Golf and horse racing have more in common than the terrain. In fact, there is a game called “Derby” or “Horse Race” which might be the perfect thing to spice up your golfing game and introduce a new game that is perfect when playing golf with a bunch of friends.
But how is this game played, and what does it have to do with horse racing?
Well, the Horse Racing game in golf isn’t something new. In fact, it was created back in the 90s by people who wanted to bring some horse racing flavor to golf. With that said, this is still not an official golf game and it is often played by casual golfers.
Therefore, there aren’t any concrete rules of the game which led to many different versions of the Horse Racing game in golf.
Some people even create a prize pool just like in horse racing, or they create their own betting game where participants can place wagers on the outcome, just like in horse racing.
But if you are someone who doesn’t know much about wagering in horse racing, make sure to check out this link: twinspires.com/edge/racing/wagering/
Unlike professional horse racing, this game doesn’t have an age limit, and it is great both for beginners and seasoned veterans.
Let’s learn more about the horse race game in golf.
Origins of the Game
The history of the horse racing is intriguing. According to legend, this betting game was devised by a group of affluent executives during a horseracing event in the late 1990s. They were seeking a means to expand the excitement of horse racing, so they devised the horse race model for golf.
The horse race is an interesting golf game that has grown in popularity among golf lovers. It gives hours of pleasure on the golf field with its unique combination of strategy, skill, and thrill.
How is it Played?
The Derby, often known as the Horse Race, is the name of a golf game in which 19 players tee off on the first hole and one golfer is eliminated per hole. By the 18th hole, only two players will be left teeing off, and the winner of that hole wins the Horse Race, also known as the Derby.
It’s worth noting that this game is also known as Shoot Out and Rumpsie Dumpsie.
Derby is clearly not a game that a group of 19 golfers can just stroll up to any tee box and start playing, with 19 golfers teeing off on the first hole, 18 on the second, 17 on the third, and so on. Many golf courses prohibit groups of more than four golfers; most prohibit groups of more than five.
So, the Derby/Horse Race is a pre-arranged game, either as part of a golf association’s playday (with the golf course reserved for that purpose) or at a private club with little traffic.
On each hole, the player with the highest score among the remaining players is eliminated. However, there will be numerous tie scores until the group is reduced to only a few surviving players.
You might wonder how is a tie broken if four of the 19 players tie for the highest score on the first hole? How are the eliminated players chosen?
With the help of a good old-fashioned chip-off. The players who are tied toss balls down the green and chip into the hole. The loser is the one who is furthest away from the hole.
Quite opposite of horse racing, this golf game is quite slow and it takes time until you get the winner.
Rules of the Game
A horse race (sometimes known as a derby or shoot-off) is similar to a regular golf event. It is usually not a competition, but rather a golf game played after the round is finished.
In a horse race, all groups begin on the same hole at the same time. With an alternate shot structure, this can be a solo or two-man tournament.
It was an alternative shot in our situation, so we discussed who should tee off on the hole. If you get it to the following hole, the other person tees off on holes with even numbers. Groups are eliminated one by one, and it is dependent on the number of teams or persons that signed up. The tournament director will perform the arithmetic and eliminate a specific number of players from each hole.
Assume there are ten teams competing in a 5-hole loop. The first hole will lose three teams, the second hole will lose two to three teams, and so on. As a result, the last hole should feature just 2-3 players or groups competing for the lowest score.
If there are ties, the following hole is usually decided by a chipping or putting contest. The tournament director would then take measurements, and the closest team(s) of players would advance.
Final Words
It is a fun game that might not have a lot in common with horse racing, but it is still a great way to introduce a new element on your next trip to the golf course. The downside of this game is that it is played by a bunch of people (you can play it solo, but it is not that fun), which means that you should either have a lot of golfing friends or convince someone at the golf course to play the horse racing game.