How to Play the Trouble Golf Game

"Trouble" is the name of a golf side game in which the object is to "earn" the fewest points, because points are "awarded" for negative achievements: things like hitting into water or 3-putting. Trouble is usually played by individuals within a group, but can also be played in a 2-vs.-2 team format. And it is typically played as a side game to the main competition.

"Disaster" is another commonly used name for the Trouble betting game. An near-identical version is called Misery.

As the round is played, golfers who hit into trouble (examples to follow) accumulate points. Hit into water? That's a point (or two or three — it's up to you to decide on the categories and point values). Hit into a bunker? Point. Three-putt? Point.

Points in Trouble can be given any value, and what earns a point can vary from group to group — again, the specifics are up to your group. But here is an example of a commonly used point system for Trouble:

  • Hit into water — 1 point
  • Hit your ball out of bounds — 1 point
  • Hit it into a bunker — 1 point
  • Fail to get out of a bunker on your first try — 1 point
  • Hit from one bunker into another — 2 points
  • 3-putt — 1 point
  • 4-putt — 3 points
  • Whiff — 4 points
Now, maybe you think hitting into water should result in more points than hitting into a bunker. Then make water balls worth 2 points. The players in your group just need to agree on the mistakes that saddle you with points, and how much each of those mistakes is worth.

Other mis-hits and mistakes that some groups use in Trouble include failing to get your drive past the forward tees; hitting a tree with any shot; failing to get a chip shot onto the green; or missing a putt that was inside the leather. You can make the Trouble points system as basic or complicated as you want. If your group is full of low-handicappers, then you might want to include things such as missing the fairway on your drive, or failing to record a green in regulation.

At the end of the round, golfers add up their points. Low points wins the Trouble bet.

More formats:

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