How to Play Vegas in Golf

Updated February 2026 · 5 min read

Vegas is golf's most intense side game. Instead of adding individual scores, teams combine their scores into a two-digit number — and the difference between those numbers is the points on the line. This creates massive swings where a single bad hole can swing against you hard. If your group likes intensity and isn't afraid of big swings, Vegas is the game for you.

How Vegas Scoring Works

Each team of two players plays their own balls. At the end of each hole, combine the two teammates' scores into a two-digit number, with the lower score always first:

1. Team A: Player 1 makes 4, Player 2 makes 5 → Team number is 45
2. Team B: Player 3 makes 4, Player 4 makes 6 → Team number is 46
3. The difference: 46 – 45 = 1 point to Team A

That example looks tame. Here's where it gets wild:

1. Team A: Both players make 4 → Team number is 44
2. Team B: Player 3 makes 5, Player 4 makes 8 → Team number is 58
3. The difference: 58 – 44 = 14 points to Team A

At 1 pt per point, that one hole just cost Team B 14 pts. One player's blowup hole doesn't just hurt them — the two-digit system amplifies it exponentially.

The Flip Rule

The most common (and devastating) variation is the flip rule. If one player on a team makes a birdie and the other player on the opposing team makes a double bogey or worse, the losing team's number gets flipped — the higher score goes first.

Example with flip:

1. Team A: Players make 3 (birdie) and 5 → Team number: 35
2. Team B: Players make 4 and 7 (double bogey triggers flip) → Team number: 74 (flipped from 47)
3. Difference: 74 – 35 = 39 points

Without the flip, the difference would have been 47 – 35 = 12. The flip nearly tripled it. This is why Vegas gets its reputation — one flip can swing the entire match.

How to Set Up

1. Form teams: Two teams of two. For balance, pair a low handicapper with a high handicapper on each team.
2. Set the point value: Start small. 1 or 2 points per hole is reasonable for your first time. Even at low values, swings can reach 20+ on a single hole.
3. Agree on the flip rule: Most groups play with flips because it's more exciting, but discuss it first. Some groups only flip for double bogey or worse, others flip for any score of 7+.
4. Set caps (optional): Some groups cap the maximum points per hole (say, 20 points) to prevent one catastrophic hole from determining the entire match.

Strategy Tips

Avoid the big number. In Vegas, a double bogey doesn't just lose your team the hole — it can flip your team number and create a massive point swing. When you're in trouble, play safe. Get the ball back in play. A bogey is infinitely better than a snowman.

Both teammates making par is devastating. A 44 is incredibly hard to beat. If both partners par every hole, you'll crush Vegas. Consistency is the single best strategy.

Protect your partner. If your partner is in serious trouble (likely making 7+), you need to make birdie or at minimum a solid par to keep the team number reasonable and avoid the flip.

Manage the flip trigger. Know what score triggers a flip in your group's rules. If it's double bogey, and you're lying 4 on a par 4, take your medicine and make bogey rather than going for a hero shot that could lead to a 7.