Golf Side Games Explained

Side games are a brilliant way to make every golf round more enjoyable. They give every player something extra to compete for, regardless of their overall score.

Nearest the Pin

Players compete to finish closest to the hole on a selected par 3.

Longest Drive

Awarded to the golfer with the longest drive that finishes on the fairway.

Best Front 9

The lowest score across the opening nine holes.

Best Back 9

The lowest score across the closing nine holes.

Birdie Challenge

The player who records the most birdies during the round wins.

Team Sweepstake

Players are randomly paired or grouped before the round, creating an extra team competition alongside the main event.

Why Side Games Are Popular

Side competitions keep everyone interested throughout the day.

Even if someone has one poor hole, they can still compete for the Longest Drive or Nearest the Pin.

They also create memorable moments that golfers often remember long after the final scores are announced.

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Manage Side Games with TrackPar

TrackPar helps golf groups organise more than just the main competition.

Create Events, run multiple competition formats, record side competitions and keep every result in one easy-to-follow leaderboard.

Whether you're organising a weekly fourball, golf society or annual golf trip, TrackPar makes every event easier to run.