Skins Rules

    Skins

    Overview

    Skins is one of the most popular and exciting golf betting games. Each hole has a set value (a "skin"), and the player with the lowest score on that hole wins the skin. If two or more players tie for the lowest score, the skin carries over to the next hole, creating bigger payouts.

    Basic Rules

    Winning a Skin

    • The player with the lowest score on a hole wins the skin
    • Scores can be gross (actual strokes) or net (with handicap strokes applied)
    • If there's a tie for the lowest score, no one wins and the skin carries over

    Carryovers (when enabled)

    When no one wins a hole (due to a tie), the value carries over:

    • Hole 1: $10 skin (tie) → carries over
    • Hole 2: $10 + $10 carryover = $20 skin (tie) → carries over
    • Hole 3: $10 + $20 carryover = $30 skin (Player A wins!)

    Carryover OFF (dead ties)

    If your group plays without carryovers, a tied hole is simply dead — that hole's skin is cancelled and nobody pays for it. Only holes won outright cost the losers money.

    • Player A wins $30

    Payout Structure

    • Each skin has a set value (e.g., $5, $10, $20)
    • Winner of each skin collects from all other players
    • With 4 players at $10/skin: Winner collects $10 × 3 = $30

    Example Round

    Players: Griffin, Tom, Yann, JJ

    Bet: $10 per skin, net scoring

    Course Handicaps: Griffin (8), Tom (12), Yann (15), JJ (10)

    Hole-by-Hole Breakdown

    Hole 1 (Par 4, Handicap 7):

    • Griffin: 5 (no stroke) = Net 5
    • Tom: 5 (gets stroke) = Net 4
    • Yann: 6 (gets stroke) = Net 5
    • JJ: 5 (no stroke) = Net 5
    • Tom wins the skin! (+$30)

    Hole 2 (Par 3, Handicap 15):

    • Griffin: 3 = Net 3
    • Tom: 3 = Net 2
    • Yann: 4 = Net 3
    • JJ: 3 = Net 3
    • Tom wins again! (+$30)

    Hole 3 (Par 5, Handicap 3):

    • Griffin: 5 (gets stroke) = Net 4
    • Tom: 6 (gets stroke) = Net 5
    • Yann: 6 (gets stroke) = Net 5
    • JJ: 5 (gets stroke) = Net 4
    • Tie between Griffin and JJ → $10 carries over

    Hole 4 (Par 4, Handicap 11):

    Worth $20 now ($10 base + $10 carryover)

    • Griffin: 4 = Net 4
    • Tom: 5 (gets stroke) = Net 4
    • Yann: 5 (gets stroke) = Net 4
    • JJ: 4 = Net 4
    • Four-way tie! → $20 carries over

    Hole 5 (Par 4, Handicap 1):

    Worth $30 now ($10 base + $20 carryover)

    • Griffin: 4 (gets stroke) = Net 3
    • Tom: 5 (gets stroke) = Net 4
    • Yann: 5 (gets stroke) = Net 4
    • JJ: 4 (gets stroke) = Net 3
    • Tie between Griffin and JJ → $30 carries over

    Hole 6 (Par 4, Handicap 9):

    Worth $40 now ($10 base + $30 carryover)

    • Griffin: 5 = Net 5
    • Tom: 4 (gets stroke) = Net 3
    • Yann: 6 (gets stroke) = Net 5
    • JJ: 5 = Net 5
    • Tom wins the $40 skin! (+$120)

    Running Totals After 6 Holes

    • Tom: +$30 +$30 +$120 = +$180
    • Griffin: -$10 -$10 -$40 = -$60
    • Yann: -$10 -$10 -$40 = -$60
    • JJ: -$10 -$10 -$40 = -$60

    Scoring Types

    Gross Skins

    • Uses actual scores (no handicaps)
    • Favors lower handicap players
    • Simpler to calculate

    Net Skins

    • Uses net scores (gross minus handicap strokes)
    • More equitable for mixed-ability groups
    • Strokes allocated based on hole handicap rating

    Variations

    Validation Skins

    • Must make par or better to win the skin
    • Prevents winning with a bad score when others are worse
    • Encourages aggressive play

    Progressive Skins

    • Skin value increases throughout the round
    • Example: Holes 1-6: $5, Holes 7-12: $10, Holes 13-18: $15
    • Creates exciting finishes

    Split Skins

    When multiple players tie for low score:

    • Some groups split the skin among winners
    • Alternative to carrying over

    Front/Back Reset

    • Carryovers reset after 9 holes
    • Prevents massive carryover swings
    • Hole 10 always starts fresh at base value

    Strategy Tips

    Playing to Win Skins

    • Aggressive play pays off (birdies win skins)
    • Know which holes are "pushable" (likely ties)
    • Track carryovers to know when big money is on the line

    With Handicap Strokes

    • Know where you get strokes
    • Play conservatively on non-stroke holes
    • Attack stroke holes for better net scores

    Carryover Awareness

    • Big carryovers change risk/reward calculations
    • Worth taking extra risk when lots of money is at stake
    • Pressure increases with accumulated carryovers

    Common Variations

    Double on Par 3s

    • Par 3 skins worth 2x the normal value
    • Adds excitement to shorter holes

    Last Hole Bonus

    • Hole 18 worth extra (2x or 3x)
    • Plus any remaining carryover
    • Creates dramatic finishes

    Minimum Skin Count

    • If fewer than X skins are won, leftover money rolls to next round
    • Ensures competitive rounds