Chicago Golf Game
Chicago is a points-based golf game where each player starts with a point target based on their handicap. During the round, players earn points for good scores and try to finish above their starting number.
Chicago is similar to Quota, but many groups play it with a starting point value that players work back toward zero or above. The exact scoring can vary by group, so it is important to agree on the format before starting.
Best for
Chicago works best with 2 to 5 players.
It is usually played individually, but it can also be adapted for teams.
Handicaps
Handicaps are usually used.
A player's handicap determines their starting number or target. Higher-handicap players usually start with a lower or more negative number, while lower-handicap players start closer to zero.
The goal is to earn enough points during the round to beat that target.
How Chicago works
There are a few common ways to play Chicago, but the basic idea is:
- Each player starts with a number based on handicap.
- Players earn points on each hole based on their score.
- At the end of the round, each player compares their total to their starting target.
- The player who finishes best against their target wins.
A common version starts players at a negative number.
Example:
- Scratch golfer starts at -39
- 10-handicap starts at -29
- 18-handicap starts at -21
Players earn points during the round and try to finish as high as possible.
Common Chicago point system
A common Chicago scoring system is:
- Bogey: 1 point
- Par: 2 points
- Birdie: 4 points
- Eagle: 8 points
- Double bogey or worse: 0 points
Some groups use slightly different point values, but this version is common because birdies and eagles are rewarded heavily.
Starting points
One common Chicago method is:
- Starting points = handicap minus 39
Examples:
- 0 handicap starts at -39
- 5 handicap starts at -34
- 10 handicap starts at -29
- 18 handicap starts at -21
- 24 handicap starts at -15
During the round, players add points to that starting number.
At the end, the highest final number wins.
Example:
Player A:
- Handicap: 10
- Starting number: -29
- Points earned: 32
- Final Chicago score: +3
Player B:
- Handicap: 18
- Starting number: -21
- Points earned: 22
- Final Chicago score: +1
Player A beats Player B by 2.
Simple Chicago example
Four players are playing Chicago.
Starting numbers:
- Player A: -33
- Player B: -29
- Player C: -24
- Player D: -20
Points earned:
- Player A: 35
- Player B: 27
- Player C: 26
- Player D: 20
Final Chicago scores:
- Player A: +2
- Player B: -2
- Player C: +2
- Player D: 0
Player A and Player C tie with the best final score.
Chicago vs Quota
Chicago and Quota are very similar.
The main difference is presentation.
In Quota, players usually have a positive target number.
Example:
- Player quota: 24
- Player earns 28 points
- Result: +4
In Chicago, players often start with a negative number and add points throughout the round.
Example:
- Player starts at -24
- Player earns 28 points
- Result: +4
The math is similar. Chicago just frames the game as climbing from a starting number.
Gross or net scoring
Chicago is usually played using gross scores for points, because the handicap is already built into the starting number.
Example:
- Player handicap: 12
- Starting number is based on handicap
- Player makes gross par
- Player earns par points
Some groups use net scoring, but that can double-count handicap help because the handicap affects both the starting number and the hole score.
For most casual groups, the cleanest version is:
- handicap sets the starting number
- gross scores earn the points
Money payouts
Chicago can be paid a few ways.
Winner takes bet
The player with the highest final Chicago score wins a fixed amount from each other player.
Example:
- Bet: $5
- Player A finishes highest
- Every other player pays Player A $5
Per point
Players pay based on the difference in final Chicago score.
Example:
- Bet: $1 per point
- Player A finishes +3
- Player B finishes -1
- Player A beat Player B by 4
- Player B owes Player A $4
With more than two players, each player can be compared against every other player.
Positive points only
Some groups only pay players who finish above zero.
Example:
- Player A: +4
- Player B: +1
- Player C: -2
- Player D: -3
Only Player A and Player B are winners. The payout depends on the group's agreed rules.
Per-point payout example
Four players are playing $1 per point.
Final Chicago scores:
- Player A: +4
- Player B: +1
- Player C: -2
- Player D: -3
Pairwise results:
Player A:
- Beats B by 3 = +$3
- Beats C by 6 = +$6
- Beats D by 7 = +$7
- Total: +$16
Player B:
- Loses to A by 3 = -$3
- Beats C by 3 = +$3
- Beats D by 4 = +$4
- Total: +$4
Player C:
- Loses to A by 6 = -$6
- Loses to B by 3 = -$3
- Beats D by 1 = +$1
- Total: -$8
Player D:
- Loses to A by 7 = -$7
- Loses to B by 4 = -$4
- Loses to C by 1 = -$1
- Total: -$12
Totals balance to zero.
Team Chicago
Chicago can be played as a team format.
For a 2 vs 2 game, each team can combine player starting numbers and points.
Example:
Team 1:
- Player A starts at -29
- Player B starts at -21
- Team starting number: -50
If Team 1 earns 54 points total, the team finishes +4.
Team Chicago works best when both players' points count. Some groups also use best-ball points, but combined points are simpler.
Adjusting Chicago over time
Regular groups sometimes adjust starting numbers over time.
If a player keeps beating their Chicago number, their target can become harder. If a player keeps missing badly, their target can become easier.
This makes Chicago a good season-long game because the numbers can adapt to each player's actual performance.
Plus handicaps
Plus-handicap players can be handled carefully.
Using the handicap-minus-39 style formula:
- +2 is stored as -2
- Starting number = -2 - 39
- Starting number = -41
That player starts farther back because they are expected to score more points.
Some groups instead normalize plus handicaps to zero and adjust the rest of the field.
Example:
- +2, 4, 6, 10 becomes 0, 6, 8, 12
Groups should agree before the round how plus handicaps are handled.
Ties
If players tie in Chicago, groups can handle it several ways.
Common options include:
- tied players push
- split the pot
- compare back-nine Chicago points
- compare last six holes
- compare last three holes
- use total gross score as a tiebreaker
For casual rounds, pushing or splitting is usually easiest.
Common Chicago rules
Before starting, the group should agree on:
- starting point formula
- point values
- gross or net scoring
- payout style
- bet amount
- individual or team format
- tie rules
- whether starting numbers adjust over time
- how plus handicaps are handled
Chicago payout example
Four players are playing winner-takes-bet for $5.
Final Chicago scores:
- Player A: +2
- Player B: -1
- Player C: +5
- Player D: 0
Player C has the highest Chicago score.
Payout:
- Player A pays Player C $5
- Player B pays Player C $5
- Player D pays Player C $5
Player C wins $15 total.
Strategy
Chicago rewards steady scoring and big positive holes.
Pars are valuable, but birdies can make a huge difference because they are usually worth more than twice a bogey.
A player who starts with a lower target may not need to make many birdies. They may just need to avoid zero-point holes and collect bogey or par points.
A lower-handicap player usually needs more pars and birdies to climb above their starting number.
Why use a Chicago scorecard app?
Chicago can be confusing to track manually because every player starts from a different number.
A scorecard app can track:
- player handicaps
- starting Chicago numbers
- points per hole
- total points
- final Chicago score
- standings
- payouts
Golf Betting Games keeps the Chicago numbers, points, and money totals organized during the round.