
How to Calculate a Skins Match in Disc Golf
Hole | Ricky Wysocki | Paul McBeth | Nate Sexton | Result |
1 | 2 | N/A | N/A | 1 Skin to Ricky |
2 | 3 | 3 | N/A | Push |
3 | N/A | N/A | 2 | 2 Skins to Nate |
4 | 2 | N/A | 2 | Push |
What is a skins match in golf?
The concept of a skins match is simple. Each player plays a hole and the person with the lowest score wins the set amount that hole was valued at. But there are a few situation that could come up that need to be addressed. If 2 players tie on a hole, that skin is pushed to the next hole.
Do disc golf skins come from Ball Golf?
Like a lot of things in disc golf, terms and games variations are being borrowed from ball golf along the way and occasionally tweaked to fit different needs. In this case, skins did originate with ball golf and has since been applied to the game of disc golf. This version of play has been around for a while and became mostly popular in the 1980s.
How much money do professional disc golfers get paid for skins matches?
We have invited four elite professional disc golfers to test their skills against our new state-of-the-art championship course for the most cash of any skins match in all of professional disc golf history! Prize pool is guaranteed to be at least $11,800, but we anticipate additional money will be added.
Why are skins so popular in golf?
Because of its competitive nature, unpredictability, and thrill, a game of skins tends to be highly popular with both spectators and golfers alike. It is one of those rare specimens of golf games where experienced or novice players can compete with each other on more of an equal footing.

Why is it called a skins match?
According to an old legend, the name originated from American furriers who arrived in Scotland and took to the golf links and gambled the rounds with their pelts (animal skins). It is interesting to know that in the past, the game was known by many popular regional names such as cats, scats, skats, and syndicates.
How does a golf skins match work?
In concept, skins is very much a match play format, but it is usually played between three or four players. Each hole is played separately, and is won by the player with the lowest score on the hole -- that golfer wins 'the skin'. The interesting part of the game happens when two or more players tie for the low score.
What is a skins bet in golf?
In golf, a "skins game" is a gambling game played within a group of golfers in which each hole has a set value. The golfer who wins the hole is said to win the "skin," and whatever that skin is worth.
How do you play skins with handicaps?
Skins With Handicaps Skins games can also be played using golf handicaps. A basic example would be: Player A is a 5 handicap, Player B is a 9 handicap, and Player C is a 15 handicap. Working off Player A's handicap, Player B would receive 4 strokes, and player C would receive 10 strokes.
How do you pay out skins?
Check the scorecards after the round to determine who won skins. If two or more players tied for the lowest score on a hole, nobody wins that skin. Once you've determined how many skins were won, divide the skins pool by that number, and pay each winner that amount.
What are the rules for skins in golf?
Skins is quite simply a golf game whereby players compete for a prize on every hole, with the prize being a 'Skin'. If the hole is halved, then that Skin is rolled over and added to the Skin for the next hole.
How do you pay in skins golf?
In a whole pot Skins game, golfers pay into a pot before the round begins, say $5 to $20 per player.
Who wins in a skin game?
A player still wins the skins if they win outright, but if say Player A and Player B birdie the hole and Player C makes par, Player C is eliminated and Player A and Player B continue until one wins the skin.
What is Mulligan and skins?
The team who has the best score on a hole wins a “skin”. A mulligan cannot be used to win a skin. There will be a competition for both sessions. The value of a skin is determined by participation and number of holes won outright by participating teams.
What are skins in a golf scramble?
In skins, the player with the lowest score on a hole wins one “skin.” If two or more players tie on a hole, that skin carries over to the next hole. For example, if three players start a skins game on the first hole, and two players par while the other bogeys, the next hole is worth two skins.
How do you play the card game skins?
All cards are dealt face up. Players bet against the dealer and against each other. What they're betting on is that the face up card in front of the player they are betting against will be matched (paired) before their face up card is matched. That's all!
What's a greenie in golf?
1 - Slang for a simple green-in-regulation. 2 - As a betting game for par three holes. Of all the players who reach the green on their tee shot, the player who is closest to the hole wins a "greenie point".
How to play Skins
When playing this disc golf variation, all holes are assigned an amount or a “skin” as it’s called. This is where the game gets its name.
Skins Beginner Tips
If you are new to playing Skins and would like to play for money I would suggest starting small. For the first round, have each player put in a quarter, a dime or even nickel per hole.
Bored with Skins?
Skins is a really fun disc golf game but when played over and over again, it can lose its luster.
How to Play Wolf
Starting off, Wolf is similar to Skins in that each hole has a value and it could be points or cash.
Wolf beginner tips
One of the biggest hurdles to this game are remembering the ordering of players and score. I recommend using a scorecard and having all players review it after each hole.
Interesting Wolf Variations
I don’t claim that the way I described Wolf is the only way to play it nor is the version I presented the best or correct way. With a lot of games, people in different places or even in the same disc golf clubs enjoy the same game with different rules. Here are some other interesting ways to play wolf:
Final thoughts
So the next time you’re out on the disc golf course with your buddies, I’d encourage you to give skins or even wolf a try.
What is skins golf?
In a round of skins golf – also referred as a skins game – golfers compete against the other members of the foursome. A skin is awarded to the lone golfer who posts the lowest score for each hole; no skin is awarded in case of a tie. The golfer who has won the most skins is declared the winner.
How to play golf skins?
How to Play a Golf Skins Game. Each golfer hits his own ball throughout the round but after each hole scores are compared. If one of the scores is lower than all others for that hole then that player is awarded 1 skin and the golfers proceed likewise to the next hole until the end of the round. In case of a tie, no skin is awarded for ...
What is the difference between 12 handicap and 8 handicap?
The difference between the two handicaps is 8. That means the golfer with the 12-handicap will have one stroke on the holes with stroke index of 1 through 8. In those holes, if the two golfers score the same, the 12-handicap will win the hole and the skin (s) associated and so on.
What does "no carry over" mean in skins?
No Carry-Over: In cases where holes end in a tie, a version of the skins game calls for no carry overs, meaning that the skin is not moved to the next hole but instead will remain unclaimed.
Can you play net skins or gross skins?
Like most golf game formats skins can be played either gross or net. In Net Skins handicap modifications are introduced to level the playing field. Simply compare the handicaps of the golfers in the group and take note of the difference between each handicap and the lowest of the group. That difference will equal how many holes ...
Why are skins more dramatic than match play?
Skins games are often more dramatic than standard match play because holes are not halved. When players tie on a given hole, the value of that hole is carried over and added to the value of the following hole. The more ties, the greater the value of the skin and the bigger the eventual payoff for winning a hole.
Who were the first golfers to play in the skins game?
This event was a made-for-TV tournament that drew huge ratings for its 1983 debut for two reasons: The skins format had never been used in a televised golf event before; and the four golfers who took part in that first Skins Game were Jack Nicklaus , Arnold Palmer , Gary Player and Tom Watson .
What is skins game?
Updated February 13, 2020. In golf, a " skins game " is a gambling game played within a group of golfers in which each hole has a set value. The golfer who wins the hole is said to win the "skin," and whatever that skin is worth.
What is the third hole worth in golf?
Because of the tie, no skin (and no money) is won. On the third hole - which is now worth $2, because the skin from Hole 2 carried over - B wins the hole and the $2 skin. If there had been another tie, the $2 would carry forward again, making the fourth hole worth $3. And so forth.
When was the first skin game?
Explaining the game and the term, plus winners of the pro version. The first professional Skins Game, played in 1983 , boasted legends Tom Watson, Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player and Arnold Palmer.
Can you use handicaps in skins?
The use of handicaps in a skins game is up to the golfers in your group. If you're all of similar skill level, play your skins game at scratch . But if there's a wide range of talent in your group, full handicaps are appropriate.
What happens if you win the second hole in Skins?
However, if any other player wins the hole, they just receive the total original value of the two holes. If no one wins the second hole, only the original value of each skin gets rolled over to the next hole.
How many players can play in a skin game?
Some skins games may incorporate more than four players, up to a dozen. The rules for this variation are similar except that holes tied by two or more players are not carried over to the next hole. Doing so, would obviously, complicate the otherwise simple game. In some cases, a 4+ match could be played as a regular skin game with a dedicated golf app being used to easily calculate the score.
Why are skins so popular?
Because of its competitive nature, unpredictability, and thrill, a game of skins tends to be highly popular with both spectators and golfers alike. It is one of those rare specimens of golf games where experienced or novice players can compete with each other on more of an equal footing. In this short guide, we’ll instruct you on how to play skins, ...
Can you use handicap index in skin matches?
Because anyone, regardless of skill level, can still make out like a bandit with a lucky shot or two in the game, there normally tend to be handicap indexes are not considered for skin matches.
What is a "Skins Game" in Golf?
In golf, a " skins game " is a format where golfers compete for a prize called a "skin" on each hole. The group of golfers (or the event organizer of a formal event) agree to a prize amount for each hole before the round starts.
Example of a Basic Skins Game
For a better understanding of how to play skins, check out the following example of a skins game between three players with a $10 skin for each hole (each player risking $5 on each hole):
Whole Round Skins Games
A "whole round skins game" is an adaption of skins where you don't know who wins until all players complete the round. This format is usually used for skins games spanning multiple groups of golfers.
Progressive Prize Scale
While the most basic form of a skins game has the same prize for every hole, it's also common to increase the skins for later holes.
More Golf Formats
Now that you've learned how to play a skins game, check out our complete list of golf formats for more fun ways to enjoy the game.

How to Play A Skins Game
Why Are They called 'Skins'?
- When you win a hole in a skins game, you win a "skin." But what's up with that term? Where does it come from? The truth is no one is certain of the origin of the golf meaning of "skins." But there are enough theories about the matter (some more plausible than others) that we have a separate article to address the topic:
What About The Skins game?
- In golf, 'The Skins Game' (upper case) is a reference to a former "silly season" event played by four professional golfers (usually PGA Tour players) each year from 1983 through 2008. This event was a made-for-TV tournament that drew huge ratings for its 1983 debut for two reasons: The skins format had never been used in a televised golf event befo...