> Contents | Index

> # Game Type

> SimGolfers get a lot of choices. Under Game Type, you decide what type of game you'll play: Stroke, Match Play or Skins. Stroke play is what is most commonly played, both on SimGolf courses and real ones. If you wish to play a different type of game, this is where you make it so.

> ## Stroke

> Stroke is the most commonly played golf game and is the default game type for SimGolf. In Stroke play, the player who gets the lowest number of strokes for the entire course wins the game. If you are playing a solo game, Stroke is the only game type you can choose. Match Play and Skins require multiple players. To play this type of game, click on Stroke.

> Stroke is scored by tracking the strokes (and Mulligans) taken on each hole. Each player's handicap is subtracted from total strokes taken to arrive at a final score for the course. Click here to see a Stroke scorecard.

> ## Match Play

> In Match Play, two players compete against each other to win individual holes. The player who has the lowest number of strokes for a hole wins that hole. Whoever wins the most holes wins the game. To play this type of game, click on Match Play.

> The Scorecard will track a "1" for the winner of a hole and a " -- " for the loser. Click here to see a Match Play scorecard.

> Unlike Stroke play, where handicaps are subtracted from the total score at the end of the game, handicap strokes in Match Play are subtracted from actual strokes taken for each hole before the winner of a hole is declared. Hole Handicap Rankings are used to determine how many of a player's handicap strokes will be subtracted from any particular hole.

> The Hole Handicap Rankings of 1 to 18 show the difficulty level for each hole, 1 being the most difficult and 18 being the easiest. Handicap strokes for each player are divided as evenly as possible among all the holes, with more handicap strokes assigned to the more difficult holes. If your handicap is 18, you'll receive one stroke per hole. If your handicap is 36, you'll receive two strokes per hole. For handicaps that are not multiples of 18, the available strokes are allocated as evenly as possible among the 18 holes, with the more difficult holes receiving any extra handicap strokes. A handicap of 20 would allow two handicap strokes each for the two most difficult holes and one handicap stroke for each of the remaining sixteen holes.

> Don't confuse the Hole Handicap Ranking with the hole number, even though both are whole numbers!

> ## Skins

> Skins is a game within a game. In this type of game, the eighteen-hole golf course is divided into three sections of six holes each. Each hole is worth a "skin" -- so named because early golfers were known to wager animal skins. The first third of the holes are each worth a certain amount of money, an amount that you set before the game begins. The next third are worth twice that amount and the last third are worth three times the original amount. Whoever gets the fewest strokes per hole, wins the skin for that hole. You'll see a marquee showing the winner's name and total winnings move across the screen as soon as a hole is won and a dollar sign will appear in the scorecard. The person who has won the most money at the end wins the round. Click here to see a Skins scorecard.

> To play this type of game, click on Skins. A dialog box will pop up asking you to enter the Hole Value (the default is $1000, though you may change this amount) then click OK. Skins is a progressive game, meaning that if no one wins a hole (there is a tie), the skin is added to the next hole, making the next hole worth two skins. This continues until a hole is won.

> #

> # Options

> The Options box on the Game Type screen lets you choose what you will allow in your round.

> Any option which is selected (radio button is filled in), will be an available choice in the Results box after you take a swing. Options which are deselected will be grayed (and unavailable) in the Results box.

> Results Box

> ## Mulligan Allowed

> Mulligans allow you to rehit a shot without penalty. A Mulligan is a "do over" and doesn’t hurt your score. Normally, golfers only take one or at most two Mulligans per round. But SimGolf allows you to take as many as you can talk your opponents into letting you have.

> To permit Mulligans, click on the radio button next to Mulligan Allowed.

> ## Gimme Allowed

> A Gimme arises when a stroke lands the ball within about two feet of the hole. The shot is so short that it is considered unmissable and the golfer picks up the ball without having to "hole out." With Gimmes, golfers consider the ball sunk in one stroke.

> Though not condoned by the official rules of play, you decide whether or not to allow Gimmes during Stroke or Match Play games. To permit Gimmes, click on the radio button next to Gimme Allowed.

> ## Rehit Allowed

> A Rehit is when you choose to take a shot over. Unlike Mulligans, a Rehit counts as one stroke against you. To permit Rehits, click on the radio button next to Rehit Allowed.

> RETURN TO PLAY GOLF SET-UP SCREEN

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