Skins is one of the most popular side games in golf, and for good reason — it's easy to understand, works for any skill level with handicaps, and creates drama on every single hole. Here's everything you need to know to run a skins game in your league.

The Basic Rules

In a skins game, each hole is worth a set amount (a 'skin'). The player with the outright lowest score on a hole wins that skin. If two or more players tie for the lowest score, the skin carries over to the next hole, making it worth more.

For example, if the pot is $1 per hole:

Hole 1: Player A makes par, everyone else makes bogey or worse. Player A wins $1.
Hole 2: Player A and Player C both make birdie. No one wins — the $1 carries over.
Hole 3: Player B makes par, everyone else makes bogey. Player B wins $2 (Hole 2 carryover + Hole 3).

This carryover mechanic is what makes skins so exciting. By the back nine, a single hole could be worth 4-5 skins if there have been several ties.

Variations You Should Know

Carryover vs. No-Carryover

In carryover skins (the most common), tied skins roll to the next hole. In no-carryover skins, if no one wins outright, that skin is simply dead — no one gets it. No-carryover tends to produce fewer big payouts but more individual winners.

Gross vs. Net Skins

In gross skins, you play off your actual score. This favors low-handicap players. In net skins, you subtract handicap strokes from your score on the holes where they apply (based on the course's handicap hole allocation). Net skins level the playing field and are strongly recommended for leagues with mixed skill levels.

Front/Back/Total Split

Some groups play three separate skins games: one for the front nine, one for the back nine, and one for the full 18. This keeps things interesting even if someone runs away with the front nine.

Validation Rules

Some leagues add a rule that you must make at least par (or bogey) to win a skin. This prevents someone from winning a skin with a double bogey just because everyone else made triple. It's optional but adds another layer of strategy.

How to Set Up Skins in Your League

Decide on the format: Carryover or no-carryover? Gross or net? Full 18 or front/back split?
Set the buy-in: Common amounts are $2-$10 per player. Some leagues set it per hole ($0.50-$1 per hole per player).
Track the results: This is where it gets tedious by hand. You need each player's hole-by-hole scores, then you need to apply handicap strokes (for net skins), identify the outright lowest on each hole, track carryovers, and calculate payouts.

Payout Calculation

Total pot = Number of players × Buy-in. For example, with 8 players at $5 each = $40 pot. If you're playing $1/skin with 18 holes, there are 18 skins to win. Unclaimed skins (from ties that carry over to the last hole without a winner) are typically split among all skin winners, or carried to the next week.

Let GolfScribe Calculate Your Skins Automatically

Tracking skins manually is the number one reason commissioners dread side games. You need hole-by-hole scores, handicap stroke allocation, carryover tracking, and payout math — all while trying to enjoy your own round.

GolfScribe's side games engine handles all of this automatically:

Players enter their hole-by-hole scores on their phone during the round
The app applies handicap strokes automatically for net skins
Carryovers are tracked in real time
Payouts are calculated instantly when the round is complete
Results appear on the live scoreboard so everyone can follow along

No spreadsheets, no arguments about who owes what. Try GolfScribe free and bring skins to your league without the headaches.

Golf Skins Game Rules: How to Play, Variations, and Payout Calculations