Gambling on the golf course is it a necessity?

[Mike Boatright]

I saw this article on Golf digest a while back and it got me to wonder if gambling with your buddies is an essential part of enjoying the 18 vs just a mundane fun round?

 

http://www.golfdigest.com/story/golf-betting-gambling-kaplan

 

 

 

[Jeremie Boop]

Nope, I never bet. I've never bet on any sport I've participated in. 

[Kenny Lee]

Yes. Gambling is mandatory. Same for drinking.

Otherwise, I'd quit the game.

 

[Patch]

Yes, and no. My grand daughter and I bet on trips to the ice cream place after a round. She always wins. We might bet for beverages after the round, or skins during the round when out with buddies. When golfing with folks I don't know I never bet when asked. I lose enough at the poker tables as it is. 

[Gator Hazard]

I don't mind gambling on some things and quite honestly having a little action on an activity increases competitiveness and focus for me.  I used to see this when I played a lot of pool.  It never had to be anything crazy though, just something to focus you a little.  I have yet to really gamble on golf.  My partner and I gambled on putting one time on a putting green but thats about it.  Not necessary for me to enjoy golf, there are plenty of things to keep me motivated and focused.  

[Rip62]

I'd be broke if I bet on my game.

[DaveP043]

When I play with most of my friends, we usually have a couple of bucks on the line.  A part of the fun is the reading of cards, the trash talk, and the good-natured abuse when the bets are settled at the end of the round.  One of these friends, however, is perfectly happy to play just for fun when its just the two of us, and while my wife and I always keep track of a match when we play together, we never actually bet.  At the Newport Cup, we never made a bet on any of the matches I was in.  I'm happy either way.

[rkim291968]

Nope, I never bet. I've never bet on any sport I've participated in. 

Second that.   No need to.   I get fired up to play my best golf without money on the line although I visit casinos once or twice a year.  

[trey3d]

I mostly play money games now(2x a week), with the casual round thrown in. I shoot worse in the money games by a stroke or two atleast. Good thing the handicap for the money games are based off my scores in money games only. And different for each. 3 handicaps total. And there is side betting between players on top of the regular skins/stableford game. I tend to like having something on the line. Maybe a toe

[DrvFrShow]

No. I don't gamble.

[No Mulligans]

Only for small stakes that doesn't affect anyone financially... actually my regular foursome just plays for who pays for the meal after the round.

There is something about having something on the line that just makes the round more interesting and competitive, even if it is a small amount,

[WUTiger]

I have a few people at the home course I play with on occasion, and we never bet. I think it detracts from the enjoyment of the game. My brother and I never have played for money against each other.

When the senior's group at the course plays, we'll have 3 to 6 foursomes and some team betting  events. As a team we have a modified Stableford scoring system, and play for total team points.

Also, there's a skin's game for individual players (w/hdcp strokes). I've made a few $$ here: I'm somewhat erratic hole to hole, and the group always howls if I get a natural birdie on a par 4, and it gets carded as an eagle. But, they made up the rules...

[gatsby47]

At my  home course there is a group of about 4 to 12 golfers who play always with money on the line.  I only play occasionally. We call it rangs, and everyone throws in 5 or 10 dollars.  Birdies or better ,won alone, pay out. One tie all tie and that hole is eliminated.  If all 18 holes are tied. Money is returned.  If only one hole is won outright it could be a nice payout.  Most rounds have two or three and they divide the money.  It makes for an interesting time.  We have a variation when a wide variety of handicaps are playing in Myrtle Beach.  The money is kept to a quarter a hole same method of paying one tie all tie no carryovers, and winners divide the money but you only need pay afterwards. A max of 4.50 a person could be lost if all 18 were won and you weren't in on a winning hole.  We keep a Myrtle Beach to balance out between high and low handicaps.

It does keep ones interest.  The money level doesn't seem to matter. As they say it is the action.

[Hardspoon]

Golf is probably the only thing I don't bet on.

I play online poker, go to Vegas at least once a year, and make enough stupid bets with my friends on idiotic things that we have a spreadsheet to keep track of them (best example: I will win $20 if Abe Vigoda passes away before Kurt Russell).

Right now, I'm almost always golfing with people who are better than me, so it's lose-lose. Any straight-up bet would be a waste of money, and a handicap bet with my handicap just feels cheap.

[vangator]

Gambling isn't mandatory, but I do think it helps focus as long as it's for fun.  I typically plat $2 nassuas, so I'm not sure you'd call that betting. .

[saevel25]

This thread should have a poll.

I gamble about 25% of the time. I think more so over the past two years.

[Jon Hoover]

Ya, I love having some money on the line $1 skins, $1 FIR, $1 GIR. It just makes the game more entertaining.

[phillyk]

I don't do much gambling on the course except for the occasional skins. BUT, my buddy and I have an ongoing bet, for whoever gets a hole in one or eagle by flying the ball in from 50+yds has to buy the other a steak dinner.  From this summer, I owe him 2 steak dinners....  Dangit, he needs to step up his game! I want my steak dinner!