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Closest to cup carryover golf challenge

On every par 3, closest tee shot earns 1 side point. If nobody hits the green, the next par 3 is worth 2 side points.

Read the setup, copy the rules to your group, and start playing. STUD mode is optional.

Read the rules More Golf ideas

Closest to cup carryover golf challenge
Golf Board / Golf Side Game / Side-point challenge

Side-point challenge Side Challenge

Quick setup

Closest to Cup Carryover

Players 2-4
Time 9-18 holes
Gear Course-ready
Best for Side Challenge
Mode optional bonus challenge
STUD Optional

How to play

  1. 1Before the round, agree which par 3 holes count.
  2. 2On each counted par 3, every player hits their normal tee shot.
  3. 3Closest tee shot on the green earns 1 side point.
  4. 4If nobody hits the green, the side point carries to the next counted par 3.
  5. 5Carryovers stack until someone wins a counted par 3.
  6. 6Track net side points separately from the normal golf score.

Send to the group

QR code for Closest to cup carryover golf challenge

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Play tools

Round timer

05:00

Quick scoreboard

Team A0
Team B0
Side pointsUse as needed

Scoring options

  • 1Side-point mode: closest tee shot on the green earns the carryover value.
  • 2Simple mode: every counted par 3 is worth exactly 1 point with no carryovers.
  • 3Team mode: partners use the closest ball from either teammate.

Variations

Make it easier

Count the closest ball to the cup even if nobody hits the green.

Make it harder

Require the closest player to make par or better to keep the side point.

Optional side-point setup

Use this as a side-point challenge by itself or alongside another Golf Board activity. Think of side points as optional challenge points: earned side points count for you, and side points against you count against you. STUD mode is optional; agree before play on whether side points mean anything beyond the game.

Why it works

It gives par 3 holes a clean moment everyone can understand while keeping normal golf intact.

Safety / fair play

Use a safe space, avoid hard contact or unsafe surfaces, adjust for age and skill, and agree on close calls before the round starts.

More from Golf Board

Want the full list? Open Golf Board.

Side-point challenge Side Challenge

Bunker Tax

Every sand-trap visit adds 1 side point against that player. Lowest bunker count earns 1 side point from the rest.

Earned side points count for you. Side points against you count against you. Net side points at the end and close only in the way your group agreed before play.

Open on Golf Board

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Three-Putt Toll

Any three-putt adds 1 side point against that player. Clean two-putt holes cancel 1 earlier side point against that player before the final score.

Earned side points count for you. Side points against you count against you. Net side points at the end and close only in the way your group agreed before play.

Open on Golf Board

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Water Ball Bailout

Water balls add 1 side point against that player; a par on the same hole erases that side point against that player.

Earned side points count for you. Side points against you count against you. Net side points at the end and close only in the way your group agreed before play.

Open on Golf Board

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Fairway Finder

Hit the fairway and earn 1 side point. Miss both sides and add 1 side point against yourself.

Earned side points count for you. Side points against you count against you. Net side points at the end and close only in the way your group agreed before play.

Open on Golf Board

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