There's nothing better than crushing a drive down the middle of the fairway, dropping your second shot next to the pin leaving you a tap-in for a birdie… But, oh wait, there is something better! Gambling! Enter our list of golf betting games.

Winning a little money to go along with that birdie. Let's face it, golf is fantastic but for some reason when I go out and play with my buddies, a friendly wager takes it up a notch. We find ourselves betting on everything. The key is to have fun. Here is a list of golf betting games you can play with groups of 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 12, or more players.

Quick Pick: Which Golf Betting Game Should You Play?

35 Golf Betting Games to Try

Below are 35 betting games and formats for twosomes, threesomes, foursomes and larger groups. If you want the 10 we actually take to the course, we've put those favorites into a printable cheat sheet at the bottom of this article.

Alternate Shot

Two-person teams alternate shots until the ball is holed. Traditionally one player tees off on even holes and the other on odd holes.

Banker

For three or more players. Set a minimum and maximum bet. One golfer is the banker and each other player makes an individual wager against the banker. The banker rotates as play continues.

Best-Ball

The lowest score of each team counts on each hole. It works well as a match-play betting format.

Best Nine

Each player's nine lowest hole scores count. A forgiving format for golfers prone to an occasional blow-up hole.

Best to Next

A team game similar to best ball, but ties are broken by comparing the higher individual score from each team.

Bisque

A net format where golfers choose the holes on which to use their handicap strokes rather than having them assigned in advance.

Chapman

Both partners tee off, each hits the other's second shot, the team selects the better second shot, and alternate shot continues from there.

Chicago

A points format designed to accommodate different handicaps. Players begin with a starting score based on handicap and then add points during the round.

Coughing

In points or units games, players who are behind may propose increasing the value of each point or unit, provided everyone agrees.

Daytona

A two-team foursome game in which partners combine their hole scores as two digits. The ordering of those digits depends on whether the team made par or better versus bogey or worse.

Defender

A three-player game. One player is the defender on each hole and competes against the other two; the role rotates.

Dollar Per Hole

Set a dollar value for each hole. The player or team winning the hole wins that amount. Groups can also allow the trailing side to double the wager.

Dots (Aka Trash)

Players earn points, or dots, for agreed achievements such as birdies or getting up and down from a bunker. Each point has an agreed value.

Double Birdies

An add-on to other points games that makes birdies worth double the normal value.

Greenies

On par 3s, the player whose tee shot finishes closest to the hole wins the greenie, subject to whatever rules the group agrees on.

Gruesomes

Both partners tee off, but the opposing team chooses which tee shot they must play. Alternate shot continues from the selected ball.

High-Low

Two-player teams compete for points based on both the lower and higher individual scores on each hole.

Long Drive

Longest qualifying drive wins. A common rule is that the ball must finish in the fairway.

Match Play

Players compete hole by hole rather than by total strokes. Win a hole and go one up; the player winning the most holes wins the match.

Miami

A scramble variation where the golfer whose drive is selected sits out subsequent shots until the team reaches the green.

O.N.E.'s

A net game where only scores on hole numbers ending in O, N, or E count toward the total.

One-Man Scramble

A single golfer hits two shots, selects the better one, and repeats the process until the ball is holed.

Presses

Common with Nassau and other match formats. A press starts an additional wager during an existing match, giving a trailing player or team another way to compete.

Riding Time

An add-on wager based on keeping honors on the tee for as many consecutive holes as possible.

Sandies

A sandy is typically awarded when a golfer gets up and down from a bunker in two shots.

Scramble

Every player hits, the team chooses the best shot, and everyone plays from that position until the ball is holed.

Side Bets

Side bets can be added to almost any format for whatever the group agrees to wager on during the round.

Split Sixes

A three-player game where six points are distributed on every hole according to the players' scores.

Stableford

Instead of adding strokes, golfers earn points based on their result on each hole. The player with the most points wins.

St. James Roll

Points are based on finishing position on each hole: beat all three other golfers for three points, two golfers for two points, one golfer for one point.

Stroke Play

Each golfer counts every stroke and the lowest total score for the round wins.

Texas Scramble

A scramble variation requiring the team to use a minimum number of tee shots from each player during the round.

Two-Man Scramble

Split a foursome into two teams. Both players hit, choose the better shot, and both continue from there until the hole is completed.

Who Will Get the Drink Cart Girl to Speak to Them First

A deliberately silly side bet from the original article: everyone stays quiet when the cart arrives and wagers on whom the attendant addresses first.

Wolf Scotch

A combination of Wolf and Scotch with multiple point categories on each hole, commonly including low ball, low total, birdie, and proximity.

Where are the last 10? The one's we actually take to the course?

We put our 10 favorite golf betting games and put the rules into a simple printable cheat sheet you can keep on your phone or fold into your golf bag.

GET THE FREE GOLF BETTING GAMES CHEAT SHEET →

Conclusion

I hope this list makes your next round of golf a little more enjoyable. The point is to always have fun, so make sure you don't take any of these golf betting games too seriously. Golf is already great, but our mission is to make it even more enjoyable!