Umbrella

Type Points
Alias Umbrella Game
Format Game
Number of players 2, 4
Team or Individual play Team
  • The Umbrella Game is a popular side bet played by two teams of two, in which they play for “Scotch” points.
  • While this game is usually played as a side bet with some other golf format or tournament, it can also be played as a standalone game.
  • In Umbrella, points are awarded on each hole for certain achievements, known as the “Five scotch points”. If a team is able to score all 5 scotch points, they score the “umbrella” and the points get doubled.
  • In case of a tie with the opposing team, no one gets the umbrella.
  • The interesting thing about this game is that the points for each accomplishment are awarded according to the hole number. For example, the scoring on hole 1 is as follows:
  • 1 point for the lowest ball among the four players
  • 1 point for the side having the low 2-ball total
  • 1 point for hitting the green in regulation
  • 1 point if the partner also hits the green in regulation
  • 1 point if one team member scores a birdie

        So, on the first hole, each accomplishment is worth 1 point, totaling 5, and if a team completes them all, it can win 10 points.

        Similarly, for hole 10, the scoring looks like this:

        • 10 points for the low ball
        • 10 points for the side having the low 2-ball total
        • 10 points for hitting the green in regulation
        • 10 points for the partner hitting the green in regulation
        • 10 points for scoring a birdie

        If a team scores an umbrella on this hole, they can earn a maximum of 100 points. And so, the scoring in Umbrella is done like this.

              Variation:

                • Different rules can be decided among the players before the game starts.
                • The game may be played with or without handicaps.
                • Players can either assign a certain $ value per point or contribute a certain amount of the pot which goes to the winning team.