Skins

Setup

Handicaps

Net skins use full handicap strokes on applicable holes. Gross skins ignore handicaps.

Points

Each hole is worth one skin. Typical value: 1-5 points per skin.

How to play Skins

1. Each hole is worth one 'skin' - a separate mini-competition
2. The player with the lowest score wins the skin for that hole
3. If two or more players tie for lowest, the skin 'carries over' to the next hole
4. Carryovers accumulate until someone wins a hole outright
5. The final hole scores all remaining carryovers

Standard golf order. Skin winner earns honors on the next tee.

Scoring

Ties: Ties carry the skin to the next hole - no skin awarded

Player with the most skins at the end of 18 holes wins

Strategy

• Play aggressively when multiple skins are on the line
• A birdie late in the round can be worth 5+ skins if carryovers build up
• With many players, ties happen often - patience pays off
• Consider 'validation' rule: must par or better to win a skin

Example

• Mike10 HCP
• Dave15 HCP
• Tom8 HCP
• Sarah12 HCP

Playing 5-point skins. Holes 1-3 have all been tied.

What happens

1. Holes 1-3: All tied. 3 skins carrying over to hole 4
2. Hole 4: Mike makes par, everyone else bogeys. Mike wins outright!
3. Mike collects 4 skins (holes 1, 2, 3, and 4)
4. Hole 5: New skin starts fresh

Mike wins 4 skins × 5 points = 20 points. Each other player owes Mike 5 points (20 ÷ 4 players, Mike keeps his share).

Mike's patience paid off. One winning hole netted 4 skins worth 20 points total.