Bingo Bango Bongo: Rules and how to play

When it comes to spicing up a standard round of golf, there are all kinds of games you can play, from Stableford and skins to wolf. One of the most interesting and unique variations is Bingo Bango Bongo, and it might just change how you approach the sport.

What is Bingo Bango Bongo?

Bingo Bango Bongo is a golf format in which you’re aiming to score more points than your opponents, as opposed to completing each hole with the fewest strokes.

Each hole is worth three points, and the winner of the round is simply the player who accumulates the most points. But there’s a catch. Bingo Bango Bongo is all about adhering to etiquette and following the rules to a tee. That means no gimme puts and no ready golf.

In this way, the game isn’t quite as whimsical as the name suggests. But if you’re a player who enjoys abiding by the rules and is prepared for a twist or two, you might find it to be your new favourite way to play golf.

How to play Bingo Bango Bongo

In Bingo Bango Bongo, there are three points up for grabs for each hole.

• The first – known as the Bingo point – is given to the player whose ball lands on the green first.
• The Bango point is then awarded to the player closest to the hole once all players have reached the green.
• The Bongo point is then awarded to whoever holes out first.

Sounds simple, right? But here’s the catch: the Bingo point is given to the first on the green regardless of how many strokes that player took.

Bingo Bango Bongo is all about taking your shots in the correct order. That’s to say, the player furthest away from the hole takes their shot first. As a result, players with shorter drives actually have an advantage over their more skilled opponents.

A player who reaches the green after 10 strokes will still win the Bingo point so long as they reach the green before their game partner, even if they were to get to the green in two or three strokes.

This is why it’s so important to play in the correct order. Ready golf (where each player takes their shot once they’re ready) would defeat the purpose and remove a great deal of the charm of Bingo Bango Bongo golf.

Levelling the playing field

With the number of strokes not entirely relevant to who collects the most points, the playing field is levelled massively. Hitting a tremendous drive from the off could end up being a massive disadvantage if your opponent is constantly creeping up on you and getting closer and closer to the green, even if they’re taking lots of shots.

Similarly to how a slightly less accomplished golfer can win the Bingo point, the Bongo point can favour the player whose ball in the green is furthest from the hole. There are no gimmes in this game. That final point is all about who holes out, meaning there’s an added element of drama and pressure at the end of each hole.

In fact, it’s only the Bango point, given to the player closest to the hole once everyone has reached the green, which is perhaps more likely to be won by the player with the lowest handicap.

Handicaps with Bingo Bango Bongo

Speaking of handicaps, one of the great things about Bingo Bango Bongo is that games are even regardless of varying abilities within a group, without the need to worry about factoring in a handicap.

So, if you and your friends are all of differing abilities but want to play together, Bingo Bango Bongo could be the ideal game for you to try.

Scoring in Bingo Bango Bongo

The scoring in Bingo Bango Bongo is simple, with three points awarded for every hole. 
While a key element of Bingo Bango Bongo is adhering to the correct order of play, there are variations to be had when it comes to scoring. Iterations can include:

• Three points are always available for each hole, but one common alteration is to award double points if one player gets all three points on one hole.
• Other changes are beneficial if all players are exceptionally skilled. For example, the Bingo point might go to the player with the longest drive as opposed to the player who reaches the green first.
• While the standard form of the game ignores the number of strokes, you may also decide that the bingo point goes to whoever reaches the green in the fewest number of strokes.

It really is up to you just how you alter the game of Bingo Bango Bongo to suit the number of players you’re playing with and the ability you all find yourselves having. You may prefer the standard version of the game in which high-handicap players aren’t punished, or you might enjoy a version more like standard match play, where you consider the number of strokes for each hole.

As long as the player with the most points by the 18th hole wins (and you’ve completed each hole in the correct playing order!), you can’t really go wrong.

Some people also compete for money in a game of Bingo Bango Bongo; however, if you choose to do so, it’s essential to do so responsibly.

Why play Bingo Bango Bongo?

While each format of golf is fantastic in its own way, you may eventually find yourself finding standard Stableford or stroke play a little stale. If that’s the case, a version of golf such as Bingo Bango Bongo is ideal to add new, different dynamics and jeopardies to your round.

Unlike other games, Bingo Bango Bongo is a form of golf which requires patience and a willingness to stick to the rules. But if that sounds up your street, it can yield some exciting and enjoyable results. And, even with that said, you can essentially mould the game to suit you and your group in whichever ways you’d like if you follow the basic principles.

If you’ve got one friend you just haven’t been able to beat, offer them a game of Bingo Bango Bongo. Just maybe, their streak could come to an end.

Specialist golf insurance through Golf Care

Now you have a whole new way to play your favourite sport, you may want to consider getting specialist golf insurance before you’re next out on the course.

Through Golf Care, policies include Equipment Cover up to £7,500, Public Liability of up to £10m, and Personal Accident Cover up to £50,000. Get a quote online today.