Bingo Bango Bongo Golf Game
Bingo Bango Bongo is one of golf’s best equalizer games. Three points are up for grabs on every hole, and because two of them reward course management and short game rather than raw distance, it gives higher-handicap players a genuine chance to compete. If you’ve been looking for how to play Bingo Bango Bongo, you’re in the right place.
At a Glance
- Type
- Individual game
- Players
- 2–4 (works best with 3–4)
- Scoring
- Points (1 point per event, 3 points available per hole)
- Handicaps
- Not used
- Wins
- Most total points
The Rules
On every hole, three points are awarded — one for each event. The player who is farthest from the hole always plays first (ready golf etiquette applies, but order matters for Bingo and Bongo).
Bingo — First on the green
The first player to get their ball onto the putting surface earns the Bingo point. On a par 3 this could be from the tee; on longer holes it might take two or three shots. Playing it safe to be first on the green is a legitimate strategy.
Bango — Closest to the pin once all balls are on the green
Once every player in the group has reached the green, the player whose ball is closest to the pin at that moment wins the Bango point. This is measured when the last ball arrives on the green, not after any subsequent putts.
Bongo — First in the hole
The first player to hole out earns the Bongo point. Since the player farthest from the hole putts first, a long lag putt that drops gives a big advantage — regardless of how many strokes it took to get there.
After 18 holes, add up each player’s total points. The player with the most points wins. With 3 points available per hole, there are 54 total points in an 18-hole round.
Example Hole
Three players — Alice, Bob, and Carol — are playing a par 4:
Notice how each player won a point despite very different quality of play. Bob hit into a bunker but still earned a point for getting closest after his recovery shot. That’s what makes Bingo Bango Bongo such a great game for groups with mixed skill levels.
Strategy Tips
Play for the green, not for distance
The Bingo point rewards the first player on the green, not the longest drive. Laying up to a comfortable approach distance can be smarter than going for broke off the tee. On par 3s, a smooth mid-iron aimed at the center of the green beats a risky pin-hunting shot.
Short game wins Bango
Since Bango goes to the closest ball once everyone is on the green, a well-placed chip or bunker shot from close range can steal the point even if you missed the green entirely. Don’t give up on a hole just because your approach was off-target.
Lag putting matters for Bongo
The player farthest from the hole putts first. If you have a long putt, a confident aggressive roll gives you a shot at the Bongo point before anyone else gets to putt. Conversely, if you’re closest to the pin, you putt last — so you need everyone else to miss.
Order of play is everything
Unlike most golf formats, the order in which players reach the green and hole out directly determines who wins each point. Playing by proper order (farthest from the hole goes first) is not just etiquette in Bingo Bango Bongo — it’s a rule of the game.
Setting Up in Squabbit
To create a Bingo Bango Bongo game in Squabbit:
- Create a new tournament or casual game.
- Under format, choose Bingo Bango Bongo.
- Add your players to the game.
- Start the round and head to the course.
During the round, Squabbit tracks the three events on each hole. After each hole, simply tap to record who won each point — Bingo, Bango, and Bongo. The app tallies all points automatically so you can see the leaderboard at any time.