Every summer I work with lots of juniors, and the one thing they know how to do is have fun. Many adults often lose track of this and forget that golf is a game – a game that should be played for the sheer enjoyment that it provides us with. If you want to add a bit of fun to your next golf game, then try playing one of the following games. They can be played in conjunction with your normal game and you can still keep your regular score.
A scramble format is one that allows golfers of different skill levels to play a competitive team match. Scramble can be played with teams of two or four players. The game allows each member of the team to tee off from his or her prospective tee. After each player has driven from the tee, all of the balls are advanced to the best shot of the group. Everyone on the team then hits their second shot from the same position and then you again select the best shot of the team and advance all of the balls to that position.
Once on the green, the team continues to select the one shot that is closest to the hole and the players putt until a ball is holed to complete the team score. Scramble is a fun format also for mixed golf as well for juniors when they play with adults.
Bingo, Bango, Bongo, is an individual game that puts three points up for grabs on each hole. One point goes to the player who reaches the green first. The second point goes to whoever is closest to the hole when all the balls in the group are on the green. The third goes to whoever holes their ball first. The winner is the player with the most points at the end of the round. This fun game will really help you to focus on your short game and approach shots into the green.
Skins is another popular game played by both professional and amateur golfers. A player wins a skin by posting the lowest score on each hole and each hole must be won outright, without any ties. If no one wins the hole, the skin is carried over and the next hole is worth two skins and so on. In some variations, the value of the skin increases as the round goes on. Skins can be played either for a monetary amount for each hole or simply for a point per hole. The most skins or points at the end of the round wins.
Long Shots is similar to the Skins Game, except that each hole you win is worth a certain amount of points. A 427-yard hole when won by a player would be worth 427 points. The player who accumulates the most points at the end of the round wins the match.
A game of putts will not only add enjoyment to your round, but will also help to sharpen your short game. Each player tallies the total number of putts made on the green for each hole. A putt from off the green counts as zero putts. The fewest putts at the end of the round wins the match.
All of these games can be played and scored in conjunction with your normal gross score. To ensure that other groups are not delayed, simply make sure that you do the scorekeeping on the next tee rather than on the green.
Next Week: A Tribute to Fathers
Cameron Burechails (Teaching Professional), The Georgian Bay Golf Academy at Meaford Golf Club (705)441-0865, baygolfacademy@bell.net or www.meafordgolf.com.
