Skins golf game

SKINS

Winner Take All

📖Want the full deep dive on rules, carryovers, and strategy? Read the complete Skins guide →

🎯Objective

Each hole has a “skin” worth a set value. The player with the lowest score on a hole wins that skin outright. Tied holes can carry over to build massive pots!

The Golden Rule

🏆 Lowest score wins the skin. Ties? Nobody wins - the skin carries over!

📋How It Works

1

Set the Skin Value

Agree on a value per skin (e.g., $5). With 18 holes, that's $90 total in the pot.

2

Play Each Hole

Lowest score on the hole wins that skin. If two or more players tie for lowest, no one wins.

3

Carryover (Optional but Recommended)

When enabled, tied holes add their value to the next hole. A 3-hole carryover means hole 4 is worth 4 skins!

📝Carryover Example ($5 Skins)

HoleChadJohnMikeResultPot
14 ✓55Chad wins!$5
2445TIE → Carryover-
3555TIE → Carryover-
453 ✓4John wins!$15

Result: John wins 3 skins ($15) on hole 4 because holes 2 and 3 carried over!

⚖️Carryover: On vs Off

With Carryover (Recommended)

  • • Tied holes build up the pot
  • • Creates exciting “big money” holes
  • • More drama as carryovers stack
  • • All skin money gets awarded eventually

Without Carryover

  • • Tied holes = no one wins that skin
  • • Money from ties is “lost”
  • • Fewer big payouts
  • • More conservative option

⚙️Scoring Options

GROSS (Raw Scores)

Actual strokes - no adjustments. Best when skill levels are similar.

NET (Handicap-Adjusted)

Strokes given on specific holes based on handicap. Levels the playing field.

🧠Strategy Tips

Play Aggressive on Carryovers

When the pot is big from carryovers, go for it! A birdie can win you multiple skins.

One Great Hole Can Win

Unlike stroke play, you don't need to be consistent. One outright win is all it takes.

Watch the Leaderboard

Know how many skins each player has won. Target big carryover holes.

Par is Often Good Enough

Pars win skins when others make bogey. Don't need birdies to win!

📺 Fun Fact

The “Skins Game” was a popular TV event from 1983-2008 featuring top PGA pros competing for huge money on single holes. Some holes were worth $200,000+!

Ready to play Skins?