What is Skins?

Skins is one of the most exciting golf betting games because every hole is a separate competition where the lowest score wins the "skin" (and the money or points attached to it). Unlike Nassau where you're competing over 9 or 18 holes, each hole in Skins is its own mini-battle.

The real excitement comes from carryovers. When a hole is tied, nobody wins that skin, and the value carries over to the next hole. This creates increasingly valuable holes and dramatic late-round moments where a single birdie could win you multiple skins!

How Skins Works

The basic rules are simple:

1. Each hole has a value - Could be $1, $5, a point, or whatever your group decides
2. Lowest score wins the skin - If you have the best score on a hole, you win that hole's skin
3. Ties mean carryovers - If two or more players tie for the lowest score, nobody wins that skin
4. The skin carries to the next hole - Now that hole is worth 2 skins (the original + the carryover)
5. Keep carrying until someone wins outright - The pot can build to 3, 4, or even more skins on a single hole!

Example:

• Hole 1: You shoot 4, buddy shoots 4, friend shoots 5 → Tie! Skin carries over
• Hole 2: Now worth 2 skins. You shoot 3, buddy shoots 4, friend shoots 4 → You win 2 skins!
• Hole 3: Back to 1 skin. Everyone shoots 4 → Tie! Skin carries over
• Hole 4: Worth 2 skins again...

GROSS vs NET Skins

Just like other side games, Skins can be played two ways:

GROSS Skins

Actual strokes taken, no handicap adjustments. Best for players of similar skill levels. A 4 beats a 5, period.

NET Skins (Most Common)

Scores adjusted by handicap using USGA course handicap allocations. This lets players of all skill levels compete fairly.

Example with NET scoring:

• You (10 handicap) shoot 5 on a handicap 5 hole → NET 4
• Buddy (18 handicap) shoots 6 on same hole → NET 5
• You win the skin even though you both played to your abilities!

The Drama of Carryovers

This is what makes Skins so exciting! When skins carry over, the stakes get higher and higher:

• 4-hole carryover? That's a pot worth 5 skins on one hole!
• Late-round accumulation: Imagine getting to hole 16 with 8 skins riding on one hole
• Come-from-behind potential: You could be down all day and win everything with one good stretch
• Pressure situations: Knowing a birdie could win multiple skins adds serious pressure

The psychological element is huge. Players who are down can get aggressive trying to win big pots. Conservative players might play safe to force carryovers. The strategy evolves hole by hole!

Skins Strategy Tips

1. Birdie holes are golden: When skins carry over, birdie holes become your best chance to win big. Know which holes on the course give you the best birdie opportunities.
2. Monitor the carryover: When 3-4 skins are riding on a hole, it might be worth taking more risk. A bogey that ties is better than a par that loses.
3. Know your opponents: If everyone's hitting driver, sometimes laying up can win you a skin when others find trouble.
4. Handicap allocation matters: In NET Skins, pay attention to which holes you get strokes on. A stroke hole where you're the only one getting a stroke is a huge advantage.
5. Pressure putting: More skins on the line = more pressure putts. Practice your clutch putting!
6. Don't give up: Unlike match play where the match can be over early, Skins can swing dramatically in just 2-3 holes. Stay aggressive!

Playing Skins on Buddies on the Green

BOTG makes Skins incredibly easy with automatic calculation and real-time tracking:

• Add Skins when creating a round: Just toggle on Skins and set the value per skin
• Automatic NET scoring: We calculate NET scores using USGA course handicap allocations
• Live carryover tracking: See exactly how many skins are riding on each hole
• Instant results: After each hole, see who won (or if it carried over)
• Running totals: Know exactly who's winning and by how much throughout the round
• Final summary: Get a complete breakdown of who won which holes and final skin counts

No more manual tracking on scorecards or arguments about who got strokes where. BOTG handles all the math automatically using official USGA handicap methods.

Why Skins is Perfect for Any Group

• Every hole matters: Even if you're having a bad round, you can still win skins on individual holes
• No runaway winners: Even if someone wins the first 9 holes, the back 9 is a fresh start
• Creates excitement: Carryovers mean the tension builds throughout the round
• Works for any skill level: NET scoring lets a 5 handicap and 20 handicap compete fairly
• Flexible stakes: Play for $1/skin, $10/skin, or just bragging rights
• Social and competitive: The hole-by-hole nature keeps everyone engaged

Famous Skins Games

The "Skins Game" was a famous made-for-TV event featuring top PGA Tour pros playing for huge money (sometimes $1 million+ in total). These events popularized the format and showed how dramatic Skins can be even at the professional level. Watching pros sweat over a 6-footer knowing it's worth $100,000+ in carryover skins is pure entertainment!

Ready to Play Skins?

Skins brings excitement to every hole and gives everyone a chance to win, regardless of overall score. The carryover mechanic creates natural drama and keeps your entire group engaged from the first tee to the 18th green.

With BOTG's automatic Skins tracking, you can focus on your game while we handle all the calculations. Just play golf, and we'll show you who won what at the end!

Create a round with Skins today and experience the thrill of winner-takes-all golf! ⛳