| Even though golf is quite a simple game, there is | | | | a few friends, it is far more interesting to play for |
| no shortage of variations on the concept and | | | | skins. With skins, the person with the lowest |
| different ways to play. | | | | score on each hole wins the hole, and the person |
| The basic golf game is generally referred to as | | | | who wins the most holes wins the match. Skins is |
| stroke play - tournaments work using the stroke | | | | often played for money, with players paying a |
| system, and it is the most widely-played version | | | | certain amount to enter the game and a share of |
| of the game. In this game, for every shot you | | | | the prize money being awarded to the winner of |
| make under or over the par of each hole, you | | | | each hole. |
| have one point either subtracted from or added | | | | For children, there are two alternative rule sets: |
| to your score. For example, if hole 1 is a par 4 | | | | pitch and putt and crazy golf. Pitch and putt is the |
| and you take five shots, then your score is +1. If | | | | more serious of the two, resembling a much |
| you then move on to hole 2, a par 5, and take 3 | | | | smaller version of a normal golf course where the |
| shots, scoring an eagle, your new score is -1 - | | | | player only needs to take one shot onto the |
| that's one minus two. This means that you're | | | | green and then putt the ball into the hole. In crazy |
| aiming to end up with a score far into the minus | | | | golf, however, the green is the whole course, and |
| numbers, with the lowest score winning. | | | | each hole is littered with strange obstacles, often |
| Stroke play is heavy on maths and low on | | | | based around a theme. While the game is fun for |
| excitement, however, because it was designed | | | | a family on holiday, it's not going to turn your kids |
| for a large number of golfers playing at the same | | | | into pro golfers any time soon - although it might |
| time. If you are just playing head-to-head against | | | | inspire them to take up real golf. |