"On the Spot" is an alternative name for this format.
Players in the group rotate being "on the spot." Let's say you have four golfers, Players A, B, C and D. A is on the spot on the first hole, then B on the second, C on the third and D on the fourth, then the rotation starts over. (Order is determined randomly before play begins.)
On each hole, the four golfers play their own balls into the hole, then compare scores. Let's say Player A is "on the spot" and scores a 5. The other three score 4, 5 and 6. What's the worst score of the other three? Six. Did Player A beat the worst? Yes, so Player A earns a point (or wins the bet, to put it another way).
If playing for money, groups should decide before teeing off how much each point is worth. With groups of four, the maximum possible points one golfer can earn is four; with groups of three, six points. Compare points at the end of the round and tally up the differentials.
You might have noticed one issue: With 4-person teams, you must leave out two holes so that each golfer gets the same number of turns "on the spot." You can leave out holes 17 and 18; holes 9 and 18; or holes 1 and 10. (If playing Beat the Worst in a group of three, each golfer gets six turns to beat the worst.)
A few similar games are listed below.
Return to Golf Glossary index

