Chip & Bunker

10 / October / 2023

What is skins in golf?

Introduction

The traditional golfing formats, such as stroke play and match play, have long been the standard for competitive golf events, while casual games often gravitate towards stroke play, Stableford, or Match Play. However, the world of golf offers a wealth of exciting formats to explore, and one of the most entertaining is the Skins game.

A team of golfers, one of which is mid swing

A team of golfers, one of which is mid swing

The Intriguing World of Skins Golf

So, what exactly is a Skins game? Typically, this format is ideal for a group of golfers, whether they’re playing in a three-ball or four-ball. Each hole on the course represents one “skin,” and these skins can often carry a monetary value. The concept is simple: if a player manages to win a hole outright, applying the full handicap, they claim the skin for themselves. However, if no player secures an outright win, the skin carries over to the next hole, where it becomes doubly tempting at two skins. This cycle continues until someone finally triumphs on a hole, resetting the count back to one skin. The golfer with the most skins at the end of the round emerges as the champion.

Skins: A Thrilling Format for Golf Enthusiasts

In a typical Skins game, it’s not uncommon for two or more players to tie on a hole, causing the skins to accumulate. The game truly favors the bold, those willing to take on challenging shots or make aggressive putts at the perfect moment to seize a substantial number of skins in one fell swoop. Imagine a scenario where players tie the first nine holes, and then one golfer scores a birdie on the 10th. They could suddenly grab a whopping 10 skins, making them virtually unbeatable in the overall game, leaving just eight skins up for grabs.

However, the magic of Skins golf lies in its unpredictability. A player who might have struggled throughout the round could suddenly pull off a remarkable birdie on the last hole, picking up enough skins to surpass their competitors and clinch victory.

Exploring Variations in Skins Golf

Besides the classic Skins game, there’s a fascinating variant known as “Back It Up Skins.” Here, players have the option to “back up” their winnings instead of pocketing them. When a skin is backed up, the value of the next skin doubles if it’s won. Additionally, the skin that was backed up, if won, also doubles in value. If another player secures the hole, they claim only the original value of the two holes.

For instance, if John wins the first hole with a cash value of £1 and chooses to back it up, the next hole will be worth £2 per skin. If John triumphs again, they secure £4. But, if Mark wins the second hole, he claims two skins, each worth £1, and John walks away empty-handed, having lost the backed-up skin from the first hole.

Lorena Ochoa

Lorena Ochoa

Skins in the Professional Golf Arena

Skins golf isn’t just for casual rounds; professionals also use it to sharpen their skills. From 1983 to 2008, The Skins Game was an unofficial money event on the PGA Tour, held in November or December each year to conclude the official PGA Tour season.

An example from the 2008 event illustrates the prize distribution – the total purse was $1 million, with $25,000 assigned to each of the first six holes, $50,000 for holes 7-12, $70,000 for hole 13-17, and a whopping $200,000 on the final hole. Fred Couples stood out as a dominant force in the Skins game, securing victory five times and pocketing over $4 million from his 11 starts.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while stroke play and match play will forever remain golf’s classic formats, the Skins game offers a thrilling alternative that adds an element of unpredictability and high stakes to the sport, both for casual golfers and seasoned professionals. So, why not give it a try and experience the excitement of Skins golf for yourself?

© Chip & Bunker 2023