Interesting Golfing formats for Golf Trip

kencanuck · March 2, 2010

Also interested in Augusta's Handicapping method....

Hey Gang,

I have been planning our yearly spring golfing fling (yes, I am being optimistic calling it "spring" golf fling). At any rate this year our foursome has quite a range of handicaps (10 - golf newbie with no handicap) and I was wondering if anyone has some interesting or unique golfing formats.

There are the perennial favourites of best ball, etc. but I was wondering if anyone had a format that was fun and a bit out of the ordinary to spice up a round? Trying to keep the first couple of rounds loose as we get used to swinging clubs on green grass again (for some of us it has been late October since we have hit off of real grass!!).

On a side note I remember reading about an easy way to establish a handicap that was based on what they do at Augusta (I think that was the origin). It went something like a certain number of strokes for bogey, par, birdies, and eagles. I thought I kept the article but apparently not!

Thanks,
Ken

NCSergio · March 2, 2010

One game that always works with a wide variety of skill levels is "bingo, bango, bongo." Very simply, it is a game involving the green. The first person to hit the green gets the "bingo." Person closest to the hole once everyone is on the green gets the "bango." First person to hole out (playing in turn and away plays first) gets the "bongo."

This game works with varying skill levels because the shortest hitter has the first chance to hit the green. Score/Strokes don't matter in this format. The guy always missing the green has probably the best chance to be closest to the hole once everyone is on, etc. etc.

For an added bonus, when you tell everyone the rules on the first tee mention that you have to yell out either "bingo", etc. when you get it or it doesn't count....this is usually good for a solid laugh on the first hole!

gee2626 · March 2, 2010

Check out pinehurst. It's a neat format in which it is very team oriented and not dependent on one member.

http://golf.about.com/cs/golfterms/g/bldef_pinehurst.htm

kencanuck · March 2, 2010

Great stuff gang...that is exactly what I am looking for...

Thanks,
Ken

rollnsf · March 2, 2010

We've played "putting olympics" from time to time. It only involves putting so typically the high handicappers can also participate against low handicappers.

Basically, say you have a foursome and everyone is on the green for their first putt. The longest first putt is 4 points if made, third longest is 3 points, second longest is 2 points, the shortest is 1 point if made. This is regardless of how many strokes you took to get on the green.

You can also press and call "one pin". If your first putt is longer than the length of the pin, you can call "one pin" and add 1 point to the value of the putt (if your first putt is the furthest, instead of being worth 4 points, it's worth 5). Also, holing out from off the green is worth 5.

kencanuck · March 5, 2010

Thanks Gang...I have put together a format we can use the entire trip that will tally short game and putting for an overall champion and then several different formats throughout the week...

Utah...here we come!

Thanks for everyone who provided input...much appreciated!

Ken