Golf games are called by various names depending on the format, like Stroke Play, Match Play, Stableford, and Skins.
Ever wondered, “what are golf games called?” It’s a fair question as the sport offers more than just hitting a ball into a hole. Many different formats exist, each with its own rules and style of play.
These various formats add variety to the game beyond the standard practice round. Knowing the different names like Stroke play, Match play, Stableford and Skins and what they mean will help you fully participate and enjoy a great golf day.
What Are Golf Games Called?
When you think about golf, you might picture someone swinging a club and hitting a small white ball across a green field. But golf isn’t just one thing; it’s a whole world of different games and ways to play. Just like there are many kinds of card games or board games, there are lots of fun ways to play golf! So, let’s jump in and explore some of these different golf game names and how they work. It’s not just about getting the ball in the hole, it’s about how you get there and who you’re playing with.
Standard Stroke Play: The Most Common Game
The most common way to play golf, and probably the one you see on TV the most, is called “stroke play.” In stroke play, you count every single swing you take to get the ball into the hole. Think of it like taking a test where every answer matters. The person who has the fewest total strokes at the end of the round wins the game. It’s simple but can be very challenging because you need to be consistent on each hole. Stroke play is used in most professional tournaments and is the baseline for understanding other golf games.
How Stroke Play Works:
- Each player plays their ball from the tee box to the green.
- They keep hitting the ball until it lands in the hole.
- They count how many swings (or strokes) it took on each hole.
- At the end, you add all the scores from each hole together.
- The player with the lowest total score wins.
For example, if you take 5 strokes on the first hole, 4 strokes on the second hole, and so on, you add those numbers. Let’s say your score is 72 strokes after 18 holes. Your friend might have 75 strokes. In this case, you’ve won this game of stroke play.
Match Play: Head-to-Head Battles
Another common and exciting way to play golf is called “match play.” Instead of counting every stroke for the whole round, you play one hole at a time against another player or team. The person who wins the hole gets a point. It’s like a mini-battle on each hole. If you win more holes than your opponent, you win the match! It’s a much more direct way to compete, and can lead to more excitement and strategy in the game because you’re directly going up against your opponent on every hole. In match play, it’s all about winning the majority of holes, rather than total score across the course.
How Match Play Works:
- Two players (or teams) play each hole.
- Whoever gets their ball in the hole in the fewest strokes wins that hole.
- If you win the hole, you get a point. If your opponent wins, they get a point. If there’s a tie, no point is awarded.
- The player or team who has won the most holes wins the match.
So, let’s say you win the first hole, and then you and your friend both tie on the second hole, you still win one hole. If your friend wins the third hole, the score will be tied at one hole apiece. Match play is all about winning the individual holes to add up to the most wins.
Variations of Match Play
There are several interesting twists on the basic match play format:
Four-Ball Match Play
In four-ball match play, two players form a team, and they play against another team of two. Each player plays their own ball, and the team with the lowest score on the hole wins that hole for their team.
Foursomes (Alternate Shot) Match Play
In foursomes, two players form a team, and they take turns hitting the same ball on each hole. This requires excellent teamwork and communication as both players need to be playing and hitting in cooperation with each other. It can be particularly exciting because one bad shot will put pressure on their teammate to make up for it.
Stableford: Points for Performance
Stableford is a scoring system that awards points based on your performance on each hole. Instead of counting your strokes like in stroke play, you earn points based on how well you do compared to the par for each hole. If you get a birdie, you get more points than a par. If you score a bogey, you might still get a point, but far less than a birdie. It can make for a fun way to play because bad holes don’t hurt as much since points are scored on each hole individually. It’s a great scoring system to use if you’re just learning and you don’t want a bad hole to completely ruin the game. Stableford encourages players to take risks since it is possible to recover from a bad hole with subsequent good ones.
How Stableford Works:
- Each hole has a par score (the number of strokes a skilled player should take).
- You earn points based on your score compared to par.
- Here’s a common way to assign points:
- Double Eagle (3 under par): 5 points
- Eagle (2 under par): 4 points
- Birdie (1 under par): 3 points
- Par: 2 points
- Bogey (1 over par): 1 point
- Double Bogey (2 over par) or worse: 0 points
- Add all your points from each hole together.
- The player with the most points wins.
In this format, getting a triple bogey (three over par) will just give you zero points just as a double bogey would. It makes for a game where you can always get back in it without it feeling like a lost cause because of a few really bad holes.
Skins Game: Winning the Hole and the Pot
The Skins game is another variation, where you’re playing each hole as an individual contest, just like match play. But in Skins, each hole is worth a certain amount of “skin” or value, often money or points. If you win a hole outright, you get that skin. If players tie a hole, the value is carried over to the next hole. So, winning a hole becomes a bigger deal if the previous one was tied. This game creates excitement because the stakes increase with each tied hole and the potential for dramatic wins is high. The game can be between two individuals or teams.
How Skins Works:
- Each hole is worth a certain amount of value (like a dollar or a point).
- If a player has the lowest score on a hole, they win the value (skin).
- If there’s a tie on the hole, the value is carried over to the next hole.
- The player who ends up with the most skins at the end wins.
For example, let’s say each hole is worth $5. You win the first hole and get $5. The second hole is tied, so the $5 is added to the value of the third hole, which is now $10. If you win the third, you collect $10. The Skins game is all about winning holes when the value is highest.
Fun Golf Games for Practice and Casual Play
Beyond the typical games, there are many other fun golf games that are often used for practice or friendly rounds:
Bingo Bango Bongo
This game is all about speed and efficiency. Points are awarded for: first player on the green, closest to the pin, and the first to hole out. Bingo Bango Bongo is a great game for practicing hitting the green quickly, and it can help players focus on being the first to complete each phase of the hole. This game can work for both individual players and team play.
Wolf
In Wolf, a player designated as “the Wolf” tees off first. Before the other players tee off, the Wolf can choose to play the hole alone or select another player as a partner. The strategy of picking a partner, or going solo, brings some complexity to the format. If the Wolf wins with a partner, both partners earn a point. If the Wolf goes alone, the Wolf takes all points if they win, but loses all points if the other players win. Wolf keeps players engaged throughout the round and encourages strategic decision making.
Best Ball
Best ball is often used in team formats, and it is very easy to understand. In Best Ball, each player plays their own ball. However, on each hole, the lowest score from the team is recorded as the team’s score. This is a great game for fun, friendly play because it reduces the pressure on each player while also encouraging players to go for lower scores. The team with the lowest total score for all of the holes wins.
Terms Related to Golf Games
Understanding some golf terms can help you better grasp the games themselves. Here are a few you might encounter often:
- Par: The standard number of strokes it should take a good golfer to complete a hole.
- Birdie: Completing a hole in one stroke less than par.
- Eagle: Completing a hole in two strokes less than par.
- Bogey: Completing a hole in one stroke over par.
- Double Bogey: Completing a hole in two strokes over par.
- Handicap: A way to adjust a player’s score based on their skill level so players of all skill levels can compete.
- Tee Box: The starting area for each hole.
- Green: The area with very short grass where the hole is located.
- Fairway: The area of well cut grass between the tee and the green.
- Rough: The longer grass surrounding the fairway and green.
Why So Many Different Golf Games?
There are so many golf game variations because golf can be enjoyed by people with different skill levels and preferences. Some people enjoy the competition of match play or the structure of stroke play. Other players enjoy casual play formats like best ball or team-based play. The different games also help people focus on specific skills of the game, like hitting the green quickly in Bingo Bango Bongo, or playing with teamwork in Foursomes. These games add layers to the sport, keeping it fun and interesting no matter how often you play, and provide a wide array of opportunities to play.
Whether you are playing the standard stroke play or exploring unique options like wolf, there is an abundance of ways to enjoy the game of golf. Each variation offers different challenges, and by exploring these types, players of all skill levels can have fun and engage with the game.
Rules of GOLF : How To PLAY GOLF : Golf Rules For Beginners EXPLAINED
Final Thoughts
Golf offers various playing formats, from casual rounds to competitive matches. Stroke play involves counting total strokes. Match play pits players head-to-head. Scramble and skins add team dynamics.
These options provide diverse experiences. Different names like Stableford also exist. People often ask, ‘what are golf games called’? Understanding these names help you plan your next round.
