Snake Golf Game
Snake is a simple golf putting penalty game. The "snake" belongs to the player who most recently three-putted, and whoever has the snake at the end of the round owes the group.
It is usually played as a side game alongside other formats like Wolf, Skins, Nassau, Match Play, or Stableford.
Snake is easy to add because it does not depend on who wins the hole. It only tracks putting mistakes.
Best for
Snake works best with 2 to 5 players.
It works especially well for casual groups because it is simple, funny, and keeps everyone nervous over short putts.
Handicaps
Handicaps are usually not used.
Snake is normally a gross putting penalty game. A three-putt is a three-putt regardless of handicap.
Some groups may choose to give higher-handicap players a pass or only count three-putts inside a certain distance, but the classic version does not use handicap strokes.
How Snake works
At the start of the round, nobody has the snake.
Whenever a player three-putts, that player gets the snake.
If another player three-putts later in the round, the snake moves to that player.
The player holding the snake at the end of the round owes the agreed amount.
Simple Snake example
Four players are playing Snake for $5.
Hole 3:
- Player B three-putts
- Player B gets the snake
Hole 8:
- Player D three-putts
- The snake moves from Player B to Player D
Hole 14:
- Player A three-putts
- The snake moves from Player D to Player A
No one else three-putts.
At the end of the round, Player A has the snake.
Player A owes the group.
Basic payout
The simplest Snake payout is a fixed amount.
Example:
- Snake is worth $5
- Whoever has the snake at the end pays $5 total or $5 to each other player, depending on group rules
Most groups should agree before the round whether the snake amount is:
- total amount
- per player amount
Per-player Snake payout
In a per-player payout, the player holding the snake pays every other player.
Example:
- Snake amount: $5
- Four players
- Player C ends with the snake
Player C pays:
- $5 to Player A
- $5 to Player B
- $5 to Player D
Player C loses $15 total.
This version makes the final snake holder pay more in larger groups.
Total-pot Snake payout
In a total-pot payout, the snake is worth one total amount.
Example:
- Snake amount: $10
- Four players
- Player C ends with the snake
Player C pays $10 total, split among the other players or handled however the group agrees.
This version keeps the penalty amount more controlled.
What counts as a three-putt?
A three-putt usually means a player takes three putts after reaching the green.
Example:
- Player reaches the green in regulation
- First putt misses
- Second putt misses
- Third putt is made
That is a three-putt.
If a player putts from off the green, groups should agree whether that first putt counts.
The most common version is:
- only putts from on the green count
Putts from the fringe
Fringe putts can create arguments.
Some players use a putter from just off the green. Some groups count that as a putt, while others do not.
Common options:
Green only
Only strokes made from on the putting green count as putts.
This is the cleanest version.
Putter used
Any stroke made with a putter counts as a putt, even from the fringe.
This is easy to track but can punish players who putt from off the green.
Group call
The group decides before the round or on each questionable shot.
For casual play, the easiest rule is usually:
- putts only count once the ball is on the green
Multiple three-putts on the same hole
If multiple players three-putt on the same hole, groups need a rule for who gets the snake.
Common options:
Last three-putt holds the snake
The player who three-putts last on that hole gets the snake.
This matches the idea that the snake moves to the most recent three-putt.
Worst putting result holds the snake
If one player four-putts and another player three-putts, the four-putt player gets the snake.
All three-putts count in order
If the group is tracking the order, the snake moves from one player to the next as each three-putt happens.
The simplest version is:
- the last player to three-putt holds the snake
Four-putts and worse
Some groups make four-putts more expensive.
Options include:
- four-putt counts the same as a three-putt
- four-putt doubles the snake amount
- four-putt creates an extra penalty
- four-putt automatically gets the snake even if someone else three-putts
For most casual groups, keep it simple:
- any three-putt or worse gets the snake
Snake with carryover value
Some groups increase the snake value as the round goes on.
Example:
- Snake starts at $1
- Each time it moves, value increases by $1
- Whoever has it at the end pays the final amount
Another version:
- Snake value doubles every time it moves
This can get expensive quickly, so most groups use a fixed amount.
Snake as a side bet
Snake is usually not the main golf game.
It works well as a side bet alongside:
- Wolf
- Skins
- Nassau
- Match Play
- Stableford
- Banker
- Dots / Junk
Because Snake only tracks putting, it does not interfere with the main game.
Common Snake rules
Before starting, the group should agree on:
- snake amount
- whether the amount is total or per player
- what counts as a putt
- whether fringe putts count
- whether three-putt or worse gets the snake
- what happens if multiple players three-putt on the same hole
- whether four-putts have extra penalties
- whether the snake value increases during the round
Snake payout example
Four players are playing Snake for $5 per player.
Hole 2:
- Player A three-putts
- Player A gets the snake
Hole 7:
- Player C three-putts
- Player C now has the snake
Hole 15:
- Player B three-putts
- Player B now has the snake
No one else three-putts.
At the end of the round, Player B has the snake.
Payout:
- Player B pays Player A $5
- Player B pays Player C $5
- Player B pays Player D $5
Player B loses $15 total.
Strategy
Snake makes lag putting matter.
Even if a player is out of a hole, avoiding a three-putt can still matter because nobody wants to hold the snake at the end of the round.
Players may become more conservative with long putts, focusing on getting the first putt close instead of trying to make everything.
Short second putts also become more stressful because missing one can hand you the snake.
Why use a Snake scorecard app?
Snake is simple, but it is easy to forget who currently has it, especially when it is only a side game.
A scorecard app can track:
- who has the snake
- when it moved
- three-putts by hole
- four-putt penalties
- final snake holder
- payout amount
Golf Betting Games keeps the snake visible during the round so the group does not have to remember who is holding it.