For many golf enthusiats, there is nothing more entertaining than betting on a few games with your friends. This stems from the instinctive competitiveness within all of us and betting on golf is no different. It is a great way to spend quality time with your friends, get some excercise, enjoy a great day outside and make or lose a little money while trying to prove to everyone you're top dog...or maybe not.

One great golf betting game is Bag Raid, also known as Pick Up Sticks. This game involves two players and for every hole a player wins, his opponenet gets to remove one club from play for the rest of the game. This game is very helpful in improving your game as you may (by the end of the game, depending on your skill level) be shooting holes with clubs you may be least comfortable with and have to rely more on creativity that accuracy to compete.

Another great golf betting game is Criss Cross. The outcome of this game is determined by the combined score of corresponding holes in an 18-hole game. Basically, you compare Hole 1 to Hole 10, Hole 2 to Hole 11, Hole 3 to Hole 12 and so on. You take the lower score from each corresponding set of holes, add those 9 holes up to determine your score. This game gives just about everyone a chance to compete, as not all players will be strong on certain holes.

One more golf betting game you and your friends can play is Defender. Basically, one player from a group is each holes' defender and must score the lowest on each hole to "defend" that hole. If he successfully defends the hole, the defender gets 3 points and all the other players lose a point. If the defender is unsuccessful in defending a hole, the defender loses 3 points and the other players gain a points. If there is a tie, the defender loses 1.5 points and the other players gain 1.5 points.

However you decide to play your golf betting games, be sure to bring enough money and have fun. It's a great game that should be enjoyed with great friends.