goal is to create just enough pressure to make the shots matter. Agree on the value of each bet or point before you tee off to avoid any confusion later.
Here are a few of the most popular and enjoyable games you can play on the golf course. We'll cover how each one works, what makes it great, and some simple strategies to give you an edge.
Wolf is a fantastic game for a regular foursome because the partners change on every hole, creating interesting dynamics and a lot of action. It’s all about strategy, timing, and nerve.
The beauty of Wolf is in the decision-making. As the Wolf, you need a good partner, but on which hole do you use the best player in your group? If the best player hits a fairway on a long par 4, maybe you take them. But if they find trouble, you might wait for a more consistent player. Choosing to go Lone Wolf is the ultimate risk/reward. It's often best done on a par 5 you know you can birdie or an easy par 4 where you have a strong chance to make a good score on your own.
The Nassau is perhaps the most famous golf bet in the world. It’s simple, elegant, and provides three opportunities to win (orlose) in one match.
A Nassau is essentially three separate bets wrapped into one round of golf:
A "$5 Nassau" means each of these three bets is worth $5, for a total of $15 at risk. It’s typically played head-to-head (1-vs-1) or as a team game (2-vs-2 Best Ball).
To add more action, players can "press the bet." A press is a second bet that runs for the remainder of that nine. It is typically proposed by the player or team that is losing by two holes or more (being "2-down"). If the press is accepted, a new bet of the same value starts on the next tee and covers only the remaining holes of that nine. For example, if you are losing the front nine bet and are 3-down with 4 to play, you might "press". This new bet is for the last four holes of the front nine. You can still lose the original front nine bet, but you have a chance to win the "press" and break even.
The Nassau is a game of endurance. A bad start doesn't ruin your day because the back nine is a fresh start. The key is knowing when to press. Pressing when you're down can be a good way to get back into the match, but it also increases your risk. A good rule of thumb is to only press when you have the "honor" (you won the previous hole) and are standing on the tee of a hole you feel confident about.
This is the perfect game for groups with a wide range of skill levels because it doesn't just reward low scores. It gives every player a chance to win points on every hole for different achievements.
On every hole, there are three points up for grabs:
The most important rule in Bingo Bango Bongo is to follow proper golf etiquette regarding the order of play. The player who is furthest from the hole always hits next. This is what makes the game fair.
To win the "Bingo" point, you don't need to hit your approach shot stiff. You just need to be the first one on. Sometimes, that means laying up or hitting a safe shot to the fringe, then being the first to chip on. The "Bango" point is all about lag putting. Getting your first putt close is essential. For the "Bongo" point, holing a tricky 4-footer under pressure after everyone else has missed becomes a huge moment.
A Skins game is a hole-by-hole competition where each hole is worth a "skin." To win a skin, a player must win the hole outright with the lowest score in the group. No ties allowed!
Skins is a game of aggression, especially on holes where skins have carried over. You need to win the hole outright. This means thinking about making birdies, not just pars. If you have an opportunity to go for a green in two on a par 5, in a skins game, you almost always take the risk. Conservative a and laying up often leads to pars, which only results in ties (pushes) and rarely wins skins.
Golf tee games are a fantastic way to energize your round, practice playing under pressure, and strengthen bonds with your golfing partners. By learning the rules for games like Wolf, Nassau, Skins, and Bingo Bango Bongo, you can introduce a new level of fun and friendly competition to every outing.
Winning these games often comes down to executing the right shot when it counts. To provide you with more confidence in those tense moments, we developed Caddie AI. When you're deciding on a risky shot to win a skin or facing a toughlie on a hole where you're the Lone Wolf, you can ask for instant, data-driven strategy and clear recommendations. It's like having a tour-level coach and caddie right in your pocket, helping you make smarter decisions so you can focus on hitting great shots and, most importantly, win the next press.
Thinking about hosting a golf tournament fundraiser is the first swing, executing it successfully is what gets the ball in the hole. This guide will walk you through the entire process, step-by-step, from laying the initial groundwork months in advance to watching your happy golfers tee off. We’ll cover everything from securing sponsors and setting your budget to planning the on-course fun that makes an event unforgettable.
A golf handicap does more than just give you bragging rights (or a reason to demand strokes from your friends) - it’s the game’s great equalizer and the single best way to track your improvement. This guide breaks down what a handicap is, how the supportive math behind a handicap index a is, and exactly how you can get one for yourself. We’ll look at everything from Course Rating to Adjusted Gross Score, helping you feel confident both on the course and in the clubhouse.
The compression of a Pinnacle Rush golf ball is one of its most defining features, engineered specifically to help a huge swath of golfers get more distance and enjoyment from their game. We'll break down exactly what its low compression means, who it's for, and how you can use that knowledge to shoot lower scores.
Figuring out which spikes go into your new (or old) pair of Puma golf shoes can feel like a puzzle, but it’s much simpler than you think. The key isn't the brand of the shoe, but the type of receptacle system they use. This guide will walk you through exactly how to identify your Puma's spike system, choose the perfect replacements for your game, and change them out like a pro.
The Golf Genius app is one of the best tools for managing and participating in competitive golf events, but figuring it out for the first time can feel like reading a new set of greens. This guide cuts through the confusion and shows you exactly how to use the app as a player. We’ll cover everything from logging into your tournament and entering scores to checking the live leaderboard so you can enjoy the competition without any tech headaches.
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