Golf has a rich tradition of friendly competition and betting games played during social rounds. As a caddy, you don’t participate in these games financially — but you absolutely need to understand them so you can track scores accurately, know what information matters at each moment, and assist your player strategically.

Here are the games you’ll encounter most often:

• Nassau – One of the most popular games in American golf. A Nassau is actually three separate bets in one: the front nine (holes 1-9), the back nine (holes 10-18), and the overall 18 holes. Each segment is worth a set dollar amount — typically $5 or $10 per side. A player can win, lose, or halve (tie) each of the three segments independently. The Nassau rewards consistent play across the round, since a bad front nine doesn’t mean the whole bet is lost.
• Skins – Each hole is worth one “skin” — a set dollar amount. The player who wins a hole outright (scoring better than everyone else with no ties) wins the skin. If two or more players tie on a hole, the skin carries over to the next hole, making it worth more. Skins games can build tension as carried-over skins accumulate. Caddies must track who wins each hole cleanly and who tied. A hole with 5 carried-over skins is a moment the whole group will be aware of.
• Match Play – Players compete hole-by-hole rather than by cumulative stroke count. Win a hole = go 1-up. Lose a hole = go 1-down. The match ends when one player leads by more holes than remain (you can’t catch up). Common match play language: “2-up” means leading by 2 holes. “All square” means tied. “Dormie” means leading by exactly the number of holes remaining — you can’t lose, only win or tie. Caddies need to know the match status at all times.
• Best Ball / Four-Ball – Teams of two players each playing their own ball. On each hole, only the lower (better) score of the two partners counts for the team. Both players play every shot. Caddies track both players’ scores on every hole — you never know which score will count until the hole is completed.
• Scramble – All players in the group hit from the same spot — the best shot of the group. Everyone hits, the group selects the best ball, everyone moves to that location and hits again. This continues until the hole is finished. Common at charity events and corporate outings. No player’s individual score matters — only the group score.
• Stroke Play – The simplest format: total strokes over 18 holes, lowest score wins. No hole-by-hole drama — just cumulative counting. Most professional events and club competitions use stroke play. Your job is to track the score accurately and know where your player stands relative to par at all times.