Bingo Bango Bongo Golf Game
Bingo Bango Bongo is a fun golf points game where players can earn points in three different ways on every hole.
Unlike many golf betting games, Bingo Bango Bongo does not only reward the lowest score. Players can earn points for being first on the green, closest to the pin, and first in the hole.
That makes it a good game for mixed-skill groups because every player has a chance to win points, even if they are not the lowest scorer.
Best for
Bingo Bango Bongo works best with 3 to 5 players.
It is especially good for casual groups because it keeps every hole interesting without needing complicated payout rules.
Handicaps
Handicaps are optional.
Many groups play Bingo Bango Bongo without handicaps because the points are based on events during the hole, not just final score.
However, groups can use handicaps if they want to score the final hole result or bonus points based on net score.
How Bingo Bango Bongo works
Each hole has three possible points:
- Bingo - first player to reach the green
- Bango - closest to the pin once everyone is on the green
- Bongo - first player to hole out
Each point is usually worth the same amount.
Example:
- Bingo = 1 point
- Bango = 1 point
- Bongo = 1 point
There are 3 points available on every hole, so there are 54 total points available over 18 holes.
Bingo
Bingo is awarded to the first player to get their ball on the green.
Example:
- Player A is first to hit the green
- Player A wins Bingo
This does not necessarily mean Player A hit the best shot. It only means Player A was the first player to reach the green.
Because of normal golf order, players farther from the hole usually hit first. That gives higher-handicap players and shorter hitters a fair chance to win Bingo.
Bango
Bango is awarded to the player who is closest to the pin once every player is on the green.
Example:
- All players are on the green
- Player C is closest to the hole
- Player C wins Bango
The closest-to-the-pin measurement should happen only after everyone has reached the green.
Bongo
Bongo is awarded to the first player to hole out.
Example:
- Player D is the first player to finish the hole
- Player D wins Bongo
Groups should be careful with Bongo because normal golf etiquette says the player farthest from the hole usually plays first. If players putt out of turn just to win Bongo, it can slow the group down or cause arguments.
The cleanest rule is:
- play in normal order
- first player to hole out in normal order wins Bongo
Simple Bingo Bango Bongo example
Four players are playing Bingo Bango Bongo.
Hole 1:
- Player B is first on the green
- Player C is closest to the pin once everyone is on
- Player A is first in the hole
Points:
- Player B wins Bingo
- Player C wins Bango
- Player A wins Bongo
Each of those players earns 1 point.
Can one player win all three points?
Yes.
A player can win Bingo, Bango, and Bongo on the same hole.
Example:
- Player A is first on the green
- Player A is closest after everyone is on
- Player A holes out first
Player A wins all 3 points on that hole.
Point values
The simplest version uses one point for each achievement:
- Bingo = 1 point
- Bango = 1 point
- Bongo = 1 point
Some groups make the points worth money directly.
Example:
- Each point is worth $1
- Player earns 8 points during the round
- Player receives payouts based on total points
Other groups use a fixed bet and pay the winner with the most points.
Money payouts
Bingo Bango Bongo can be paid several ways.
Per point
Each point is worth a set amount.
Example:
- $1 per point
- Player A earns 12 points
- Player B earns 9 points
Player A beats Player B by 3 points, so Player B owes Player A $3.
With more than two players, each player can be compared against every other player.
Winner takes bet
The player with the most points wins a fixed amount from each other player.
Example:
- Bet: $5
- Player C has the most points
- Every other player pays Player C $5
Point pool
Each player contributes to a pot, and the pot is paid based on final points.
Example:
- Each player puts in $5
- Total pot is $20
- Player with the most Bingo Bango Bongo points wins the pot
Groups should agree on payout style before starting.
Per-point payout example
Four players are playing $1 per point.
Final points:
- Player A: 15
- Player B: 12
- Player C: 10
- Player D: 8
Pairwise results:
Player A:
- Beats B by 3 = +$3
- Beats C by 5 = +$5
- Beats D by 7 = +$7
- Total: +$15
Player B:
- Loses to A by 3 = -$3
- Beats C by 2 = +$2
- Beats D by 4 = +$4
- Total: +$3
Player C:
- Loses to A by 5 = -$5
- Loses to B by 2 = -$2
- Beats D by 2 = +$2
- Total: -$5
Player D:
- Loses to A by 7 = -$7
- Loses to B by 4 = -$4
- Loses to C by 2 = -$2
- Total: -$13
Totals balance to zero.
Why Bingo Bango Bongo works for mixed skill groups
Bingo Bango Bongo is popular because the best golfer does not automatically dominate.
A higher-handicap player may win Bingo by reaching the green first.
A good wedge player may win Bango by getting closest to the pin.
A good putter may win Bongo by holing out first.
This makes the game more balanced than formats that only reward low score.
Playing order matters
Bingo Bango Bongo should be played with normal golf order.
That means:
- farthest from the hole usually plays first
- players should not rush or play out of turn just to win a point
- putts should be taken in a normal order unless the group agrees otherwise
The game works best when everyone understands that points should not override safety or etiquette.
Ties
Groups should agree how ties are handled.
Common options include:
- tied points push
- split the point
- carry the point to the next hole
- closest measurement decides Bango ties
- first player in normal order wins timing-based ties
For casual groups, the easiest rule is:
- Bingo and Bongo ties push
- Bango ties are measured or pushed
Bango measurement
Bango can sometimes require a judgment call.
If two players are close to the same distance from the hole, the group can:
- measure with a putter
- estimate by agreement
- split the point
- push the point
For casual rounds, do not overcomplicate it. If it is too close to call, push or split the point.
Gross score does not always matter
In Bingo Bango Bongo, a player can score poorly and still win points on the hole.
Example:
- Player A wins Bingo by reaching the green first
- Player A three-putts and makes double bogey
- Player A still keeps the Bingo point
That is part of what makes the game fun for mixed groups.
Optional score bonus
Some groups add a fourth point for low score on the hole.
Example:
- Bingo = 1 point
- Bango = 1 point
- Bongo = 1 point
- Low score = 1 point
This makes the final score matter more while keeping the original three-point structure.
If using this variation, groups should decide whether low score is gross or net.
Team Bingo Bango Bongo
Bingo Bango Bongo can also be played in teams.
Example:
- Team 1: Player A and Player B
- Team 2: Player C and Player D
A team earns a point if either teammate wins Bingo, Bango, or Bongo.
Team versions are less common, but they can work well for foursomes.
Common Bingo Bango Bongo rules
Before starting, the group should agree on:
- point value
- payout style
- whether handicaps are used
- whether low-score bonus is included
- how ties are handled
- whether points split or push
- how Bango is measured
- whether putts from the fringe count as being on the green
- whether players must play in normal order
Bingo Bango Bongo payout example
Four players are playing winner takes $5.
Final points:
- Player A: 13
- Player B: 11
- Player C: 9
- Player D: 8
Player A has the most points.
Payout:
- Player B pays Player A $5
- Player C pays Player A $5
- Player D pays Player A $5
Player A wins $15 total.
Strategy
Bingo Bango Bongo rewards different skills on different parts of the hole.
To win Bingo, players need to get on the green early.
To win Bango, approach shots and chips matter.
To win Bongo, putting and finishing efficiently matter.
The best strategy is not always to shoot the lowest score. It is to pay attention to which points are still available on the hole.
Why use a Bingo Bango Bongo scorecard app?
Bingo Bango Bongo is easy to play, but it can be annoying to track three points on every hole.
A scorecard app can track:
- Bingo winners
- Bango winners
- Bongo winners
- optional low-score points
- ties
- point totals
- money payouts
Golf Betting Games keeps each point and payout organized so the group can focus on the round.