GAME ON
Bogeys or Better ‘Bundle’ is your game if you know how to stay out of trouble BY CHRISTOPHER POWERS
A keen gambler and Golf Digest reader, Richard Ward, introduced us to a game called “Bundle,” and it seems like so much fun, we’re now shar- ing it with you. Bundle’s appeal is that it keeps you fully engaged to the very end of the round – even on bad days. Here’s how to play. NUMBER OF PLAYERS RE- QUIRED: Four. BEST FOR: Groups who carry cash, all skill levels, and players who will stay in the fight even when they are struggling. HOW TO PLAY: Each player in your fourball forks over R50 (or another agreed-upon amount) to put in the “Bundle,” so to speak. Next, a random order is established, and the No 1 player who tees off first literally holds onto the bundle of cash, which in this case would be R200. If that player hits the ball out-of-
bounds, into a penalty area, makes a double-bogey or worse or three-putts, the bundle moves to the No 2 player in the order. If any player not holding the bundle makes a birdie, the bundle also immediately moves on to the next player in the order. If none of these sce- narios occur, the bundle remains with the original player. In other words, when you have the bundle, keeping the ball in play and making bogey or better and not three-putting is the objective – also known as solid golf. The player who holds on to the bundle at the turn gets to keep half of the cash (R100 in this case). After 18, the player holding the bundle gets to keep the rest. That means for the entire round, you’re always playing for the potential of dou- bling your money (or taking home the whole bag if you’re really good). Some rounds, the bundle might switch hands only two or three times. Other rounds, it
could change two or three times on one hole. If Bundle reminds you of another game, it might be “Rabbit,” which simi- larly pays out after the ninth and 18th (though that game is all about shooting the low net score on every hole in an effort to beat the rest of the group). In Bundle, it’s all about keeping the ball in play and good lag putting. VARIATIONS: If someone makes a natural birdie, that player could steal the bundle from the holder. You could also add to the bag as the round goes on. An example would be R10 for a shot out-of- bounds or R5 for every three-putt. How you amass the cash is up to you, but even in its simplest form, this game should keep you interested from start to finish. If you have a suggestion for a golf game, and you’d like to explain it, feel free to reach out to me on X @CPowers14 .
PHOTOGRAPH BY STEPHEN DENTON
16 GOLF DIGEST SOUTH AFRICA
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2026
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