How to Play Skins in Golf

Updated February 2026 · 5 min read

Skins is one of the most popular golf side games played around the world. It's simple to understand, adds excitement to every single hole, and works with any number of players. Whether you're playing for bragging rights this format turns an ordinary round into 18 individual competitions.

What Is a Skins Game?

In a Skins game, each hole is worth a set value called a "skin." The player with the lowest score on a hole wins that skin. If two or more players tie for the lowest score, the skin is not awarded — it either carries over to the next hole or is split, depending on which variation you're playing.

The beauty of Skins is that every hole is its own contest. You could play terribly for 16 holes, birdie the last two with carryovers stacked up, and walk away the big winner. That drama is what makes Skins a staple of weekend golf.

How to Set Up a Skins Game

Before teeing off, your group needs to agree on a few things:

1. Value per skin: Decide what each skin is worth. This could be points or anything your group agrees on. Common values are 1, 2, or 5 points per skin.
2. Carryovers vs. no carryovers: When a hole is tied, does the skin carry to the next hole (increasing its value) or is it simply a dead hole with no skin awarded?
3. Gross vs. net: Are you playing with handicap strokes (net) or straight-up scores (gross)? Net Skins levels the playing field for mixed-ability groups.
4. Validate or no validate: Some groups require the skin winner to tie or beat par on the hole. This prevents someone from winning a skin with a double bogey when everyone else makes triple.

Scoring Rules

Scoring a Skins game is straightforward:

1. Everyone plays the hole normally and records their score.
2. Compare scores. The player with the outright lowest score wins the skin for that hole.
3. If two or more players tie for the lowest score, the result depends on your carryover rule.
4. At the end of the round, count up each player's skins and tally the scores.

Example: 4-Player Skins (2 pts per skin, with carryovers)

On hole 1, Players A and C tie with 4, so the 2 pts skin carries to hole 2. Player B wins hole 2 outright with a 4, collecting both skins worth 4 points total. Hole 3 starts fresh at 2 points, won by Player A with a 3.

Popular Variations

Carryover Skins (Most Common)

When a hole is tied, the skin carries over and adds to the next hole's value. This creates dramatic moments where multiple skins stack up. A skin worth 2 pts can become 6 pts, 8 pts, or more as ties accumulate. The last hole of the round can be worth a huge number of points if skins have been carrying.

No-Carryover Skins

Tied holes are simply dead — no skin awarded, no carry. This is simpler and prevents huge swings but reduces the drama.

Net Skins

Players receive their handicap strokes on the appropriate holes. A 20-handicap golfer gets a stroke on the 18 hardest holes, making their net score one lower on those holes. This is the fairest way to play Skins in a group with mixed abilities.

Validation Skins

To win a skin, you must score par or better on the hole. This prevents a player from "backing in" to a skin with a bad score when everyone else scores worse.

Super Skins

Birdies are worth double skins, eagles worth triple. This rewards aggressive play and great shots.

Strategy Tips

Play aggressive when skins are stacked. If three holes have carried over and the next skin is worth 8 points, it's worth taking risks to win outright. A safe par might tie — you want the birdie.

Know when to play safe. If you've already won several skins and the current hole has no carryovers, there's no shame in playing for par and letting others take risks.

Par 3s are skin magnets. Short holes tend to produce more ties (everyone is hitting the green in one), which builds carryovers. The hole after a par 3 often has inflated value.

Don't give up on a bad round. In Skins, you can have 14 terrible holes and still win the day by capturing a few high-value carryover skins late in the round.

Why Skins Is Perfect for Your Group

Skins works because it keeps every player engaged on every hole. In stroke play, you might mentally check out after a few bad holes. In Skins, hole 17 is just as valuable as hole 1 — more valuable if skins have been carrying. It's the ideal format for weekend groups who want competition without the formality of a structured tournament.