Games

Snake

The snake game revolves around three putting. The player who has three putted most recently in the round has "The Snake". You can play the game a variety of ways. As a side bet such as having the player who has the snake at the end of the round buy everyone a drink or pay each other player a set amount. As a bigger game whereby the holder of the snake pays each other player a set amount for every hole that he possesses the snake. For example: If John three putts the second green and nobody else three putts until the eighth green, John would owe each other player 6 betting units. If John was to three putt again you could play that the betting units would double. You can think up all kinds of variations to this theme that will be loads of fun.

Wolf

Wolf is a three-player game. The golfer with the middle-distance drive is the "wolf". His opponents are the "hunters". The wolf must match twice his net score on the hole against the combined net scores of the hunters. If the amount wagered on each hole is a dollar, the wolf puts up two dollars against one each for the hunters. If the wolf wins, he collects two dollars, whereas the hunters get only one each. On par-three holes, the wolf is the second closest to the pin after the first shot.

If there's a tie, players decide whether the stakes carry to the next hole. Any amount carried over goes to the next winning "team", whether it's the wolf or the hunters. Carryovers make Wolf a more interesting game. Large pots make it advantageous to be the wolf, because the wolf doesn't split the pot. Thus, strategy off the tee becomes important, and players will jockey to become the wolf. The net score on the previous hole establishes honor off the tee. Play with full handicaps.

Vegas

The Vegas Game is another alternative for your foursome. You must first split into two teams. Combining the two net scores on each team to make one two-digit number will play the game. For example, if Player A makes a net 4 and his partner makes a net 5, the scores would be combined (low number first) and their team score would be 45. If the other team's score was 47 (a net 4 and a net 7) the first team would win the hole by two points. The rare time when a player makes a net 10 or higher, the high number goes first when combining the scores. The only other decision will be how much each point will be worth. Keep in mind that if one team was to make two net 3's and the other team makes two net 5's, that would be a difference of 22 points. In other words you may want to be conservative with your wagering the first time you play this game.

Variations

If both players on a team fail to make Net Par or better, that team's high score automatically goes first. You can use Net Bogey or higher if this fits your group better. If it does, you may want to alter your handicaps. If a player makes birdie or better, the other team's high score automatically goes first. If you like pressure putts, these variations are right up your alley.

Flag Tournament

In a Flag Tournament, each player receives a certain number of strokes - usually the course par plus two-thirds of the player's full handicap. So, a 15-handicapper on a par-72 course gets 82 strokes. He then plays 82 shots and stops, planting a flag on the spot where his 82nd shot landed. The flags should be provided on the first tee by the tournament director. Each participant should have his name taped to his flag. This way, as players make their way through the back nine, they can see where others bit the dust.

If a player finishes all 18 holes before using his total strokes, he should either keep playing until he's out of strokes or stop. Under the first option, the winner is the player who plants his flag farthest on the course. Under the second, the winner is whoever has the most strokes remaining after 18 holes. The reason two-thirds handicap is used, though, is so most people will finish somewhere inside of regulation.

One additional rule: You can't plant a flag past a hole that you haven't completed. In other words, if you're five feet short of a green with one stroke left, you can't blast the ball with your 2-iron onto the next fairway. Also, if the farthest two players both finish on the same green, the winner is the golfer closer to the hole.

A flag tournament is essentially Stroke Play with a handicap, but the twist makes it a little more interesting.