Sep
19
2007

Gambling and Golf

Posted by Double Eagle in Golf Philosophy

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Recently, I stepped on to the first tee with my brother for the start of a 9-hole round and virtually the first thing out of his mouth was, “What are we playing for?” Naturally, my gut reaction was, “so I can get better and become a golf pro”, but I saved that one for myself and just told him that we could play for anything he wanted.

Within the next 30 seconds, I was just trying to understand what I was on the hook for. I think it was a $1 a hole skins match with $0.50 pars, $1 birdies, $1 greenies, $1 sandies and who knows what else.

I just went out and played my normal game (I had an average round) and ended up with $5.50 at the end.

It had me thinking, though: how many people gamble on golf? Let’s just consider games that a person is a player in, not betting on the PGA Tour or anything else.

Since I’ve been playing the game, I’ve known people who refuse to bet because they don’t like the pressure. I’ve known people like myself who don’t really care either way, but won’t bet for more than they feel comfortable losing. And then there are the people like my brother. If there’s nothing on the line, they feel like there’s something missing from the experience. In fairness, he’s really not that bad, but I’ve known people that are.

The Rules of Golf include an appendix covering gambling and golf. Generally, informal betting is acceptable, even in the case of an amateur. It is considered unacceptable when the wager involves non-players or when the amount is considered excessive.

So in most cases, the Rules aren’t really a factor. It’s more a matter of how important it is to you (or how important it is that you not bet, if you believe gambling is wrong).

So I have to know. Do you bet on golf?

POLL: Do you gamble when playing golf?

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There are currently 8 responses to “Gambling and Golf”

  1. 1

    c.a. Marks said:

    Yes, I have discovered that gambling goes quite naturally with golf.

    Posted on September 19th, 2007 at 3:58 am

  2. 2

    Double Eagle said:

    It sure does, c.a.

    That must be a big part of it. It just seems to fit.

    Posted on September 19th, 2007 at 4:07 am

  3. 3

    Greg B. said:

    It sharpens your game too. I played a skins game last night with four other golfers. I won 13 skins after playing an additional three holes to break a five-hole push. I just concentrated on hitting greens and stayed patient. On the final hole I was the only one to hit the green. On the day I hit 10 greens. I just don’t play that well with nothing on the line.

    -Greg

    Posted on September 19th, 2007 at 7:01 am

  4. 4

    Double Eagle said:

    Interesting, Greg. It has me wondering how I’d do if the amount on the line was significant. I mean, losing $5 or $10 to my brother doesn’t even register. But what if there was $50 or $100 on the line? I’ve never played for an amount where it would sting if I lost or be exciting to win.

    Posted on September 19th, 2007 at 12:18 pm

  5. 5

    Mike Pedersen said:

    Check this out! I have a good golfing buddy who is a booky! He and some booky friends have played for a grand a hole!!! My buddy had a put for $40,000 one time. He made it! Cash payment only folks!

    Posted on September 19th, 2007 at 3:58 pm

  6. 6

    Double Eagle said:

    Wow, Mike. I think that’s a little deeper than I’d ever care to get into gambling. I’m not sure I’d like to be playing for stakes that might involve my kneecaps. :)

    There’s a quote attributed to Lee Trevino: “Pressure is playing for ten dollars when you don’t have a dime in your pocket.”

    Considering that $10 was a lot more when he was coming up, I’d say that’s true.

    Posted on September 19th, 2007 at 5:59 pm

  7. 7

    mediaguru at hookedongolfblog.com said:

    I almost always gamble. Even if it’s just .25 a hole it seems to add a bit more intensity and need to concentrate. And it’s more humiliating to pay a guy .75 than it is to pay him $15…

    Posted on September 27th, 2007 at 11:31 pm

  8. 8

    Double Eagle said:

    You know, mediguru, you’re right about that. I mean, the $5 I take from my brother isn’t even worth the effort in the monetary sense. But when I get to break his stones about it…

    I once partnered with a friend to play a nine hole match against his father and a friend of his. It was something like $0.25 per hole and all the assorted greenies and bets like that. At the end, my friend and I each took about $5. Now, $5 isn’t much, but when you’re talking quarter bets on a nine hole match, it was a huge embarrassing defeat.

    Posted on September 27th, 2007 at 11:38 pm

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