Gambling on the golf course is it a necessity?

[Justin Harrow]

The majority of the time i play with my dad and we gamble.  We have an ongoing bet that if he bets me straight up i owe him a steak dinner (has happened once in 2+ years).  Other than that we play $5 front 9, $5 for the back, $10 for the overall and i give him 2 a side plus an additional stroke on whichever side has the hardest hole. (so 5 strokes total.)  We also play $1 for each of GIR (must make par or better) Sandies (must be for par or better) or holing out from off the green (must be for par or better).  Think the most one of us won off the other was $11 or something.  Just enough to keep it interesting and competive

[ElWagonne]

besides its unlawful. i try and be a good citizen as much as i can.

just one example:

http://www.golfdigest.com/story/police-investigating-gambling-on-golf-course-yep

Based on this statute's wording, RJ down on the 7th floor in my office is running a gambling house lol (or an annual fantasy football and NCAA bracket pool).   However, I'm not disgruntled.

[Grumpter]

I don't mind a little gambling but usually don't enjoy playing with people that HAVE to gamble to enjoy the game. Though there are exceptions. Playing for who buys the first round of drinks is about as much as I like to gamble on the course.

 

Otherwise I really don't gamble at all but will play poker (at a level which I do not consider gambling).

Edited October 13, 2015 by Grumpter

[mvmac]

Those all make sense to me!  I know some people only care about gambling and not the sport, so I wonder why they don't just go to the casino... 

Yeah other than golf, I don't gamble very much. Maybe about once a year with buddies playing liar's dice or cards (which usually takes place after golf). I'll be in Vegas next week for 3 days and might not even gamble. If I do, it will only be a few bets. 

besides its unlawful. i try and be a good citizen as much as i can.

All good with the USGA.

http://usga.org/Rule-Books/Rules-of-Golf/Gambling/

Acceptable Forms Of Gambling

There is no objection to informal gambling or wagering among individual golfers or teams of golfers when it is incidental to the game. It is not practicable to define informal gambling or wagering precisely, but features that would be consistent with such gambling or wagering include:

• the players in general know each other;
• participation in the gambling or wagering is optional and is limited to the players;
• the sole source of all money won by the players is advanced by the players; and
• the amount of money involved is not generally considered to be excessive.

Therefore, informal gambling or wagering is acceptable provided the primary purpose is the playing of the game for enjoyment, not for financial gain.

[Valleygolfer]

I usually bet with my friends for the lowest putts per round.   It does add some excitement when something is on the line.   We only wager the highest putts per round buys Pepsi for the others.  

Eeewe pepsi I frown on...

Almost seems like you need a fourth option for the poll 

4) No, and I frown upon it when others do it around me

Frown away there stick in the mud.

Anytime I can add pressure to performing I'll do it. Money games against buddies create a challenge to perform. 2$ nassau is enough for me...

[Joe from MD]

I've been playing for 54 years, and when I find myself not concentrating enough, all I have to do to change my mental state is to play for a few dollars. It helps and it's fun too.

[bernie]

I gamble with all of my friends that golf.

[Yukari]

besides its unlawful. i try and be a good citizen as much as i can.

just one example:

http://www.golfdigest.com/story/police-investigating-gambling-on-golf-course-yep

and poker is lawful?

[BuckeyeNut]

I absolutely LOVE playing with a little skin in the game!!   Through the 1990s, most of my play had a little bit riding on the match.   Since I relocated eons ago, not so much!!   I still have a few groups that put skin in the game, but they aren't my normal groups.   My regular guys don't...

 

I call it a wash... I still like their company, but I miss playing with something on the line.  

[phan52]

 

 

This is such a weird concept for me.  Why do you have to spice up golf?  Do you not like playing the game itself?

 

I love golf but I also like the test of having something on the game. I find playing much more interesting as a result and it makes every shot that much more important.. The amount doesn't really matter, it's the challenge of competition and it makes the time it takes to play 18 holes go that much faster.

I like going out and just playing the game. I like going to the range and working on the game. And I really like playing with my buds and have something at stake, even if it's just bragging rights. You are the one missing out, not me.

Edited October 14, 2015 by phan52

[pumaAttack]

I love golf but I also like the test of having something on the game. I find playing much more interesting as a result and it makes every shot that much more important.. The amount doesn't really matter, it's the challenge of competition and it makes the time it takes to play 18 holes go that much faster.

I like going out and just playing the game. I like going to the range and working on the game. And I really like playing with my buds and have something at stake, even if it's just bragging rights. You are the one missing out, not me.

Yikes, calm down buddy.  Never said you were missing out, and I am not sure what you would be missing out on.

Different strokes....

[mcanadiens]

I find the defensive quality of some of the posts somewhat amusing. Like I said before, I'm not much of gambler even if I did have a game worth betting on. Judging by some responses here, there's an undercurrent of moral conflict.

[Elmer]

I always love a little action on the course!
I also like to place a few bets!   

I always like entering some skins during league tournaments and monthly league play.
Even during a casual round something small like a beer for low score!
I find playing for something on top of just my score can keep it lively. Even when I am having a bad round I can keep the round interesting and competitive. 

Edited October 14, 2015 by Elmer

[newtogolf]

besides its unlawful. i try and be a good citizen as much as i can.

just one example:

http://www.golfdigest.com/story/police-investigating-gambling-on-golf-course-yep

It's not unlawful as long as there isn't a third party booking the bets. 

I've found tournament golf and betting keeps me more focused on my game.  Most non-tournament / betting rounds I play end up getting pretty mundane as soon as I realize that I'm not going to break an all-time low.  Tournaments and betting helps keep my head in the round. 

It's not uncommon, most individuals don't play casual rounds or exhibition games with the same intensity they do in tournament and real games.   

[Sante TwoGloves]

I actually lost $5 this past Sunday in a How many times did you use your putter game we played. 

[No Mulligans]

I have an ongoing bet that by design should get me and my buddy to break-even or close to it over time.

Stroke play and he gives me strokes, currently we're at 3 & 1/2 strokes for the 9 hole course we play.  The strokes are adjusted by 1/2 stroke for the following round each time one of us wins.  We started at 3 strokes, at one point I got it down to 1&1/2 strokes but then he went on a run and got it up to 4 strokes.

We play for breakfast or lunch, after doing most weeks for about a year he's up one breakfast net.  Super small stakes but enough to create a competition.  It's fun.

 

[Natural Patrick]

I actually lost $5 this past Sunday in a How many times did you use your putter game we played. 

Do you leave both of your gloves on when you putt?

[Sante TwoGloves]

Do you leave both of your gloves on when you putt?

sure do. i tried taking them off a few rounds for all chips and putts and it was just too much hassle.