Skins games are often more dramatic than standard match play because holes are not halved. When players tie on a given hole, the value of that hole is carried over and added to the value of the following hole. The more ties, the greater the value of the skin and the bigger the eventual payoff. For example, a friendly skins game might be played for $1 per hole. If three holes in a row are played without a winner, then the fourth hole is worth $4 ($1 for its own value, plus a dollar for each hole that carries over).
In golf, the Skins Game is reference to a former "silly season" event played by four professional golfers (usually PGA Tour players) each year from 1983 through 2009. This event was a made-for-TV event that drew huge ratings for its 1983 debut for two reasons: The skins format had never been used in a televised golf event before; and the four golfers who took part in that first Skins Game were Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Gary Player and Tom Watson. Over the years, the quality of the 4-person field was diluted, TV ratings dropped, and the event was discontinued after 2009. There remain, however, several other skins games in which touring pros participate.
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What is the origin of the term 'skins,' as in Skins Game?
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"Time to settle up: Bob won seven skins, Bill won five, Biff won four and Brent only won two."
