Golf is a game played for fun, competition, and occasionally money. There are a lot of versions of golf other than the standard game, and many of these are meant to be played as a friendly but fun betting game. One of these versions is called Scotch.
Scotch is a golf game where teams of two players alternate shots and try to get the lowest score on each hole to earn points. Teams get points for the lowest score on the hole, lowest total score, birdies, lowest number of putts per hole, and closest to the pin. The team with the most points wins.
This article explains the rules of Scotch and how scoring works. It also covers how both aspects of the game vary among courses and leagues.
The Rules of Scotch in Golf
The Scotch golf game is an alternating shot game with two players per team. It can be played just between two pairs playing together, or as a tournament held by courses or leagues一where multiple groups of teams are all competing.
Each player on a team switches off who hits the ball. While the rules can vary slightly, players are usually required to switch who tees off each hole. So, if one player tees off on hole 1, the other player will tee off on hole 2. One player will have all the even holes, and the other will have the odds. Each player will tee off nine times.
If one player tees off, the other player will hit the next shot. That continues until they get the ball in the hole. Then, the player who did not tee off on this hole tees off on the next.
Another version of Scotch requires the two players to alternate on every shot after the first, no matter what hole it is. So instead of resetting who hits each hole, one player will get the ball into the hole, then the other player tees off on the next hole. In this version, players will not necessarily tee off nine times each.
To win a Scotch game, you need to earn more points than the team you are playing with. There are multiple ways to earn points on each hole, which we will explain next!
Scoring a Game of Scotch
One reason Scotch is so confusing is that there are so many game variations. Each course or group that plays the game likely has its twist on the game. So, you should always set the rules ahead of time or ask the course to verify.
There are two common variations you will see a lot of purses use: Five Point Scotch and Six Point Scotch. Let’s talk about each in greater detail.
Five Point Scotch
Five-point scotch is the most common version of the game. Each hole has up to five points, awarded to players based on how well each team does on the hole.
The score on each hole is net. So if one team earns three points on a hole and the other scores two, the first team gets one point.
Here are the five possible points for each hole:
- Lowest net score: The team that earns this point has the lowest score on the hole. If the teams tie on a hole, this point is not awarded.
- Total low net score: This point goes to the team with the total lowest score after each hole. So, if after three holes, one team has 12 and the other 11, the team with 11 gets the point, even if the other team won the hole. This point is not awarded when teams are tied after a hole.
- Lowest total putts: The team with the lowest total number of putts through the hole earns this point. The point is not awarded if teams have the same number of putts.
- Closest to the pin: The team who hit closest to the pin on the hole. This point will be awarded on every hole unless the balls seem to be the same distance from the pin and there is no obvious winner.
- Birdie: Awarded if one team earns a birdie on a hole. There is no point awarded if both teams get a birdie.
Not all of these points will be awarded on each hole. They are awarded only when a birdie is made by one team, and the low score is not tied between the two teams.
Six Point Scotch
Six-point scotch is similar to five-point scotch, but six points can be awarded on each hole. The scoring categories are the same as five-point scotch, but no points are awarded for putts.
Of the four remaining scoring categories from above, closest to the pin and net birdies each have one point that teams can earn. The lowest net score and total lowest net score award teams two points if they are not tied.
The two variations are similar, but five-point scotch has broader scoring since only one point per category is used. On the other hand, six-point scotch focuses on the lowest scores, and teams are rewarded more when they have a low score throughout the round and on each hole.
Final Thoughts
Although the rules of Scotch vary from one course to the next, there are always two players on a team who alternate shots throughout the round. Points are awarded each hole for certain accomplishments like lowest score, least number of putts, getting birdies, and closest to the pin.
Oftentimes, Scotch is played for money as a way to bet on golf. However, you can also play it for fun or with new players who want a teammate to help them play and learn.