If regular beer pong feels a little too predictable, allow me to introduce its unhinged cousin: golf beer pong. It’s part putting challenge, part party game, and 100% a good way to lose track of your score… and maybe your dignity.
In this guide, we’ll show you how to play golf beer pong, give you some strategy tips on how to win, and include some party planning tips for those who are planning to include this yard game at a party or event.
- What You Need to Play Golf Beer Pong
- How to Play Golf Beer Pong
- Golf Beer Pong Rules & Scoring
- Tips for Hosting Golf Beer Pong
- Where to Find Golf Beer Pong Rentals
What You Need to Play Golf Beer Pong
The beauty of golf beer pong is that you can DIY it… but if you’re hosting a party, renting a ready-to-go setup can save you time (and make everything look a lot better).
At minimum, you’ll need:
- Cups (plastic or reusable)
- A ball (ping pong ball for safety, golf ball for difficulty)
- A putter (or anything that resembles one)
- Drinks of choice
- A playing surface (table, floor, or yard space)
Instead of piecing everything together, you can rent a complete setup with turf or putting mats and enough equipment for multiple players. It not only saves time on setup and cleanup, but it also creates a cleaner, more polished look for your event.
If you want to take it a step further, you can add simple upgrades like lighting, lounge seating, or bar setups to turn the game into a full-on party feature. It’s a small shift that makes a big difference—especially if you’re planning something larger than a backyard hang.
How to Play Golf Beer Pong
Now for the main event: how to play golf beer pong without overcomplicating it.
Each cup is a “hole,” and your goal is to get the ball into every cup in as few tries as possible.
Step-by-Step Gameplay
1. Everyone starts at the same cup. Pick a cup to start with and decide who goes first.
2. Take turns putting! Players go one at a time and each putt = 1 stroke.
3. Keep going until you make it in. If you miss, wait for your next turn and try again. If you make it in, you’re done with that cup. Once you make it in, you take a drink or assign one to someone else. This is where house rules apply!
4. Once everyone makes it, move on. After all players have sunk the ball into that cup, move to the next one.
5. Repeat for every cup. Play each cup the same way until you finish them all.
How to Win
Count how many total strokes it took you. The lowest score wins.
Golf Beer Pong Rules & Scoring
Once you know how to play golf beer pong, the “rules” mostly come down to how competitive, or chaotic, you want to make it.
Here are the most common ways to keep score, along with a few optional rules to use.
Basic Scoring
- Each putt counts as 1 stroke
- Track how many strokes it takes to finish each cup
- Add up your total at the end
Lowest score wins.
Optional: Play with Par
If you want a more golf-style feel, assign each cup a par (expected number of strokes), like:
- Easy cup = Par 2
- Medium = Par 3
- Hard = Par 4
Then players can score:
- Under par = great
- Over par = not so great
Totally optional, but fun for more competitive groups.
Common House Rules
This is where the game gets interesting, so feel free to pick a few:
- Mulligan: Each player gets one “redo” per game
- Bounce shots: If you bank it in, it still counts as one stroke
- Penalty drinks: Miss badly? Take a sip
- Call your shot: Call it before you shoot. If you make it, you can remove a stroke
- Assign drinks: Instead of drinking your own cup, give it to someone else
The most important rule: agree on the rules before you start.
Golf beer pong works best when everyone’s on the same page and no one’s debating technicalities mid-game.
Tips for Hosting Golf Beer Pong at a Party or Event
Golf beer pong can work for anything from a casual hangout to a full-scale event—you just need to adjust your setup based on the size of your crowd.
For Backyard Parties
For smaller groups, the goal is simple: keep it fun, low-pressure, and easy to enjoy. A big thing to consider at a smaller hangout is that folks might feel more pressured in an intimate environment to partake even if they don’t want to. Not everyone wants to be competitive or drink. Make it clear from the start that people can play casually, skip turns, or just hang out and watch.
Have alternatives like mocktails, non-alcoholic margaritas, or sparkling drinks available. When these options feel just as fun, no one feels singled out for not drinking.
Other things you’ll want to have at your party:
- Keep snacks nearby (very important). Think easy, grab-and-go food like chips, sliders, pizza, anything that helps balance things out. People will definitely want something to snack on between rounds.
- Have water easily accessible so people can stay hydrated without having to ask or search for it. You can do this by setting out a drink dispenser with water and plastic cups next to it.
- One game setup is usually enough for a simple backyard party. Let people rotate in and out so it doesn’t feel like a structured tournament unless you want it to.
For backyard parties, it’s all about making sure everyone feels comfortable participating (or not).
For Larger Events
Let’s say you’re renting beer golf pong for a larger party or event, like a corporate retreat or a wedding afterparty. For larger events like this, you’ll want to plan much more logistically than for a casual backyard party. With bigger groups and more formal setups comes a bit more planning to create an experience.
Here’s what you’ll need to do if you’re planning to rent golf beer pong for a larger event:
- Plan for flow and movement; ensure the game area does not block walkways or crowd other areas of the event.
- Create a clear “game zone” for people to gather, and rope it off with a clear boundary.
- Separate drinks from the game area, and adjust the rules so that people take “sips” rather than taking a whole shot or downing a whole drink.
- Offer a range of drink options, including non-alcoholic drinks.
- Be prepared to add structure if needed, and consider hosting a mini tournament.
- Have seating available in the game area, so people who want to watch or take a break can sit and chat.
This is where rentals really make a difference. The right tables, seating, and layout help you manage both logistics and the overall vibe without extra stress.
Where to Find Golf Beer Pong Rentals
Golf beer pong is one of those games that’s easy to learn, endlessly customizable, and guaranteed to get people interacting. Whether you’re hosting a casual backyard hang or planning a larger event, a little intention behind your setup can turn it from a simple game into a standout part of the party.
And if you want to skip the hassle of piecing everything together, renting your game setup through Reventals makes it easy to create a polished, ready-to-play experience. From tables and turf to full party setups, having the right rentals lets you focus less on logistics—and more on actually enjoying the moment.
Browse party rentals on Reventals!
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