Hey golfers, ready to ditch those scorecards and turn your next round into an epic bash? Just like with the excitement of a baseball drinking game during the playoffs, the thrill of a basketball drinking game during March Madness, or a super bowl drinking game that keeps the party going during commercial breaks, golf drinking games offer a unique way to add some friendly competition, laughs, and a healthy dose of (responsible!) fun to your game. And hey, even if you’re not a die-hard golf fan, these games, like a good hockey drinking game during a heated match, level the playing field and make everyone a winner (well, sort of). Just remember, drink responsibly, focus on the good times, and don’t take the golf too seriously – or maybe take it more seriously, depends on how the drinks are flowing!
1. Wolf: The Classic Golf Drinking Game with Strategy
Get ready to unleash your inner predator with Wolf, the ultimate golf drinking game! It’s a strategic showdown filled with cunning moves, unexpected twists, and laughter that’ll echo across the fairway. I’ll never forget the first time I played Wolf with my buddies. I was feeling pretty confident after a decent drive, but then I shanked my approach shot right into the water hazard. The look on my partner’s face was priceless – a mix of amusement and utter betrayal. Needless to say, we weren’t the winning team that hole, and I learned a valuable lesson about celebrating too early.
Rules of the Pack:
- Each hole, one player is the Wolf. The order rotates, so everyone gets a turn.
- After teeing off, the Wolf decides if they want a partner for that hole. They yell “Wolf!” to pick a partner or “Lone Wolf!” to go solo.
- Partner selection is KEY: the Wolf picks someone AFTER everyone else hits their drives. Got a buddy who crushed it down the fairway? Snag ’em!
- Lowest combined score on the hole wins – Wolf and partner, or Lone Wolf versus everyone else. Losers drink.
Spice It Up:
- “Blind Wolf”: Wolf picks a partner BEFORE anyone hits their drive. Risky, but with potentially high rewards.
- “Double or Nothing”: Feeling lucky? Winners on a hole can gamble for double drinks on the next.
Pro Tips:
- Wolf Power: Use your partner wisely. Got a short game whiz? Pair up for tricky holes.
- Mind Games: If you’re not the Wolf, fake confidence! A good drive might scare the Wolf into picking someone else.
- Don’t Panic: Bad drive? Play it cool. The Wolf might skip you, and losers drink anyway!
2. Birdie or Bogey: Simple and Fun for Everyone
This one’s a no-brainer, perfect for beginners or those days when your golf game feels more “bogey” than “birdie.” Here’s the deal:
The Rules (we’re keeping it simple):
- Birdie: Sink a birdie? Everyone else drinks.
- Bogey or Worse: Landed in the rough? Double bogey? Time to take a drink.
Get Creative (and dial up the difficulty):
- Team Play: Pair up! Teammates share the pain (or the celebratory sip if one of you gets a birdie).
- Handicap It: Seasoned golfers feeling cocky? Up the ante – birdies are worth two drinks, and eagles… well, let’s just say your buddies will owe you big time.
- Silly Penalties: Missed a short putt? Do 10 push-ups. Hit it in the water? Sing a song. Let your imagination run wild!
3. Around the World: Test Your Putting and Your Memory
Get ready to sink some putts and test your short game! Around the World is a classic that’ll have your group cheering (and maybe groaning) with every shot.
How to Play:
- Set up “holes” around the green – cups, hats, even empty beer cans work! Number them in a circle.
- First player tries to sink a putt from “hole” number one.
- Miss? Keep putting till you make it.
- Made it? Move on to “hole” number two!
- First player to putt around the entire “course” wins. Losers drink!
Spice It Up:
- “Blindfolded Challenge”: Take turns putting blindfolded – hilarity guaranteed.
- “One-Handed”: For seasoned putters, make everyone use their weak hand.
- “The ‘Clock'”: Each numbered station gets harder the further you are from the actual hole. Miss on station 1? No worries. Miss on station 9? Ouch, that’s gonna be a hefty drink!
The Around the World putting game is a great way to test your short game and your sobriety. Just remember, the more you drink, the bigger the world seems to get.
4. Scramble: Teamwork and Drinking Fun
Forget lone wolves; this one’s all about the pack! Scramble is perfect for groups, mixing some good-natured cooperation with a healthy dose of competition.
The Lowdown:
- Teams! Pair up or split into groups depending on how many players you’ve got.
- Each team hits their tee shot. Then, everyone walks to the BEST ball of the group.
- Play on! Everyone hits from that spot, and you repeat the process (best ball, everyone plays) until you’re on the green.
- Lowest team score on the hole wins – everyone else drinks!
Get Strategic:
- The Long Bomber: Got a buddy who crushes drives? Their tee shot is golden.
- Short Game Whiz: Put them in charge when you’re close to the green.
- Play to Your Weaknesses: Scramble helps everyone contribute. If someone’s terrible at chipping, let them putt!
Variations:
- “Worst Ball Scramble”: Like normal, but you play from the WORST shot of the team. Embrace the chaos!
- Handicaps: Level the field by factoring handicaps into final scores.
- “Pay Your Way” Mulligan: For a small fee (a buck in the pot?), teams can buy ONE mulligan per hole.
I’m not exactly known for my accuracy on the golf course, which is why Mulligan Madness is one of my favorite games. It’s the perfect excuse to blame my terrible shots on the alcohol, and hey, at least I’m contributing to the entertainment value of the round.
5. Nine and Dine: Short Course, Big Fun
No time for a full 18? No problem! Nine and Dine is designed for those quick rounds where you squeeze in some golf and even quicker drinks.
The Basics:
- Each hole is a different challenge, with drinks assigned based on your performance.
- Example: Hole 1 – Par or better, no drinks. Bogey, one drink. Double bogey or worse… better get that glass ready.
Get Creative with Challenges:
- “Closest to the Pin”: Winner on each hole gets a free pass, everyone else drinks.
- “Bunker Blunders”: Land in the sand? Time to take a drink.
- “The Long Putt”: Sink a monster putt? Everyone else takes a celebratory sip in your honor!
Variations:
- “Team Showdown”: Pair up and combine your scores for each hole. Lowest score wins!
- “Progressive Penalties”: The worse you do, the MORE drinks you owe. Hole 1 might be one drink for a bogey, but hole 9… watch out!
- “Silly Forfeits”: Mix in dares like the “T-Rex Drive” (arms tucked in like a tiny dinosaur) for an extra dose of laughter.
6. Mulligan Madness: Turn Do-Overs Into Drinks
We’ve all wished for a second chance on that terrible drive… Mulligan Madness makes those wishes come true (with a boozy twist)!
The Rules (With a Drinking Twist):
- Pre-Agreed Mulligan Limit: Decide upfront how many mulligans everyone gets per round (2-3 is usually a good number)
- Mulligan = Drink: Want a do-over? Take a drink first!
- Group Vote: Feeling generous? Sometimes the whole group can vote to allow someone a “mercy mulligan.”
Get Creative:
- “Money Mulligan”: For a fee (put it in a pot!), players can buy an EXTRA mulligan. Winner at the end of the round takes the pot!
- “Skill Swap”: Instead of drinking, a bad shot means you have to use a teammate’s club for your next turn.
- “The Walk of Shame”: Miss a putt and need a mulligan? Walk backwards to your ball before trying again.
A Word of Caution: Too many mulligans can ruin the flow. This one’s best for those truly disastrous moments!
7. Hazard Play: Risk and Reward on the Course
Feeling adventurous? Hazard Play turns those bunkers and water hazards into high-stakes challenges where every shot counts (and every bad shot might lead to a drink).
Choose Your Poison:
- The Classic: Land in a bunker or water hazard? Take a drink.
- Graduated Penalties: Water hazard is one drink, deep bunker is two, lost ball… well, you better stock up.
- Proximity Matters: Closest to the hazard without going in gets a free drink, others pay up.
Turn Up the Heat:
- “Double or Nothing”: Feeling lucky? Opt to try and hit out of the hazard. Make it, and you’re a hero. Fail, and the drinks double.
- “Hazard Hot Potato”: Last one in the hazard has to buy the next round!
- “The Blind Shot”: Hit into the hazard? Next shot has to be played with your eyes closed.
Strategic Tip: Sometimes, taking the safe route (and a penalty drink) is the smarter way to keep your round (and liver) alive.
8. Don’t Forget Your Beer: A Memory Challenge
This one sounds easy but trust me, a few holes in, it’ll have your head spinning (and probably lead to a few drinks).
The Premise:
- You MUST have a drink in your hand at all times while on the course, unless you’re taking your shot.
- Forget to grab your beer before walking away from the green? Take a drink.
- Finish your drink? Better refill ASAP, or you’re in trouble.
Level Up:
- “Juggle It”: Add in another element – everyone has to keep a ball in the air while walking. Drop the ball AND forget your beer? Double drinks!
- “The Designated Drinker”: One person per group is in charge of remembering everyone’s drinks. They mess up, they drink on everyone’s behalf.
- “No Hands”: Take a shot? You gotta set your drink down first. Adds an extra layer of ridiculousness.
This game favors those with a decent short-term memory AND a strong thirst!
9. Chip In: Short Game, Big Stakes
Forget those long drives; this one’s all about finesse around the green. Bust out your wedges and get ready to pay up (or earn a drink!) based on your chipping skills.
The Challenge:
- Designated Chipping Zone: Set up an area around each green for designated chip shots.
- Chip and Sip: Sink your chip? Everyone else drinks. Land on the green, you’re safe. Miss the green entirely… well, bottoms up.
Variations:
- “Proximity Points”: Closest chip to the pin wins, losers drink based on how far their shot was.
- “Team Challenge”: Partners combine scores. Closest combined chip wins, and the losing team drinks.
- “Pressure Putt”: Missed chip means you gotta sink a pressure putt to avoid a drink.
Get Creative:
- “One-Handed Champ”: Make everyone chip with their non-dominant hand for extra laughs (and terrible shots).
- “Eyes Closed”: Feeling brave? Blindfolded chips bring chaos. Sink it, you’re a legend. Miss, you’re buying the next round.
A delicate touch is key here. Channel your inner Phil Mickelson, and embrace those soft, high-flying chips!
10. Bingo, Bango, Bongo: Multi-Faceted Competition
Get ready to rack up points (and maybe drinks) with this classic golf game! Bingo, Bango, Bongo rewards different skills on each hole, making it a true test of your all-around game.
How to Score:
- Bingo: First person to land their ball on the green wins a point.
- Bango: Once everyone’s on the green, the player closest to the pin gets a point.
- Bongo: First to sink their putt, another point!
The Twist: Whoever loses the hole takes a drink. If there’s a tie, everyone tied for last drinks.
Make it Your Own:
- Double Down: Up the ante by doubling points for the final few holes.
- Team Play: Pair up and combine your Bingo, Bango, Bongo points. Losing team drinks!
- Bonus Points: Award extra points for those miraculous hole-in-ones or super long putts.
Strategy Tips:
- “Bingo” is all about approach shots. Focus on hitting the green, even if it’s not super close.
- “Bango” favors those with a deadly short game. Practice those chips and putts!
- Don’t neglect “Bongo”! Sinking putts consistently will save you from a lot of drinks.
11. Snake
Ever heard of “Snake”? This one’s a slow burn, but trust me, it gets wild. Each stroke adds a point to your score, and the first to hit a set number (like 10) becomes the “Snake.” Reach their score? You join the slithering chain, and everyone in the Snake takes a drink for each point they score. Last one standing wins, but be warned, this game can get long and winding!
I once played ‘Snake’ during a bachelor party, and let’s just say things got a little out of hand. By the 18th hole, the entire group was part of the Snake chain, and we were more focused on finishing our drinks than finishing the course. It was a hilarious mess, but definitely a bonding experience for the groom and his crew.
12. Ace Pot
Feeling lucky? Try “Ace Pot.” Everyone throws in some cash before teeing off, and whoever sinks a hole-in-one takes the whole pot! No aces by the end of the round? Well, that pot becomes a communal celebration fund. Cheers to near misses and shared drinks!
13. Pink Ball
Spice things up with a “Pink Ball.” This little troublemaker adds a whole new dimension to the game. Whoever hits it last on each hole takes a drink. Make it even more interesting with special rules, like giving the pink ball holder an extra shot or making them putt with their eyes closed.
14. Flags
For a game with a bit of international flair, try “Flags.” Each player picks a country or team flag and plants it after they putt. If your flag is furthest from the hole when someone sinks their putt, it’s bottoms up! Distance determines the number of drinks, so choose your flag placement wisely.
15. Horse Race
“Horse Race” is perfect for larger groups. Divide into teams and pick your “horse” (a.k.a. your golf ball). First team to get their horse in the hole wins, while the losers… well, they gotta pony up and take a drink.
16. Golf Poker
Finally, for the card sharks out there, “Golf Poker” is a must. Each hole has a card value based on its par. Try to build the best poker hand throughout the round, and whoever ends up with the worst hand at the end? They’ll be drinking to drown their sorrows.
Keeping it Fun and Safe
While golf drinking games are all about having a good time, it’s essential to remember to always drink responsibly. Here are key things to consider for a safe and enjoyable experience:
- Responsible Drinking: Emphasize prioritizing fun over excessive drinking. Suggest smaller portions, alternating non-alcoholic drinks, and pacing yourself throughout the game.
- Hydration Matters: Remind readers that staying hydrated is crucial alongside drinking alcohol. Encourage carrying a water bottle and sipping water between rounds of drinks.
- Alternatives Welcome: Highlight the option of non-alcoholic beverages or creating games with different types of drinks (juice, soda, etc.) to make them inclusive for everyone
- Don’t Drink and Drive: Underscore the absolute importance of never drinking and driving. Stress having a designated driver or using transportation services to get home safely.
- Know Your Limits: Encourage readers to listen to their bodies and stop drinking if they start to feel the effects too strongly.
