Last Updated on May 27, 2024 by Britt Olizarowicz
The first time I played skins, I found it kind of confusing. After playing a few times, however, it actually became one of my favorite formats. Skins is competitive and fun and can include everyone in the group regardless of your handicap. So, if you have been wondering how you play skins in golf and whether or not it’s worth playing, you are in the right place.
Step by Step – How To Play Skins in Golf
This general skins format can be updated to work for your group but these are the basic steps you are going to want to follow. Most skins games are played with 3 to 4 golfers, it’s not as much fun when there are just two. You can also play skins as part of a league and put all the scorecards together at the end of the match to determine who won skins.
Agree On The Value of Each Skin
Before playing the first hole, you need to determine the value of the skin. Most of the time, you’ll start at something like $1 until you get used to the format and want to play a higher value. High-stakes golfers will pick a very high skin value, putting more pressure on the round.
However, $1 to $5 are perfect the first few times you play.
Decide on Gross Skins or Net Skins
Gross skins are used when the playing field has a similar handicap. If you have a group of golfers like Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, and Tom Watson, they are obviously going to play gross skins as nobody needs strokes, and their games are equal on any given day.
Net skins are determined by using each golfers handicap. This will make scoring a little different but it does level the playing field.
For fun, you can play both gross and net skins, even higher handicappers make a random birdie on a par 3 and it is fun for them to win a gross skin.
Play and Score
The skins format requires you to play your own ball on each hole. Your goal is to try to get the lowest score on the hole. The same goal you have every round of golf!
There are no additional rules for playing skins. Simply play each hole on the golf course and get the ball in the hole with the fewest number of strokes.
Now, when the play is finished, you can start to look at the scoring. The player with the best score on the hole wins the skin. If two players are tied, the skin carries over to the next hole, making the next hole work more.
Let’s say Player A and Player B both make a 4 on the first hole. They are playing a $5 skin.
That skin is transferred to the next hole because of a tie. If the second hole results in a tie, the skin gets pushed to the third hole. Now, on the third hole, if Player A makes a 3 and Player B, Player C, and Player D make a 4, Player A would win a $15 skin. They had three holes worth of the $5 skin to collect.
End of Round
At the end of the round, all the skin winners are tallied. You may have won a few skins and lost a few others. Money will typically not be exchanged until the end of the round.
In case of a tie in the number of skins and you need to determine who gets the winning amount, you can do a sudden death playoff.
However, most people just agree to split the skins. The great thing about the skins game is that you are still just playing your typical round. You are trying to shoot the lowest score and get your piece of the total pot.
When to Play Gross vs. Net Skins?
If you are in a group where everyone has similar handicaps, it’s easier to play gross skins. You won’t have to set the scorecard up, and it just makes the game simpler to follow.
If, however, your group has a mix of handicaps, it’s best to give the less skilled player a fair chance. Use the handicap system. You may have to let golfers know on the tee box who is getting strokes so that you can keep track of the skin games.
Why People Like to Play Skins vs. Other Formats
Growing up, I played in a lot of competitive golf events for juniors. Of course, there were no “games” on the course. When I got older, the skins game was introduced to me. I quickly realized this was a fun way to play a round without disturbing my typical play. Some golf formats, especially partner type or even a standard match play, have you adjust your strategy slightly, but with skins, you can play your game.
In addition, if you play for a little more per hole, $20, etc., you can have putts worth $100 or more. It’s kind of fun to add that pressure to your game, and you’ll learn what it’s like to play under it.
If you are a golfer who loves to have a variety of formats going at any given time skins is great. You can play skins while playing other games. Adding in greenies, sandies, and even a match between you and another playing partner is possible.
As a golf professional, I can tell you that I’ve seen some players thrive on this format. There is no pressure put on the final score for the day. Instead, you play each golf hole as if it were an individual game.
I’ve tried to explain how important this is to students, but for some reason, the idea clicks when you put $10 on it! Standing on the first tee and thinking about your score on the final hole is a lot of pressure. With skins, you can have a bit of a bad day on the course but still make money!
Final Thoughts
Now, the next time someone asks you how you play skins in golf, you have an easy and simple way to explain it to them. My biggest tip is to keep the value of a skin low at first. Until you get used to the format and feel comfortable with it keep the value low. Prize money is fun when you have carryovers, but you’ll have to be able to pay up! That’s probably the most important golf etiquette tip in the game!
