Playing skins golf is one of the most exciting ways to add a little competitive fire to your regular foursome. Instead of just playing for a final score, every single hole becomes its own battle. I'll walk you through exactly how to set up and play a skins game with four players, including handicaps, variations, and a little strategy to help you take home the cash.
Skins is a popular type of golf gambling played hole-by-hole. The goal is straightforward: win a hole outright. To win a "skin" - which is just another name for the prize for each hole - you must post a score lower than all three of your opponents on that hole. One great tee shot or one clutch putt can win you money, regardless of what you do on any other hole.
The real fun begins when there's a tie. If two or more players tie for the lowest score on a hole, no one wins the skin. Instead, it gets pushed, or "carried over," to the next hole. That next hole is now worth two skins. This can create situations where one hole can be worth five, six, or even more skins, leading to some high-pressure, exciting shots.
Before you even step onto the first tee, your group needs to agree on a few simple rules. Getting this sorted out beforehand makes for a smooth and fun round where everyone is on the same page.
First, decide how much each skin is worth. This can be anything your group is comfortable with, from $1 to $20 or more. A good starting point for a friendly game is often between $2 and $5 per skin. With 18 holes, this creates a decent pot without breaking anyone's budget.
Here’s how the math works for the total pot:
Total Pot = 18 Holes x (Value Per Skin)
Let’s say you decide on $5 per skin. For 18 holes, the total pot will be $90. Playing with four people, each player contributes an equal share to the pot at the beginning of the round.
Player Contribution = Total Pot / 4 Players
So, in our $5/skin example, each of the four players would put $22.50 ($90 / 4) into the pot. At the end of the round, you simply pay players their winnings from this pot based on how many skins they won.
This is probably the most important decision for ensuring a fair and competitive game, especially if your foursome has a mix of skill levels. You have two main options:
This is the most common and fair way to play. Each player uses their course handicap to determine where they get strokes. The player with the lowest net score wins the hole. Here’s how to do it:
Example: On a par-4 that is the 5th-hardest hole (HCP 5), a scratch golfer (0 handicap) shoots a 4. A 12-handicap golfer also shoots a 4, but with their handicap stroke, their net score becomes a 3. In this case, the 12-handicapper wins the skin outright.
This is the simpler version. No handicaps are used. The lowest raw score on the hole wins the skin. This works best when all four players are of very similar ability. If there's a big skill gap, the higher handicap players will struggle to win any skins, which can make the game less fun for them.
Once the money is in the pot and the handicap situation is sorted, you're ready to play. The rules during the round are simple to follow.
One of the best a_featurespects_ of a skins game is that you can adapt it with your own "house rules." Here are a couple of popular ones:
Playing skins isn't about shooting the lowest 18-hole total, it's about winning individual holes. This requires a shift in mindset and strategy.
The math of skins rewards aggressive play, especially when multiple skins are on the line. If a par 5 is reachable in two, and there are three skins up for grabs, it's almost always worth going for it. Making a bogey trying to get an eagle has the same result as making a safe par if someone else also makes par - you don't win the skin anyway. So you might as well take the risk for the big payoff. Fire at flags and try to make birdies. A simple par often won't be enough to win when several skins are on the line.
On the other side, sometimes a simple par is a golden score. If you're on a very tough hole (like the #1 handicap hole) playing for a single skin, your opponents may find trouble. Hitting the fairway, getting on the green, and securing a two-putt par can often be enough to win the skin while others are scrambling for bogeys or worse. Watch your opponents. If two players are already in trouble after their tee shots, your priority should shift to just making a solid, mistake-free par.
After the last putt drops, head to the clubhouse for the most rewarding part: counting up the skins. The process is simple because you already created a pot at the start.
And that's it! Just hand each person their winnings from the pot. It’s a clean and easy way to settle up.
Skins is a fantastic game that adds a layer of competitive excitement to any round with your friends. By focusing on winning holes rather than just the total score, it turns routine pars and important birdies into high-stakes moments that make the game even more memorable - and rewarding.
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