Tired of the same old stroke play or four-ball match? A Golf Dogfight is a points-based betting game that turns every hole into its own competition, keeping your entire group locked in and engaged from the first tee to the eighteenth green. This article will break down everything you need to know about the Dogfight format, including the rules, the scoring systems, common variations, and a little strategy to help you take home the cash (or at least the bragging rights).
At its core, a Dogfight is an individual points game played within a group, most commonly a foursome. Instead of tracking your total strokes against the other players, your goal is to accumulate the most points over 18 holes. Points are awarded based on your net score for each hole, and the player with the highest total at the end of the round wins.
The beauty of this format is that it prevents one or two bad holes from ruining your entire round. In stroke play, a disastrous 8 or 9 on a single hole can effectively take you out of the running. In a Dogfight, you simply earn zero points for that hole and have a fresh chance to score on the very next tee. This dynamic keeps everyone competitive and makes the round more exciting, especially for groups with a wide range of handicaps.
The key to a successful Dogfight is making sure everyone understands the scoring system before you start. While there are a few variations, the most common format uses a simple points-per-score structure. Since scores are calculated on a net basis, using handicaps is an absolute must to create a fair game.
Most Dogfight games use a structure that heavily rewards good scores while only punishing truly awful ones. A widely used system looks like this:
As you can see, the points double for each score under par. This creates big swings and makes birdies and eagles incredibly valuable. At the same time, the penalty for a bad hole isn't a negative number, you simply "wipe" and get zero points for the hole, which is much easier to recover from mentally.
Since the entire game is built on "net" scores, knowing your handicap and how to apply it is fundamental. Your Course Handicap determines how many strokes you get during a round. For example, if you are a 14 handicap, you get 14 strokes. This means you will "subtract" one stroke from your gross score on the 14 most difficult holes on the course (holes handicapped 1 through 14).
Let's break it down with an example:
You’re playing a par-4 that is the #5 handicap hole on the scorecard. As a 14-handicap golfer, you get a stroke on this hole.
Before you tee off, your group should confirm each player’s handicap and take a quick look at the scorecard to identify which holes each player gets strokes on.
At the end of the round, each player totals up their 18-hole score. Let's say your group establishes a value of $1 per point. There are two primary ways to handle the payout.
This is a points-based version of a skins game where everyone contributes to a pot and the high-point winner takes all (or gets a larger share). It’s simpler to calculate but can create a runaway winner.
This is the most common and arguably the fairest way to settle up. Each player compares their final point total against every other player in the group, and a separate bet is settled for each matchup. It sounds complicated, but it's pretty straightforward once you walk through it.
Example Four-Person Payout:
Here’s how Player A settles their bets at $1 per point:
Player A collects_ $16 in total. You would then repeat this calculation for every other player combination (B vs. C, B vs. D, and C vs. D) to settle all bets. Everyone has a chance to win or lose money to everyone else, keeping it interesting down to the very last putt.
Here’s where a Dogfight gets really fun. Most games include a set of bonus points - often called "Trash," "Junk," or simply a "Blitz" - for specific in-round achievements. These are optional points your group should agree upon beforehand. They add an extra layer of competition to every shot.
Like the main point system, the Blitz values are up to your group. Here's a standard list to get you started (+1 point for each unless listed otherwise):
Groups also add negative Blitzes to penalize mistakes:
It's important to clarify which style of Dogfight your group is playing, as the "Nine-Point Game" is sometimes used interchangeably but is a different format entirely.
In a Nine-Point Game, a total of 9 points are available on each hole, and they are distributed based on your foursome's finishes relative to each other.
If there's a tie, the points are split. For example, if two players tie for the best score, they would split the first and second place points ((5 + 3) / 2 = 4 points each). The next best score would get 1 point. While it's a great game, it's focused on competing hole-by-hole rather than accumulating points toward a single large total.
Now that you know the rules, how do you win? A Dogfight rewards a specific style of play. Thinking like a coach, here’s how I'd advise a player to approach the game.
This is priority number one. Your main goal is not to fill your card with birdies, but to eradicate the zero-point hole. A round with 18 net bogeys (18 points) is far better than a round with 3 net birdies (12 points) and 15 double bogeys (0 points). Play conservatively. Take your medicine on a bad shot. Punch out of trouble instead of attempting the a low-percentage hero shot. Survive to fight on the next hole.
You must know which holes you get strokes on. These are your golden opportunities. A par-4 that is the #3 handicap hole offers you a massive advantage. Making a gross par there is worth 4 points (for a net birdie). These are the holes to be a little more aggressive on, knowing you have a scoring buffer.
Don't let the temptation of a +1 "Sandy" point cause you to play a risky bunker shot that could lead to a net double bogey and 0 points. Focus on securing your core points first. The Blitzes are bonuses, they should never compromise a solid hole. A smart player knows when to chase a Blitz and when to play for the safe net par.
The game is a marathon, not a sprint. Your buddy might start hot with a string of net birdies, but the game has a way of evening out. If you have a couple of zero-point holes, don't press. Just reset and remind yourself that the next tee is a new opportunity to get back on the board. Consistent, steady play usually prevails.
The Dogfight is an exceptionally fun and tactical golf format that brings a unique competitive edge to a casual round. It balances the playing field through handicaps and keeps every golfer in the game by making each hole its own miniature battle, rewarding both great shots and, more importantly, smart, steady play.
When every point matters, especially in games like a Dogfight, making the smartest decision under pressure is everything. A tool like Caddie AI becomes incredibly valuable for this kind of strategic play. You get instant on-course guidance to help avoid those devastating, zero-point mistakes. If you're facing a tough lie, unsure of your club selection, or wondering what the smart play is, you get a reliable second opinion in seconds. It’s designed to eliminate the guesswork, allowing you to play with more confidence and make the kind of course management decisions that maximize your points and win you the game.
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.
Walking onto the first tee with sweaty palms, worried you’ll be a good partner to paly wtih...or even asked back again ...We’ve all been there - trust me! The real trick of feeling confortable... is about how you handle you’re ready to plsy. THIS guide explains the simple rules of the rode to show you hnow t play golf while staying calm relaxed and focused... an having much morse fun while you,',re aat it? You'll also play with confidence a dn make fiendsa while you're at i
Just ask a question or share a photo and Caddie gives personalized guidance for every shot - anytime, anywhere.
