GAMBLING ON GOLF
It’s not just about draft kings …
I’m talking about the structure of your golf trip. Or even any given golf game. I know folks who can’t even imagine playing a round of golf unless “there’s something on the line.” Does that sound familiar?
Gambling is a must for some golfers, a hard no for others.
Some trips I go on are focused around a Ryder Cup style challenge - we have a cup that we pass back and forth between the team captains each year, each day is a different style format (best ball, Stableford, singles, etc.) and it’s definitely a COMPETITION. It’s a real wrinkle because we have anywhere from 16-20 golfers, whose handicaps range from a 4 to the high 20’s.
Competition is great, and there’s a good amount of very fun trash talking. Speaking of which, this is the point where I think I’m supposed to mention that Rob’s team currently has the cup and my team (I’m no longer the captain, but the team I’m on) hasn’t won the last two years. This is true. This is known.
I like to portray myself as relentlessly non-competitive, but it’s not true. I love it when I win a match - but at the end of the day it doesn’t motivate me in golf. It’s not why I play. I play to get better, not to beat others.
“You don’t know what pressure is until you play for five bucks with only two in your pocket.”
I also take golf trips where the sheer idea of competition is an absolute no-go. People on those trips rarely play golf except on this trip, which is not about gambling but a way to spend time with friends. The idea of actually putting MORE pressure on a putt, or a nervy chip (let alone a bunker shot) would be a non-starter. I took a long trip to Ireland with the idea of playing a trip long game. I built a spreadsheet where we’d add in our scores each round, and about halfway through the first round we knew it wasn’t going to work.
I’m always fine putting a little something on a friendly match, but I absolutely never have to do so and for golf trips I think it’s often a distraction from the overall enjoyment. That said - a trip long competition can also add a little extra zest if that’s the kind of thing your group enjoys.
If your group likes competition, we have some ideas …
