How to play a golf skins match

If you’ve ever found yourself playing a round and wanting something more, such as some higher stakes or some more room for error, then a golf skins match could be for you.

Skins golf is a format in which each player competes not only for fun and the usual competitive edge with their opponents, but also for money.

A golf skins match is typically played by three or four players, with three being the minimum and four being considered optimal, with one goal: to get one over your opponents.

The term ‘skin’ is an old-school golf slang term which derives from the old leather pouches in which the cash was originally kept. You’ll be competing for one of these skins for each hole.

The rules of skins golf

Each hole represents its own prize in a golf skins match. You and your opponents will be competing for money on each one, with the aim otherwise fairly standard: finish the hole in the fewest strokes.

All players compete for the hole as normal; however, it has to be won outright in order for a skin to be awarded. For example, if one player manages a birdie while the other three all hit par, then the first player would win the skin for the hole.

However, if two players were to tie a hole – for example, both getting par while the other players get bogeys, then the skin would pass over to the next hole and double in value.

All four players would then be able to compete for the higher-value skin. If the hole were tied again, the skin would once more carry over to the next hole, increasing in value until someone was to win the hole outright.

This is one of the quirks of a golf skins match. Players who are inconsistent actually stand a good chance of winning. Remarkable shots on nine holes and poor shots on the other nine would stand you in better stead than a consistent par on every single one. Similarly, a singular disastrous hole would mean precious little.

Therefore, skins golf favours players who are more attack-minded as opposed to those who are more cautious. 

Money in skins golf

Before your golf skins match begins, it’s important to establish how much money is on the line with your opponents, or whether you’re even competing for cash at all. While this is usually the case, if you and your friends are unwilling to play for money, it is possible to play for other prizes of your choosing.

If you’re playing for money, make sure you understand how much you could lose. The total prize pot is equal to the value of each hole multiplied by the number of players and holes. 

So, four players competing for 18 holes worth £5 each would result in a total stake of £360, and the most any player could lose would be £90.

The winner of each hole would win the £20 available (including their own £5). If a hole were tied, the next would be worth £40. If that were tied too, the following would be worth £60 and so on until there’s an outright winner.

Holes might not all have the same value, though. One common alteration is to increase the skin for later holes, such as doubling the value for the second set of nine holes. 

Variations of golf skins

There are multiple variations of skins golf which can be employed to change a match. Here are two common ones. 

Back it up skins

Back it up skins is perhaps the most common variation of a regular golf skins match.

The difference between this and a standard round is that a player who wins one hole can then ‘back it up’ on the next one instead of taking the skin. This means they would be competing for more money on the second.

For example, if Player X beats Player Y on a hole on which they were competing for £5, they could back it up for the next one. Now, Player X would be competing for skins worth £10 each.

If Player X wins that hole, they would get £20. However, if Player Y were to win the second hole, they’d win £10, comprised of two skins each worth £5. Player X would get nothing.

In the event the second hole was tied, the players would move on to the third hole, and the skins would return to their original value. 

Validation

You can also validate your skins. This means that, if a player wins one hole, they then have to get either the same score or a better one for the next hole.

This way, you’re required to be a little more consistent over the course of a round. If you can’t validate your skins, you don’t win them, and they carry over to the next hole.

Professional skins

There was a time when there was a skins contest on the PGA Tour, although it was unofficial. Between 1983 and 2008, pros competed to win very large sums on The Skins Game.

The value of holes increased throughout the contest, with the first six holes worth $25,000 each. By the final hole, pros would compete for a skin worth $200,000.

Unsurprisingly, some golfers made big money. Fred Couples was victorious in The Skins Game five times between 1995 and 2004 and won over $3.5 million from it. He has been dubbed “Mr. Skins” as a result.

The pros and cons of a golf skins match

Golf skins can add an element of excitement and jeopardy that otherwise wouldn’t exist in another round of golf. If you’re someone who enjoys competing for money and is an attack-minded golfer, it could be an ideal version of the game to try out.

However, it’s important that it’s done safely. Not everybody is comfortable competing for money, and those prone to problem gambling should give skins a miss. At the end of the day, playing a skins match is combining golf with betting.

There’s no denying, though, that responsible golf skins makes for a fun and different way to test yourself against your friends. 

Specialist golf insurance through Golf Care

It doesn’t matter what golf format you choose to play, accidents can happen out on the course. That’s why you may want to consider protecting yourself and your equipment with specialist golf insurance.

Through Golf Care, policies include Equipment Cover up to £7,500, Public Liability of up to £10m, and Personal Accident Cover up to £50,000. Get a quote online today.