Golf Games: Skins

Skins is a classic golf game used among regular foursomes, in leagues and outings and even in nationally televised events.
The basics of a skins game are simple. Each hole is worth a set amount, and the player with the lowest score on that hole wins the skin. If two or more players tie, then all players are tied and the amount of the skin carries over to the next hole, making that one worth two skins. From there, the skins compound.

Here’s an example:

In this skins game, Sam wins the first hole outright because his three is lower than the others’ (shaded orange).

On the second hole, Mike and Sam tie, so no skin is awarded and the amount carries over to the next hole. No player wins the third outright, either, so it carries on to the next. On that hole, Bill wins outright and wins three skins (shaded light blue).

There are so many variants of this game, it would be impossible to catalog them all. In one, each skin stands on its own. A tie is a wash, with no payout now, or on future holes. This tends to be a low money game.

Another requires a winner to “validate” his win by winning the following hole. If he fails, the skins carry over. So, if Sam wins the first hole, but fails to win the second, the third hole is now worth three skins. In a regular game of 18 holes, it is possible that no one wins in this format.

Another validation format requires a player to score a par or better on the hole following a win.

In “High Handicaps” skins, a player must score better than a double bogey to win a skin. If all players are above double, the hole is a wash. Low handicaps skins requires players to get a birdie to win a skin.

Players can agree to play skins with full handicaps—or—use a variant in which the better players in the group must get a birdie or better to win a skin, while less skilled players can win with any low score.