Medal golf game rules
Medal play is plain stroke play: count every shot, and the lowest total score wins. It's the simplest way to play for a pot.
How to play
Every player puts in a buy-in. Count every stroke on every hole. Net medal subtracts each player's handicap strokes; a common allowance is 95%.
Payouts
Side Pot splits the pot 60/30/10 between first, second and third by default. Players who tie share the places they cover.
Worked example
Four players, $20 buy-in (an $80 pot), gross over four holes. Dave shoots 16, Mike 17, Sam 18, Jon 21.
Dave wins 60% ($48), Mike 30% ($24), Sam 10% ($8). After their buy-ins: Dave +$28, Mike +$4, Sam −$12, Jon −$20.
These numbers come straight from the scoring Side Pot uses in a real round. Load them into the calculator below and change anything.
Medal calculator
Dave, Mike, Sam, Jon
- Dave+$28Net up
- Mike+$4Net up
- Sam−$12Net down
- Jon−$20Net down
Why (3 entries)
- Jon → Dave $20 · Medal pot ($80): Dave 1st wins $48
- Sam → Dave $8 · Medal pot ($80): Dave 1st wins $48
- Sam → Mike $4 · Medal pot ($80): Mike 2nd wins $24
Common questions
What is the difference between medal play and stroke play?
None — medal play is another name for stroke play.
Do you have to hole out in medal play?
Yes, every shot counts. In Side Pot a pick-up is scored as net double bogey so the round can keep moving.
Related games
Let Side Pot keep the book.
Tap scores, and every Medal result, the money and the settle-up are worked out for you.
Score your next Medal round