Skins
One outright low score per hole = 1 skin
Each hole is worth a skin. Lowest score on the hole takes it — but only if there's a sole low score. Ties carry the skin to the next hole, where the pot grows.
The rules
Outright lowest wins
If two or more players tie for low on a hole, no one gets the skin and the value carries to the next hole.
Carryover
Carryovers stack. A skin held for 4 ties before being claimed is worth 5 skins total.
Settlement
After 18, count each player's skins. Each skin is worth its unit value × (number of other players).
Carryover swing
- 1.Holes 1-4: all tied. Skin pot = 5 skins.
- 2.Hole 5: Bob makes birdie alone. Wins 5 skins.
- 3.If skins were $1 in a 4-player game, Bob just won $15 on one hole.
Variations
- ·Validation skins — must par-or-better the next hole to keep the skin
- ·No-carry skins — skin is lost if tied (less common)
Skins payout calculator
Enter the buy-in and who won what — get each player's payout, carryovers and all.
When to play
Fun in any group. Carryover keeps every hole interesting.
Frequently asked questions
How does a skins game work in golf?
Every hole is worth one skin. Whoever makes the outright lowest score on a hole wins that skin. If two or more players tie for the low score, nobody wins it and the skin carries over to the next hole, so the next hole is worth two skins — and the pot keeps stacking until someone wins a hole outright.
What happens when a skin is tied?
A tie means no one wins the skin. It carries to the next hole and stacks. If holes 1–4 are all tied, hole 5 is worth 5 skins to whoever wins it outright.
How much is each skin worth?
Set a unit value per skin (say $1). At settlement, each skin you won pays that unit from every other player in the game — so one skin in a 4-player game is worth $3 to you. Use the skins payout calculator to split a fixed buy-in pot instead.
How many players do you need for a skins game?
Any number from two up. Skins works great in a foursome but scales to a whole outing — the more players, the harder it is to win a hole outright, so carryovers (and the pots) get bigger.
What are validation skins?
A common house rule where you must par or better the following hole to 'validate' (keep) a skin you just won. It rewards consistency and prevents a single lucky hole from taking the pot.
mashie scores Skins automatically and settles up at the end. See how it works