Sometimes regular rounds of disc golf can start to feel repetitive. If your weekly group is looking for something new, a Skins Game is a fun variation that keeps everyone engaged. It’s especially great when you have a mix of skill levels and players who don’t mind putting a little money—or just points—on the line.
How to Play Skins in Disc Golf
In a Skins Game, every hole is worth a set value, called a “skin.” This value can be money, points, or any agreed-on reward. The player with the lowest score on a hole wins that skin.
- If two or more players tie, the skin “pushes” to the next hole, adding onto its value.
- If ties keep happening, the skins continue to stack until someone wins outright.
- If the last hole ends in a tie, players usually move to a sudden-death playoff until the winner is decided.
The player who wins the most skins by the end of the round is the champion.
Beginner Tips for Skins
- Start small: Play for nickels, dimes, or quarters per hole so the stakes stay fun and inviting.
- Focus on holes, not rounds: Unlike stroke play, there’s no making up lost strokes later. Each hole is its own battle.
- Pick up when tied: If a tie is guaranteed, there’s no need for everyone to finish the hole. This speeds up play.
Skins is one of those games that’s easy to learn but exciting enough to play over and over. That said, if you want even more variety, you can try another popular side game called Wolf.
How to Play Wolf
Wolf starts with the same basic structure as Skins: each hole has a set value, and ties push skins forward. But Wolf adds extra layers of strategy by rotating roles and allowing players to team up.
Basic Wolf Rules
- Before the round, decide the player order. The first thrower on a hole is the “wolf.”
- After driving, the wolf can choose to play solo (“lone wolf”) or pick another player as a partner.
- If the wolf goes solo and wins, they get double the value of the skin. If they lose, the skin is divided among the other players.
- If the wolf picks a partner, they play as a team against the rest of the group. The winning side splits the skin.
- Once the wolf passes on a player, they can’t go back and select them later on that hole.
Teams play the hole using the best shot format, so it often comes down to smart teamwork and strategy.
Wolf Beginner Tips
- Keep track of the throwing order with a scorecard—rotation is easy to forget mid-round.
- If your drive is solid, going lone wolf can be worth the risk since skins double in value.
- Don’t hesitate to play conservative if your drive isn’t strong. Picking a partner can keep you in the game.
Popular Wolf Variations
Different groups have their own twists on Wolf. Here are a few fun options:
- Triple or quadruple the skin for lone wolf wins instead of doubling it.
- Allow the wolf to wait until all drives are thrown before picking a partner.
- Drop all skins if the final hole ends in a tie, instead of going to sudden death.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking to mix up your regular rounds, give Skins or Wolf a try. Both games add strategy, variety, and a fresh challenge to casual play. Whether you’re throwing drivers off the tee or laying up with a putter, these formats make every throw matter.
Next time you meet up with your buddies for a weekly round, suggest trying one of these games. You might find they become your new go-to for keeping things fresh and competitive.
