How to Play the Crenshaws Golf Game
"Crenshaws" is the name of a golf game that rewards players who one-putt. Hole your first putt once your ball is on the green, or, depending on the version you are playing, make a 1-putt par, and you earn a Crenshaw point.
The game is named after Ben Crenshaw, considered one of golf's all-time great putters. Crenshaw, a two-time Masters champion, was not a great golfer (relative to the best PGA Tour ballstrikers) tee to green. But once he was on the green, he was one of the greatest. Sinking one-putts to save par was one of his strengths, as was making birdie with his beautiful putting stroke.
The Crenshaws game is a points game, along the same lines as side games such as Arnies, Chippies, Barkies, Greenies and so on. These games all work the same way: Do X, win a point.
If your group wants to play — and wager on — Crenshaws, first agree how much each Crenshaw point is worth. Then go play the round. And each time you one-putt a green, you earn a point. There are two versions:
- You can play Crenshaws so that a point is earned by making par with just one putt.
- Or you can award Crenshaw points for any one-putt green, regardless of the golfer's scores on that green.
There are some add-ons to Crenshaws you can use if your group wishes. If you win a Crenshaw point by making birdie, then give yourself a bonus point (so two points on that green). If you have the longest putt in your group once all the competitors are on the green, and sink that putt for the Crenshaw, bonus point. Your group can use these add-ons or ignore them and stick the basics. Or add even more variations or bonuses that you come up with yourself.
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