3-Man Golf Betting Games: Fun Formats for Friendly Wagers

Playing golf with three people can be a blast, and it gets even better when you add some friendly wagers. This article is all about fun 3-man golf betting games that can spice up your time on the course. Whether you’re new to golf betting or a seasoned pro, these games will make your rounds more exciting and memorable.

Key Takeaways

• 3-Man golf betting games make your golf rounds more fun and competitive.
• There are lots of different game formats to pick from, so you can always find something new.
• Betting doesn’t have to be high-stakes; even small wagers add excitement.
• These games are great for all skill levels, so everyone can get in on the action.
• Trying out different betting games keeps your golf experience fresh and engaging.

Introduction to 3-Man Golf Betting Games: Boost Your Round with Friendly Wagers

Want to make your next round of golf way more interesting? Forget just playing for bragging rights; let’s talk about 3 player golf betting games. It’s a fantastic way to add some friendly competition and maybe even win a few bucks from your buddies. There are tons of different formats out there, so you can find something that fits your group’s skill level and how much you want to wager.

Adding a little wager can boost the excitement on the course.

Think about it: that pressure putt suddenly means a whole lot more when there’s money on the line. Plus, it’s just a fun way to engage with your friends and create some memorable moments. We’ve all been there, right? That casual round that turns into an all-out battle because someone suggested a little side action. Good times.

I remember one time we were playing a simple skins game, and it came down to the 18th hole. The tension was so thick you could cut it with a knife. My buddy, who usually plays it cool, was sweating bullets over a five-footer. He missed, of course, and I walked away with the pot. The trash talk lasted for weeks.

Here are a few reasons why you should consider adding some friendly wagers to your next round:

• It makes every shot matter more.
• It adds a social element to the game.
• It can help you focus and improve your game.
• It’s just plain fun.

So, if you’re looking to spice things up on the golf course, give some 3-player golf betting games a try. You might be surprised at how much more enjoyable your rounds become.

Classic Nassau for Three: Front 9, Back 9 & Total Wagers Explained

The Nassau is a super popular golf betting game, and it works great with three players. It’s all about splitting the round into three separate bets: the front nine, the back nine, and the total 18 holes. This keeps things interesting, even if you have a blow-up hole or two. It’s easy to learn, and you can adjust the stakes to fit your group’s comfort level. It  adds an extra layer of fun to your round.

Here’s how it typically works:

1. Agree on a value: Before you even tee off, everyone needs to agree on how much each bet is worth. It could be a dollar, five dollars, whatever works for your group.
2. Front Nine: Play the front nine like a match play competition. The player with the lowest score wins the bet for the front nine.
3. Back Nine: Same deal as the front nine, but now you’re just looking at scores from holes 10 through 18. Lowest score wins.
4. Total: This is the overall bet for the entire 18 holes. Again, the lowest score takes the pot.

The beauty of Nassau is its simplicity. It’s easy to keep track of, and it gives everyone a chance to win something, even if they’re not having their best day. Plus, it adds a little extra pressure to those putts, which can be a good thing (or a bad thing, depending on how you handle it!).

Some groups also like to add “presses” to the Nassau. A press is a double-or-nothing side bet that you can initiate if you’re down in any of the three matches. It’s a way to try and recoup some losses, but it also adds another layer of risk. If you’re down two holes on the front nine, you can “press” the bet, creating a new bet for the remaining holes. If you win the press, you break even on the front nine, even if you lose the original bet. It’s a fun way to play Nassau and keep things interesting down the stretch.

Skins Games in Threes: Scoring Holes and Carry Over Pots

Skins is a fun format where each hole is worth a ‘skin,’ and the goal is to win that skin by having the lowest score on the hole. It gets interesting when no one wins a skin, because the value then carries over to the next hole, increasing the stakes. This carry-over aspect can create some exciting pressure and big swings in winnings.

How Skins Works in a Threesome

Playing skins with three people is pretty straightforward, but here’s the gist:

• Each hole has a set value (e.g., $1 per skin). You can play gross skins, where handicaps don’t matter, or net skins, where they do.
• The player with the lowest score on a hole wins the skin for that hole.
• If there’s a tie for the lowest score, no one wins the skin, and its value is added to the next hole. This is called a carry-over.
• At the end of the round, each player settles up based on how many skins they’ve won.

Carry-Over Pots: Adding Excitement

The carry-over is what makes skins so exciting. Imagine a scenario:

• Hole 1: A ties B, C loses. No skin is won. The skin value carries over to hole 2.
• Hole 2: B ties C, A loses. Now two skins are up for grabs on hole 3!
• Hole 3: C wins outright. C collects three skins worth of value.

This can lead to some intense moments, especially on the later holes if several skins have carried over. It’s a great way to keep everyone engaged throughout the round.

Strategies for Skins

While luck plays a role, there are a few things you can do to improve your chances in a skins game:

1. Play conservatively: Avoid big risks that could lead to blow-up holes, especially early on.
2. Focus on par: Making par consistently gives you a good chance to tie for the low score and force a carry-over.
3. Be aggressive when needed: If several skins have carried over, it might be worth taking a calculated risk to win the hole.

Skins games are a fantastic way to add some friendly competition to your round. The carry-over element keeps things interesting, and even if you’re not playing your best, you’re always in with a chance to win a skin or two. Just remember to agree on the rules and stakes beforehand to avoid any confusion or disagreements.

Example Skins Payout

Let’s say A, B, and C are playing skins for $1 per hole. Here’s how a potential payout might look:

Player	Skins Won	Winnings
A	6	+$2
B	7	+$3
C	5	-$5

In this case, A won 6 skins, B won 7 skins, and C won 5 skins. The difference between each player’s skins won and the average (6) determines the payout. A is up $2, B is up $3, and C is down $5. This ensures that the total winnings equal the total losses.

5 3 1 (Nine Point Game): Points-Based Betting for Three Players

The “5-3-1,” also known as “Nines,” is a super simple and fun format designed specifically for three golfers. It’s easy to pick up, even if you’re new to golf, which makes it a great choice for mixed-skill groups. The basic idea is that on each hole, points are awarded based on the scores of the three players. Let’s break down how it works.

Each hole has nine points up for grabs. The lowest score gets five points, the second-lowest gets three points, and the highest score gets one point. At the end of the round, you tally up all the points, and the player with the most points wins. It’s a fun way to add a little friendly competition to your round. This golf format focuses on accumulating the most points, with 54 points available per round, which should be considered when placing bets.

What happens when there’s a tie? Good question! Ties can happen, so here’s how to handle them:

• If one player has the lowest score, and the other two tie for second, the low scorer gets five points, and the tied players each get two points.
• If two players tie for the lowest score, those two each get four points, and the high scorer gets one point.
• If all three players tie, each player gets three points.

This game is great because it keeps everyone involved on every hole. Even if you’re having a bad hole, you can still try to beat one of the other players to snag a point or two. It adds a nice layer of strategy to your game.

To make things interesting, you can add a betting element. Before you start, agree on a dollar value for each point. At the end of the round, settle up based on the point totals. For example, if you agree that each point is worth $1, and one player wins with 30 points while the others have 15 and 9, the winner collects from the other two players based on the difference in points. This game of nines is easy to understand and play.

Some people like to incorporate handicaps into the game to level the playing field. If you decide to do this, figure out the handicap difference between the players and adjust their scores accordingly on each hole. The lowest handicapper plays off scratch, and the others get the difference between their handicap and the lowest one. This makes it fair for players of different skill levels to compete. This is similar to split sixes or English, where points are allocated based on performance.

Here’s a quick recap:

1. Assign points on each hole: 5 for low, 3 for second, 1 for high.
2. Adjust for ties using the rules above.
3. Tally the points at the end of the round.
4. Settle up based on the agreed-upon point value (if betting).

Wolf Variant for Threes: Be the Wolf or Partner Up Each Hole

Wolf is a cool game that adds a layer of strategy to your round. It works especially well with three players. The basic idea is that in each hole, one player is designated as the “Wolf.” After seeing everyone’s tee shots, the Wolf has to decide whether to partner with one of the other players or go it alone against the other two. This decision has to be made quickly, adding some pressure to the game.

Here’s how it typically plays out:

• Tee Off Order: Establish a tee-off order that you’ll stick to throughout the round. This determines who is the Wolf on each hole.
• The Wolf’s Decision: The Wolf tees off first. After seeing the other players’ tee shots, the Wolf decides whether to partner with one of them or go it alone.
• Scoring: If the Wolf chooses a partner and their team wins the hole (lowest score), they win a set amount from the other player. If the Wolf goes it alone and wins, the payout is doubled. If the Wolf (or the Wolf’s team) loses, they pay out to the other player.

The fun of Wolf comes from the risk-reward element. Do you play it safe and partner up, or do you gamble on your skills for a bigger payout? It can change the dynamic of your round.

This game is all about making smart choices under pressure. It’s not just about hitting good shots; it’s about reading the other players and knowing when to take a risk. It’s a fun way to full guide to playing wolf and keep things interesting on the course.

Rabbit Game: Who Holds the Rabbit at Hole 18 Wins

The Rabbit game is a fun, simple betting game that adds a little extra excitement to your round. It’s easy to learn and can be played by golfers of all skill levels. The core idea is that a “rabbit” is in play, and players compete to “capture” it by winning holes outright. Whoever possesses the rabbit at the end of the round wins a predetermined amount.

Here’s how it typically works:

1. Ante Up: Before starting, each player contributes to a pot.
2. The Rabbit is Loose: At the beginning of the round, the rabbit is “free”.
3. Capturing the Rabbit: The first player to win a hole outright (lowest score without any ties) captures the rabbit.
4. Rabbit Transfers: The rabbit changes hands whenever another player wins a hole outright. If there’s a tie for the low score, the rabbit stays with the current holder.
5. The Final Showdown: Whoever holds the rabbit at the end of the round (hole 18) wins the entire pot.

A common variation involves splitting the pot. The player holding the rabbit after the 9th hole wins half the pot, and a new rabbit is released for the back nine. This keeps things interesting and gives everyone a chance to win, even if they have a rough start.

This game is great because it adds an element of competition to every hole, even if you’re not playing your best overall game. It’s also easy to adapt to different skill levels and betting preferences. You can adjust the amount of the pot to suit your group’s comfort level. Consider adding side bets to make it even more interesting.

Banker Game: Take on the Field Hole By Hole in 3 Ball Format

The Banker game is a fun, competitive format that pits one player against the other two on each hole. It’s a great way to add some excitement to your round and test your skills under pressure. The game requires at least three players, and it’s all about individual matchups against a rotating “banker.”

Here’s how it works:

1. Set the Stakes: Before you start, agree on minimum and maximum bet amounts for each hole. For example, you might set a minimum of $1 and a maximum of $10.
2. Choose the Banker: Decide who will be the banker for the first hole. It’s common to rotate the banker role each hole, often based on the previous hole’s results (the lowest score becomes the next banker).
3. Individual Bets: Each player (other than the banker) decides how much they want to bet against the banker on that hole, within the agreed-upon range. Players are not betting against each other, only against the banker.
4. Banker’s Tee Shot: The banker tees off last. This adds a bit of pressure, as they see what the other players have done.
5. Pressing Bets: After tee shots, players can “press” their bets, essentially doubling them. The banker can also press, but this doubles everyone’s bets against them. Pressing rules can add a unique twist, especially on par 3s.
6. Scoring: At the end of the hole, compare each player’s score to the banker’s score. If a player beats the banker, they win their bet. If the banker wins or ties, they collect the bet from that player.
7. Rotate the Banker: The player with the lowest score on the hole becomes the banker for the next hole. Ties for a low score can be broken by the longest putt or another agreed-upon method.

The Banker game is all about individual performance and strategic betting. It encourages players to focus on their own game while adding a layer of friendly competition. The rotating banker role keeps things interesting and ensures everyone gets a chance to be in the hot seat.

Here’s a simple example:

Player	Role	Bet Amount	Score	Result vs. Banker	Payout/Loss
Player 1	Banker	–	5	–	–
Player 2	Opponent	$5	4	Wins	+$5
Player 3	Opponent	$3	6	Loses	-$3

In this example, Player 2 wins $5 from Player 1 (the banker), while Player 3 loses $3 to Player 1.

Banker is a fun way to spice up your golf betting games! It’s easy to learn, offers strategic betting opportunities, and keeps everyone engaged throughout the round.

Split Sixes (Hollywood): Rotate Teams Every Six Holes

Split Sixes, also known as Hollywood or Round Robin, is a fun way to mix things up when you have three golfers. The core idea is that you rotate partners every six holes. This keeps the game fresh and ensures everyone gets to team up with each other. It’s a good balance of teamwork and individual play, as the partnerships change throughout the round.

Here’s how it typically works:

• Partners: You’ll switch partners every six holes, so each player partners with the other two at some point.
• Betting: Before you start, agree on an amount to bet for each six-hole segment. The team with the lowest combined score for that segment wins the bet.
• Strategy: Because you’re changing partners, you need to think about your play and be aware of your partner’s strengths and weaknesses.

This game is great because it prevents any one player from dominating for too long. It forces you to adapt and work with different playing styles, which can make for some interesting situations on the course. Plus, it’s a good way to keep everyone engaged, even if they’re not having their best day.

To add a little extra spice, you can include side bets, like longest drive or closest to the pin on par-3s. This can make things even more interesting and give everyone something to play for, even if they’re not in contention for the main bet. It’s a simple way to prevent a lot of ties and keep the energy up throughout the round.

Snake for Two Putting Penalties: Avoid the Snake or Pay Up

Okay, so “Snake” isn’t about actual snakes (thank goodness!). It’s a putting game that adds a little extra pressure on the greens. The goal is simple: don’t three-putt!

Here’s how it usually goes:

• No gimmies allowed. Every putt has to be holed out.
• Each time someone three-putts, they get the “snake.”
• The player holding the snake at the end of the round has to pay up.

It’s a pretty simple game, but it can mess with your head, especially on those tricky downhill putts. It’s amazing how much more careful you become when there’s money on the line. You can adjust the stakes to whatever everyone is comfortable with. It’s all about having a bit of fun and maybe winning a few bucks along the way. This game is great to add to other formats, like classic Nassau, to spice things up.

I remember one time playing Snake, and I had the snake on the 18th green. I was so nervous I could barely hold my putter straight. I ended up four-putting! Let’s just say I wasn’t too happy about that. But hey, that’s golf, right?

Bingo Bango Bongo: Earn Points on Every Hole

Bingo Bango Bongo is a game that rewards different achievements on each hole, adding a fun, competitive edge to your round. It’s simple to learn and keeps everyone engaged from tee to green. The goal is to accumulate points based on who achieves certain milestones first on each hole. It’s a great way to introduce some friendly competition without focusing solely on the lowest score.

Here’s how it typically works:

• Bingo (First on the Green): The first player to get their ball on the green earns a point.
• Bango (Closest to the Pin): Once all balls are on the green, the player whose ball is closest to the pin gets a point.
• Bongo (First to Hole Out): The first player to sink their putt and finish the hole earns a point.

This game is a fantastic way to level the playing field, especially if you have players of varying skill levels. It emphasizes different aspects of the game, not just overall score, and can lead to some surprising outcomes. Plus, it’s just plain fun to cheer each other on (or heckle a little) as you compete for those points!

At the end of the round, tally up the points, and the player with the most points wins. You can assign a monetary value to each point to make things interesting. For example, each point could be worth $1, $2, or whatever amount your group agrees on. This game is a fun alternative to traditional stroke play and can add excitement to any round of golf. If you’re looking to improve your Bingo Cash chances, this game might help you focus on specific skills.

Crazy Dots or “Garbage” Game: Side Bet a Range of Achievements

Ready to spice up your three-man golf outing? The “Crazy Dots,” also known as “Garbage,” game is a fantastic way to add some extra fun and friendly competition to your round. It’s all about side bets on a variety of achievements throughout the game. Think of it as a golf scavenger hunt where success earns you points (or “dots”) and ultimately, cash.

The beauty of Crazy Dots is its flexibility. You can customize the achievements to fit your group’s skill level and sense of humor. It’s a great way to keep everyone engaged, even if they’re not having their best day on the course.

Here’s how it typically works:

• Define the Dots: Before you tee off, agree on a list of achievements that will earn points. These can be anything from hitting a green in regulation to sinking a long putt or even recovering from a bad lie.
• Assign Point Values: Decide how many points each achievement is worth. Some achievements, like a birdie, might be worth more than others, like hitting the fairway.
• Track the Dots: Keep track of who earns which dots throughout the round. This can be done on a scorecard or even just on a piece of paper.
• Settle Up: At the end of the round, tally up the points and settle the bets. The player with the most points wins, or you can have a payout system based on the difference in points between players.

This game is all about having fun and adding a little extra excitement to your round. Don’t take it too seriously, and be sure to choose achievements that everyone has a chance of achieving. It’s a great way to create some memorable moments on the course.

Here are some popular “dots” to consider:

• Sandy: Making par after being in a bunker.
• Greenie: Hitting the green on a par 3.
• Barkie: Making par after hitting a tree.
• Birdie: Making a birdie.
• Firie: Hitting the fairway on a par 4 or 5.

This game can be combined with other formats, like Sixes, to add even more layers of competition and fun. Get creative and come up with your unique dots to make the game even more personalized and enjoyable for your group.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which golf games are best for players with different skill levels?

For groups with different skill levels, games like Scramble, Bingo Bango Bongo, Snake, Wolf, or any game that uses handicaps are great choices. It’s best to try and make teams as even as possible if you’re playing a team game.

What games can you play with three golfers?

Some of the best golf betting games for three players include Nassau, Skins, Scotch, Snake, Banker, Stableford, Bingo Bango Bongo, Rabbit, and Defender. These can be played with each person playing for themselves or with one person playing against the other two.

How does Nassau work in golf?

Nassau is a classic golf betting game split into three parts: the front nine, the back nine, and the full 18 holes. You can also add a small bet for each birdie made.

What is a Skins game in golf?

Skins is a game where each hole has a value, and the player with the lowest score on a hole wins that ‘skin.’ If there’s a tie, the skin carries over to the next hole, making the next hole worth even more.

How do you play the Rabbit game?

The Rabbit game is a chase. A ‘rabbit’ is established by the first player to win a hole outright. If another player wins the next hole outright, they ‘capture’ the rabbit. The player holding the rabbit at the end of the game wins.

What is the Banker game?

In the Banker game, one player acts as the ‘banker’ for a hole, and the other players bet against them individually. The player with the lowest score on that hole becomes the banker for the next hole.

How do you play Bingo Bango Bongo?

Bingo Bango Bongo is a points-based game where points are given for different achievements on each hole: first on the green (Bingo), closest to the pin on the green (Bango), and first to hole out (Bongo).

What is the Snake game in golf?

The Snake game is a penalty game, usually for three-putts. The player who three-putts gets the ‘snake.’ If multiple players three-putt on the same hole, the snake goes to the last player to do so. The person with the snake at the end of the round pays a set penalty.