What Is Bingo Bango Bongo in Golf?

Bingo Bango Bongo transforms a regular round of golf into a strategic battle where every shot counts, regardless of your handicap. It’s one of the most popular and inclusive scoring games you can play, and learning its simple rules is the first step to adding a new layer of excitement to your next outing. This guide will walk you through exactly what the game is, how a point is scored for each part, and the specific strategies you can use to start taking your friends’ money on the course.

What Exactly Is Bingo Bango Bongo?

At its core, Bingo Bango Bongo is a points-based golf game designed for a group of two, three, or four players. Unlike standard medal play, where only the final score matters, this game rewards specific achievements on every single hole. Three points are up for grabs on each hole, and they’re awarded for three distinct accomplishments: Bingo, Bango, and Bongo.

The beauty of the game is that it neutralizes skill gaps. A high-handicapper has just as much of a chance to win points as a scratch golfer. Why? Because the order of play is what matters most. The game follows the fundamental golf etiquette of "farthest from the hole plays first." This simple rule is the foundation of the game's strategy and what makes it so engaging. You’re not just trying to get the lowest score, you’re trying to be the first to accomplish certain milestones, or to be the most accurate when it's your turn to play after others have made their moves.

This format encourages crafty thinking and smart course management over raw power. It makes every player in the group stay focused on every shot, because a point is always just one good (or strategically placed) swing away.

The Three Ways to Earn a Point

The heart of the game lives in its three distinctive points. Understanding what each one represents is the key to competing. Let's break down how you win each of the three points available on every hole.

The "Bingo" Point: First on the Green

The very first point on any given hole is the Bingo. This point is awarded to the player who is the first to get their ball onto the putting surface. It sounds simple, but this is where the game's strategy begins. It doesn’t matter if you piped a 300-yard drive and hit a crisp iron to 5 feet, or if you duffed your tee shot, smacked a layup down the fairway, and then finally hit the green with your third shot. If your ball gets on the putting surface before anyone else in your group, you win the Bingo.

Because the player furthest from the hole always hits first, being a shorter hitter or playing conservatively can actually become an advantage. If your partners all hit long drives, they will have to wait for you, the player further back, to hit your approach shot. This gives you the first crack at the green and the Bingo point.

The "Bango" Point: Closest to the Pin

The second point is the Bango. This one is awarded to the player whose ball is closest to the pin after every player's ball is on the green. This point can't be decided until all players have successfully reached the putting surface. The moment the last player's ball lands on the green, you figure out who has the Bango point.

Again, the order of play is everything. Getting your ball on the green first for the Bingo is great, but it means you have to watch while everyone else gets a chance to nestle their ball inside yours. Conversely, being the last person to hit onto the green gives you a tremendous advantage. You know exactly where the mark is - you've seen everyone else's shots, and you know the distance you need to beat. A well-placed chip or approach shot can easily steal the Bango from someone who thought they had it locked up.

The "Bongo" Point: First to Hole Out

The final point on the hole is the Bongo, and it rewards the player who is the first to get their ball in the cup. It's the putt that matters here. Just like the other points, the golfer who is furthest from the hole putts first.

This creates a fun dynamic on the green. The player who won the Bango point for being closest to the pin might seem like a shoo-in for the Bongo. But if they're only two feet away, they have to wait for everyone else to attempt their longer putts. If a player from 30 feet away dramatically rolls their ball into the cup for a birdie, they snatch the Bongo point. This is also where quick three-putts can cost you. If you get aggressive with your first putt and roll it six feet past the hole, you might end up putting again before the player who was originally farther away, giving them the chance to clean up for the Bongo.

A Step-By-Step Guide to Playing the Game

Ready to try it out? Playing Bingo Bango Bongo is straightforward. Here’s a simple rundown of how to set up and play a game during your next round.

1. Establish the Stakes: Before you tee off on the first hole, decide what you're playing for. Most groups assign a monetary value to each point (e.g., $0.50, $1, $5 per point). Alternatively, you can just play for bragging rights. The winner of the game is the person with the most total points at the end of 18 holes. Settle the bets on the 19th hole.
2. Honor the Order of Play: The rules of "ready golf" get a slight adjustment here. After teeing off, the player whose ball is farthest from the hole always plays next. This is non-negotiable and essential for the game to work. This rule applies from the fairway, the rough, and on the putting green.
3. Award the "Bingo": As soon as the first player's ball comes to rest on the putting surface, they win the "Bingo" point for that hole. Make a note of it on the scorecard. The player has to be officially on the green, not on the fringe.
4. Award the "Bango": Play continues until all players in the group have their balls on the green. Once the last ball is on, stop and determine whose is closest to the hole. That person wins the "Bango" point. Note it on the scorecard.
5. Award the "Bongo": The putting commences. Remember, the player furthest away putts first. The moment a player holes out, they win the "Bongo" point. Continue with this process for all 18 holes.
6. Tally the Score: At the end of the round, each player counts up their total points. The player with the highest total is the winner. For example, if points are worth $1 each and Player A has 25 points, Player B has 17, and Player C has 12, then B owes A $8 and C owes A $13.

What About Ties?

It’s important to establish "house rules" before you start. What happens if two players hit the green on the same shot (like a chip-in and a putt from the fringe simultaneously)? What if two players are an equal distance from the pin for the Bango? A common solution is to either split the point (half a point each) or carry the point over to the next hole, making the next one more valuable. Decide this as a group on the first tee box to avoid arguments later.

Strategy: How to Become a Bingo Bango Bongo Sharpshooter

Winning isn't just about luck. To dominate this game, you need to adjust your mindset and play the course differently. Here are some strategies to help you rack up points.

Strategy for Winning the Bingo

Forget trying to out-drive your friends. The goal is to be first on, not best on.

• Play to be last: On your second shot on a par 4 or third on a par 5, your goal is to be slightly shorter than your opponents. If they are 150 yards out and you are 160 yards out, you get to hit first. This gives you a great shot at the Bingo. Intentionally hitting a safe 3-wood off the tee instead of a risky driver could be a winning play.
• Go for the middle: Don’t be a hero. Aim for the largest part of the green. Flag-hunting can get you in trouble and cause you to miss the green entirely. A ball safely on the putting surface, even 50 feet away, wins the Bingo. A brilliant shot that ends up in a green-side bunker wins nothing.

Strategy for Winning the Bango

When everyone is on the greenハイ, it pays to have played your approach shot well.

• The last-shot advantage: If you are the last person to hit onto the green, you have the ultimate advantage. You know exactly what you need to beat. Take an extra moment to focus and try to stick your shot closer than anyone else's.
• Become a lag putt master: If you're on the green but far away from the hole, you’ll be putting first. A great lag putt that cozies up next to the hole puts immense pressure on everyone else. You might not win the Bango with that first putt, but you will set yourself up well for the Bongo.

Strategy for Winning the Bongo

Steady nerves and a reliable putting stroke are your best friends here.

• Don't get too aggressive: The primary goal is to avoid three-putting. Getting your first putt close is more important than trying to drain a 40-footer. If you race your first putt way past the hole, you'll likely be putting again before your opponents, taking yourself out of contention for the Bongo.
• Capitalize when you're farthest away: If you had a poor approach shot and you have the longest putt on the green, this is your moment. You get the first attempt at draining a putt for the win. Take your time, read the break carefully, and give it a good roll. You might just steal a point.

Final Thoughts

Bingo Bango Bongo serves as a fantastic reminder that golf is a game of strategy, not just brute force. It shifts the focus from an untouchable low score to achievable victories on every single hole, creating a fun, competitive, and engaging atmosphere for players of all abilities.

To win consistently, you need to think your way around the course, and that's exactly what my team and I aimed to help you do when we developed Caddie AI. Making smart on-course choices, like knowing whether to lay up for the Bingo or go for the Bango, is exactly where our app can provide assistance. When you describe the hole, we can provide a simple strategy and club recommendation, helping you make the kind of calculated decisions that rack up points and build confidence with every swing.