Game types: Stroke, Match, Skins, Nassau

Andrew supports various game formats to make your rounds more interesting. Here's how each one works.

Stroke Play

The most common format—lowest total score wins.

How it works

• Count every stroke on every hole
• Add up your total at the end
• Lowest score wins

With handicaps

• Gross: Actual strokes, no adjustment
• Net: Total strokes minus your course handicap

Net scoring allows players of different abilities to compete fairly.

Best for

Casual rounds, tracking scores for handicap, larger groups where everyone plays independently.

Match Play

Head-to-head competition where you win individual holes.

How it works

• Lowest score on each hole wins that hole
• Tied holes are "halved" (no one wins)
• Player who wins the most holes wins the match

Scoring terminology

• 1 Up: Leading by one hole
• 2 Down: Trailing by two holes
• All Square (AS): Tied
• Dormie: Leading by exactly the number of holes remaining

With handicaps

Strokes are given on specific holes based on handicap difference. Andrew shows which holes you give or receive strokes.

Best for

Two-player or two-team competitions, more dramatic hole-by-hole action.

Skins

Each hole is worth a "skin"—win the hole outright to claim it.

How it works

• Each hole has a value (the "skin")
• Lowest score on a hole wins the skin
• If players tie, the skin carries over to the next hole
• Carryovers can make later holes very valuable

Example

Holes 1-3 are tied (no winner). Hole 4 now has 4 skins on it. Whoever wins hole 4 outright gets all 4 skins.

Variations

• No carryover: Tied holes are simply halved
• Validation: Must make par or better to win a skin

Best for

Groups of 3-4 players, keeps everyone engaged even if someone has a bad stretch.

Nassau

Three bets in one—front nine, back nine, and overall.

How it works

• Front nine: Separate match/wager for holes 1-9
• Back nine: Separate match/wager for holes 10-18
• Overall: Total for all 18 holes

Why it's popular

• Three chances to win
• A bad front nine doesn't ruin everything
• Keeps the round interesting throughout

Pressing

A common Nassau addition:

• If you're losing, you can "press" to start a new side bet
• The press runs from that hole to the end of the nine
• Adds another layer of action

Best for

Friendly wagers, keeping competitive interest for the full 18.

Choosing a game type in Andrew

1. When setting up a round or wager, select the game type
2. Configure options (handicaps, carryovers, etc.)
3. Andrew tracks everything automatically
4. Results display on the leaderboard and in wager settlements

Combining formats

You can play multiple formats simultaneously:

• Stroke Play for your official score/handicap
• A Skins game with your group
• A Nassau bet with one playing partner

Andrew tracks them all independently.

Which format should I choose?