Jackson Reid
Golf side bets are additional wagers made during a round of golf that are separate from the main game. These bets can be made on various outcomes, such as the lowest score on a hole or the closest to the pin, and are often used to add excitement and friendly competition to the game. Side bets can be made in groups of any size, with the wager being as large or small as the players desire. Some popular side bets include Nassau, Bingo Bango Bongo, Aces and Deuces, and Wolf, each with their own unique rules and scoring formats. These side bets not only make the game more enjoyable but also encourage players to recover quickly from bad breaks.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | To make the game more interesting and exciting |
| Number of players | 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 12 or more |
| Types of bets | Greenies, Sandies, Poleys, Quarters, Wolf, Wolf Hammer, Animals, Umbrella, The Nassau, Skins games, Aces and Deuces, Gruesomes, Criers and Whiners, Alternate shot, Best nine, Seves, Rabbit, Three-putt poker, Defender, Las Vegas, Wolfman, Woodies, Arnies, Chasing the Bear, etc. |
| Betting scenarios | Making par or better after hitting a tree, going over a hazard, out of bounds, etc. |
| Betting amounts | Any amount, from $2 Nassau to $8 per bet |
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What You'll Learn
- Popular golf side bets include 'Arnies', 'Rabbit', 'Wolf' and 'Greenies'
- 'Rabbit' is played in threes or fours, where the player with the lowest score on the first hole wins a bet
- 'Wolf' is played in groups of four, where one player rotates as the 'Wolf' and chooses whether to play one against three, or two versus two
- 'Greenies' is a bet on who can get closest to the pin
- 'Skins games' are simple, but the value of holes can increase if competitors halve a series of holes, causing the pot to build
Popular golf side bets include 'Arnies', 'Rabbit', 'Wolf' and 'Greenies'
Golf side bets are a great way to add excitement and a friendly competitive element to a game of golf. Popular golf side bets include Arnies, Rabbit, Wolf, and Greenies.
Arnies is a side bet where golfers can win by making par on a hole without ever being in the fairway. The game is named after Arnold Palmer, who was famous for his aggressive style of play and his ability to get out of trouble when he missed the fairway.
Wolf is another popular side bet that combines individual play with team dynamics. In this game, one player, the 'Wolf', decides on each hole whether to team up with another player or go it alone. The Wolf can earn more points by winning alone, but there is also a risk of losing points if they don't win the hole.
Greenies is a side bet that focuses on precision on par-3 holes. Players bet on who will get their ball closest to the hole in one shot. This adds a layer of strategy to the game as players focus on fine-tuning their approach shots.
Rabbit is another side bet that can be played during a round of golf, although the specifics of this game are unclear. However, it is likely to involve some form of betting or challenge that adds interest and competition to the game.
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'Rabbit' is played in threes or fours, where the player with the lowest score on the first hole wins a bet
Golf side bets are a great way to make the game more interesting and exciting. They can be placed on almost anything and don't always have to be monetary. One such side bet is called "Rabbit".
Rabbit is played in threes or fours, and it is all about getting the lowest score on the first hole, which is termed "catching the rabbit". This side bet is usually played on both nines, so it covers the first nine holes (front nine) and the next nine (back nine). Before the game, all players agree on a prize amount for winning the bet.
Here's how it works: On the first hole, the player with the lowest score wins and captures the rabbit. If they can keep the lowest score for the first nine holes, they win the bet for that set of holes. If the rabbit is not captured after the ninth hole, the game continues as is, and the player who holds the rabbit after the 18th hole wins both units of the bet.
A variation of the game makes it more difficult to get the rabbit once it is won. This is done by adding "legs" to the rabbit. For example, if a player wins the first two holes outright, they would own two legs of the rabbit, meaning the other players would have to win two holes outright just to set the rabbit free, after which it would be up for grabs again. This rewards players who get off to a fast start, similar to how a rabbit sets the pace in a race.
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'Wolf' is played in groups of four, where one player rotates as the 'Wolf' and chooses whether to play one against three, or two versus two
Golf side bets are additional wagers made during a round of golf that is typically done to make the game more exciting. These bets can be made on anything and do not always have to involve money. For example, players might do something absurd if they lose.
One such golf side bet is the game Wolf, which is played in groups of four. Each player takes turns being the Wolf and tees off last. As the Wolf, you can choose to play alone (a Lone Wolf) or pick a playing partner for that hole. If you decide to go solo, you will be up against the other three players. If you choose to have a partner, it will be a two-versus-two match.
The Wolf must decide whether to play alone or with a partner before the next golfer in the order hits their tee shot. If the next player in line hits their tee shot, the Wolf can no longer select the previous player as their partner.
There are variations of Wolf, such as Blind Wolf, where the Wolf chooses to go alone before seeing anyone's tee shots. In this case, the hole is worth double the points. In Scotch Wolf, the second shot and all remaining shots alternate by player.
Betting is a crucial aspect of Wolf, and players can wager on various outcomes, such as who will win each hole, who will be the top-performing Wolf, or who will earn the most points overall. The game typically uses a point-based scoring system linked to hole performance. For example, a solo Wolf who wins the hole might earn four points. If the Wolf and their partner win, they might split the points, earning two points each, while the other players get nothing.
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'Greenies' is a bet on who can get closest to the pin
Golf side bets are a great way to add excitement to a round of golf. One such side bet is Greenies. Greenies is a bet on who can get closest to the pin. It is a simple yet engaging side bet that is not just about who hits the longest drive or who has the best overall score; it is about precision and the thrill of the challenge on par-3 holes.
To play Greenies, golfers agree on the value of each Greenie before the round starts. This value can be a friendly wager or a more significant stake, depending on the group’s preference. During the round, golfers focus on fine-tuning their approach shots to increase their chances of winning the Greenie for that hole. The player whose ball lands closest to the hole on the green in one shot wins the Greenie for that hole.
There are a few variations to the Greenies bet. One variation is to only award a Greenie to the golfer who is closest to the pin if two or more golfers record a green in regulation (GIR) on the same hole. Another variation is to only award a Greenie to a golfer with a GIR if she then holes out in two or fewer putts. A three-putt or worse means no Greenie. Golfers can also increase the dollar value of the Greenie and play the game only on par-3 holes, increasing the pressure on those holes.
Greenies is a popular side bet among golfers because it is simple, fun, and can be played by golfers of all skill levels. It adds an element of friendly competition and encourages golfers to focus on precision and strategy, especially on par-3 holes. Whether played for bragging rights, points, or small wagers, Greenies is a great way to enhance the overall golfing experience.
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'Skins games' are simple, but the value of holes can increase if competitors halve a series of holes, causing the pot to build
Skins is a golf format played by three or four golfers. It is a simple betting game that can be played by golfers of all skill levels. In a Skins game, the winner of a hole wins a Skin, which is normally equivalent to a sum of money. The name of the game comes from the leather pouches, or Skins, in which money was kept.
The game is ideal for players who like to play for money, high-pressure situations, keeping it simple, and playing for themselves. Each player must have cash, and the group decides on the dollar amount for each hole before starting the game.
If a hole is won outright, the winning player takes the Skin. However, if there is no outright winner, the Skin is carried over to the next hole, and all players can compete for it, regardless of their previous performance. This can lead to a build-up of value on a hole, as consecutive ties will increase the pot. This encourages players to take risks and rewards those who can shoot low on a hole.
An additional rule called "validation" can be included in the game. When a player wins a Skin, they must match or improve their score on the next hole to "validate" it. If they fail to validate, the Skin carries over to the next hole, unless another player wins it.
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Frequently asked questions
Golf side bets are wagers made during a round of golf to make the game more exciting. These bets can be made on anything and don't always have to involve money.
Some popular golf side bets include "Wolf", "Rabbit", "Greenies", "The Nassau", "Alternate Shot", "Seves", and "Three-Putt Poker".
Wolf is a classic golf betting game for a group of four. Players take turns being the "Wolf". On each hole, the Wolf decides whether to play one against three or two against two. If the Wolf chooses to play with a partner, they get to pick their teammate. The Wolf can win or lose more money by going it alone.
Rabbit is played in a threesome or foursome. Before the round, players agree on a prize amount for winning the bet. On the first hole, the player with the lowest score captures the rabbit. If they keep the lowest score for the first nine holes, they win the bet and the prize amount. If a player maintains the lowest score on all holes until the 18th green, they can win double the amount.
