Birdies Rules

    Birdies

    Overview

    A birdie bet rewards players for scoring one stroke under par on any hole. It's a straightforward side bet that creates extra excitement throughout the round.

    Basic Rules

    What Counts

    • Birdie = Gross score of 1 under par
    • Par 3: Score of 2
    • Par 4: Score of 3
    • Par 5: Score of 4

    Important Notes

    • Uses gross scores only (no handicap adjustments)
    • Each player who makes a birdie collects from all other players
    • Multiple players can make birdies on the same hole (all collect)

    Payout Structure

    Standard Payout:

    • Each player who makes a birdie wins the bet amount from each other player

    Example: $5 birdie bet with 4 players

    • You make a birdie: Win $5 × 3 players = +$15
    • You don't make a birdie: Lose $5 to each player who did

    Multiple Birdies on Same Hole

    When 2+ players make birdie on the same hole:

    • All birdie-makers collect from non-birdie players
    • Birdie-makers don't pay each other

    Example: Tom and Griffin both birdie hole 5

    • Tom: Wins $5 from Yann and JJ = +$10
    • Griffin: Wins $5 from Yann and JJ = +$10
    • Yann: Pays $5 to Tom and $5 to Griffin = -$10
    • JJ: Pays $5 to Tom and $5 to Griffin = -$10

    Example Round

    Players: Griffin, Tom, Yann, JJ

    Bet: $5 per birdie

    Hole 2 (Par 4):

    • Griffin: 3 (birdie!)
    • Tom: 4
    • Yann: 5
    • JJ: 4
    • Griffin wins $5 from each player = +$15

    Hole 8 (Par 5):

    • Griffin: 5
    • Tom: 4 (birdie!)
    • Yann: 4 (birdie!)
    • JJ: 6
    • Tom and Yann each win $5 from Griffin and JJ
    • Tom: +$10, Yann: +$10, Griffin: -$10, JJ: -$10

    Hole 14 (Par 3):

    • All players make par or worse
    • No birdies, no money changes hands

    Hole 17 (Par 4):

    • Griffin: 3 (birdie!)
    • Tom: 3 (birdie!)
    • Yann: 3 (birdie!)
    • JJ: 4
    • Griffin, Tom, and Yann each win $5 from JJ
    • Griffin: +$5, Tom: +$5, Yann: +$5, JJ: -$15

    Running Totals for Example Round

    • Griffin: +$15 -$10 +$5 = +$10
    • Tom: -$5 +$10 +$5 = +$10
    • Yann: -$5 +$10 +$5 = +$10
    • JJ: -$5 -$10 -$15 = -$30

    Strategy Tips

    • Birdies reward aggressive play
    • Know which holes are good birdie opportunities
    • Par 5s are typically best birdie chances
    • Don't press too hard - bogeys cost more than birdies pay
    • Track throughout round to manage risk/reward

    Eagles Count as 2x

    When a player makes an eagle (2 strokes under par), they receive double the birdie payout from each player.

    What Counts as an Eagle:

    • Par 3: Hole-in-one (score of 1)
    • Par 4: Score of 2
    • Par 5: Score of 3

    Eagle Payout Example:

    Hole 11 (Par 5):

    • Griffin: 3 (eagle!)
    • Tom: 5
    • Yann: 6
    • JJ: 4 (birdie)

    If playing $5 birdie bet:

    • Griffin collects $10 from each player (2× birdie = $30 total)
    • JJ collects $5 from each player who didn't birdie/eagle = $10 (Tom + Yann only)
    • Tom: -$10 (eagle to Griffin) -$5 (birdie to JJ) = -$15
    • Yann: -$10 -$5 = -$15
    • Griffin: +$30
    • JJ: +$10

    Note: Eagles are rare and exciting! Par 5s are typically your best eagle opportunities.

    Variations

    Carryover Birdies

    • If no one makes a birdie on a hole, the bet carries over
    • Next hole is worth 2× (or adds to accumulated pot)
    • Creates bigger stakes on certain holes

    Tiered Payouts

    Some groups use escalating payouts:

    • First birdie of the day: $5
    • Second birdie: $10
    • Third+ birdie: $15
    • Creates incentive to keep making birdies