Page type: Glossary / definition
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Meaning
Heads-Tails is a three-player golf side game in which each player flips a coin on every hole. Three matching results make it player-versus-player-versus-player; two results against one make a 2 v 1 contest. The group agrees the points and stakes before starting.
How it matters in match play
Heads-Tails is not a Rules of Golf match-play format. It is a hole-by-hole betting game that can use net scores: the low player, or the low side in a 2 v 1 hole, earns points from the opponents under the agreed house rules. Keep its points ledger separate from any formal Match Play result.
Table
| Quick reference | Detail |
|---|---|
| Term | Heads-Tails |
| Category | betting |
| Applicable rule | No dedicated official rule established |
| Related concepts | Team Competition, Net Score, Side Bet, Stake, Hole Score |
Worked example
Alex, Ben and Chris flip on a hole: Alex and Ben show heads, while Chris shows tails. Chris is the lone player against the other two; if Chris records the lowest net score, Chris wins one point from Alex and one from Ben. At $2 per point, Chris is $4 ahead for that hole.
Sources: www.golfdigest.com , www.myscorecard.com , www.randa.org
Common questions
How many players do you need for Heads-Tails?
The documented version is for exactly three players. Each player flips a coin on every hole, so the result can create either three individual contests or one player against the other two.
How does scoring work in Heads-Tails?
A common version awards one point from each opponent beaten. In a 2 v 1 hole, the lowest net scorer wins two points if the lone player is lowest, or the two-player side earns one point each if its low score wins. Agree how ties are treated before play.
Is Heads-Tails an official golf format?
No. It is a casual side game, not a named format in the Rules of Golf. The coin assignments, points, tie treatment and payout are house rules, so write them down before the first tee shot.
Can you play Heads-Tails with handicaps?
Yes, the published descriptions use net scores, but they do not establish a universal allowance for this side game. Agree the handicap method and any allowance with the group; do not assume a formal match-play percentage applies.
What happens when two players tie for the lowest score?
A common version calls this ‘no blood’, so no points change hands. Because Heads-Tails is a house-rule game, the group may choose another tie rule, but it should be agreed before play.
How are Heads-Tails stakes settled?
The group can agree a fixed dollar value per point and settle the net points after 18 holes, or use another pre-agreed pot. There is no universal payout rule, so state the stake and settlement method before starting.