General Competition Rules
Daily Skin Game
Skins are paid every day Sunday through Friday alongside the main game format. A skin is won outright on a hole — ties carry over.
- Hole Low Net score
- All natural Birdies, Eagles, Double Eagles
- Natural Aces (hole-in-one)
- Closest to the Pin on all Par 3s
Aces & Double Eagles
Natural Double Eagles and natural Aces are automatic jackpots — they take all of the skin money for that entire day. All other skins for the round are void.
★ BuschLight Cup — Season Points
Points accumulate across all 7 days. Final standings determine the Cup winner. Prizes paid out at end of 18-hole play on Friday: 1st = $20 • 2nd = $12 • 3rd = $8
| Event Type | Points Available | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4-Man Team Match — each 9 holes | 100 pts | Ties split evenly |
| 4-Man Team Match — 18-hole total | 100 pts | Ties split evenly |
| 2-Man Team Match — each 9 holes | 100 pts | Ties split evenly |
| 2-Man Team Match — 18-hole total | 100 pts | Ties split evenly |
| Individual Chicago — front 9 | 100 pts | Ties split evenly |
| Individual Chicago — back 9 | 100 pts | Ties split evenly |
| Individual Chicago — 18-hole total | 100 pts | Ties split evenly |
Format Breakdown
Two 4-man teams compete head-to-head. The number of scores that count depends on the par of the hole: 1 score on par 5s, 2 scores on par 4s, and 3 scores on par 3s. Three separate competitions run simultaneously: front 9, back 9, and 18-hole total.
How It Works — Par-Based Scoring
The number of scores counted per team is determined by the par of each hole:
| Hole Type | Scores Counted | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Par 5s | 1 score | Only the single lowest net score on your team counts |
| Par 4s | 2 scores | The two lowest net scores are added together |
| Par 3s | 3 scores | The three lowest net scores are added together |
Player B: gross 3, no strokes → net 3
Player C: gross 5, 1 stroke → net 4
Player D: gross 6, 2 strokes → net 4
Team score = 3 + 3 + 4 = 10
Player B: gross 5, no strokes → net 5
Player C: gross 7, 1 stroke → net 6
Player D: gross 7, 2 strokes → net 5
Team score = 5 (any of the three 5s count)
Everyone is split into two-man teams. On every hole, only the lowest net score between the two partners counts. Two groups of two teams play against each other, with front 9, back 9, and 18-hole competitions.
How It Works
- Both partners play their own ball for the entire round.
- After each hole, each partner calculates their net score (gross minus any handicap strokes received on that hole).
- The lower of the two net scores is the team's score for that hole.
- Team totals are compared at the end of each 9 and the full 18.
Player B (18 hcp): gross 6, 1 stroke this hole → net 5
Team score = 5 (tied — either counts)
Payout: $16 to winning team per 9 + $16 for 18 total per group. $32 in skins. Total purse: $80
A team-based version of the Chicago scoring game. Each player earns points on every hole based on their score relative to par. The team's combined point total is compared against a combined quota.
Chicago Points Per Hole (Gross Score)
| Score | Points |
|---|---|
| Double Eagle (−3) | 5 pts |
| Eagle (−2) | 4 pts |
| Birdie (−1) | 3 pts |
| Par (E) | 2 pts |
| Bogey (+1) | 1 pt |
| Double bogey or worse (+2 or more) | 0 pts |
Individual Quota
Each player's quota = 36 minus their handicap index (rounded). This is the number of points you're expected to earn across 18 holes. A net positive over quota is a good round.
If they earn 27 points total → Score = 27 − 24 = +3
Front 9, back 9, and 18-hole totals all count separately.
Payout: $16 per 9-hole win + $16 for 18-hole total. $32 in skins. Total purse: $80
Two 4-man teams compete. On every hole, the two lowest net scores from your 4 teammates are added together to form the team's hole score.
How It Works
- All 4 players play their own ball and calculate net score per hole.
- Rank the 4 net scores from lowest to highest.
- Add only the two lowest together — that's the team score for the hole.
- Compare team totals for front 9, back 9, and 18 holes.
Sorted: 4, 5, 5, 6 → Take 2 lowest: 4 + 5 = 9
Each player has designated holes where their score automatically counts, determined by team handicap rankings. On every hole, one designated player's score counts PLUS the single best net score from the team.
Handicap-Based Hole Assignments
Before teeing off, rank your team by handicap. Each player is automatically designated for specific holes:
| Handicap Rank | Designated Holes | Number of Holes |
|---|---|---|
| Low Handicap (best player) | Holes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 | 5 holes |
| 2nd Low Handicap | Holes 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 | 5 holes |
| 3rd Low Handicap | Holes 11, 12, 13, 14 | 4 holes |
| 4th Low Handicap (highest) | Holes 15, 16, 17, 18 | 4 holes |
Scoring Each Hole
- Identify which player's designated hole it is based on handicap rankings.
- That designated player's net score automatically counts.
- Also count the single best net score from all 4 players on the team.
- Add these two scores together for the team's hole score.
2nd Low (Player B - designated): net 5
3rd Low (Player C): net 6
4th Low (Player D): net 5
Team score = 5 (designated) + 4 (best) = 9
Payout: $16 per 9-hole win + $16 for 18-hole total. $32 in skins. Total purse: $80
The final full-round game — every man for himself. Players are split into two groups based on BuschLight Cup standings heading into Friday (1st–4th vs. 5th–8th). Chicago scoring determines the winner within each group.
Chicago Scoring
| Score on Hole | Points Earned |
|---|---|
| Double Eagle | 5 pts |
| Eagle | 4 pts |
| Birdie | 3 pts |
| Par | 2 pts |
| Bogey | 1 pt |
| Double Bogey or worse | 0 pts |
Quota & Final Score
Your quota = 36 minus your handicap. Your final Chicago score is total points earned minus your quota. The highest score wins.
Earns 8 birdies (24 pts) + 10 pars (20 pts) = 44 pts total
Final score = 44 − 21 = +23
Front 9 winner, Back 9 winner, and Overall winner are determined within each group.
Payout: $10 to 9-hole group winners. Overall prizes: 1st $10 • 2nd $7 • 3rd $5 • 4th $3 per group. $35 in skins. Total purse: $80
The grand finale. One-on-one match play, scored like the Ryder Cup. Pairings are determined by final handicap standings — lowest 2 play against highest 2. Stakes are negotiated between matched players.
Match Play Rules
- Each hole is a win (1 up), loss, or halve — total strokes don't matter.
- The player/team ahead in holes won is "X up." The match ends early if the lead becomes mathematically insurmountable (e.g., 3&2 = 3 up with 2 holes left).
- Handicap strokes are applied based on the difference between players' handicaps. The lower handicapper gives strokes on the hardest holes.
- What you're playing for ($$$) is agreed upon before the match.
Payout: Determined by the players themselves before teeing off.
Optional Games for Holes 19–36
Want to play more golf after your 18-hole round? Here are side games perfect for replay rounds or bonus holes. Pick one or mix and match!
Looking for a simple side game that keeps everyone engaged from the first tee to the final putt? 3-4-5 is an easy, fast-moving betting game that works with any size group and adds strategy without slowing down play.
How It Works
- Before the round, agree on the wager amount and decide whether scoring will be gross or net (net recommended for groups with varying handicaps).
- Track your cumulative scores separately for all Par 3s, all Par 4s, and all Par 5s.
- Each category is its own mini-game, creating three distinct chances to win during the round.
- At the end of 18 holes, the player with the lowest total on Par 3s wins one share, lowest on Par 4s wins another, and lowest on Par 5s wins the third.
Troy: Par 3s total = 13, Par 4s total = 40, Par 5s total = 23
Troy wins Par 3s. Troy wins Par 4s. John wins Par 5s.
A twist on scramble format that rewards good driving while keeping everyone involved throughout the hole.
How It Works
- All team members hit a tee shot.
- The team selects the best tee shot from the group.
- Everyone plays their own ball from that best drive location to finish the hole.
- Use the best individual score(s) from the team for scoring — typically 1 or 2 best balls depending on team size.
Everyone moves to Troy's ball and plays their own from there.
Team scores: 4, 5, 5, 6 → Count 2 best = 4 + 5 = 9
Classic alternate shot format. One ball per team, partners take turns hitting shots until the ball is holed.
How It Works
- The team gets an average handicap of the two players (add both handicaps, divide by 2).
- Partners decide who tees off on odd holes and who tees off on even holes.
- Players alternate shots until the ball is holed. Player A hits tee shot, Player B hits second shot, Player A hits third shot, etc.
- The team's net score (gross minus handicap strokes) determines winners.
Player A tees off → Player B hits approach → Player A putts → holed in 4
Gross 4, net = 4 minus handicap strokes on this hole
Here's a simple and fun game you can play with any group. You get penalized for 3-putts (or more) and rewarded for making a putt longer than the flagstick.
How It Works
- Before starting the round, decide how much each event will be worth (e.g., $1.00).
- If you three-putt, you owe each of your playing partners a dollar.
- If you make a "Polly" (putt longer than the flagstick height, approx. 7 feet), you collect a dollar from each playing partner.
- At the end of the round, settle up based on everyone's running total.
A 2-vs-2 team game for groups of four golfers. All four golfers play their own balls into the hole (normal stroke play). On each hole, the two sides compare both their low balls AND their high balls.
How Points Are Awarded
| Category | Winner | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Low Ball | Side with the better low-ball score (lowest individual score) | 1 point |
| High Ball | Side with the better high-ball score (best of the two weaker scores) | 1 point |
Team 2: Player C = 5, Player D = 5
Low Ball: Team 1 wins (4 beats 5) → 1 point
High Ball: Team 2 wins (5 beats 6) → 1 point
Hole ties 1-1
A strategic betting game where players rotate being the "Wolf" who chooses a partner on each hole — or goes it alone for double points.
How It Works
- Determine the order of play (stays the same all round). The Wolf rotates: Player 1 is Wolf on holes 1, 5, 9, 13, 17. Player 2 on holes 2, 6, 10, 14, 18. Etc.
- On each hole, the Wolf tees off first, then watches the other three players hit their tee shots in order.
- After each player hits, the Wolf must decide whether to choose that player as a partner (immediately) or wait to see the next player. Once you pass, you can't go back.
- If the Wolf chooses a partner, it's 2 vs 2 for that hole. If the Wolf doesn't choose anyone, they play alone (Lone Wolf) against the other three for double points.
- The team with the lowest best-ball score wins the hole. Points: Normal win = 1 point per player. Lone Wolf win = 3 points (opponents get 0). Lone Wolf loss = opponents get 1 point each.
Troy tees off second → John chooses Troy as partner.
Now it's John & Troy vs. Andrew & Jeff for the hole.
Best ball: John/Troy = 4, Andrew/Jeff = 5
John and Troy each win 1 point
How Handicap Strokes Work
Net scoring is used in most formats. Your handicap determines how many strokes you receive — and on which holes — to level the playing field.
Course Handicap
Your course handicap may differ from your handicap index. It's typically: Index × (Slope ÷ 113), rounded to the nearest whole number. This is the number of strokes you receive for 18 holes.
Stroke Allocation
Each hole has a difficulty ranking (1–18). If your course handicap is 10, you receive 1 extra stroke on the 10 hardest holes. If it's 20, you receive 2 strokes on the 2 hardest holes and 1 stroke on the other 16.
Net Score
On a hole where you receive a stroke: net score = gross score − 1. On a hole where you receive no strokes: net score = gross score. Your net total over 18 holes should approximate scratch (72 or course par).
Example
Player with 14 handicap on a par-4 hole ranked #3 in difficulty. They receive 1 stroke (since 3 ≤ 14). They make gross 5 → net score = 5 − 1 = 4 (par).