Golf Party Games
The best golf party games are simple, quick and work for golfers and non-golfers alike: a living-room putting course, chipping into a basket, closest to the pin, golf trivia and a short tournament on a golf game everyone can play on their phone. Most need no course at all, just a putter, some balls and a bit of space.
The games at a glance
| Game | Indoors or out | Kit | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Living-room putting course | Indoors | Putter, balls, cups, books | All ages |
| Chip into the basket | Outdoors | Wedge, plastic or foam balls, baskets | Teens and adults |
| Closest to the coaster | Indoors | Putter, balls, coasters | All ages |
| Golf ball spoon relay | Either | Spoons, golf balls | Kids |
| Tee tower | Indoors | Wooden tees, golf balls | All ages |
| Golf charades | Indoors | Slips of paper | Mixed groups |
| Golf trivia | Indoors | Question sheet | Adults |
| Bingo bango bongo putting | Either | Putters, balls | Golfers |
| Phone golf tournament | Anywhere | Phones | Everyone |
| Closest to the pin showdown | Anywhere | Phones | Competitive groups |
1. Living-room putting course
Lay plastic cups on their sides as holes, and use books, cushions and slippers as obstacles and ramps. Make six or nine holes, give each a par, and let each guest design one hole.
2. Chip into the basket
In the garden, set laundry baskets or buckets at different distances. Use plastic or foam practice balls so nothing gets broken. Each player gets five chips: 1 point for landing in the near basket, 2 for the middle and 3 for the far one.
3. Closest to the coaster
Put a coaster or a coin on the carpet at the far end of a room. Everyone gets one putt, and the closest ball wins the round. Change the distance each round, and play first to five wins.
4. Golf ball spoon relay
The classic egg-and-spoon race, with golf balls. Teams carry a ball on a spoon to a marker and back, then hand over. Drop it and you go back to the start.
5. Tee tower
Players take turns balancing a golf ball on a tee, then stacking more tees and balls on top in a freestanding tower. Whoever makes it fall loses the round.
6. Golf charades
Write golf words and names on slips of paper: "hole in one", "bunker", "fore", "caddie", "green jacket". Players act them out without speaking. Our golf terms glossary is a good source of words.
7. Golf trivia
Run a short quiz between games, in teams. Our golf trivia questions has 20 ready-made questions with answers, split into four rounds.
8. Bingo bango bongo putting
On your putting course, award three points per hole: one for the first ball to reach the "green" area, one for the ball closest to the cup once everyone is there, and one for the first ball holed. It keeps weaker players in with a chance. Here's how the full format works: bingo bango bongo golf game.
9. Phone golf tournament
A browser golf game lets everyone play the same course, even guests who have never held a club. Play nine holes and the lowest total wins.
10. Closest to the pin showdown
The quickest competitive game of all. Each player hits one tee shot on each par 3, measures how far they finish from the hole, and adds up the distances. The lowest total wins. It makes a perfect final.
Scoring and prizes
- Use points, not strokes, across the evening, so one bad game doesn't knock anyone out.
- Give small prizes, plus a booby prize for the lowest score.
Try it in Mashy
Mashy covers the last two games. It's a free pixel-art golf game in the browser that works on phones, so everyone can tee off without signing up or downloading anything. The Daily mode gives everyone the same course, pins and wind, and Closest to the pin mode adds up the feet from the hole on each par 3. Share results in a group chat and the emoji scorecards make a nice end to the night.
More ideas: golf challenges for friends.
Frequently asked questions
What golf games can you play at a party without a course?
Putting games work in any room: a putting course made of cups and books, closest to a coaster, or bingo bango bongo on the carpet. Chipping into baskets with foam balls suits a garden, and golf trivia, charades and a phone golf game need no space at all.
How do you make a putting course at home?
Lay plastic cups on their sides as holes, then use books as ramps and cushions or shoes as obstacles. Set out six or nine holes around a room, give each a par of two or three, and let players take turns keeping score on a simple card.
What are good golf party games for non-golfers?
Pick games where luck and laughs matter more than skill: the golf ball spoon relay, tee tower, golf charades and a quiz in teams. A simple browser golf game also works, because it uses a timing meter rather than a real swing, so beginners can compete with experienced golfers.
How long should golf party games last?
Aim for about ten minutes per game, with four to six games in an evening. Short games keep everyone involved, leave time for food and chat, and stop the keen golfers from dominating. Finish with a quick closest to the pin showdown for the winner's prize.
Can a group play Mashy together at a party?
Yes. Everyone can open Mashy in a phone browser and play the Daily course, which has the same pins and wind for every player that day, then compare scores. Closest to the pin mode is even quicker: one tee shot on each par 3, with the lowest total distance winning.