Golf Games: Umbrella

With the extremely soggy conditions at the U.S. Open this week, I thought it would be a good time to describe the "Umbrella" golf game. Umbrella doesn't really have anything to do with the Open, other than the word umbrella, but I digress. Umbrella Umbrella is played between two teams of two players.  Each team of two can score points on each hole for five different achievements on the hole. These achievements are:

• Low individual score
• Hit green in regulation (each player on team)
• Make birdie or better
• Side has low two-ball score

In this format the game is fun enough but the big twist is the points.  Points are awarded based on the number of the golf hole.  So on the first hole, each of the achievements above would be worth one point.  If the team wins all five of the achievements, the points are doubled.  Achievements on hole #2 are worth two points each, doubled if the team wins all five.  And so on.  The 18th hole of course then would have achievements worth 18 points each, and doubled if the group wins all five. As you can imagine this game can be exciting and volatile.  One team can have a nice lead but if the other team wins all five achievements late in the round the lead can flip flop. Points will be assigned a dollar amount, but be careful!  There are many points available.