How to Play Team Skins in Golf

A team skins game is one of the most thrilling ways to put your skills and teamwork to the test on the golf course. It shifts the focus from your total score to simply winning individual holes, injecting a dose of high-stakes pressure into every shot. This guide will walk you through exactly how to play, the common formats, and the strategies you'll need to walk off the 18th green with the winnings and bragging rights.

What Exactly is a Team Skins Game?

At its heart, a skins game is a hole-by-hole competition. Forget about stringing together 18 solid holes for a good overall score. In skins, your only goal is to post a better score on a single hole than any other team. Each hole is assigned a "skin," which typically holds a monetary value. The team that wins a hole outright - meaning they have the lowest score, with no ties - wins the skin for that hole.

If two or more teams tie for the low score on a hole, the skin is not awarded. Instead, it "carries over" and is added to the value of the next hole. Holes can continue to carry over, creating a massive pot later in the round that can make a single shot incredibly valuable and nervy.

When you play in a team format, you’re not competing solo. You and a partner work together, using your combined efforts to try and post the single lowest score on each hole. This adds a fantastic layer of camaraderie and strategy to an already exciting format.

How to Play Team Skins: The Most Common Formats

The beauty of team skins is its flexibility. You can apply the skins principle to several different team formats. While you can use almost any format you like, there are three that are by far the most popular for this style of competition. Here's how each one works.

1. Two-Person Best Ball (also known as Four-Ball)

This is the most common format for a team skins game, as it allows every player to play their own ball from tee to green on every hole.

How it Works:

• Each of the four golfers in the group (two per team) plays their own golf ball throughout the hole.
• At the end of the hole, the two partners on each team compare their individual scores.
• The lower of the two scores becomes that team's official score for the hole.
• The team with the lower "best ball" score for that hole wins the skin.

Example:

Let's say Team A (You and Jim) are playing Team B (Sarah and Dave). The first hole is a Par 4 and a single skin is up for grabs.

• You make a 5, but your partner Jim makes a 4 (par). Team A's score is a 4.
• Sarah makes a 5, and her partner Dave also makes a 5. Team B's score is a 5.

Result: Team A wins the hole with a 4 versus Team B's 5. You and Jim win the skin for the first hole. The second hole will be for one new skin.

2. Two-Person Scramble

A scramble is a favorite for players of all skill levels because it takes some of the pressure off individual shots and puts the emphasis on teamwork and decision-making.

How it Works:

• Both players on a team hit a tee shot.
• They walk up and decide which of the two tee shots is in the best position.
• They pick up the other ball, and both players hit their second shot from the location of the best tee shot.
• This process continues for every shot - choosing the best ball and both playing from that spot - until the team holes out.

Example:

It's the 3rd hole, and two skins from previous ties have carried over, meaning this hole is worth three skins. It's a Par 5.

• On Team A, your drive goes 220 yards into the light rough. Jim crushes his 270 yards down the middle. You both play your second shots from Jim's drive.
• On Team B, Sarah's drive is great, and they choose hers. Both she and Dave hit their second shots, putting them in perfect position for their third.
• Team A ends up making an eagle 3. Team B makes a birdie 4.

Result: Team A's score of 3 beats Team B's 4. Team A wins the three skins available on that hole.

3. Alternate Shot (also known as Foursomes)

This is arguably the most demanding team format and requires the most precise teamwork. One bad shot can put your partner in a tough spot, so communication and a positive attitude are everything.

How it Works:

• Each team plays only one ball.
• Players on a team take turns hitting shots. One player tees off on the odd-numbered holes, and the other tees off on the even-numbered holes.
• After the tee shot, players simply alternate shots until the ball is in the hole.

Example:

It's the 10th hole, which is even. Jim teed off on hole 9 (odd), so it's your turn to tee off.

• You hit a great drive into the fairway. Jim hits the approach shot. You hit the first putt. Jim taps in for par. Team A's score is 4.
• On Team B, Sarah teed off, and Dave played the second. They end up with a 5.

Result: That's an easy win. Team A takes the skin with a 4 versus a 5.

Proven Strategies for Winning Your Team Skins Game

Playing skins isn't just about hitting good shots - it's about hitting the right shots at the right time. The strategy changes depending on the format you're playing.

Best Ball Strategy

• The "Safe" and "Aggressive" Player: This is the classic best-ball strategy. If one player is in a great position after their tee shot (e.g., in the middle of the fairway), they should aim for the safe part of the green to guarantee a par. This frees up the other player to be aggressive - take a direct line at a tucked pin, go for a par 5 in two, or try to drive a short par 4. If the aggressive play works, you can win the hole. If it doesn't, you still have your partner's safe score to hopefully tie.
• Communicate Constantly: Before every shot, talk to your partner. "I'm in the fairway, 150 out. I’m just going to hit an easy 8-iron to the middle. You can go right at it." This ensures you're always working together and not duplicating efforts.
• Putt to Your Advantage: If your partner is already in for par and you have a birdie putt, you have a "free run" at it. You can be aggressive with the birdie putt because you know the par is already secured. Don't leave it short!

Scramble Strategy

• Leverage Your Strengths: Does one player bomb their driver? Let them hit first. If they put one in play, the second player can swing freely. Is one of you a great chipper? Try to put your approach shots in a spot where they can an use their skills around the green.
• The First Putt is a Read: In a scramble, the player who putts first is essentially providing a free read for their partner. They should focus on getting the right line, even if the speed isn't perfect. The second player can then adjust based on what they saw and charge the hole with much more confidence.
• It's Not Always the Longest Drive: The "best" position off the tee isn't always the ball that went the farthest. A drive that is 20 yards shorter but provides a perfectly flat lie and a better angle into the green is often the smarter choice than one that's a bit longer but in an awkward spot.

Alternate Shot Strategy

• Pairing is Everything: Before the round, figure out who takes the odd and even holes. If there's a driveable par 4 on an odd hole, you want your longest driver teeing off on the odds. If the finish is full of tricky approach shots, you might want your best iron player hitting into those specific greens.
• Play to Your Partner's Strengths: Your job is to set your partner up for success. If your partner struggles with 50-yard pitch shots, don't leave them a 50-yard approach. Try to lay up to a full wedge distance they are more comfortable with.
• Positive Reinforcement Only: Apologizing for a bad shot is the worst thing you can do in alternate shot. It adds pressure and negative energy. Just say, "No problem, we'll get it from there" and move on. Keeping a positive, team-first attitude is more important here than in any other format.

Setting Up a Fair and Fun Game

To avoid arguments on the first tee, it's best to agree on a clear set of rules before you start playing.

• Set Clear Stakes: Decide on the value of each skin (e.g., $5 per hole). Will you have a separate "pot" for the team with the most skins at the end? Define everything before play begins.
• How to Handle Handicaps: For a fair game, you should use handicap strokes. In a Best Ball game, the team's "net" best ball score is used. This means you apply a player's handicap strokes on the holes where they are assigned. For example, if a player gets a stroke on the 3rd hole and makes a 5, their net score is a 4. This levels the playing field so everyone can compete.
• Decide on Carryovers and The 18th Hole: Confirm that tied holes carry over. The big question to answer is: what happens if the 18th hole is tied and there are carryover skins? The most common solution is a sudden-death playoff, heading back to the 1st tee (or a designated playoff hole) to determine the winner of those final skins.

A team skins game adds a wonderful RUSH of competitive energy to a round. It forces you to think strategically, step up under pressure, and work closely with your partner. Give it a try on your next weekend outing, it will make every shot count.

Final Thoughts

Team skins are a fantastic way to break away from traditional stroke play, creating a memorable round where every hole presents a new opportunity for a victory. By understanding the formats and applying smart, team-based strategy, you can enjoy one of the most exciting and collaborative ways to compete on the golf course.

We know that a single shot can make or break a skins match, and making the smart decision under pressure is everything. That’s why we built Caddie AI. It offers instant, on-course guidance - whether you need a gut-check on club selection or a clear strategy when you’re facing a tricky lie with a skin on the line, you have an expert opinion right in your pocket. It's designed to give you that extra bit of confidence to execute the winning shot when it matters most.