Bingo Bango Bongo: A Fun Golf Betting Game
Trust us, the Bingo Bango Bongo golf game is as fun to play as it sounds. A points-based game ideal for two-or-more players, Bingo Bango Bongo is the perfect betting game to play with golfers of all skill levels because earning points has nothing to do with a player’s score.
Bingo Bango Bongo Golf Rules
The first rule of Bingo Bango Bongo is to understand the scoring. Golfers are awarded one point per hole for each of the following.
- Be the first player in the group to hit his or her golf ball on the green (Bingo);
- Be the player in the group whose golf ball is closest to the pin after all the golf balls are on the green (Bango); and
- Be the first player in the group to hole out (Bongo)
Because points are awarded to players for being the first to accomplish a task, order of play is crucial in Bingo Bango Bongo, so strict etiquette must be followed. The player who is farthest away from the hole always plays first, no matter what. Also, just because the score doesn’t determine points, it still determines honors (the first person to tee off on the next hole). And that’s super important, especially on par 3s as the golfer with honors gets the first crack at the Bingo point.
Another important golf rule in Bingo Bango Bongo is that tap-outs and gimmies aren’t allowed. Because a point is awarded to the player who is first to hole out and the rules call for a strict following of “farthest away, first to play,” golfers cannot putt out if someone else is farther away from the hole. So, if Player A lags their 50-foot putt to two feet away, they must mark their ball and wait for their next turn.
Finally, it’s important to remember the Bango point is awarded to the player closest to the pin ONLY AFTER all the golf balls are on the green. That means the Bango point is still in play for golfers who miss the green on their approach shot. So, if Player A hits their approach to five feet and Player B misses the green, Player B can still chip it closer to the hole than Player A and win the Bango point. Moral of the story: never give up!
Bingo Bango Bongo Golf Rules
A fun way to raise the stakes is to award double points to any golfer who wins all three points on a single hole. It’s really hard to do because usually the player who is closest to the pin (Bango point) won’t be the first to hole out (Bongo point). But if all the players in the group miss their first putts, it opens up the door for a player to run the table.
Alternate Version of Bingo Bango Bongo
If you really want scores to count in Bingo Bango Bongo, there is an alternative version using handicaps. In this format, golfers are awarded points when they are:
- The first on the green in the fewest strokes (Bingo);
- The golfer who is closest to the pin after all the golf balls are on the green (Bango); and
- The golfer with the lowest net score on the hole
Betting Tips for Bingo Bango Bongo
Here are a few golf betting tips on how to earn the most Bingo, Bango and Bongo points the next time you tee it up with your golf buddies.
For the Bingo point, don’t always feel you have to take driver off the tee. Laying back in the fairway farther away than the rest of the group gives you the chance to approach the green first. So if you see your golf buddies pulling driver, use a 3-wood off the tee. Your approach to the green will be a few yards longer, but this betting tip ensures you are the first one with the chance to win the Bingo point.
For the Bango point, don’t give up if you miss the green on your approach shot. Remember, sometimes it’s easier to chip it close from the fringe than it is to hit it close from the fairway. Also, a good betting tip if you find yourself with the chance to go for the green on a par 5, or try and hit a miraculous recovery shot from the trees, don’t do it. Simply advancing the golf ball near enough to the green can set you up for a chance to chip it close and secure the Bango point. More than any other golf betting game, Bingo Bango Bongo is all about positioning.
Finally, for the Bongo point, our betting tip is simple – make the putt. Lagging a long putt to within three feet doesn’t do a golfer any good, so put your best roll on the golf ball every chance you get. Remember, scores don’t matter here so the only thing three-putts will hurt is your ego.
