Golf and Gambling

[PlaidJacket]

Do you gamble/wager/bet when you play? I'd guess most of you do. Personally I gamble/wager/bet probably every round I play to one degree or another. It keeps things interesting and fun IMO. Today I'm posting a few simple rules of gambling. Golf specifically...

 

FOR EXAMPLE:

A couple of times recently some guy in the "game" has become upset after the round because he lost or perhaps lost more than he "thought" he would or should have. This isn't the same person. Just guys in general that are playing in the group or game that day. Sometimes the group might be 4-5-6-8 players. Other times it can be many more. We don't play for large sums of money. Most times we'll play a Match Play nassau where everyone is playing everyone else in the group. Our Nassau's are usually $2+$2+$2, $3+$3+$3 or maybe even $5+$5+$5. Sometimes we'll make the Nassau $3+$3+$6 or $2+$2+$4 for example. We'll also include a concurrent Skins game at times. The Skins will either carry-over or not on each hole. Just depends what everyone wants to do. Individual wagers are many times included as well as Junk. (birdies, greenies, sandies) It all depends on what everyone wants to do and how much they want to wager. Generally speaking the bets are usually low in value. We like to play Match Play because it keeps the game friendly so to speak. For instance if a guy makes an 8 on a hole he only loses that hole. Not 4 strokes to a par. Presses are allowed anytime. However, the bets/wager for any single player can add-up quickly if they choose to "press" their bet. So a simple $2 Nassau and assuming the guy was swept without pressing would cost him $6 without any presses on his behalf. Of course his bet could easily double or more with presses that he wagered and lost!

 

Simple Rules:

 

1. If you're going to gamble/wager/bet... understand the game & bet. Ask questions if you don't.

2. Know your potential exposure.

3. Make sure before the match that you have money in your pocket to cover your losses.

4. Keep your own scores as a backup.

5. Settle your losses without undue delay. (don't make people hunt you down)

6. Accept your wins with class. (and your losses!)

7. Never bet more than you're willing to lose.

8. Never leave the course without first settling your bets.

[Liberty Ball Markers]

Great advise. I play with a strange group - a couple that won't gamble because they are sure they'll lose, one whose wife won't let him, and one who is a huge a$$hole if he wins and even worse if he loses...

 

The few that are willing to gamble will do some per-hole betting if the above folks are not playing.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy

[PMookie]

I do not enjoy golfing and betting. For me, if I have money on the line, it's serious, even for $2, and I'm not going to laugh it up and have fun. My competitive nature kicks-in and I'm there to win. I don't have fun, I'm not enjoyable to play with, so I do NOT bet.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy

[BigtazzGolf]

Our group does a $5-$5-$5 bet of skins, greenies and net each week. It's not gonna break the bank and adds a lil excitement to the round.

Guys have the option of not being in the bet either. So anyone that doesn't feel good about it can still play with no trouble.

 

Tazz

[downlowkey]

I always appreciate a little action to jangle the nerves. Group size determines the game. If we have 3 it's 9 point, 4 or more is wolf. I don't personally like mixing nassau bets with per hole games. To me, the strategic approaches are disparate. My favorite bet is 18 holes straight up for a fun ticket.

[ole gray]

We have a weekly blitz where you throw 5 bucks in the pot and we usually have enough competing to pay three places.  Most you can win pending size of group is around 30 bucks or so....   Each group then has their own little game and most of the time folks play rabbit with greenies added to the mix. Sometimes we play six/six/six where you change partners every six holes. Greenies are added in this format however it becomes a team greenie then.

[hckymeyer]

We always gamble.  3 guys it's 9 point.  4 guys it's scotch.  Not sure if that's what it's called everywhere but that's what we call it.  Each hole is worth 5 points.  1 for neary, 1 for low score, 1 for low team, 1 for birdie and if you get all 4 you get a bonus point for the package.  We start at level 3 and reset at each 9.  Team behind can press on any tee box and a push is an auto press.  We play 50 cents a point.  We also added a couple local rules for our game.  If you have neary and 3 putt you lose it.  If both guys on the same team birdie on a package you get a 6th point as a bonus.  If you win more than $10 you have to buy the other guys a beer after.

 

Then most of the time we end up shaking dice in the clubhouse after.  Favorite games are 6-5-4, Horses and Pair & a Point.

[bullldog]

Sometimes,

one group likes to play just small Nassau, couple of dollars & greenies (closest to the pin par 3s).

Another group plays birdies & greenies

Greenies have to be earned... make @ least par

[Kenny B]

Most of the time I just play for fun.  However, during the week, the guys I walk with play wolf.  The gangsome is $2-$2-$2; front-back-total, skins optional.  Weekend gangsome is $5-$5-$5.  I don't play the weekend game because that's about the only time my wife and I get to play together since she still works.

 

About 20 years ago when I was a 20 capper, I played at another club.  During the summer in the evenings, several of the better players would get a game together and I would join in just for fun.  Two teams:  one captain was the club pro, the other captain was was a very good amateur who held the course record of 61 on the par 70 course.  Other players were past club champions that were around scratch and one guy that just past his PAT.  What in the hell was I doing in this group?  It was a learning experience for me, and the guys put up with me.  However, this particular evening I did not know what was going on.  I think the bet was $5 for the 9 holes, but there were presses.  I didn't even know what a press was!  I don't remember how many presses there were, but there were a lot of them, and we were down.  The last hole was #9 and it was really getting dark; dark enough that I would have normally quit after #8.  I do remember that I was on the green in three shots with a 20 foot left-to-right breaking putt for par (remember I recently posted that I was a terrible putter with what the pro said were "hands of stone"? Well, that was the pro).  I drained the putt, and it was worth a lot of money!  Don't remember how much, but we still lost a bunch!  I never got in one of those games again, I likely never will.

[JBones]

About once a month we do a pretty big $20 buy in skins game. Really stiff competition. I couldn't make the last one, but one of the guys I play with regularly shot a 66 and only won 1 skin.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy

[silver & black]

I'm not a gambler. I work too hard for the little I get. A few bucks or a beer... that's about it.

[GolfSpy Dave]

I do not enjoy golfing and betting. For me, if I have money on the line, it's serious, even for $2, and I'm not going to laugh it up and have fun. My competitive nature kicks-in and I'm there to win. I don't have fun, I'm not enjoyable to play with, so I do NOT bet.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy

Pretty much this. I'm a very introverted golfer. What I mean is that I focus on my play, not really paying attention to the scores of my partners. I want to hit the shots I know I can while hanging out with my buddies, and that's typically satisfying enough.

[cnosil]

My weekly group used to be much larger with 20+ guys showing up to play we played a $2 Nassau with $1 birdies. No presses and max out of pocket of $10. Winner paid the bar tab afterwards and if the tab was over the winnings the other team kicked in up to they $10 max.

 

Now we are much smaller 4-8 for a variety of reasons and it is mostly for fun but we occasionally play quarter skins

[chisag]

... Guess I am in the minority as I don't gamble. Never been to a casino and have no interest in gambling. I take every shot seriously and putting money on the line changes nothing for me. I imagine of I bet enough, it certainly would but that would be counter to any I play golf. If I am on a golf trip and everyone is throwing money in the pot for whatever games and bets I have no problem contributing but really don't care whether I win or lose. My interest is shooting the lowest number I can every time I play.  

... On one of my favorite courses, there is a great par 5 finishing hole I play with water on both sides off the tee, and the water on the left continues in front of the green. A great drive leaves me 180-200 and a shot that is all carry or I am in the hazard. But it is a very narrow landing area and easy to find the water on either side off the tee. It is also usually windy and the second shot is also not an easy shot. I have probably had 10-15 eagles on this hole but also many more bogies and doubles. If I were betting, I would play a DI off the tee, lay up and hit a wedge into the green. Much safer but far less fun. 

[Kenny B]

Pretty much this. I'm a very introverted golfer. What I mean is that I focus on my play, not really paying attention to the scores of my partners. I want to hit the shots I know I can while hanging out with my buddies, and that's typically satisfying enough.

You did a pretty good job of that when we played 18 months ago, if I remember correctly.  

[PlaidJacket]

I'm enjoying reading about how you guys gamble or don't. I'm like chisag somewhat... I've never set foot in a casino in Vegas either. Gambling with cards, dice, etc. has no interest to me. In fact the only gambling I do is golf and on my own game. No other sports gambling. Gambling on the golf course I think is fun. I enjoy having something riding on my game. I play better most of the times when I do. Makes me focus better. It doesn't matter how much the money as long as no one is getting hurt. Lower is better. A $2 bet might as well be $200,00 as far as I'm concerned. For one thing it's not about the Money really. Win or lose. I've seen too many times in years past where the money got out of control.... I mean hundreds if not thousand of dollars. I've also seen friendships ruined over it more than once. Sad. My rule is to keep the money low and have fun.

And besides, I'm certainly no Shark with my 6 hcp. That's for sure.

[Kor.A.Door]

We put a few dollars in a pot every Saturday, some 4 somes play there own game as well. It adds a bit of stress to the round. Makes it a little bit of a competition.

[HighFade]

I like to play for $1. Strokes, or no strokes. But the loser has to sign the dollar bill. Between my brother and my regular playing partner, I had a ton of signed bills on my wall of victory. When I moved I took them down and cashed them in.

[dru_]

I play in a weekly game that we do year round. Anywhere from 8-30+ guys on any given day, and honestly I love the way the game works, because everyone wins eventually. The game also has a concurrent Skins game, and then a lot of times you'll get side bets between the core regular guys, usually a Nassau. 

We refer to the game as a Points game. Each player starts with a target points to get that is 36 - their course handicap, from the tees for their handicap and age. So, the guy with the 22 handicap needs 14 points, and the guy with the 3 needs 33 points. Points are scored using a modified Stableford off of gross (Bogey 1, Par 2, Birdie 4, Eagle 8). Each week, if you don't make your points, your points to gain goes down by half the margin between your to gain and your obtained ( with a lower limit of 10 points ).  If you make your points, but don't win any money, your points don't change, if you make your points and win, your points to gain goes up by half the margin (no upper limit).  We reset points 2x a year at each time change. Less than 10 players, pay out 1 place, 10-5, 2 places, 16+ 3 places.

At a minimum, you put $20 in, but between the points and skins, it's not unusual to see 5-6 people break even on a given day, plus the winners.  

We've never had anyone be problematic about the bets and over the years, it's been an incredibly stable group that played this format for about 15 years before I joined, 5 years ago.

[808nation]

With my friends we would have a friendly wager, if I am playing by myself I hate to play with others if they are betting because they try to immediate a PGA Tour player with every shot....slows the game down and they don't seem happy when they lose a hole

 

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using MyGolfSpy mobile app

[scooducks]

I definitely wager most rounds. My group usually does a two man best ball match play, $10-$10-$10. Venmo has made gambling on the course so much more convenient! Never an excuse not to pay up.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy

[Shankster]

Dads league partner ruined it for me. I go for fun, but if I had a good group to go on I'd probably do skins. Just not with Kevin. He is a cheat. I don't deal well with a 4 that was actually a 7.

 

He gets made when he has to putt a 4' for par or birdie. Thinks anything within 10' is a gimme.

 

Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy

[Golfspy_CG2]

Not much usually. If you count a weekly entry into a skins pool on league night, there's that.

 

Used to do $5 Nassau with a regular group. But that group doesn't play together anymore.

 

Sent from my LG-D850 using MyGolfSpy mobile app

[SwingJunkie]

I never considered it "gambling". I consider it incentive; something to play for.  

[Smalls1588]

Not only does betting make the round more fun, but it adds that pressure that everyone is looking for!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy

[silver & black]

Dads league partner ruined it for me. I go for fun, but if I had a good group to go on I'd probably do skins. Just not with Kevin. He is a cheat. I don't deal well with a 4 that was actually a 7.

 

He gets made when he has to putt a 4' for par or birdie. Thinks anything within 10' is a gimme.

 

Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy

Sounds like a few guys on my league. 

[PlaidJacket]

Played yesterday under difficult conditions. Windy and gusty. 20-25+ MPH. Boogied two of the last three holes for an 80. Whew. We had 12 players where we each put in $20 for a skins game. I also had 6 - $2-dollar nassaus going. Here's my results for the day. 

I didn't win a skin. But, I swept four guys on the Nassaus winning $24 plus and other $6 from two other guys. So... my net for the day +$10. Heh!

 

I'll again put in a plug for a great little golf betting/wagering app. It's called Strokes. I have yet to find a better app for this purpose.

Sorry... Android only. And no... I don't own it. But I wish I did.

[mrsmith123]

Sorry I'm a little late to the game for posting on here but it is a great thread 👍. I have to have some sort bet going, gives me something to focus on. I literally can't just go play golf, I have no motivation without something on the line. I love team gigs too, here are some of my favorites:

 

1. Bingo, Bango, Bongo (1 pt for who hits green first, 1 pt for who is closest to hole, 1 pt for lowest score)

2. C.O.D "Carts, opposites, drivers" (2-man teams and you change every 6 holes)

3. WOLF, one of the all time great games. And you can play with 4-8 players.

4. SKINS (I play 2-tie-all-tie)

5. 1/2 Stoke SKINS (if you play a handicapped version you give everyone a half stroke on a hole for skins purposes. That way someone essentially can't win a hole with a net par)

6. VEGAS (for a 2-man team, you take their scores each hole and combine them to form one number. The numbers are referenced in order of how the hole was finished. IE, if I finish a hole with 4 and then my partner finishes with 5, we would have 45 for our score on the hole).

 

Cheers

Burk

 

Sent from my Sprint LG G5 mobile device

[MDGolfHacker]

Not much usually. If you count a weekly entry into a skins pool on league night, there's that.

 

Used to do $5 Nassau with a regular group. But that group doesn't play together anymore.

 

Sent from my LG-D850 using MyGolfSpy mobile app

 

 

This.  I don't do too much gambling on the course, except when I swing the club, LOL.

 

MDGolfHacker