Overview
Every hole is its own bet, won by the lower net score (the better ball with partners). Ties push.
The hammer
- At any point on a hole, a side can hammer: the hole is now worth double.
- The other side either plays on at double, or folds and pays what the hole was worth before the hammer.
- Nobody hammers twice in a row. Once you’re hammered, the hammer is yours to throw back.
House rules
- Most hammers on a hole: 1, 2, 3 or no limit. Three hammers make a $5 hole worth $40.
- Who throws first: either side, or only the side behind on the day (either side when it’s level).
- Birdie hammer: win a hole with a real birdie or better and that’s one more hammer, so it pays double. A hole that was folded doesn’t count.
- Halved holes carry: a halved hole’s value, hammers and all, rides on the next hole. Halve a $5 hole that was hammered once ($10) and the next hole starts at $15, so one hammer there makes it $30. Win or fold, the hole after is back to the bet.
Money
Each player on the winning side wins the hole’s value; each on the losing side pays it.