How does skins work

Each month we will try to bring to you straightforward examples of popular - and not so popular - games on the course; games that will make your rounds more challenging and fun to play.

In this next installment of Game of the Month, we'll tackle one of the most well-known games: 'Skins. Between the popularity of the game with viewers and the game's simplicity, it is easy to see why it has become one of the most popular types of matches around.

In concept, skins is very much a match play format, but it is usually played between three or four players. Each hole is played separately, and is won by the player with the lowest score on the hole -- that golfer wins 'the skin'.

The interesting part of the game happens when two or more players tie for the low score. In this case there is 'no blood,' and the skin 'carries over' to the next hole, doubling its worth. At the end of the game, each player settles up based on the number of skins they have. Most skins games are played using handicaps by playing off of the lowest handicap golfer.

For example, imagine three golfers of handicaps 8, 16, and 28 were to play a game of skins. In this match the lowest handicap golfer would play straight up, the 16 handicap golfer would receive 8 strokes on the hardest 8 holes as denoted by the HDCP number on the scorecard , and the 28 handicap golfer would receive 2 strokes on the hardest two holes and a stroke on the rest of the holes.

The skins-game format in golf has long been a staple of friendly competitions among amateurs, but it reached national prominence in when a skins game was televised with four legends competing: Arnold Palmer, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson. The match was played over Thanksgiving weekend on the rugged and difficult Desert Highlands course in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Viewers got to experience all the drama and excitement of the skins format — how the stakes can rise as the match progresses and a player who has been struggling all day can rise up and win by having a great hole or series of holes at the end.

The values could be the same, such as 10 points, or increase in value, with the later holes being worth more than the early holes. For example, the first four holes could be worth 10 points each, the next four holes worth 15 points apiece, the next eight worth 20 points each, the 17th hole worth 25 points and the 18th hole worth 30 points.

Ask each player to contribute a set amount of money for each hole if the value of the skin is going to be the same for each hole. Or divide the total number of points by four and ask each player to contribute that dollar amount of money for the pot. Toss a coin to determine who tees off first. If there is no outright winner of hole two, each skin gets moved forward to the third hole at its original value.

Read more - The Greensomes golf format explained. Only four golfers were invited to the tournament, with the most prolific player over the years being Fred Couples. He won five of the Skins Games overall. In the final event, won by K. Choi, the money was handed out as follows:. Skins has been played on other tours, too. Share this Article. Golf Explained: What is a Skins game? Check the scorecards after the round to determine who won skins. If two or more players tied for the lowest score on a hole, nobody wins that skin.

GolfLink Lifestyle Rules. Skins carry over for any hole in which multiple players tie for the lowest score on the hole. In addition to skins for the lowest score on each hole, you can reward a skin for the following accomplishments: Sandies - Making par or better from the sand Barkies - Making par or better when at least one of your shots hits a tree Greenies - Closest to the pin on a par 3 Arnies - Making par or better without hitting a shot from the fairway Watsons - Chipping-in from off the green.

Variations One of the beauties of the skins game is that between all the add-ons and variations, there are seemingly an infinite number of ways to play. Multiple Groups If you want to run a skins game for multiple groups or an entire tournament, the process is simple. He has a degree in journalism from the University of Idaho and has been an avid golfer for more than 10 years.