Golf Games to Play with Friends: 8 Formats for Any Group Size

DEFINITION

Skins

Each hole is worth one skin — the agreed value per hole. Win a hole outright and collect. Tie a hole and the skin carries to the next. Works for 2–6 players.

DEFINITION

Nassau

Three separate match play competitions in one round: front nine, back nine, and full 18 holes. Each is worth the agreed stake independently. Add pressing for more action.

DEFINITION

Chapman (Pinehurst)

A 2-person team format. Both players hit their tee shots, then swap balls for the second shot. After the second shot, the team selects the better of the two and completes the hole with alternate shots. Also called Pinehurst.

DEFINITION

Bingo Bango Bongo

A 3-point-per-hole game awarding one point for being first on the green, one for being closest to the pin once everyone is on, and one for being first to hole out. Points can be won by any player on any given hole regardless of skill. Works for any group size.

The right game format depends on how many players you have and what kind of round you want. Four players who want action on every hole play differently than two friends looking for a clean head-to-head match. Here is a practical breakdown by group size.

Games for 2 Players

Match Play is the default. Win the hole, lose the hole, or halve it. The match status (3 up, 1 down, all square) drives the round. It ends when one player leads by more holes than there are left to play. A 3&2 result means 3 holes up with 2 to play.

Nassau (2-player version) gives you three separate bets in one round: front nine, back nine, and overall match. Even if the overall match is out of reach by the 15th hole, the back nine is still live. Agree on stakes at the first tee — $2–$5 per side is common for casual play.

Stroke play with a side bet works if you want simplicity. Play normal stroke play and add a small overlay: one dollar per birdie, two per eagle. Keeps score relevant when the handicap gap makes straight match play uncompetitive.

Games for 3 Players

Skins with 3 players works cleanly. Every hole has three competitors. Ties carry forward. The carry-over dynamic is good with 3 players — ties happen more often and the accumulated skins on a late hole can swing the whole pot.

Round Robin Match Play: play three simultaneous head-to-head matches — A vs. B, B vs. C, A vs. C — all at once. Each player keeps track of two separate match statuses. You settle three matches at the end. It sounds complicated but most players adapt to it within a few holes.

Bingo Bango Bongo: three points per hole, three players. First on the green, closest to the pin once everyone is on, first to hole out. Any player can win any point on any hole regardless of skill. Handicap differences matter less here than in match play formats.

Games for 4 Players

Wolf is the format worth learning for a regular foursome. One player per hole is the Wolf, rotating each hole. After each player tees off, the Wolf decides whether to take them as a partner or pass. After all four shots, the Wolf has a partner or goes alone. Lone Wolf gets doubled points if they win. If you go alone and lose, all three opponents collect double.

The strategic element — evaluating each tee shot in real time and committing to a partner decision — makes Wolf the most engaging format for foursomes who have played together enough to read each other’s tendencies.

Nassau with four players means two-on-two team Nassau — partners vs. partners for the three separate matches. Pick partners at the first tee. Common approach: mix the stronger and weaker players to balance teams.

Skins with four players at standard net handicap adjustments is a simple overlay that most groups run alongside whatever main format they are playing. Every hole has a skin value. It creates a reason to care about every hole even when the main match is no longer competitive.

Scramble is the format for a day when the group is more interested in a good time than in competitive scoring. All four players hit, take the best shot, repeat. You will shoot 10–15 under par and everyone will contribute to at least a few key shots.

Setting Up Any Game in 60 Seconds

At the first tee: agree on stakes, confirm everyone knows the format, and confirm whether you are playing gross or net (with handicap strokes). For Skins and Nassau, that is the entire setup — start playing. For Wolf, confirm the point value for Lone Wolf before the first hole. For Bingo Bango Bongo, confirm whether you are using net scores for the closest-to-pin point.

Apps like 18Birdies and TheGrint handle Nassau and match play scoring in-round. If everyone has the same app open, the math takes care of itself. If not, one person on the group keeps score on a phone notes app or a scorecard — Nassau and Skins math is simple enough to track manually.