If you’ve spent any time around weekend golfers, you’ve probably heard someone say, “Let’s play skins today.” It’s one of the most popular side games in golf because it keeps every hole exciting, no matter how the rest of your round is going. Even if you’ve had a rough front nine, one good hole could still win you something. In this guide, we’ll walk you through exactly how to play Skins in golf, how scoring works, and the variations you can try with your group.
Basically, Skins is a scoring system in which every hole has a certain value in money, points, or bragging rights. Here, the players are allowed to play their own ball and are considered as individuals on each and every hole. Whoever wins the hole outright earns the “skin”, But if two or more players tie, that skin rolls over to the next hole, which instantly adds to the total skin value for the next hole’s winner. Simple idea, fun pressure, and perfect for groups of all skill levels.
For a quick overview of what the format looks like in action, you can also check out this simple breakdown of the Skins in Golf game here.
How to Play Skins in Golf?
So, if you’ve ever wondered how to play skins in golf, the format is actually simpler than it looks and adds a fun betting twist to any round.
The fundamental principle of a Skins game is quite easy: a player who has the lowest score on a hole is the only one who wins the skin for that hole. A player who wins a hole alone (i.e., has the lowest score among players) gets the existing skin (or pool of skins), and the process begins again at the next tee box.
The magic of the game occurs when players tie. If two or more players have the lowest score, there is no skin awarded for that hole. Instead, the value of that skin “carries over” and is added to the value of the skin for the next hole. This creates a snowball effect, where the value can be significant on a hole, which adds pressure and should turn a simple par-3 hole into a skin worth anything from 2-10 skins. You set up the skin value and decide if you want to play for gross scores (actual strokes taken) or net scores (player scores adjusted by handicap), which we will discuss below.
How Scoring & Carryovers Work?
Carryovers are essentially the lifeline of a Skins match. When no player wins a hole outright, the skin doesn’t vanish, instead, it is carried over to the next one and hence, increases the total value. This is the reason why a mere miss or tie can suddenly elevate an ordinary hole to a high-pressure moment.
Just imagine if every hole was one skin. At Hole 1, Player A does a par and Player B also makes a par, so no winner. That skin carries to Hole 2, where one skin is now worth two skins. If Player C wins Hole 2 alone with a birdie, they win both skins that carried over. If Hole 2 also ties, the value keeps building until someone finally wins a hole outright.
At most, the number of skins you can win in a single round of 18 holes is 18, but when carryovers are stacked, one hole can be the reason for you to win a huge part of the pot. Also, if the last hole (Hole 18) is a tie, most groups decide the remaining skins through a sudden-death playoff, unless all players had agreed beforehand to split them equally.
How to Set Skin Values (Money or Points)?
Skins are typically played for a fixed monetary value per hole, but how that value is applied can vary:
- Equal Value Per Hole (Standard): This is the easiest way. Just to illustrate, let’s say you have a $5 skin, then every hole is worth $5. In a skin carryover, the next hole’s possible payout thus becomes $10, then $15, and so forth.
- Rolling Value: This is a less frequently used method, in which the skin’s value gets higher with every carryover, usually by doubling. For instance, Hole 1 is $5. If it’s a tie, then Hole 2 will be worth $10, and if that also results in a tie, Hole 3 will be worth $20. This can result in huge pots on the last hole!
Net vs Gross Skins
Gross skins count your actual score on each hole, while net skins factor in handicaps. Many mixed-skill groups prefer net skins because it keeps things fair and competitive. But the rules of play remain the same, the lowest score wins the skin.
Variations of Skins Game
One of the most significant features of Skins is the ability of different teams to modify the rules so that they can either increase the pressure of the game or speed up the play. The following are some of the most common twists:
Back it Up
Imagine a situation where a person is the winner of a skin and the very next player surpasses his result on the next hole, this new player “backs it up” and thus takes the previous skin away from the first one. It adds pressure to keep your momentum going.
4+ Match
Best for larger groups. Multiple skins can be in play at once, and only a completely solo low score wins the skin. If four or more players tie, everything keeps carrying over.
No Carry Over
A pure version of skins where ties simply cancel the hole. If nobody wins outright, that skin disappears, no pressure buildup, just straightforward scoring.
Validation
Even if you win a hole, you only keep the skin if you “validate” it by at least tying or winning the next hole as well. If you fail, the skin rolls over to the next hole.
Ghost skins
In this version, an imaginary “ghost player” is added to the group and is automatically given a fixed score on every hole, usually par. To win a skin, a real player has to beat the ghost as well as the others. It adds pressure and makes winning skins a lot tougher, especially for smaller groups.
Automatic presses
Some groups like to add automatic presses when a player falls behind usually after losing a certain number of skins in a row. A press starts a fresh side bet for the remaining holes, giving players a chance to make a comeback instead of feeling out of the match early.
If you enjoy casual formats like Skins, you might also like other fun side games such as Bingo Bango Bongo, which keeps every shot interesting.
Conclusion
Now that we’ve walked through how to play Skins in golf from scoring and carryovers to fun variations it’s clear why this format is such a favorite. One of the simplest ways to make a round more exciting is by playing for money, points, or just bragging rights. Skins is the game that accomplishes this most effectively as it maintains the importance of each hole, introduces slightly more pressure, and allows players of any skill level to have an equal probability of winning something.
So, before jumping into any Skins match, loose muscles make a huge difference, this quick guide on golf stretching tips is worth a look.
FAQs
How to calculate skins in golf?
A skin is awarded when a player has the lowest unique score on a hole. If there’s a tie, the skin carries over to the next hole unless the group plays “no carryover”.
Do PGA players play skins?
Although the PGA Tour golfers are not using the Skins format in their official events, a famous, televised, offseason event called The Skins Game used to be associated with the PGA Tour. The event was a four-player head-to-head competition, thus making it the most exciting thing on TV. Unfortunately, the tournament came to a halt around 2008.
Why do they call it a Skins game in golf?
The name comes from old betting slang where a “skin” meant a prize or wager won outright in golf, it refers to winning a hole with a clear, unmatched score.
What is the highest skin ever won?
Due to a series of carryovers, the last hole of the 2001 Skins Game telecast professional golf was valued at $200,000. Tom Watson won that hole. In amateur play when groups are playing for their own verifiable stakes, the highest skin fully depends on the groups initially staked and the rolls in which the prize continues to roll over.
Who are some famous skins golfers?
The Skins Game was a treat for the greats on TV, with great fun and significant experiences for each one of the skins. Fred Couples is the person who holds the record for the most titles won in the event (five times) and the most money won in the format’s history. Other golf legends Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Tom Watson, Greg Norman, and Tiger Woods have also participated in the skins game.
