A lot goes into planning a golf trip. You’ve booked your tee times, collected handicaps, decided on the type of matches to be played, and set up (or paid for) a virtual scoreboard. But there is one additional project that promises to increase the fun and will take your trip to the next level: the “Prop Bet Pool.”
A prop bet, or “proposition” bet, is a bet on an event that takes place during the round, unrelated to the direct outcome of the competition. Prop betting allows everyone in your group, regardless of how well they or their team plays, the opportunity to win money. See examples in the list below!
By pooling all prop bets together and using a point system to calculate the winner, you avoid the mistake of too many side bets overshadowing the team and individual competitions.
This year, we had 20 prop bets plus a tiebreaker composed of 30 points. Nine players pooled $2 each and the winner took home the pot after scoring the most points (scoreboard pictured).
Try to have a personalized prop bet for every player on your trip so that everyone gets excited about it!
If you know a player well and are familiar with his skill level, his prop bet can be more unique. Such as:
- Bad Ball Striker (and/or really nervous): Will Henry top his drive on #1? (Put him in the first group so everyone can watch)
- Bad Putter: How many 4-Putts will Alex have on Saturday (including putts from off the green)? O/U 0.5
- Great off the tee: How many fairways does Honest Abe hit on Saturday? O/U 10.5 (out of 14)
- Big Drinker: How many beers does Fred drink before the drinking game starts? O/U 6.5
If you are less familiar with a player, you may be better off sticking with questions like these:
- Signature Par 3: Will George hit the green on the iconic #14 par 3? (#14 – 160 yds off a cliff)
- Tough Drive: Does Teddy use a breakfast ball on the #1 tee?
- Drinking Game: How many beers does Thomas drink during the drinking game? O/U 4.5 beers
Finally, include some overall competition bets worth higher point values. While these are less fun, they are much harder to predict and the higher point value will provide some deviation in scores. Try these:
- Which of these players will have the highest round 2 gross stroke play score (the drinking game round)? Sober Abe, Drunk Alex, Drunk Fred, or Drunk John
- Who will win the most money in Snakes on Saturday?
- Over-under? Lowest gross score on Saturday = 75.5
- Over-under? Highest gross score on Saturday = 116.5
- Who will win the MVP? (most team points scored by an individual)
- Who will win the overall gross stroke-play score: George vs field
- Which team will win the team event?
The great thing about a prop bet pool is that bets are unique to individuals on your trip. It gets the gambling juices flowing and provokes smack talk about which are the best and worst bets. Plus, it’s always fun to see some guy extra sweaty for his opening tee shot!
What are some of your favorite prop bets on the golf course?
Buds and Birdies Golf 