75 replies to this topic

[Under2hours]

I keep hearing/reading about all these players who play money games.  I don't and heck seldom would play skins as well unless I have a fair chance (or very small stakes as I just don't make birdies for the most part).

I am always amazed at those who are okay playing games with better players and not getting strokes.

Also often asked to play skins where I am not one of the "better" players (those who make 3-4 birdies/round vs. my one every 2-3 rounds) and know my chances are terrible.  Often there will be a big group playing skins and you have HC variances of 10-15 strokes, but that high HC'er thinks he has the same odds of a birdie as the low HC'er.  Just not the case.

Now this is golfwrx and imagine everyone playing the money games always come out ahead in the long run, but anyone here that easy mark who throws in a $20 and seldom shares in winnings?

Edited by Under2hours, 17 April 2018 - 10:42 AM.

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[third-times-a-charm]

This might be wrx, but I dont bet on anything - ever. I dont even play $1 fun bets or any type of monetary betting. That's a great way to turn something enjoyable into a crapfest.

HARD PASS.

[ABARTSCHMID]

We play for money just about every round with our normal group. For the most part we are similar handicaps and whoever happens to have the best day usually wins. If there is a guy playing whose handicap is worse then the rest we usually give him some strokes. We don't however play many skins games. We try to make it fair and fun for everyone. We play a lot of 2 man low-ball nassaus and wolf if we end up with 5 players. Rarely does anyone win or lose more than $20 in a round. We just like being competitive and having a little something at stake. I have in the past played in groups with better players and knew I didn't have a chance to win straight up and they always were willing to give strokes. I guess it depends on if the people you are playing with just want to have fun or if they want to hustle you out of money. If it is the latter option then I would find a new group to play with.

[DavePelz4]

Most wagers are lost before the first tee.

[BNGL]

 DavePelz4, on 16 April 2018 - 03:34 PM, said:

Most wagers are lost before the first tee.

Yep!

A buddy of mine got me hooked on a game called umbrella, can stupid big really quick. We won all three points the first hole, were up 72 as a team (36 each) they press on two tee lose hole two. They're down 216 as a team standing on three tee. Gave them a buyout for 350 each after 9. Luckily most I've ever lost in that game is about 285-300.

It ain't gambling if you know you're gunna win.

[jdl]

I guess I am? One of the weekly groups I play in has 12 guys - me and one other guy are usually the low handicaps by 4-8 shots over most and 10+ to a couple of the worst guys. There's a season long skins contest that I've acknowledged I have zero chance of winning. We also do Stableford points and I've done OK in that one a couple of times. I've even lost a skin with an tap-in eagle because some guy rolled in a 30 footer and he was getting a stroke. "No albatross, no skin" is the saying now. It's not big money so not a big deal to me.

[DavePelz4]

 jdl, on 16 April 2018 - 04:03 PM, said:

I guess I am? One of the weekly groups I play in has 12 guys - me and one other guy are usually the low handicaps by 4-8 shots over most and 10+ to a couple of the worst guys. There's a season long skins contest that I've acknowledged I have zero chance of winning. We also do Stableford points and I've done OK in that one a couple of times. I've even lost a skin with an tap-in eagle because some guy rolled in a 30 footer and he was getting a stroke. "No albatross, no skin" is the saying now. It's not big money so not a big deal to me.

If it makes you feel any better, our group which is pretty much set up with the same season long format as yours, has a gentleman who gets 3 shots on some holes.  A few times a round he pulls it together and will turn a par 5 into a net 2.

Kind of tough to win that.

[MtlJeff]

Most of my gambling is on multiperson skins games , like put in 10 bucks and there's 20-30 guys in on it

I haven't won many big pots.

A couple of years ago we were playing our monster 230yd uphill par 3 on a cold and windy day and I knocked it to 2 inches. So I said "that should be a skin!"....the guy hitting after me in my group aced it and won like 300$ LoL

[Swisstrader98]

If you play golf and do not make a wager you are not my friend:)

I personally love the action and have learned that if you want to put some real pressure on your game which ultimately transfers to tournaments, try having to make a 6’ putt for a few bucks on the line.

[DavePelz4]

 MtlJeff, on 16 April 2018 - 04:09 PM, said:

Most of my gambling is on multiperson skins games , like put in 10 bucks and there's 20-30 guys in on it

I haven't won many big pots.

A couple of years ago we were playing our monster 230yd uphill par 3 on a cold and windy day and I knocked it to 2 inches. So I said "that should be a skin!"....the guy hitting after me in my group aced it and won like 300$ LoL

Will give you a different side of the equation.  17th hole, a par 3, pretty much the entire round of skins on the line.  Hit the rare great shot to 18 inches for a potential birdie and win.

Unfortunately, after I grounded my club, a gust of wind moved the ball about 1/32nd of an inch.  It didn't oscillate, it moved and you could tell from the line on the ball.  No one in the group saw it and they said to just forget but I couldn't take anyone's $ if it wasn't earned.

Made the putt, marked down the 3 and then of course blew up on the last, not even sniffing cash that day.

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[4Par]

Once a week Skins Night (9 holes).... we’ve increased participation by saying “play the tees you normally play”. Some guys play back, some middle, others forward... best things are most of the money goes across the bar and there’s a lot of comraderie developing now that’s it’s not just the top 10 players at the club participating.....

[Under2hours]

Years ago a person set up a great deal at a high-end public course, with a $20 straight up skins.  I and a few other were derided wanting to sign up but not play skins.

Others were perplexed that I had the audacity to say why should I throw into a pot where I had very little chance as a 20 HC?

Now if playing stableford & HC, that is a different story.

[Swisstrader98]

 Under2hours, on 16 April 2018 - 04:33 PM, said:

Years ago a person set up a great deal at a high-end public course, with a $20 straight up skins.  I and a few other were derided wanting to sign up but not play skins.

Others were perplexed that I had the audacity to say why should I throw into a pot where I had very little chance as a 20 HC?

Now if playing stableford & HC, that is a different story.

Buzzkill!!!

I’ve seen more than my fair share of 20+Handicaps take home the skins pot. Besides, it’s more about comraderie vs the $20.

[vietnameeh]

I am an easy mark, at least now I am.

the local sticks and local pros have a weekly skins game (we have high level amateurs and great local pros that play)

and I just started playing again after 3-4 year break.

They are so "happy" to see me back

but all it takes is that one good hole, where you get paid for me to keep coming back lol

[rgk5]

Our groups (20-32 guys) play money games every Tues., Fri., and Sun.  $10 ante per man and we play two man best ball (total) nassau with team skins.  60% for the team and 40% for the skins.

[deadsolid...shank]

I guess I don't understand the reluctance to use handicaps and give strokes. That's what the handicap is for, so everyone can play a competitive match.

Our normal group consists of a 2,3,4, & 22. If we didn't give strokes he obviously wouldn't have any chance to contend. As it is, its amazing how even the winning are. We joke that we've been passing the same $50 back an forth for five years.

Goes without saying though that this only works if the caps are honest, which is so much easier if its a regular group.

[cardoustie]

You play half shot skins ... pretty simple

A higher guy has chances on every hole

[deadsolid...shank]

 cardoustie, on 16 April 2018 - 05:51 PM, said:

You play half shot skins ... pretty simple

A higher guy has chances on every hole

We've tried to get that done on our men's day for years. To no avail.

[MadGolfer76]

Throwing away money gambling gets in the way of club ho'ing.

[BrianMcG]

You’ve never chipped in or made a bomb in a round. It only takes winning one hole and you can make some money.

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[deadsolid...shank]

MadGolfer76, on 16 April 2018 - 06:15 PM, said:

Throwing away money gambling gets in the way of club ho'ing.

But if you gamble well enough there is more to ho' with!  (or so I've been told)

[SNIPERBBB]

I tend to at least break even every year playing in our clubs games, all gross no strokes. We dont do skins much but when we do, the skins are spread out. Its almost always the harder holes that get the skins.

[ping rat]

Playing for money is a great way to test your metal. I came to the game late in life compared to many of my contemporaries and have always played with lower handicap players that like playing for money. the bottom line is negotiate a fair game or don't participate. I always play better when there is a little action involved and I'm not shy to negotiate strokes. If your handicap is legit you will never be an easy mark in a fair game. I don't say this condescendingly but if your not comfortable with the bet walk away, but if you really want to get better there is nothing better to get you focused like a little skin in the game.

[deadsolid...shank]

ping rat, on 16 April 2018 - 07:08 PM, said:

Playing for money is a great way to test your metal. I came to the game late in life compared to many of my contemporaries and have always played with lower handicap players that like playing for money. the bottom line is negotiate a fair game or don't participate. I always play better when there is a little action involved and I'm not shy to negotiate strokes. If your handicap is legit you will never be an easy mark in a fair game. I don't say this condescendingly but if your not comfortable with the bet walk away, but if you really want to get better there is nothing better to get you focused like a little skin in the game.

Agree 100%. In fairness to those who abhor  handicaps, I don't think I'd ever get into a money game with strangers (unless it was just a couple of dollars or something similar), strokes or straight up, either way. The entire premise of a good money game is that if you play well, you have a good chance of getting rewarded. Not winning because you're getting an abundance of strokes you don't deserve

It all boils down to the integrity of the players. If they are keeping an honest handicap.

[ping rat]

deadsolid...shank, on 16 April 2018 - 07:18 PM, said:

ping rat, on 16 April 2018 - 07:08 PM, said:

Playing for money is a great way to test your metal. I came to the game late in life compared to many of my contemporaries and have always played with lower handicap players that like playing for money. the bottom line is negotiate a fair game or don't participate. I always play better when there is a little action involved and I'm not shy to negotiate strokes. If your handicap is legit you will never be an easy mark in a fair game. I don't say this condescendingly but if your not comfortable with the bet walk away, but if you really want to get better there is nothing better to get you focused like a little skin in the game.

Agree 100%. In fairness to those who abhor  handicaps, I don't think I'd ever get into a money game with strangers (unless it was just a couple of dollars or something similar), strokes or straight up, either way. The entire premise of a good money game is that if you play well, you have a good chance of getting rewarded. Not winning because you're getting an abundance of strokes you don't deserve

It all boils down to the integrity of the players. If they are keeping an honest handicap.

Exactly, if I don't know you, and you can't verify your GHIN, we ain't playing for money

[bladehunter]

best way to do it without worrying about strokes is do $5 kick in on a big skins game.....if you have 15-20 players there a high likely hood that 1 skin makes a profit.   it isnt much but its fun knowing something is on the line.. and after all whats $5?   i call it the price of admission ...you will have $5 extra fun just being part of a good gang.

[Under2hours]

Swisstrader98, on 16 April 2018 - 04:49 PM, said:

Under2hours, on 16 April 2018 - 04:33 PM, said:

Years ago a person set up a great deal at a high-end public course, with a $20 straight up skins.  I and a few other were derided wanting to sign up but not play skins.

Others were perplexed that I had the audacity to say why should I throw into a pot where I had very little chance as a 20 HC?

Now if playing stableford & HC, that is a different story.

Buzzkill!!!

I've seen more than my fair share of 20+Handicaps take home the skins pot. Besides, it's more about comraderie vs the $20.

I love the stupidity of that statement.....  Sure it's the same as the worst player playing Texas hold 'em drawing aces and then ending with a full house vs. a flush & a straight........  Can happen, but the odds are long when birdies are a rarity and then hoping you aren't halved.  

I just did not want to give away money.......  That's what makes you a mark.

[jdl]

DavePelz4, on 16 April 2018 - 04:08 PM, said:

If it makes you feel any better, our group which is pretty much set up with the same season long format as yours, has a gentleman who gets 3 shots on some holes.  A few times a round he pulls it together and will turn a par 5 into a net 2.

Kind of tough to win that.

I don't feel any better, but appreciate the effort.

We have a couple guys who will get 2 strokes on some holes. When we're also playing the shorter tees on some courses, that can get pretty ridiculous.

deadsolid...shank, on 16 April 2018 - 05:38 PM, said:

I guess I don't understand the reluctance to use handicaps and give strokes. That's what the handicap is for, so everyone can play a competitive match.

Our normal group consists of a 2,3,4, & 22. If we didn't give strokes he obviously wouldn't have any chance to contend. As it is, its amazing how even the winning are. We joke that we've been passing the same $50 back an forth for five years.

Goes without saying though that this only works if the caps are honest, which is so much easier if its a regular group.

Yes, handicaps should be used but they also work better in smaller groups. And if there is a smaller spread of handicaps. When you start getting more than one 4some involved, the odds for the lower handicaps go way, way down. I have convinced our group to use 90% or even 80% handicaps which helps a little bit.

[HitEmTrue]

jdl, on 16 April 2018 - 04:03 PM, said:

I guess I am? One of the weekly groups I play in has 12 guys - me and one other guy are usually the low handicaps by 4-8 shots over most and 10+ to a couple of the worst guys. There's a season long skins contest that I've acknowledged I have zero chance of winning. We also do Stableford points and I've done OK in that one a couple of times. I've even lost a skin with an tap-in eagle because some guy rolled in a 30 footer and he was getting a stroke. "No albatross, no skin" is the saying now. It's not big money so not a big deal to me.

He had maybe less than 5 percent chance of making his birdie putt?  You were dancing near the pin in two.  So it sounds like you would come out ahead the majority of the time on that hole.  

[FKA HB]

Yes.  I am an easy mark.  At least I was last year.  I probably will be again this year, but I plan on being better in 2019, maybe 2020.  I play the long game while you amateurs are looking short term.  Watch The Color of Money to understand the complicated hustle I've been orchestrating for the past several years.

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