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I was invited to play a round with these guys at a local course (Moorpark Country Club). It was sooo windy. Flags were bending almost half way and the balls would move on their own on the green..incredible. Anyway, these guys wanted to play $5/stroke. Meaning, any strokes more than the lowest finishing score would be $5/stroke. If I par out and the other 3 guys double bogey out I would get $30. I was like *GULP*..but the golf was comped so I went with it.

I ended the day making $330. I felt bad for taking it because there was a couple guys that were SOOO bad. I don't understand why they would want to play for this kind of money. I was going to buy them dinner but couldn't make it so I gave my friend $100 toward their meal.

good job i always bet, i made a whole thread on it not to long ago.

I wouldn't want to be on the losing end of that deal. I play for fun; I wouldn't find that fun.

Same here, but our 4-some does play some veeerry small stakes stuff. It really adds to the fun & needling opportunities to have something riding on it & nobody gets hurt.

Agreed. It always makes you think a little more while having bragging rights at the end of the day is what really counts. Sometimes playing and scoring well does not give you the $$$

I usually play for fun. However every so often a friend invites me to join their Saturday morning group. They split into two foursomes and have all kinds of bets - but not big money. The three or four times I've joined them I won/lost about $5 per round.

Also, they always play a scramble. I find it a good change of pace.

Always for fun. Basically because I'd choke.

Exactly...My groups always bet, Nassaus, CTP, and a putting/card game. Worst case scenario you lose maybe $15. Usually comes out pretty even, not too much coin changes hands.

We had a golf trip a couple of years ago, played about 10 rounds and kept track of everything. One guy, probably one of the better golfers on the trip just couldn't get it going and was about $250 in the hole by the end of the trip. We just made him buy us a couple of drinks the last night and called it even. When you are golfing with friends you want to keep, I think it is a good idea to know when enough is enough.

Well, I've been on both sides of this one.
I have lost more than I could afford and won more than hoped for. The real lesson here is there are all types of people that go to the course, you my friend must determine which category they fall into (ASAP) gambler, player or both....hehehehe and then there are friends

Gamblers = know when to bet and how to bet and only bet when its in there favor. They will give strokes for the right player

Players = usually bet manageable amounts and dont give strokes.

Gambler / Players or vice versa usually bet money they dont have!!!! watch out for these guys!!! they may or may not give strokes depends on their need. .... watch out!!!!

Friends = always have Nassau's (Soft drink, coffee, 1.00 skins, etc)

basically there is always something riding on those putts...

I always have bets when I play. To me, it is just a part of the game. Usually keep it in the area where a worst case scenario is $30 to $40 and the normal win is $10-20. I always like a 4 way match play with no automatics but with optional, at least one down, press that cannot be refused. $5 is a good amount for the four games. I also like greenies with Blue Plate special if you get all four. Blue Plate doubles the take. Also like Gorillas which is closest to the pin in three on par fives. Get all four and the win doubles. $2 is a good amount for the "junk" games. If I am in a medal tournament, I will play people in other groups three ways, front, back and 18 for $10 each. That seems to make for fun discussion around the scoreboard after play. What kind of bets does everyone else enjoy???

Theres a Mc Donalds drive thru right down the road from our course... you can actually smell it from the second green.

Usually loser buys lunch.

I play a lot with a friend that likes to play a "double match." 18 holes playing Match and Stroke play simultaneously. $5.00 nassau in both matches with $1.00 greenies, $1.00 birdies and $1.00 penalty for double bogie or worse. If we both birdie the same hole the money carries over, like a skin.

That way if you're getting beat on the stroke play match, you still have a chance in the match play match. He likes to tell our other buddies that we're pretty even.....but I keep a log of all my golf expenses and winnings and I'm not about to tell him how much he's in the hole over the last 5 years. Why spoil a good thing!

On Mondays we have about ten guys in a skins game with hcp. for quarters, so one skin is worth 2.25. There are usually about 6 skins out so if you get one you can't lose.
Not big stakes but enough to keep it interesting.

Im not always in a position to bet on the courses. But when my foursome agrees its always for small potatoes..We will play practically everything too, closest to pin, longest drive just stuff to make it fun for us, its mostly judgements calls but it works for us.

Pete