Date Published: 10/06/2025
Looking for a golf game that keeps every shot exciting and offers instant gratification? Skins is a popular, dynamic format that turns each hole into its own mini-competition, perfect for adding an extra layer of fun and friendly wagers to your round.
But what exactly are skins in golf, and how do you play them? Let’s break it down.
At its core, a “skin” is awarded to the player who wins a hole outright. Unlike stroke play or Stableford where scores accumulate over 18 holes, Skins focuses on individual hole performance.
If multiple players tie for the best score on a hole, no one wins the skin for that hole, and its value carries over to the next. This creates a thrilling snowball effect, making subsequent holes even more valuable!
Skins is typically played among a group of 2-4 golfers, with 3 or 4 players being ideal for the most exciting dynamic.
Assign a Value to Each Skin: Before you start, agree on the value of each skin. This can be anything from bragging rights to a set monetary amount (e.g., £1, £5, or £10 per skin). The beauty of Skins is its flexibility – you can play for whatever stakes you’re comfortable with.
Determine Handicaps (Optional but Recommended): For a fairer game, especially if players have varying skill levels, use handicaps. The most common way to apply handicaps in Skins is to determine net scores on each hole. Each player subtracts their handicap strokes on the appropriate holes (based on the course’s stroke index).
Play Each Hole as a Standalone Competition: On each hole, every player tries to achieve the lowest net score.
Winning a Skin: A player wins a “skin” by having the sole lowest net score on a hole. If two or more players tie for the lowest net score on a hole, nobody wins the skin for that hole.
Carryovers: This is where Skins gets really exciting! If a skin isn’t won on a particular hole (due to a tie), its value “carries over” to the next hole. This means the next hole is now worth two skins (its own plus the one from the previous hole). If that hole also ties, the value continues to carry over, making subsequent holes increasingly valuable.
End of the Round: At the end of the 18 holes, each player tallies up the number of skins they’ve won. The player with the most skins (or the highest total value of skins, if values differed) wins the game. If playing for money, payments are settled based on the agreed-upon per-skin value.
Skins is a fantastic way to elevate your golf experience. Here are some of the key reasons why it’s so popular:
Next time you and your golf buddies are heading to the course, why not give Skins a try. It’s a fantastic way to inject excitement and competition into your game, ensuring every shot counts!