What is Snake?

Snake is a putting-focused penalty game where players pass the "Snake" 🐍 each time someone three-putts. Unlike other golf betting games that reward good scores, Snake punishes poor putting. The last player holding the Snake at the end of the round loses and pays all other players.

What makes Snake unique is its simplicity and constant pressure. You could shoot the best round of your life, but one three-putt on the 18th green means you're the loser. Every green matters. Every lag putt matters. The Snake is always lurking!

How Snake Works

The basic rules are simple:

1. First Three-Putt Gets the Snake

The first player to take three putts (or more) to hole out gets the Snake 🐍. They now hold the penalty until someone else three-putts.

2. Snake Transfers on Each Three-Putt

Every time someone three-putts, the Snake transfers to that player. You can get the Snake multiple times during a round - it just keeps moving to whoever three-putted most recently.

3. Last Holder After Hole 18 Loses

After everyone completes the 18th hole, whoever is holding the Snake is the loser. They pay a predetermined amount to each of the other players.

Example: 4-Player Snake Game

Let's say you're playing with 3 buddies and the bet is $10 per player:

• Hole 3: Player A three-putts → Gets the Snake 🐍
• Hole 7: Player C three-putts → Snake transfers from A to C 🐍
• Hole 12: Player C three-putts again → Still has the Snake 🐍 (no change)
• Hole 15: Player B three-putts → Snake transfers from C to B 🐍
• Result: Player B holds the Snake after hole 18

Final Payout:

• Player B (loser) pays $10 to each of the 3 other players = $30 total loss
• Players A, C, and D each receive $10

What If Nobody Three-Putts?

If nobody three-putts during the entire round, nobody gets the Snake and nobody pays anything. The bet is void. This is rare, but it does happen when everyone's putting well!

What If Multiple Players Three-Putt the Same Hole?

This is where Snake gets interesting. According to official Snake rules, the last player to hole out gets the Snake when multiple people three-putt the same hole.

Example:

• Hole 9: Players A, B, and C all three-putt
• Player A holes out first (finishes putting first)
• Player B holes out second
• Player C holes out last
• Result: Player C gets the Snake 🐍

When you're playing on Buddies on the Green and this happens, a yellow modal will pop up asking "Who holed out last?" You simply tap the button for the player who actually finished putting last, and the Snake transfers to them. Easy!

Playing Snake on Buddies on the Green

BOTG makes Snake tracking automatic and effortless:

Real-Time Snake Holder Indicator

The 🐍 emoji appears next to the name of whoever currently holds the Snake. No need to remember who has it - just look for the Snake emoji at the top of the score cards!

Example:

John Smith 🐍  ← Currently holding the Snake
Sarah Jones
Mike Wilson
Nicole Comstock

Automatic Three-Putt Detection

• Enter your putts for each hole (required when Snake is active)
• When you save scores, the app automatically detects any three-putts
• Snake holder updates instantly
• Transfer history tracked hole-by-hole

Final Results & Payouts

• After hole 18, see who lost (final Snake holder)
• View complete payout breakdown
• See three-putt statistics for each player
• Review full transfer history showing when the Snake changed hands

Works Alongside Other Side Games

Snake runs independently of other side games. You can play Snake + Nassau + Skins all at the same time if you want! Each game calculates separately.

Snake Strategy Tips

1. Lag putting is everything: Getting your first putt close (within 2-3 feet) is the key to avoiding three-putts. Practice distance control from long range.
2. Don't be aggressive from 30+ feet: A bold 35-footer that rolls 8 feet past often leads to three-putts. Play for two-putt lag from long distance.
3. Take your time on the green: Snake adds pressure to every putt. Slow down, read the break, and commit to your line.
4. The Snake can change hands multiple times: Don't get complacent if you pass the Snake to someone else. It could come back to you on the next hole!
5. Hole 18 is everything: You could hold the Snake for 15 holes, but if someone else three-putts on 18, they lose. Stay focused until the final putt drops.
6. Even great players three-putt: PGA Tour pros average about 1 three-putt per round. Don't beat yourself up - it happens to everyone.

Why Snake is Perfect for Any Group

• Putting-focused: Only putts matter - not driving distance, iron play, or overall score
• No handicap needed: Everyone's putting skill is tested equally
• Works for any skill level: A 5 handicap and a 25 handicap both have to avoid three-putting
• Constant pressure: Every green from hole 1 to hole 18 matters
• Simple to track: Just count putts - no complex calculations
• Compatible with all games: Play it alongside Nassau, Skins, Match Play, or Wolf
• Late-round drama: A single three-putt on 18 can change everything

What Makes Snake Unique?

Unlike other golf betting games:

• Penalty-based, not reward-based: You're trying to avoid something, not win points
• Only one loser: Everyone else wins - it's you against the field
• No running score matters: Only the final holder loses, regardless of how many times the Snake changed hands
• Pure putting: Your tee shots, approach shots, and short game don't matter
• Psychological pressure: Knowing you have the Snake creates mental tension on every green

Snake Variations (Advanced)

While the classic Snake game focuses on three-putts only, some groups play "Animal Game" with additional penalties:

• Camel 🐫 - Hit in a sand trap
• Fish 🐟 - Hit in a water hazard
• Gorilla 🦍 - Lost ball
• Skunk 🦨 - Out of bounds

Each "animal" transfers independently, creating multiple simultaneous penalty games. The last holder of each animal pays. This can get expensive fast!

Note: BOTG currently supports Snake (three-putt) only. Additional animal variants are planned for future releases.

Common Questions About Snake

Q: What if I three-putt on hole 18?

A: You get the Snake and you're the loser. You pay all other players the bet amount. This is the most dramatic way to lose Snake!

Q: Can the same player get the Snake multiple times?

A: Yes! If you three-putt on hole 5 and hole 12, you'll get the Snake both times. But if someone else three-putts on hole 15, they take it from you.

Q: Do gimmes count?

A: Official Snake rules say no gimmes. Every putt must be holed to ensure accurate putt counting. BOTG does not recommend allowing gimmes in Snake games.

Q: What if I forget to enter my putts?

A: BOTG requires you to enter putts for all players before saving scores when Snake is active. You'll see an error message if putts are missing.

Q: Can I play Snake with 2 players?

A: Yes! Snake works with 2+ players (no maximum). With just 2 players, whoever three-putts last pays the other player.

Q: Does Snake work with guest players?

A: Yes! Guest players (non-registered users) can participate in Snake games.

Ready to Play Snake?

Snake brings a unique putting pressure to every hole and works perfectly alongside your other side games. The simple rules and automatic tracking on BOTG mean you can focus on avoiding three-putts instead of tracking who has the Snake.

Remember: It doesn't matter if you shoot 68 or 98. All that matters is avoiding that dreaded third putt on the 18th green!

Create a round with Snake today and feel the pressure on every green! 🐍⛳