Trevor Ng
A Golf Calcutta is a type of wagering or gambling, sometimes held alongside golf tournaments. It is a fun and exciting format for amateur golfers, although it can be complicated to run. Firstly, check that the golf course allows this type of event, as some do not permit gambling. Next, establish where the money is going—will the pot be split with a charity, or will all the money remain in the pot? The tournament itself is straightforward: it is usually an 18-hole stroke play event, but it can work with many different types of golf games. To set up the auction, group golfers together based on their ranking and auction them off individually or in groups. Participants bid on players without a budget, so the pot grows and evolves as the auction goes on. Once the tournament is over, the pot is distributed to the top finishers.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Tournament format | 18-hole stroke play event |
| Tournament duration | 1-4 days |
| Tournament participants | Individuals or two-man teams |
| Tournament finale | Alternate shot or Chapman-style playoff |
| Tournament type | Member-guest, member-member, or charity |
| Tournament payouts | Distributed to top three teams |
| Tournament legality | Allowed, but may impact amateur status |
| Auction type | Bidding on players or groups of players |
| Auction budget | No budget; total pot depends on bids |
| Auction grouping | Group lower-ranked players together |
| Auction tracking | Use spreadsheets or tools like Auction Pro |
| Auction tiebreakers | Dead heat rules or tiebreakers like lowest round |
| Auction fundraising | Pot split with charity or donated prizes |
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What You'll Learn
Golf Calcutta auctions are a type of gambling
In a Calcutta auction, participants bid on players, auction-style, until each player or group of players has been bought. There is no set budget, so the total pot can vary widely depending on who is participating in the auction.
For example, in a Masters Calcutta, there can be 90+ players in the field per year, so you might auction the top 40 players individually, then group the lower-ranked players together into entries of five, which are auctioned off as a group.
The money in the pot is distributed to the top finishers in the tournament, depending on where the players they bid on place. This can be done in a variety of ways, depending on the specific rules set by the tournament organizers. For example, the pot might be split 50/50 with a charity, or 100% of the money might stay in the pot. In some cases, the winner of the auction might receive a donated prize instead of a payout from the pot.
It's important to note that participating in a Calcutta auction can impact a golfer's amateur status, so amateur golfers should seek guidance or refrain from participating if they have concerns.
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Bidding on players is done auction-style
A Calcutta auction is a type of wagering or gambling sometimes held in conjunction with golf tournaments. It is a fun and exciting format for amateur golfers. The tournament itself is straightforward – it is usually an 18-hole stroke play event, but it can work with many different types of golf games.
In terms of grouping golfers, this depends on the size of the tournament. In an NCAA Tournament auction, you may group the 14-16 seeds. However, in Masters Calcuttas, there can be 90+ players, so you might auction the top 40 players individually, then group the lower-ranked players. It is important to track the results in real-time in a spreadsheet so that everyone can see what each team went for during the auction.
The auctioneer can impact bidding. For example, if a strong player has travelled from out of town, the auctioneer might say positive things about them to drive up their price. Bidders should be aware of this and try to pick a player they think will win. If you are a player yourself, it is recommended that you don't bid on yourself, but you can buy yourself for the lowest possible bid, or buy half of yourself back from whoever buys you.
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Group golfers together
When it comes to grouping golfers together in a Calcutta auction, there are a few different approaches you can take. The approach you choose will depend on the size of the tournament and the number of golfers participating. Here are some detailed instructions on how to group golfers together:
Grouping Golfers in NCAA Tournament Auctions
In an NCAA Tournament auction, you can group golfers together by their seeds. For example, you can group the 14-16 seeds together. This creates a simple and straightforward grouping method that is easy to organise and track.
Grouping Golfers in Masters Calcuttas
Masters Calcuttas typically involve a larger number of golfers, with 90+ players participating per year. In this case, you can group golfers together by first auctioning off the top-ranked players individually. Then, group the lower-ranked players together as one entry. This allows you to manage a larger number of golfers while still creating an exciting auction dynamic.
Creating Pots
Another method for grouping golfers is to create "pots". Take the remaining golfers and break them into five pots, grouped by the odds board. Then, from each pot, pick one player to form a group. For example, one group could include Seamus Power, Bubba Watson, Kevin Na, Zach Johnson, and Mateo Fernández de Oliveira. These groups will then be auctioned off together.
Tracking Results
Regardless of the grouping method you choose, it is important to track the results of the auction in real time. Use a spreadsheet or a tool like Auction Pro to record the teams, the auction amounts, and the owners of each team. This information is vital during the auction and will help with payouts after the tournament.
Group Size and Bidding Strategies
Keep in mind that the size of each group can impact the bidding dynamics. Larger groups may attract higher bids due to the collective potential of the golfers within the group. On the other hand, individual golfers or smaller groups may attract lower bids, but they can also provide an opportunity to buy low and potentially earn a significant payout if the golfer or group performs well.
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Decide where the money goes
When deciding where the money goes in a golf Calcutta, there are a few options to consider. Firstly, it's important to check if the golf course allows gambling events, as some courses have restrictions on this format of play. Once you've confirmed that the course permits it, you can decide on the structure of the pot.
One option is to split the pot 50/50 with a charity, where half of the money goes to a chosen charitable organisation and the other half is awarded as a payout to the winner or winners of the tournament. This format is often used when the golf tournament itself is a charity event, with the Calcutta auction serving as an additional fundraising opportunity. In some cases, the winner may receive a donated prize instead of a monetary payout from the auction pot, allowing more funds to be directed to the charity.
Alternatively, you can keep 100% of the money in the pot, with the full amount being distributed as payouts to the top finishers in the tournament. The number of payouts can vary, but typically, the pot is divided among the top three teams or individuals.
It's worth noting that participating in a Calcutta auction may have implications for amateur golfers concerned about their amateur status. If this is a concern, it is recommended to seek guidance from the USGA or R&A before taking part.
The beauty of a Calcutta auction is that the total pot grows and evolves as the auction progresses, creating an exciting dynamic for participants. Bidders can choose to invest in multiple golfers or groups of golfers, increasing their chances of winning a payout. Ultimately, the structure of the payouts is flexible, and organisers can set their own rules and limits, especially when the event is held for fundraising purposes.
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Tallying up results and payouts
Once the tournament is over, it's time to tally up the results and determine the payouts. The pot is typically distributed to the top finishers, with the number of payouts depending on the size of the tournament and the preferences of the organizers. For example, in a smaller tournament, there might be payouts for the top three finishers, while in a larger tournament, there could be separate auctions and payouts for the championship flight, 1st flight, and so on.
It's important to note that golfers often tie for spots below first place. In this case, you can apply dead heat rules, where the tied players split the payouts for their respective places. For example, if two players tie for second place, they would each receive half of the second and third-place payouts. Alternatively, you can create a tiebreaker, such as the lowest round among the tied players, but this can be more complicated if multiple players tie for the same spot.
The payouts will also depend on the format of the auction and whether the tournament is a charity event. In a standard auction, the total pot is distributed to the winners based on their finishing positions. However, if the tournament is raising money for charity, the organizers may decide to donate a portion of the auction pot to charity, with the remaining funds being distributed to the winners. The organizers can also choose to have all the money bid in the auction go to charity, with the winners receiving donated prizes instead of cash payouts.
Finally, it's worth mentioning that in some Calcuttas, players can bid on themselves or buy themselves back from the highest bidder. This allows the player to receive a portion of their winnings, especially if they are confident in their abilities. However, this practice is not recommended for amateur golfers as it may risk their amateur status.
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Frequently asked questions
A golf Calcutta is a type of wagering or gambling, sometimes held in conjunction with tournaments. It is a form of auction where participants bid on players or groups of players. The total pot of money collected from the auction is distributed to the top finishers in the tournament.
Bidding in a golf Calcutta can be done in various ways. You can bid on individual players or groups of players. If you are confident in your abilities, it is recommended to bid on yourself at the lowest possible price. The auctioneer can also influence bidding by providing information or opinions about certain players.
To organize a golf Calcutta, you must first ensure that the golf course allows this type of event as some may have restrictions on gambling. You then need to determine how the money will be distributed. The pot can be split between the winners and a charity, or it can be kept entirely for the winners. It is also important to establish the rules and structure of the event, such as grouping golfers based on rankings or odds.
