How to Play Dots in Golf (Trash / Junk / Garbage)
Dots — also called Trash, Junk, or Garbage depending on where you play — is a golf side game where players earn points for specific achievements during the round. Make a birdie? That's a dot. Get up and down from a bunker? Dot. Hit the green on a par 3? Dot. It rewards good shots regardless of your overall score, making it perfect for groups with mixed skill levels.
Quick Facts
- Players: 2–8
- Format: Points for specific shot achievements
- Scoring: Accumulate dots throughout the round
- Skill level: All levels (great equalizer)
- Best for: Groups who want every shot to matter
What Are Dots?
Dots is a collection of mini competitions that run alongside your regular round. Each "dot" category rewards a specific type of achievement. Before the round, your group agrees on which dot categories are in play and what each dot is worth. At the end of the round, tally up dots and tally the scores.
The beauty of Dots is its flexibility. You can play with just a few categories or go all-in with a dozen. Every group customizes the game to their taste.
Common Dot Categories
| Dot | What It Is | Typical Value |
|---|---|---|
| Greenie | Closest to the pin on par 3s (must be on the green) | 1 dot |
| Sandy | Getting up and down from a greenside bunker (par or better) | 1 dot |
| Birdie | Making birdie on any hole | 1 dot |
| Eagle | Making eagle or better | 2–3 dots |
| Polie | One-putting from outside the flagstick length | 1 dot |
| Barkie | Hitting a tree and still making par or better | 1 dot |
| Arnie | Making par without hitting the fairway | 1 dot |
| Ferret | Holing out from off the green (chip-in) | 2 dots |
| Snake | Three-putting (negative — loses you a dot) | -1 dot |
| Hogans | Hitting fairway and green in regulation | 1 dot |
How to Set Up
- Choose your categories: Start with 4–6 categories for your first time. Greenie, Sandy, Birdie, and Snake are the core four most groups play.
- Set the value: Each dot can be worth a flat amount (1 point per dot is standard) or you can vary values by difficulty.
- Decide on "cancellation" rules: Some groups play that a Snake (three-putt) cancels all your other dots on that hole. Others keep them separate.
- Tracking: One person tracks dots per hole, or everyone tracks their own and compares at the turn.
Scoring and Final Tally
At the end of the round, each player totals their dots. The most common scoring method is that each player owes the difference to every player with more dots.
For example, if Player A has 8 dots and Player B has 5 dots Player B owes Player A the 3-point difference. This happens between every pair of players.
Popular Variations
Positive-Only Dots
Remove negative categories like Snake. Only count achievements. This keeps the mood lighter and is good for less competitive groups.
Double Dots on Back Nine
All dots earned on the back nine are worth double. This keeps the game interesting even if someone had a hot front nine.
Dots + Skins
Many groups play Dots alongside a Skins game. They complement each other perfectly — Skins rewards the best score on each hole, Dots rewards individual achievements regardless of the hole's outcome.
Strategy Tips
Short game wins Dots. Sandies, polies, and ferrets are all short game achievements. If you're a good chipper and putter, Dots is your game.
Avoid three-putts at all costs. If Snakes are in play, a three-putt doesn't just fail to earn you anything — it costs you. Lag putting becomes critical.
Par 3s are high-value holes. A greenie on a par 3 plus a birdie is 2 dots on a single hole. Focus extra hard on your tee shots on short holes.
Play aggressive from bunkers. A sandy (up and down from sand) is worth a dot. If you're in a greenside bunker with a decent lie, go for the pin — the dot reward justifies the risk.
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