Bingo Bango Bongo Golf Game
Bingo Bango Bongo is a golf side game where three points are up for grabs on every hole: bingo for the first ball on the green, bango for the ball closest to the pin once everyone is on, and bongo for the first ball in the hole. The player with the most points at the end wins.
It's popular with mixed-ability groups because you don't need a low score to win points. A high-handicapper who chips close can win bango from a scratch golfer.
The three points
| Point | Awarded for | Who often wins it |
|---|---|---|
| Bingo | First ball to land and stay on the green | Whoever is closest after the tee shot or approach |
| Bango | Closest to the pin once all balls are on the green | A good chip or approach |
| Bongo | First ball holed | Often the player with the shortest putt, but not always |
So on every hole, three points go out, and one player can win all three. Over nine holes that's 27 points in total; over 18 it's 54.
The key rule: play in order
Bingo Bango Bongo only works if you strictly follow the order of play: after the tee, the player furthest from the hole always plays next. No ready golf.
That's what makes it fair. The player furthest away gets the first chance to reach the green and win bingo. On the green, the furthest putt goes first, so a long-range putter has the first shot at bongo before the short putts get their turn.
How a hole plays out
Three players, Ana, Ben and Cal, play a par 4.
- All three tee off. Ben is furthest back, so he hits first and finds the green. Bingo to Ben.
- Ana and Cal miss the green. Ana is further away and chips to four feet. Cal chips to ten feet.
- With everyone on, Ana is closest to the pin. Bango to Ana.
- Ben, furthest away, putts from 30 feet and holes it. Bongo to Ben.
Ben wins 2 points, Ana 1, Cal none, even though Ana and Ben may well have the same score on the hole.
House rules to agree first
- Points value: a common friendly stake is a small amount per point, settled at the end by comparing totals. Or just play for pride.
- Chip-ins: if a player holes out from off the green, many groups award all three points to that player for the hole.
- Ties for bingo: usually impossible if you play in order, but if two balls are equally close for bango, the point is often split or carried over.
- Pick-ups: if a player picks up on a bad hole, they can't win bongo, but they may already have won bingo.
- Handicaps: most groups play without handicaps, because the format already evens things out.
Why it's a good game for beginners
- Every hole has three chances to score, so one bad hole doesn't wreck your day.
- Your total score doesn't matter, which takes the pressure off.
- It rewards the short game: a good chip or a long putt can win as many points as a great drive.
If you like this kind of side game, wolf and skins golf games and the golf Nassau bet are worth trying next.
Try a version in Mashy
In real golf the three points depend on playing side by side. With Mashy, you can play a simple pass-the-phone version in Practice mode, which lets you play any hole of the selected course as often as you like. Take turns playing the same hole, watch each other's shots, and award bingo to the player who reached the green in fewest strokes, bango to the closest after their first shot on the green, and bongo to the fewest strokes on the hole. It's not quite the same as the real thing, but it keeps the spirit: three points per hole, and a good chip can beat a long drive. Remember that in Mashy only a putt can drop, so there are no chip-ins to argue about. Closest to the pin mode is a good warm-up for bango: one tee shot on each par 3, with the feet added up. For more party ideas, see friendly golf side games.
Frequently asked questions
How many points are there in Bingo Bango Bongo?
There are three points on every hole: bingo for first on the green, bango for closest to the pin once everyone is on, and bongo for first in the hole. That makes 27 points available over nine holes and 54 over a full round of 18.
Do you use handicaps in Bingo Bango Bongo?
Usually not. Because points depend on order of play and short-game shots rather than total score, higher handicappers already have a fair chance. Some groups give extra points or strokes to weaker players, but that's a house rule rather than a standard part of the game.
Can you play ready golf in Bingo Bango Bongo?
No. The game depends on the player furthest from the hole always playing next. Ready golf would let closer players reach the green or hole out first, which gives them an unfair shot at bingo and bongo, so strict order of play is part of the rules.
What happens if someone chips in during Bingo Bango Bongo?
It depends on your house rules. Many groups award all three points to a player who holes out from off the green, since they were first on, closest and first in. Agree this before the round so nobody argues about it on the eighteenth.
How many players do you need for Bingo Bango Bongo?
You can play with two, but it works best with three or four players. With more players, each point is harder to win and the order of play creates more swings, which makes the game more interesting to the end.