Top Side Bet/Cash Games to spice up your round - Part 1

Few things compare to the thrill of driving a ball straight down the fairway, landing your second shot close to the pin, and tapping in for a birdie... But wait, there is something even better: gambling! Enter golf betting games.

Adding a little cash prize to that birdie makes it even sweeter. Let's be honest, golf is already amazing, but when I hit the course with my friends, a friendly wager elevates the experience. We end up betting on everything! Absolutely everything! It got so intense that last time, we even bet on who the drink cart girl would talk to first. Yes, you read that correctly. These bets make the game more thrilling and leave us with stories we'll share for years.

This led me to wonder. 

Is there a place where I can find the ultimate list of golf betting games? After searching extensively and finding only partial lists, I decided to compile one myself… You're welcome, or (btw) as my kids would say. 

I've assembled the most comprehensive list of Golf Betting Games available. Remember, you can bet on almost anything, and it doesn't always have to involve money. Some of the best bets have resulted in my friends doing hilariously ridiculous things when they lost. The goal is to have fun. Golf is already fantastic, but adding a bit of spice makes it even better. Here is a list of golf betting games you can play with groups of 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 12, or more players:

Alternate Shot

Alternate shot is a somewhat challenging format, especially after a few beers. Two-person teams simply alternate shots until the ball is holed. In the traditional format, one player tees off on even holes and the other on odd holes. Alternate shot match play is an excellent format for foursomes when all players have similar abilities.

Banker

This is one of the most entertaining golf betting games. You need at least 3 people, and to start, you must set a minimum and maximum amount on each hole. Let's say it's $1 min and $50 max. Choose a banker for the first hole, preferably not the drunkest person, and it'll rotate each hole. The banker tees off last for each hole, and each player decides how much they want to bet against the banker for that hole. For example, if Player 1 is the banker, Player 2 can bet $5 against him, Player 3 might choose $15, and Player 4 might go for $25. Players 2-4 aren't competing against each other; they're each playing individual matches against the banker. The player with the lowest score on the hole becomes the banker for the next hole, and ties are broken by the longest putt.

You can elevate the stakes with a press, but only off the tee and before the banker hits. For instance, if Player 3 hits it in the fairway, he can choose to double his $15 bet to $30 before the banker tees off. The banker can press back after hitting off the tee, but must press everyone — not just the initial presser.

Best-Ball

This isn't new; it's just a way to team up and bet. The lowest score of each team is counted on each hole. So, for example, if player A makes five and player B makes four, the score of four is recorded for the team on that hole. This game is often played in a match-play format (see our Golf Terms article if this or any other terms in this article are unfamiliar to you).

Best Nine

This game is ideal for players with higher handicaps or those like me who occasionally have a blowup hole. Players' scores are simply their nine lowest scores on the card. Best nine is fun to play among multiple groups.

Best to Next

This is a team game similar to best ball, where players take their own shots but play as a tandem. The difference is that ties are broken by the highest individual score. This is an excellent game to prevent a lot of ties on each hole. The former team wins if one team goes 4-4 and the other goes 4-5.

Bingo Bango Bongo

Sounds like a game out of the Sopranos and is just fun to say. There are three points available on each hole: the "bingo" point is for the first on the green; the "bango" point, for the closest to the pin; and the "bongo" point, for the first one in the hole. Assign a dollar value to each point.

Stay tuned for our next 6 games in Part 2.