Golf Games and On the Course Bets - ( Games and Bets M thru P )
If your favorite golf game or golf bet did not make our list,
e-mail us the name and a detailed description.
Modified Pinehurst: Definition: Modified Pinehurst is a competition format for 2-person teams. In Modified Pinehurst, both team members tee off. They select the one best drive, then play alternate shot into the cup. The golfer whose drive was not chosen hits the second shot.
In regular Pinehurst, the team members would switch balls after the drives, each play a second shot, and only then begin alternate shot.
Modified Stableford: Definition: Modified Stableford is a Stableford competition whose rules have been modified.
OK, that was glib. Here's a real definition: A Stableford competition employs a points system that is set forth in the Rules of Golf under Rule 32. A Modified Stableford is a competition that employs the same principle - golfers are awarded points based on their performance on each hole, with the highest point total winning - but with a different set of points than what is described in the rulebook.
Modified Stableford is better known than Stableford because a PGA Tour event, The International, is played using Modified Stableford. At The International, points are awarded on this scale:
• Double Eagle: 8 points
• Eagle: 5 points
• Birdie: 2 points
• Par: 0 points
• Bogey: -1 point
• Double Bogey or Worse: -3 points
A Modified Stableford can have different point totals for different accomplishments as a tournament committee decides.
It can also offer different points to different players for the same accomplishments.
For example, if handicaps are not being used in competition, they can be used to flight players into A, B, C and D. Then points are adjusted so that, as an example, a par gets an A player 0 points, a B player 1 point, a C player 2 points and a D player 3 points.
Also Known As: Modified Stableford System, Modified Stableford Competition
Money Ball: Definition: Money Ball (a k a Lone Ranger, Yellow Ball, Pink Ball, Pink Lady) is a game for 4-person teams that puts the onus on one player per hole to come through for the team.
Each group of four players in a scramble has a ball that is marked in some way to designate it as the "money ball." That ball rotates among players. For example, Player A uses it on the first hole, B on the second, C on the third, D on the fourth, then back to A on the fifth and so on.
In this game, two scores per hole are added together for the team score. Here's the catch: One of those two scores must be from the player with the money ball. So on each hole, the team score will be the score of the player with the money ball, plus the lowest score of the other three players on the team.
There are a couple variations that add to the tension of the game.
In one, if the player playing the money ball loses it, that player is eliminated from the game. The group would continue as a threesome with a new money ball.
In another, if the money ball is lost, the entire team is eliminated from the competition. Pretty harsh.
And in another, the money ball serves as a "bonus" competition. The 4-person teams compete using the two low scores on each hole; the money ball score is kept separately. The team with the lowest money ball score wins a bonus prize.
Also Known As: Yellow Ball, Pink Ball, Lone Ranger, Pink Lady
Murphy: Definition: A Murphy is a side bet that can be invoked by a golfer who is chipping to the green. The player declaring "Murphy" is betting that he can get up and down in two strokes.
The bet amount must be decided before the round; also, players should agree before starting the round if the issuing of a Murphy means it is automatically accepted by the other players in the group, or if the other players get to decide individually whether to accept the bet.
And make sure everyone agrees on the area from which a Murphy can be declared. A Murphy can never be declared for a ball on the green, and most groups rule out balls on the fringe, too.
Mutt and Jeff: Definition: Mutt and Jeff is a tournament format or side bet in which the focus is on par-3s and par-5s only. The round of golf is completed, then the total net score for each player or each group on the par-3 and par-5 holes is recorded. The low net on those long and short holes is the winner.
Name That Score - See Bridge
Nassau: Definition: The Nassau is one of the most popular golf tournament formats and golf bets. It's essentially three tournaments (or bets) in one: the front nine, back nine and 18-hole scores all count as separate tournaments or bets.
In a Nassau tournament, the player (or team) winning the front nine wins a prize, the player (or team) winning the back nine gets a prize, and the player or team with the low 18-hole total wins a prize.
As a bet, the most common form is the $2 Nassau. The front nine is worth $2, the back nine is worth $2 and the 18-hole total is worth $2. A player or team sweeping all three wins $6.
The type of scoring is really up the individuals. Stroke play or match play? Scramble, alternate shot, best ball? Full handicaps, partial handicaps, no handicaps? You decide. It's not like there are "official" rules for this sort of thing.
While the $2 Nassau sounds innocent enough, winnings can pile up if a higher initial bet is made, or if a lot of "pressing" takes place.
A player or team that is trailing in a Nassau can "press the bet" - opening a new bet to run concurrently with the bet that has been pressed.
A Nassau that has been pressed and re-pressed and double-pressed and pressed even more can wind up costing someone a lot of money.
Also Known As: Best Nines, or 2-2-2 when referring to a $2 Nassau
Nasties: Definition: Nasties can be a side bet in any group of golfers. Determine the value of each "nasty" before the round begins. Nasties are automatically won by any golfer holing a shot from off the green. Decide before the round if chip-ins from the fringe count.
Also Known As: Uglies
Nicklauses: Definition: Nicklauses is a side bet among a group of golfers. Nicklauses are automatically won by the long drive on each hole. Decide before the round the amount of the bet. Long drives must be in the fairway to win the bet. If no drives find the fairway, the "Nicklaus" carries over to the next hole.
Golfers younger than 40 might call this bet "Tigers."
Also Known As: Tigers
Nines: Definition: Nines is a points-based competition between players in a group of four, or a side bet in any competition where groups of four are playing (in a four ball or foursomes match, for example, the players in the match might agree to a side bet using Nines).
Nine points are at stake on each hole, hence the name of the game. The low score on a hole is worth 5 points, the second-lowest 3 points, the next lowest 1 point and the high score 0 points.
The bet can be based on total points - the high-point player is paid by the other three - or can involve point differentials and a per-point value.
No Alibis: Definition: No Alibis is a game of do-overs, or mulligans that can be used from any point on the course. In No Alibis, 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: Wipe Out, Play It Again Sam, Criers and Whiners, Replay
No Putts: Definition: No Putts is the opposite of Low Putts: Rather than the winner being determined by fewest putts, in No Putts the winner is determined by all strokes other than putts. At the end of the round, subtract the number of putts from the total strokes; the player or group with the fewest remaining strokes played is the winner. In No Putts, putts just don't count.
Also Known As: Everything But Putts
Odds and Evens: Definition: Odds and Evens is a competition format that is almost identical to Alternate Shot. The players on a 2-person team alternate hitting one 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.
The difference is this: In Alternate Shot, the players alternate hitting tee shots. In Odds and Evens, one player hits the tee shot on even holes, the other hits the tee shots on odd holes.
But wait, you say, isn't that the same thing? Almost. In traditional alternate shot, the players on a team get to choose who tees off on No. 1, and alternate from there. In Odds and Evens, the player who tees off on No. 1 is chosen by some random method.
It's a very, very small difference that really just takes one decision out of the hands of the players.
One Club: Definition: One Club is a golf tournament or game that is exactly what it sounds like: all the players play with just one club. The club can be specified by the tournament organizers, but usually the choice of club is left up to each player.
Par or Out: Definition: Par or Out is a game for low-handicappers or a side bet (or additional prize) in an event where full handicaps are being used. Because, as the name implies, participants (in either a competition or betting game) must make at least par on every hole - or they're out.
All participants continue playing their round after they've dropped out, but the winner of Par or Out is the last golfer remaining after all others have made a bogey.
Peoria System: Definition: The Peoria System is a sort of 1-day handicapping system for tournaments in which most of the golfers do not have real handicap indexes (company outings, for example).
The Peoria System - while, like the similar Callaway System, based in certain part on luck - allows a "handicap allowance" to be determined and then applied to each golfer's score.
The tournament committee secretly selects six holes. These are usually two par 3s, two par 4s and two par 5s, and often one of each type per nine (one par 3 on the front, the other on the back nine). Competitors do not know which holes have been selected.
Groups tee off and complete their rounds, playing stroke play and scoring in the normal fashion with one exception: double par is the maximum (i.e., 8 is the maximum score on a par-4).
Following completion of play, the six Peoria holes are announced.
Each player totals his six secret holes. That total is multiplied by 3; par is subtracted from that total; then the resulting number is multiplied by 80 percent. This is the player's allowance. The allowance is subtracted from the player's gross score and the result is the net Peoria System score.
Example: On the six holes, Player A uses 30 strokes. 30x3=90. 90 minus par-72 is 18. Eighty percent of 18 is 14 (round off). Fourteen is the allowance. Player A's gross score is 90; 90 minus 14 results in a Peoria System net score of 76.
Peoria is sometimes called Bankers System or a Bankers Handicap.
Also Known As: Peoria Scoring System, Peoria Competition, Bankers Handicap System
Pick Up Sticks: Definition: Pick Up Sticks, a k a Bag Raid, 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 Pick Up Sticks, make sure you carry the maximum allowed 14 clubs at the start of the round.
This 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: Bag Raid
Pinehurst (Pinehurst System): Definition: Also known as Chapman System, Pinehurst (or Pinehurst System) is a 2-person team competition format. The "inventor," Dick Champman - a great amateur golfer who played The Masters 17 consecutive years - came up with the format at Pinehurst Resort. Hence, the format is Chapman or Pinehurst. And, for good measure, it is less frequently referred to as American Foursomes.
In the Pinehurst System, both players tee off, then they switch balls. Player A plays Player B's drive, and vice-versa. Each player hits the 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).
Pinehurst (or Chapman, 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 Pinehurst competitions can be found in the USGA Handicap Manual, Section 9-4 (www.usga.com).
Also Known As: Chapman System, American Foursomes
Pink Ball: - See Yellow Ball
Pink Lady (or Pink Lady Tournament): Definition: Pink Lady is another name for the tournament (or tournament-within-a-tournament) also known as Money Ball, Lone Ranger, Pink Ball or Yellow Ball. Pink Lady is a game for 4-person teams that puts the onus on one player per hole to come through for the team.
Each group of four players in a scramble has a special, designated ball (if the tournament is called Pink Lady, then the ball will be pink, natch). That ball rotates among players. For example, Player A uses it on the first hole, B on the second, C on the third, D on the fourth, then back to A on the fifth and so on.
In this game, two scores per hole are added together for the team score. Here's the catch: One of those two scores must be from the player with the Pink Lady. So on each hole, the team score will be the score of the player with the designated ball, plus the lowest score of the other three players on the team.
There are a couple variations that add to the tension of the game.
In one, if the player playing the money ball loses it, that player is eliminated from the game. The group would continue as a threesome with a new Pink Lady ball.
More commonly, a Pink Lady Tournament is a "bonus" competition. The 4-person teams compete using the two low scores on each hole, or the Pink Lady is used only on designated holes (par 3s and par 5s, for example, or four par 4s). The Pink Lady score is kept separately. The team with the lowest Pink Lady score wins a bonus prize.
Also Known As: Pink Ball, Yellow Ball, Money Ball, Lone Ranger
Play It Again Sam: Definition: Play It Again Sam is often just another name for No Alibis. In this version, handicaps are converted into, essentially, mulligans. If you are a 14 handicap, then you'll get 14 chances during a round to re-play a stroke. (See No Alibis link above for full explanation of this version.)
However, Play It Again Sam is also often a term used for a game that is sort of the opposite of No Alibis. Instead of each golfer being able to replay his or her own strokes, in this version of Play It Again Sam your opponent gets to make you replay strokes.
Hit a fantastic approach to within inches of the cup? Your opponent can make you hit it again. Sink a long putt? Your opponent can call "do over."
This version is best played among good friends, for obvious reasons, and is only well-suited to groups of players of similar abilities. Also, it is advisable, in the interest of time, to limit the number of strokes that are re-playable.
Polee: Definition: A Polee is a side bet that can have several different meanings, depending on who's playing:
1. A Polee might be a one-time-only bet during the course of a round. In this case, set the bet amount prior to the round. The first member of the group who gets an approach shot within the length of the flagstick wins the Polee.
2. A Polee might also be a continuing bet throughout the round. Any time a member of the group puts an approach shot within the length of the flagstick, they win a Polee. In this variation, a stipulation is usually that the approach must be from 150 yards or more out.
3. And another continuing bet throughout the round: In this version, a Polee is won by anyone who sinks a putt from outside the length of the flagstick. Each Polee is worth one point, and whomever has the most points at the end of the round wins the bet.
(Be sure to measure putts close to the flagstick distance before the putt is attempted.)
Alternate Spellings: Polie, Poley
Powerball: Definition: Powerball is sometimes used as a synonym for scramble. However, it usually means the tournament is a scramble with a twist.
The twist is that a certain number of holes in the round will be designated as powerball holes. On those holes (usually just 4 or 5, rarely more than 6), one member of the foursome gets to tee off from the forward tees; the catch is that tee shot must be used, regardless of how good (or bad) it turns out to be.
If four holes are designated powerball holes, then each member of the foursome will have to hit one of the powerball drives. Choose carefully! On the powerball hole where the potential gain is greatest, have the best driver tee off. On the hole that is wide open with very little trouble, have the worst driver tee off.
If five holes are designated powerball holes (which is more or less the standard), the rule of thumb is that three of the four members must hit powerball drives.
This allows the best driver of the group to hit three of the drives, while forcing two other members to come through for the team.
Press - Pressing the Bet: Definition: The press, at its most basic, is a second bet that begins during the course of a round, joining and running concurrently with the original bet. When one player presses, he is starting the second bet, or "pressing the bet." The second bet is usually for the same amount as the original bet.
Players can agree to use presses with any type of match, but the Nassau is the "home" of the press, and pressing is easily most associated with Nassaus.
Putt for Dough: Definition: Putt for Dough is a points game that can be played within a foursome, or a side bet for any group of golfers.
In Putt for Dough, the object is to make putts. No surprise there. But the key is to 1-putt - every 1-putt is worth a set amount of points. The amount of points is determined by the distance of the putt.
Point values are 4, 3, 2 and 1. The member of the foursome who is farthest from the cup, once all members are on the green, gets 4 points if he 1-putts. The next player up gets 3 points for a 1-putt, the next 2 and the closest to the hole gets 1 point for a 1-putt.
Anyone who 3-putts loses a point. Anyone who holes out from off the green with something other than a putter gets a 5-point bonus. And if, at the end of the round, one player has achieved at least one putt or chip-in of each level, that player gets a 10-point bonus.
Play it for total points and bragging rights, or assign a dollar value to the points and pay out the differences at the end of the round.