
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. When a hole is tied, the value of that hole carries over to the next, increasing the size of the pot for the following hole.
How do you play skins in golf?
Skins Golf Rules 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 a Golf Skins Game
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. The lowest score on each hole wins the skin for that hole (that hole's prize money).
How are Skins played in golf?
In a skins game, the person with the lowest score on a hole wins a skin. When two or more players tie for the lowest score, that skin carries over to the next hole. Whether you’re looking for a high-stakes, high-intensity 18-hole bout, or just a little something to accompany your bragging rights, adding a skins game to your round of golf will do the trick.
What does skins mean in golf?
· Skins is a game in golf where players compete for a prize – usually money – on every hole. The prize at stake is called the ‘skin’. The …

What does playing the skins mean?
Traditionally, the stakes increase on each hole or after a group of holes. If a player wins the hole outright then he wins the skin. If no-one wins the hole outright, the value of the skin gets added to the skin for the next hole.
How are skins calculated in golf?
0:062:16How to Compute Skins in a Golf Game - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipGame skins you'll see them on the pga. Tour as an event with the ladies with the men. AndMoreGame skins you'll see them on the pga. Tour as an event with the ladies with the men. And essentially what the skins. Are is each hole as you'll see here tiger made a seven on number.
How do you play a skins game in golf?
0:032:17Golfing Scoring & Tips : How to Compute Skins in a Golf GameYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAs an event with the ladies with the men and essentially what the skins are is each hole as you'llMoreAs an event with the ladies with the men and essentially what the skins are is each hole as you'll see here Tiger made a seven on number one Jack Nicklaus made a four and Ernie made a four.
Is playing skins in golf gambling?
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 I pay my 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.
Why is it called skins in golf?
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 do you play skins with handicaps?
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 that player will have a stroke over the golfer with the best handicap.
What is a skins match in disc golf?
Disc golf skins is a type of match play typically played with four players where each hole is referred to as a skin and each skin (hole) carries a prearranged dollar value. The winner of each hole wins that amount. If at least two player tie on a hole, the amount is carried forward to the next hole.
What are Canadian golf Skins?
Canadian SKINS is a variant of a net skins tournament that favors a natural(gross) score over a net score. If multiple players tie for the lowest score on a hole, but only one of those players did it with their gross score, then that player wins the skin.
What is the difference between Skins and Match Play?
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 Skins and mulligans?
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 does skins mean in gambling?
In video games, skin gambling is the use of virtual goods, often cosmetic in-game items such as "skins", as virtual currency to bet on the outcome of professional matches or on other games of chance.
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. Brian Morgan/Getty Images
How to Play a Skins Game
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.
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.
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.
Do you need math to pay out skins?
Paying out your skins pool doesn’t require a degree in math. You’ve already determined how much each skin is worth, or how much each player is contributing per hole. Check the scorecard to determine how many skins each player won and distribute the dough.
What happens when two players tie for the lowest score?
In a skins game, the person with the lowest score on a hole wins a skin. When two or more players tie for the lowest score, that skin carries over to the next hole.
Who is Nick Heidelberger?
Nick Heidelberger is the editor of GolfLink. He has a degree in journalism from the University of Idaho and has been navigating his way around the golf course for more than 10 years. He previously worked for the New England Section of the PGA of America.
Whole Round Skins Game
In this version of skins, you don't know who wins until the round is finished.
Back It Up Skins Game
Back It Up is a variation of Skins where, instead of pocketing the prize, you can "back it up".
PGA Tour Skins Game
The Skins Game was an unofficial-money event on the PGA Tour from 1983 to 2008, taking place in November or December every year.
Step 2
Ask each player to contribute a set amount of money for each hole if the value of the skin is going to be the same for each hole. Or divide the total number of points by four and ask each player to contribute that dollar amount of money for the pot.
Step 3
Toss a coin to determine who tees off first. Each player tees off in turn, and normal stroke play continues until each player holes out.
Step 4
Tee off and play the next hole and continue through the remaining holes until the round is finished. Keep track of who wins the skins for each hole as you play.
Step 5
Total the number of skins, if the value of each hole is the same, or total up the number of points. The winner is the player with the most skins or points.
Step 6
Continue the match with a playoff if two or more golfers tie on the 18th hole.
What is skins game?
A skins game or tournament can be played by a group of professionals on a weekend for charity or by friends on the local links. Whatever the level or location, a golf skins game involves a match-play-type atmosphere where money or bragging rights are on the line for the participants.
Where is Tim Bodamer?
Tim Bodamer is a freelance writer based in Seminole, Florida. He attended Edinboro Univerity of Pennsylvania where he studied journalism. He has 15 years of writing experience and specializes in sports, business and general interest topics.

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...