USGA Policy on Gambling
The Definition of an amateur golfer provides that an amateur golfer is one who plays the game as a non-remunerative and non-profit-making sport. When gambling motives are introduced, problems can arise which threaten the integrity of the game.
The distinction between playing for prize money, which violates the Rules of Amateur Status, and gambling, which does not, is essential to the Rules of Amateur Status. The USGA urges amateur golfers to seek USGA guidance whenever it is unclear whether the prize format constitutes playing for prize money or gambling and, in the absence of such guidance, not to play for cash prizes. Such a course of action would ensure that no one jeopardizes his amateur status.
The USGA does not object to informal wagering among individual golfers or teams of golfers when the players in general know each other, participation in the wagering is optional and is limited to the players, the sole source of all money won by the players is advanced by the players on themselves or their own teams and the amount of money involved is such that the primary purpose is the playing of the game for enjoyment.
On the other hand, organized events open to the general public or designed and promoted to create cash prizes are not approved by the USGA. Golfers participating in such events without first irrevocably waiving their right to cash prizes are deemed by the USGA to be playing for prize money.
The USGA is opposed to and urges its Member Clubs, all golf associations and all other sponsors of golf competitions to prohibit types of gambling such as: (1) Calcuttas, (2) other auction pools, (3) pari-mutuels and (4) any other forms of gambling organized for general participation or permitting participants to bet on someone other than themselves or their teams. The USGA may deny amateur status, entry in USGA Championships and membership on USGA teams for international competitions to players whose activities in connection with golf gambling, whether organized or individual, are considered by the USGA to be contrary to the best interests of golf.
©USGA, used with permission
Golf Games and On the Course Bets - ( Games and Bets # thru C )
If your favorite golf game or golf bet did not make our list, e-mail us the name and a detailed description.
1-2-3 Best Ball: "1-2-3 Best Ball" is a competition format for 4-person teams. Each player on the team plays his own ball throughout the round. On each hole, a predetermined number of the lower scores is used.
One the first hole, the lowest score among the four players’ counts as the team score. On the second hole, the two lowest scores become the team score. On the third hole, the three lowest scores become the team score. On the fourth hole, it's back to the one lowest score, and so on throughout the round.
1-2-3 Best Ball is a good way to keep all the players involved in the fate of their team.
2-2-2: "2-2-2" is just another name for the $2 Nassau. A $2 Nassau consists of three bets, each worth $2 - the front nine, the back nine and the full 18 hole score.
2-Man No Scotch Golf Tournament Format: In the 2-Man No Scotch golf tournament format, team members tee off, then switch balls, each playing the second shot from where the balls lie. Beginning with the third shot, the two team members play out the hole as a scramble, and record the one low ball as the team score.
2-Man Scramble: A 2-Man Scramble is a competition format that is exactly what it sounds like: a scramble in which the teams consist of two players each. After each shot, the best of the two shots is selected and both players play from that spot, until the ball is holed. One team score is recorded.
Also Known As: 2-Person Scramble, Two-Person Scramble
Alternate Spellings: Two-Man Scramble
2-Person Best Ball: "2-Person Best Ball" is a best-ball competition format in which the teams consist of two players. Played as one team vs. another, whether stroke play or match play, it's simply another name for Four Ball. Each player on the team plays his own ball until completing the hole, then the lower of the two scores is recorded as the team score for that hole. For more explanation, see Best Ball.
Also Known As: 2-Man Best Ball, 2-Person Better Ball, Four Ball
Alternate Spellings: Two-Person Best Ball
4-Man Cha Cha Cha: In the 4-Man Cha Cha Cha tournament format, each member of the team plays his or her ball throughout. But a 3-hole rotation exists for determining how many scores are used to create the team score.
On the first hole (cha), the one low ball counts as the team score. On the second hole (cha cha), the two low balls count as the team score. On the third hole (cha cha cha), the three low balls count as the team score. The rotation starts over on the fourth hole.
For a similar format, see Irish Four Ball.
Alternate Spellings: Four-Man Cha Cha Cha
Aces and Dueces: Definition: Aces and Dueces, sometimes called Acey Ducey, is a betting game best for groups of four golfers. On each hole, the low score (the "ace") wins an agreed upon amount from the other three players, and the high score (the "duece") loses an agreed upon amount to the other three players.
The ace bet is usually worth twice the duece bet, but groups can agree on any amount. Ties for either the ace or the duece mean that no money is paid for that bet on that hole; carryovers are optional at the discretion of the group members (decide before the round starts).
It works like this: Let's say the ace bet is for $2 and the duece bet is for $1. On the first hole, A makes 4, B makes 5, C makes 5, D makes 6. A is the "ace" and wins $2 each from B, C and D.
D is the "duece" and owes $1 each to A, B and C. So A wins a total of $7 ($2 from each B, C and D, plus another $1 from D for being the "duece"), B and C have a net loss of $1 (they each pay $2 to A but get $1 from D), and D pays out $5 ($1 to each for being the duece, plus the $2 owed to A for his "ace" score).
As you can see, this game can get expensive in a hurry if high amounts are used and one or two players dominate. Be sure to play with players of similar skills, or use full handicaps, and to set a reasonable bet amount if you're not a high-roller.
Also Known As: Acey Ducey
Acey Ducey: Definition: Acey Ducey, also called Aces and Dueces, is a betting game best for groups of four golfers. On each hole, the low score (the "ace") wins an agreed upon amount from the other three players, and the high score (the "duece") loses an agreed upon amount to the other three players. See Aces and Dueces for more explanation and examples of how the bet works.
Also Known As: Aces and Dueces
Alternate Spellings: Acie Ducie
Air Presses: "air presses" are one-hole bets between individuals that are called while a ball is in the air.
Set the bet amount before the round. Air presses are automatic; that is, if one is called, it is automatically accepted.
Say you're on the first tee. Your opponent steps up and smacks his drive, but, uh-oh, it looks like it's headed for the rough. You call an "air press," and the bet is in place. What you're betting is that you'll beat your opponent on this hole. Now you step to the tee. Your opponent has the option, while your ball is in the air, to double the bet.
Air presses can only be called by a player who has not yet hit on a hole (thereby ensuring that the opponent has the option to double the bet).
Alternate Shot: Definition: Alternate Shot, also called Foursomes, is a competition format in which 2-person teams alternate hitting the same ball. The first player tees off, the second player hits the second shot, the first player hits the third shot, and so on until the ball is holed. Tee balls are alternated so that the same player doesn't hit every drive.
Alternate Shot can be played as stroke play or match play.
Odds and Evens and Scotch Foursomes are two very slight variants of Alternate Shot.
Also Known As: Foursomes, Scotch Foursomes, Scotch Doubles
Am-Am tournament: Definition: An Am-Am tournament is one in which two amateurs are paired - "amateur-amateur," get it? Or, as we once saw an am-am described on the Web site of a tournament organizer: "You've heard of a pro-am, right? Well, we ain't got no pros."
When a tournament is labeled as an am-am, it might imply one of the following:
• That golfers who sign up to play in the tournament will be paired with a so-called celebrity (as opposed to a professional golfer)
• Or that the tournament is a big-time amateur event in which low-handicappers are competiting
It doesn't have to imply either one of those things, of course. A designation of "am-am" often just means that if you sign up to play, you'll be paired with another amateur such as yourself on a 2-person team.
Also Known As: Amateur-Amateur
Alternate Spellings: Am Am (no hyphen)
Ambrose Competition: Definition: "Ambrose Competition" is another name for a scramble, but one in which a team handicap is used. All players tee off, the best shot is selected and all players hit again from that same spot. The best second shot is selected, and all players hit from that same spot, and so on until the ball is holed.
If the scramble is called an "Ambrose," it means that handicaps are used in play, with a fraction of the total handicaps of the group members serving as one handicap for the group.
For example, if it's a 2-person scramble, the handicaps of the two players are added together and divided by 4. For a 3-person scramble, divide by 6; for a 4-person scramble, divide by 8.
The arithmetic produces one group handicap which is used during play.
Also Known As: Scramble, 2-man scramble, 3-man scramble, 4-man scramble
American Foursomes - See Chapman System
Arnie: Definition: An Arnie is a side bet that is won by a golfer who makes par on a hole without ever being in the fairway. The amount of the bet is set before the round begins. Arnies are not something a golfer sets out to win, however - the round is played with the intent of playing as well as possible (no sandbagging, in other words). However, if along the way a golfer makes par on a hole without hitting the fairway, the Arnie is his reward.
The bet is named for Arnold Palmer, who made quite a few pars in his career on holes where he failed to find the fairway.
Also Known As: Seve
Auto Win: Definition: Auto Win is a match play tournament or betting game in which holes are automatically won by any player accomplishing one of the following:
• Chip-in from off the green (fringes don't count)
• Hole-out from a sand trap
• Stick an approach inside the flagstick from 150 yards out or more, or on any par 3
The player with the most holes won (call them skins or points or whatever suits your fancy) at the end of the round wins the match or the bet. If more than one player achieves an Auto Win on a hole, the options are to consider the hole halved, award no points at all, or carry over the point (or skin) to the next hole.
Bag Raid: Definition: Bag Raid, a k a Pick Up Sticks, is a match play game between two players. It's pretty simple: Every time a player wins a hole, his opponent gets to choose one club from his bag and remove that club from play.
Example: After A wins the first hole, B removes A's pitching wedge from play. For the rest of the round, A cannot use that pitching wedge.
Any club can be chosen, but most players give immunity to the putter (otherwise it would be the first club to go, and putting is hard enough without having to do it without a putter).
The strategy - well, aside from the strategy of not losing holes - is to first remove from your opponent's bag the clubs which he's most comfortable and best with.
When playing Bag Raid, make sure you carry the maximum allowed 14 clubs at the start of the round.
Bag Raid can be a good game for learning creative shots and practicing draws, fades, punch shots and the like.
Because by the turn - unless you're winning every hole - you'll be playing shots for which you may no longer have the appropriate club.
Also Known As: Pick Up Sticks
Barkies: Definition: Barkies are side bets that are won by a golfer who makes par on a hole on which he's hit a tree. Most groups playing Barkies stipulate that leaves don't count - the ball must make contact with wood. A double barkie is worth twice the bet and involves making par despite hitting two trees on the same hole.
Of course, no golfer wants to hit a tree, so Barkies are not things that a golfer sets out to do. But it can add a fun side game to a round of golf and is a good reward for a golfer who recovers for par after hitting a tree.
Also Known As: Woodies, Seve's
Best At Something: Definition: Best At Something is a points-based betting game that can be played right alongside any other type of match in which golfers are playing their own balls throughout (as opposed to alternate shot, for example).
Along with counting strokes, Best At Something requires that each player count points. Points are awarded (or subtracted) for different things throughout the round. Have the most points at the end of the round, win the bet.
In its most common form, 1 point is awarded for any of these accomplishments:
• Fairway hit (it might be stipulated that woods must be used to get a point)
• Green in regulation
• 1-putt green
A single point would be subtracted for:
• 3 putts or more on a green
• Hitting into a hazard
•Lost ball
• Out of bounds
Want to make it more complicated? Tally each category separately. Those leading the positive point categories win from the other players; those leading the negative point categories owe the other players.
Best Ball: Definition: Along with the scramble, "best ball" is one of the most popular golf tournament formats.
Best ball can be played using 2-, 3- or 4-person teams. Each player on the team plays his or her own golf ball throughout the round, and on each hole the low score - or "best ball" - of the group serves as the team score. Player A gets a 5, B gets a 4, C gets a 6, D gets a 6, then the team score for that hole is 4, because the low score of the group was B's 4.
Best ball is usually played as stroke play with the total score added up at the end of the round. It can be played as match play, but best-ball match play with more than 2-person teams results in a lot of halved holes.
When using 3- or 4-person teams, it's almost imperitave to apply handicaps so that the weaker players will be able to contribute.
A 2-person best ball match play competition is also known as Four Ball.
"Best ball" can also refer to a competition in which a single player plays match play against a 2- or 3-person team playing best ball.
That variation is good for a low-handicapper taking on a team of higher handicappers.
Handicap allowances for Best Ball competitions can be found in the USGA Handicap Manual, Section 9-4 (www.usga.com).
Also Known As: With 2-person teams, "better ball." With 2-person teams in match play, "four ball."
Bingle Bangle Bungle - See Bingo Bango Bongo
Bingo Bango Bongo: Definition: Bingo Bango Bongo is a points-based game that can be played by any number of players, from two up.
In Bingo Bango Bongo, three types of achievements are rewarded with a point. The first player in a group to get his ball on the green gets a point (bingo). The player in the group whose ball is closest to the pin once all balls are on the green gets a point (bango). And the player in the group who is first to hole out gets a point (bongo).
Add up the points at the end of the game, high points wins.
Bingo Bango Bongo gives weaker players a chance to earn points because what matters is being first at something. For example, all members of the group tee off on a par-4. The player who hit the worst drive (farthest from the hole) plays first, and so has the first shot at winning the bingo point.
So, too, with closest to the pin.
The best players in the group are likely to be on the green in two (or three on a par-5), while the weakest players might be chipping. The closest-to-the-pin point is only earned once all balls are on the green, so the player who has hacked it up the fairway may be sitting just off the green and chipping - giving that player a great chance to pick up the bango point.
Because of these factors (and because the first person putting will be the one farthest from the hole), strict etiquette must be enforced. The player who is away always plays first.
For a variation, throw into the mix that any player winning all three points on a hole wins double points.
Also Known As: Bingle Bangle Bungle
Blind Bogey: Definition: Blind Bogey is a tournament format. Actually, it's several tournament formats - "blind bogey" means different things to different tournament directors, and in different places.
1. Probably the most common format when "blind bogey" is announced requires golfers to play 18 holes of stroke play. Following completion of play, the tournament director randomly selects a score - say, 87 - and the golfer(s) whose actual score is closest to the randomly selected score is the winner.
2. A variation of No. 1. In this version, before the round begins golfers assign themselves a self-chosen handicap (which should be recorded to guard against cheating later!) - the number they believe will result in a net score in the 70s. After the round, the tournament director randomly selects a number in the 70s, and golfers whose net scores (using their self-chosen handicaps) match that number are the winners.
3. Finally, there's this version of blind bogey: Everyone tees off and completes their rounds. The tournament directors randomly select six holes, and each golfer's scores on those six randomly chosen holes are thrown out. The 12 holes remaining on your scorecard are added up, and that's your score. Low score wins.
Blind Nine: Definition: Blind Nine, sometimes called Blind Hole, is a scramble tournament in which only 9 of the 18 holes count in the team's final score. The catch is that the teams don't know which 9 holes count until after the round is completed.
The tournament organizers usually wait until all teams have teed off before randomly selecting the 9 holes whose scores will be used.
Alternately, the organizers may select three par-3s, three par-4s and three-par 5s, but that makes it easier on the field - concentrate really hard on the par 3s and par 5s because there usually are only four each of those on a course.
Blind Nine is usually played with full handicaps, but using three-quarter handicaps or some other fraction can help ease the logjam that is sometimes created by using only 9 holes to score.
Also Known As: Blind Hole
Alternate Spellings: Blind 9
Bramble: Definition: A bramble starts off just like a scramble: the members of each team (usually four players per team) tee off, and the best drive is selected. In a scramble, this process continues until the ball is holed, producing one team score.
However, in a bramble, after the best drive is selected, all players play from that spot but then continue playing their own ball, stroke-play style, until each has holed out, producing four individual scores.
The bramble tournament also goes by the name of "shamble." The team score can be the one low ball of the group, the two low balls, or some other variation depending on the tournament director's instructions.
Also Known As: Shamble
Bridge: Definition: Bridge, a k a Name That Score, is a game that requires skill - and guts. Or at least a very good understanding of your own golf skills and limitations.
Bridge can be played by two golfers, one against the other, or two teams of two golfers. We'll use 2-against-2 in our examples, because that is the most common way that Bridge is played.
In Bridge, a set amount of points or money applies to each hole. This amount is agreed upon before the round.
When stepping up to a tee box, one team makes a "bid" on the number of strokes (net or gross - decide beforehand, obviously) they think it will take them to play the hole.
Say you're at a tough par-4. You and your partner bid 11. You are offering a bet (of the set amount) to the other team that your side can play the hole in no more than 11 strokes.
The other side has three options: Take the bet; take the bet and double it; or bid lower than 11.
If the other side is confident it can beat 11 strokes, it will bid 10. Then it's back to your team: Take the bet, take the bet and double it, or bid 9 strokes.
If one team takes the bet and doubles it, then the other team has the option of doubling back (meaning that if you're playing for money, carefully consider how much you're playing for because it can add up quickly).
Which team opens the bidding on the first hole is determined randomly. On each ensuing hole, the team that lost the previous hole opens the bidding.
Also Known As: Name That Score
Calcutta: Definition: The term "" describes a type of auction-pool wagering that can be applied to golf and many other sporting events. In golf, a Calcutta is most common at a tournament featuring 4-person teams, but a Calcutta can be held in conjunction with any type of golf tournament.
In a Calcutta, golfers bid, auction style, on the golfer or team who they think will win the tournament (you can bid on yourself or your own team, too). All the money raised through the "auction" goes into the pot. At the end of the tournament, those who "won" the team that then won the tournament get a pre-determined payout from the auction pool.
The precise rules of a Calcutta can vary from place to place; many tournament organizers employ software programs that apply odds and determine win-place-show amounts.
Perhaps the simplest and most common Calcutta payout is 70 percent of the pool to the "owner" of the winning tournament team, 30 percent to the "owner" of the second-place tournament team.
Among other variations is one that allows a golfer to buy back half of himself or his team from the winning bidder. For example, your team is "won" in the auction by Team X; if this rule is in effect, you can pay half of Team X's winning bid back to Team X in order to buy back half a stake in your own team. If your team then wins the tournament, your team and Team X split the Calcutta payout.
Callaway System: Definition: The Callaway System (or Callaway Scoring System) is a sort of 1-day handicapping system that can be used in events where most of the golfers do not have real handicap indexes.
For example, at a company outing, most of the golfers may not carry official handicap indexes. How can they all - with widely different playing abilities - compete fairly at stroke play?
The Callaway System - while, like the similar Peoria System, based in certain part on luck - allows a "handicap allowance" to be determined and then applied to each golfer's score.
When the Callaway System is in use, all competitors tee off and play stroke play, scoring in the normal fashion with one exception - double par is the maximum score on any given hole (i.e., on a par 4, 8 is the maximum score).
Following the round, gross scores are tallied.
Based on each golfer's gross score (using the double par maximum), each golfer tallies up a prescribed number of worst scores from their scorecard, then applies a second adjustment that may add or subtract additional strokes.
Utilizing the Callaway System requires consulting a chart to determine a handicap deduction and handicap adjustment. For further explanation and an example of how the Callaway System works:
Also Known As: Callaway Scoring System, Callaway Competition
Canadian Foursomes: Definition: Canadian Foursomes is a variation of regular foursomes (2-person teams, each playing one ball) in which both players on a team tee off, the best of the two tee balls is selected and that ball is then played alternate-shot until holed.
In regular foursomes, the 2-person team would play alternate shot for the full hole, i.e., only one tee ball would be hit.
Canadian Foursomes is essentially a 2-person scramble off the tee, then alternate-shot into the hole.
Also Known As: Greensomes
Chapman: Definition: This 2-person team competition format is named after Dick Chapman, a great amateur golfer who played The Masters 17 consecutive years. He "invented" the game at Pinehurst Resort, hence it is alternately called Chapman or Pinehurst. And, for good measure, it is less frequently referred to as American Foursomes.
In the Chapman System, both players on a side tee off, then they switch balls. Player A plays Player B's drive, and vice-versa. Each player hits his or her second shot. They then select the best of the second shots, and from that point until the ball is holed they play only one ball in an alternate shot format. Got it?
Switch balls after the drive, select the one best ball after the second shot, play alternate shot until the ball is holed.
The player whose second ball was not chosen gets to play the third shot (so teams might sometimes choose the best ball after two shots based on who will get to hit the third).
Chapman (or Pinehurst, or American Foursomes, or whatever you want to call it) can be played as stroke play or match play.
If playing your team against my team with all four players of equal abilities, play it at scratch. But it's a great game for twosomes of varying abilities, or husbands and wives.
Handicap allowances for Chapman System competitions can be found in the USGA Handicap Manual, Section 9-4 (www.usga.com).
Also Known As: Pinehurst, American Foursomes
Chicago: Definition: Chicago is a golf game whose format is based on golfers beginning their rounds with negative points. In Chicago, players start with a negative amount of points, based on handicaps, then add positive points during the round. The idea is to get from the negative to the positive, clearing your "hurdle" (the term used for your starting total of negative points) by as much as possible.
Negative points begin at -39 for scratch golfers. A 1-handicapper starts with -38, a 2-handicapper with -37, and so on up to a 36-handicapper who starts with -3 points.
During the round, positive points are added on this basis:
• Bogeys are worth l point
• Pars are worth 2 points
• Birdies are worth 4 points
• Eagles are worth 8 points
Not everyone will be able to clear their hurdle, so the highest point total - whether that is 15 or -15 - wins.
Chicago can be a tournament format for individual stroke play, or a betting game among buddies. The winner might get a set amount agreed upon before the round, or the differential in final points can be used, with each point worth a set amount.
Criers and Whiners: Definition: Criers and Whiners is a game of do-overs, or mulligans that can be used from any point on the course. In Criers and Whiners, handicaps are converted into free shots that are used during a round.
Say a player has a handicap of 14. Rather than applying the handicap in the proper manner, the player is instead given 14 free shots to use at any point on the course, at any time. Hit a bad shot off the second tee? Hit it again. Now you've got 13 left.
The game can be played with full handicaps (as in the example above) but it most common to use only three-fourths or two-thirds of handicaps. That forces the player to be judicious in using his replay strokes.
Two other conditions usually apply: The first tee shot of the day may not be replayed, and no shot can be replayed twice.
Also Known As: No Alibis, Wipe Out, Play It Again Sam, Replay
Criss Cross: Definition: Criss Cross is a tournament format or betting game in which the golfer or team gets to compare corresponding scores on their scorecard and choose the lower of two scores, resulting in a 9-hole total score.
It's not as complicated as we just made it sound. Here's how it works: Front 9 holes are paired up with the corresponding Back 9 hole. In other words, think of No. 1 and No. 10 as a pair, No. 2 and No. 11, No. 3 and No. 12, and so on up to No. 9 and No. 18.
Following the round, compare the scores you recorded on No. 1 and No. 10 and circle the lower of the two. Compare No. 2 and No. 11 and circle the lower of the two, and so on through No. 9 and No. 18.
Then add up the 9 holes you've circled for your total score.
Criss Cross is usually played in flights using gross scores; handicaps can be used to determine flights.
Cut Throat: Definition: Cut Throat is a fun diversion on slow days at the golf course. It is played on the tee box while you're waiting for the group ahead of you to move out of range.
In Cut Throat, each member of your group places a golf ball on the ground near the tee marker on one side of the tee box. Using the club you'll be teeing off with, the object is to knock your ball across the tee box, hitting the far tee marker; then back to the side you started on, hitting that tee marker; then take aim at your partners' golf balls, eliminating them by hitting their golf balls with yours.
If you hit the target with your first try, you immediately go again, and keep going until you miss. If you miss with your first try, the next member of the group goes, and so on, alternating turns.
If a golf ball goes off the tee box, that player has two turns to get back onto the tee box or he is eliminated.
The first time during a round that Cut Throat is played, flip a tee to determine playing order. After that, the first person eliminated on the previous tee box goes first; the previous winner goes last.
Just be sure when playing Cut Throat that you don't get so involved in the game that you lose track of time, and start holding up the group behind yours.
Also Known As: Poison