I don't like to bet when I golf

[boulAAYYY]

I love bet, I enjoy pressure when I have a shot to do :)

[SLIMER39]

$20 skin game ($1 hole / 2 cloestest to the pin) and usually a $10 for lowest score is the norm with my buddies which is ok coin when everyone shows up which is usually around 10 or 12 guys. It adds a little extra spice to the game.

[jjj912]

I wonder if there is a correlation between the skill of the golfer the willingness to bet. I would think the worse you are, the less likely you are to bet; while the better player you are, the more likely you are to bet. There will be plenty of low handicaps who don't and plenty of high handicaps who do, but overall I wonder if there is a correlation. Similarly, I wonder if the size of the bets is related to the skill of the golfer. Again, I would expect better players to wager higher amounts than bad players.

 

Personally, I've never bet nor have I ever been asked. My golfing ability resides somewhere between nonexistent and barely noticeable. So, if I place a bet I think I might as well flush the money down the toilet.

[philfan316]

I would feel bad about taking money from people, but it sure does feel good when I win it from them.

 

Money, like sex, is a very desirable thing, but it can really make things awkward and ruin potential realtionships.

 

I have found that I will bet with anybody that wants to bet. If they want to bet, that tells me they are willing to lose that money they putting up. I never initiate bets, but I accept them everytime they are presented to me.

 

Strokes aren't the only way to balance a match. You can use the "risk" betting system, used by many betting sportsbooks.

 

Next time, you can say "We can do it two ways, you give me 3 a side, and play for $10/hole. OR You can give me 3 to 1 odds, and we play scratch, and you put up $30/hole to my $10/hole.

 

What you're telling your opponent is, you probably have a better chance of beating me at scratch, but you will have to put up more to win just $10/hole. or you can give me strokes.

 

The reason I bet is because I know that I'm good enough to beat anybody, especially in a skins game. I have control of my destiny, where as you don't when get dealt cards and pulling levers.

[luxman]

I would feel bad about taking money from people, but it sure does feel good when I win it from them.

 

Money, like sex, is a very desirable thing, but it can really make things awkward and ruin potential realtionships.

 

I have found that I will bet with anybody that wants to bet. If they want to bet, that tells me they are willing to lose that money they putting up. I never initiate bets, but I accept them everytime they are presented to me.

 

Strokes aren't the only way to balance a match. You can use the "risk" betting system, used by many betting sportsbooks.

 

Next time, you can say "We can do it two ways, you give me 3 a side, and play for $10/hole. OR You can give me 3 to 1 odds, and we play scratch, and you put up $30/hole to my $10/hole.

 

What you're telling your opponent is, you probably have a better chance of beating me at scratch, but you will have to put up more to win just $10/hole. or you can give me strokes.

 

The reason I bet is because I know that I'm good enough to beat anybody, especially in a skins game. I have control of my destiny, where as you don't when get dealt cards and pulling levers.

 

Another option to "balance" a match would be for the "better" player to start off the front and back nine 1 or 2 down.

[Ronzo]

Another option to "balance" a match would be for the "better" player to start off the front and back nine 1 or 2 down.

 

"I'll take toops and threeps from Youngfut, Youngjun, Youngmut and Youngrus."

 

See attached. One of the funniest stories about golf betting there is.

[mfons31]

Too many problems trying to sort out handicaps, shots per side, familiarity with the course, possibility of being hustled by an unknown golfer, etc., and frankly, often the winner of the bet is the winner because of how the bet was arranged (strokes per side, rules of the bet, etc.) rather than on how well the golfers actually PLAYED the game.

 

 

There is definitely some truth to this. I play in a league once a week with my buddies and it always comes down to one or two holes. And after a couple presses, the game gets interesting.....2 footers turn into 8 footers. I can go out there and shoot 35 and not win a dollar, while my buddy shoots 43 but umbrellas a par 4 and after a couple presses I OWE HIM for the round.

[homergolf]

Goat Hills --great story

 

you'd think I'd have something else to do here at work

[dlygrisse]

Another option to "balance" a match would be for the "better" player to start off the front and back nine 1 or 2 down.

 

"I'll take toops and threeps from Youngfut, Youngjun, Youngmut and Youngrus."

 

See attached. One of the funniest stories about golf betting there is.

The Dogged Victims of Enexorable Fate, is one of my favorite books of all time, great story, great writer, good times.

[seypat]

I have a suggestion for you people who need to have something riding on each round. If you really need "something to make it interesting", or "spice it up", or "help me focus" then make your primary bet payable after each hole. Let's say a buck a hole pay on the next tee box. Trust me even if you are playing for a penny a hole this will do the trick. You know how you feel riding home from the match whether you have taken theirs or got yourself taken? You get that on every tee box. There is nothing better to get you going in your round. If you lost the hole you have to humbly pull out your dough, fork it over, and most of all, listen to the winner crow about it! Then you either buckle down and play some shots or do it all over again on the next tee box.

 

Try it. It works!

[wolfgame]

I have a suggestion for you people who need to have something riding on each round. If you really need "something to make it interesting", or "spice it up", or "help me focus" then make your primary bet payable after each hole. Let's say a buck a hole pay on the next tee box. Trust me even if you are playing for a penny a hole this will do the trick. You know how you feel riding home from the match whether you have taken theirs or got yourself taken? You get that on every tee box. There is nothing better to get you going in your round. If you lost the hole you have to humbly pull out your dough, fork it over, and most of all, listen to the winner crow about it! Then you either buckle down and play some shots or do it all over again on the next tee box.

 

Try it. It works!

 

In the effort to speed up play...I implore you to not do this....at least at my club. You know you are down or up....what is the point?

[seypat]

It doesn't take long to pay up on the next tee. it takes less time than marking your scores for that hole. It will take longer to pull your tee out of your pocket and tee up your ball than to give up that buck or 5 spot. You just keep one riding in your pocket. The point is since you asked, is that actually losing that money after each hole rather than thinking about losing it causes your senses to kick in a lot faster even though it is the same amount at the end of the round. If you pay at the end, then you haven't lost anything till after the round is over. This way, it's gone immediately and there is nothing you can do to get it back. Discuss it with your playing partners. Then try it for 2 or 3 holes on your next round and if it makes no difference at all, you can come back and tell me I was wrong.

[fussternut]

I occasionaly play for small amounts of money (most i've made/lost is $10) for all 18 holes but otherwise make small $4 bets for a closest to the pin contest on a par 3. When it comes to betting i follow the two best rules: Keep it friendly and always pay up.

[Sideways]

I like to play for money...or not. The usual weekend game is evenly matched foursomes playing best two balls with skins. Generally, the winnings or damage is around 7-10. I'll get a $2 nassau side bet going to make sure everything gets putted out.

 

I have several friends who are within a stroke or two of my handicap and we occasionally play straight up for 2 a side with 2 dollar birdies.

 

When playing with a group of differing skills, the usual game is dollar skins with dollar birdies. Nobody gets hurt and sometimes the less skilled golfers win a few bucks.

 

I also enjoy playing for nothing. Just depends on the company.

 

I've only played for "big" money twice. I won both times - $55 and $50 dollars. The losers acted like such babies that I didn't really care to play with them again.

 

Finally, I used to play with one guy quite often, until he got skunked in a 25 - cent, yes 25 cent skins game and acted like a two year old. I wrote that guy off right then and there. A case of golf not building character but rather revealing character.

[jcholman]

I have a suggestion for you people who need to have something riding on each round. If you really need "something to make it interesting", or "spice it up", or "help me focus" then make your primary bet payable after each hole. Let's say a buck a hole pay on the next tee box. Trust me even if you are playing for a penny a hole this will do the trick. You know how you feel riding home from the match whether you have taken theirs or got yourself taken? You get that on every tee box. There is nothing better to get you going in your round. If you lost the hole you have to humbly pull out your dough, fork it over, and most of all, listen to the winner crow about it! Then you either buckle down and play some shots or do it all over again on the next tee box.

 

Try it. It works!

 

In the effort to speed up play...I implore you to not do this....at least at my club. You know you are down or up....what is the point?

 

 

+1 I dont need any 5 hour rounds because guys are breaking 5 and 10 on every tee.

 

Thread jack - Do any of you have the friend who is a 12 or 15 that when money is on the line they always shot 80 or 78? Or how about the guy who after says "I will get you tomorrow!" I hate that!

[seypat]

Five hour rounds? Please!

 

You drive to the next tee, mark your scores, pull out your club, walk on to the tee, pull out the buck and place it in his/her waiting hand. It takes about 5-10 seconds more than your normal routine!

 

The REAL TIME CONSUMED is on the next green when you "study" your putt for an extra 5 minutes, then "study" it again, then back off and "study" it again because you don't want lose another buck!

[resist_hard.]

I have never played for money however its something i would like to do. I play really well under pressure and can concentrate alot harder. I am playing in a fourball this weekend so might suggest we chuck in a cheeky tenner each ;)

[jcholman]

Five hour rounds? Please!

 

You drive to the next tee, mark your scores, pull out your club, walk on to the tee, pull out the buck and place it in his/her waiting hand. It takes about 5-10 seconds more than your normal routine!

 

The REAL TIME CONSUMED is on the next green when you "study" your putt for an extra 5 minutes, then "study" it again, then back off and "study" it again because you don't want lose another buck!

 

Like I said 5 hour round then. Maybe not because of the time on the tee box but for everyone doing a Furyk and backing off of each putt 5 times.