Every18

Twists & Challenges · Betting Games

Pick-Up Sticks

Also called Clubs Away, Bag Raid, Battle Golf, Battle Golf

Match play where the loser of each hole removes a club from the winner's bag.

Players
2–4 players, best with 2
Play as
Everyone for themselves
Scorekeeping
Easy
Handicaps
Handicaps optional
Money
Money optional
Type
Twists & Challenges

How to play

Play match play, usually 1v1. After each hole the loser chooses one club from the winner's bag that the winner cannot use for the rest of the round. Halved holes change nothing. The putter is usually immune unless agreed otherwise; if it is not immune it tends to go first. Leaders can finish with only six or seven clubs, which keeps matches close.

Scoring

Standard match-play result decides the bet; add a per-hole or match stake as desired.

Variations

  • Bag Raid / Battle Golf: the winner removes a club from the loser's bag instead
  • Nine-hole version: two clubs per lost hole
  • Reclaim rule: losing a hole lets you take back one of your removed clubs
  • Battle Golf (winner strips the loser)
  • Putter in play
  • Return one club for a birdie

Tips

  • Take the opponent's driver or favorite wedge early
  • Learn to hit knockdowns and choke down
  • Agree putter immunity before the first tee
  • Take the driver or the favourite wedge first
  • Remove the club they just used to beat you

A self-correcting handicap: the better you play, the fewer clubs you have.

Works with

Each link opens every game that works for that number of players.

Related games

Three-Club Challenge

Also called Three Club Monte, 3-Club Challenge, One-Club Challenge

Pick three clubs (putter usually free) and play the whole round with them.

Any number, solo too · best with 1–2Twists & ChallengesEveryone for themselvesEasy to scoreNo handicaps needed
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Bisque

Also called Bisque Par, Floating Strokes, Bisque Stroke

Handicap strokes you spend wherever you like, declared before teeing off on the hole.

2–4 players · best with 2Twists & ChallengesEasy to scoreHandicaps required
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Criers & Whiners

Also called No Alibis, Mulligans, Play It Again Sam

Your handicap becomes a supply of mulligans to spend anywhere in the round.

Any number, solo tooTwists & ChallengesEveryone for themselvesEasy to scoreHandicaps required
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Flags (Tombstone)

Also called Last Man Standing, Flag Competition, Plant Your Flag

Each player gets par plus handicap strokes; plant your flag where your last stroke ends.

Any number, solo tooTwists & ChallengesEveryone for themselvesEasy to scoreHandicaps required
How to play →

Sources

Rules reflect the version most groups play, cross-checked across these sources. House rules vary; agree yours on the first tee.

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