House rules vary. This is the common way to play Skins. Settle the details (points, stakes, handicaps) on the first tee, before anyone has hit a shot they'd like to renegotiate.
The rules
- Each hole is worth one skin (or one unit of whatever you're playing for).
- Lowest score on the hole wins it outright. If two or more players tie for the lowest score, nobody wins it.
- Ties carry over. The unwon skin adds to the next hole. Two ties in a row means the next hole is worth three skins.
- At the end, count skins won. Settle the difference or pay from a pot.
Carryovers vs. no carryovers
Carryovers make Skins exciting, but they also mean the last holes can be worth a lot. If a skin is still carrying after 18, groups either play extra holes, split it, or let it die. Some groups play "no carryover": a tie simply kills that skin. That keeps the stakes small and the game calm.
Validation and other house rules
- Validation: to collect a skin, the winner must tie or win the next hole (or make par on it). It stops a lucky one-hole wonder from scooping a big carryover.
- Net skins: use handicap strokes on the hardest holes. In mixed groups this is the fairest version.
- Gross and net: run two games side by side. Lower handicaps chase gross skins, everyone plays net.
- Birdie skins only: a fun variation for strong groups: only birdies win skins.
Strategy
Skins rewards aggression when a skin is carrying and patience when it isn't. With three skins riding on a par 3, aiming at the flag makes sense. On an ordinary hole with nothing carrying, a bogey costs you nothing compared with a double, so play the smart shot.
Example. On hole 1 Ana and Ben both make 4: no winner, one skin carries. On hole 2 Ana and Cal tie with 5: two skins carry. On hole 3 Ben makes 3 and everyone else 4: Ben wins three skins.
The scorecard
Skins card
Official-ish scorecardEnter each player's score per hole. Lowest score outright wins the skin; ties carry over. Everything stays in your browser; nothing is saved or sent. Your secrets are safe.
Questions people actually ask
What happens to a skin if nobody wins the last hole?
Agree before you start: play extra holes, split it evenly, or let it go unclaimed.
How many people can play Skins?
Any number from two upward. Four is the most common.
Is Skins fair for higher handicaps?
With net scoring (handicap strokes on the hardest holes) it can be very fair.
Playing for money? Keep it friendly and legal where you live. The best stake is one nobody minds losing.