Golf is a sport that millions of people worldwide enjoy, and it’s a great way to spend time outdoors while getting some exercise and socializing with friends. However, sometimes golf can become monotonous, especially if you’re repeatedly playing the same course with the same group of people. If you’re looking for a way to spice up your golf game and add some friendly competition, why not try some golf games for groups?
In this article, we’ll explore golf games you can play with your buddies. These games are easy to learn and keep you entertained for hours. To simplify it, we have given each game’s players and mapped out scenarios so you can visualize each golf game.
Pairs of Two
Wolf:
The first game we’ll discuss is “Wolf” This game is perfect for two golfers and is a great way to add some friendly competition to your round.
The game follows: one person is the “wolf,” and they can choose which golf shot they want to play. The golfers alternate who the wolf is with each hole. If the wolf wins the hole, they earn three points; the others lose one point each. If the wolf loses the hole, they’ll lose two points, and the golfers on the same team will win one point each.
Let’s take a look at an example of how this game would work:
Arnold Palmer: Wolf
Jack Nicklaus: Golfers
- Arnold chooses to hit his golf shot first and makes a par, so Arnold earns three points, and Jack receives one point.
- Jack is now the wolf on the second hole and chooses to hit his golf shot first.
- He makes a birdie, so Jack earns three points, and Arnold receives one point.
- This game continues until the golfers finish the hole they’re playing.
- The golfers with the most points at the end of the round win!
Skunk:
The next game we’ll be discussing is called “Skunk.” This game is similar to the previous game, but the stakes are higher. Before your round, each player must decide on an amount they will put in the pot (say $10).
On each hole, one person gets to be the “Skunk” and choose which golf shot they will play. If the Skunk wins the hole, they take the pot; if they lose, they double the bank and put it in the pool for the next hole. The game continues until someone wins the pot!
Let’s take a look at an example of how this game would work:
Arnold Palmer: Skunk
Jack Nicklaus: Golfers
- Arnold is the Skunk on the first hole and chooses to hit his golf shot first.
- He makes a par, so Arnold takes the $10.
- Jack is now the Skunk on the second hole and chooses to hit his golf shot first.
- He makes a birdie, so Jack takes the entire pot of $20. This game continues until someone wins the pot!
Three Player Games
The Presidents Cup:
The Presidents Cup is a golf game based on the famous Presidents Cup golf tournament. The match is perfect for three golfers who will golf in teams against each other. The game’s objective is simple – the team with the lowest score wins.
Let’s assume that the band members of Nirvana are golfing together. The teams would be:
Kurt Cobain & Dave Grohl: Team 1
Krist Novoselic: Team 2
- Team 1 (Kurt and Dave) will golf against Team 2 (Krist).
- The team with the lowest score wins the hole and receives one point.
- If there is a tie, both teams receive a half-point each.
- This game continues until the golfers finish the hole they are playing.
- The team with the most points at the end of the round wins!
The Schmear
This golf game is perfect for three golfers and is based on the card game of Schmear. Each hole is a new “game,” and golfers will play against each other. The player with the highest score on the hole wins the game and gets the points.
Let’s say Nirvana is golfing together again. Here’s how it would work:
Kurt Cobain & Dave Grohl: Players
Krist Novoselic: Schmear Captain
- Krist is the Schmear Captain and will golf against Kurt and Dave.
- The golfers will tee off, and the Schmear Captain will decide which golf shot they want to play.
- The golfer with the highest score on the hole wins the game and receives two points.
- If there’s a tie, all golfers receive one point each.
- This game continues until golfers finish the hole they’re golfing.
- The golfer with the most points at the end of the round wins!
Four Player Games
The Horseshoe
This golf game is for four golfers, and it’s all about getting your golf ball close to the golf hole. The golfers will hit one golf shot each, and whoever lands closest to the golf hole without going in wins the golf hole.
Let’s say that the Beatles are golfing together. Here’s how it would work:
John Lennon & Paul McCartney: Team 1
Ringo Starr & George Harrison: Team 2
- John & Ringo would hit their golf balls first, followed by Paul & George.
- The golfers’ golf balls that land closest to the golf hole without going in would win that golf hole for their team.
- The golfers keep score by adding up the golf holes won per round once all golfers have finished golfing.
- The team with the most golf holes won at the end of the match wins the golf game.
The Ace
This game is perfect for four golfers and is about getting that elusive “ace” (hole-in-one). Players take turns teeing off, and whoever gets the closest to the golf hole without going in it wins that golf hole. If someone sinks an ace, they win the golf hole and are rewarded with a prize from their golf buddies.
Let’s say that the Beatles are golfing together again. Here’s how it would work:
George Harrison & John Lennon: Team 1
Paul McCartney & Ringo Starr: Team 2
- George & Paul will tee off first, followed by John & Ringo.
- Whichever golf ball lands closest to the golf hole without going in would win that golf hole for their team.
- If someone sinks an ace, they win the golf hole and get a reward from their golf buddies.
- The golfers keep score by adding up the golf holes won per round once all golfers have finished golfing.
- The team with the most golf holes won at the end of the match wins the game!
Five Player Games
The King’s Crown
In The King’s Crown, each hole is assigned a value of points, usually increasing in difficulty from 1 to 5. The team that wins the hole receives the number of points assigned to that hole, and the team with the most points at the end of the round wins.
Let’s pretend the Beach Boys are golfing together. Here’s how it would work:
Brian Wilson & Mike Love: Team 1
Al Jardine, Carl Wilson, Dennis Wilson: Team 2
- At the start of each hole, each player hits a tee shot.
- The team then selects the best tee shot, and each player hits their second shot from that spot.
- This process continues until the ball is in the hole.
- The team with the lowest score on the hole wins the hole and the assigned points.
- The game of The King’s Crown allows for strategic play as teams try to select the best tee shot and decide who should take each subsequent shot.
- The team with the best communication and collaboration will have the greatest chance of winning.
The Pyramid Challenge
This golf game is for five golfers, and it’s all about getting your golf ball closest to the golf hole. The golfers will hit one golf shot each, and whoever lands closest to the golf hole without going in wins the golf hole.
Let’s pretend that the Beach Boys are golfing together. Here’s how it would work:
Carl Wilson & Mike Love: Team 1
Brian Wilson, Al Jardine, Dennis Wilson: Team 2
- The golfers will take turns hitting one golf shot each, and the golfer whose ball lands closest to the golf hole without going in will win the hole for their team.
- The game will continue in this manner until all holes have been played.
- The team that wins the most holes at the end of the game will be declared the winner.
- This game requires accuracy and precision in golf shots, as the goal is not to get the ball in the hole but rather to get it as close as possible without going in.
Six Player+ Games
Quadruple Bogey
Quadruple Bogey is a golf game suitable for three or more players. In this game, players want to avoid making a quadruple bogey on any hole. The game is played with the standard golf rules, but the penalty for making a quadruple bogey is significant.
In this game, each player would hit their shot and play according to the standard golf rules. However, if any player makes a quadruple bogey on a hole, they would be eliminated from the game. The remaining players would continue to play the next hole, and the game would continue until only one player is left.
Around the World
Around the World is a golf game perfect for any number of players. Each golfer takes turns hitting their golf ball and getting it as close to the hole as possible. Once all golfers have hit their golf balls, the golfer who is the farthest from the hole is out of the game. The remaining golfers continue to play until only one golfer remains.
Have Fun!
Golf is not just about hitting the ball and getting it into the hole. It is also about having fun with friends, trying out new golf games, and adding some friendly competition to your rounds. The golf games we discussed are perfect for groups and are sure to provide hours of entertainment. So, the next time you hit the golf course with your buddies, try out some of these games and see who comes out on top! Remember, it’s not always about winning but having a good time. Happy golfing!
