A backyard putting green is one of the easiest ways to turn an ordinary afternoon into a fun little golf gathering. Add a few friends, a handful of golf balls and suddenly you’ve got laughter, friendly competition and a reason to stay outside a little longer.
Whether you’re hosting a girls’ golf night, a casual backyard golf party, or a fun family outing, putting games are the easiest way to get everyone laughing and competing in the best way.
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The best part? You don’t need a huge green or fancy setup. A small putting mat or patch of lawn, a few golf balls and a group of friends are more than enough.
In this guide you’ll find 15 fun putting green games that are perfect for backyard play days and golf gatherings.
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How to Set Up a Backyard Putting Party
Before we jump into the games, let’s quickly talk about how to set up your backyard putting event.
Don’t worry — this is meant to be fun and relaxed, not a serious tournament.
Here’s all you really need:
Basic Setup
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A backyard putting green, putting mat or lawn
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A few golf balls per player
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Putters
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A few cups or targets
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Simple scorecards
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Optional small prizes
Fun Extras
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Cute golf themed snacks or drinks
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A leaderboard or scoreboard
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A small prize for the winner (or funniest miss!)
If you’re playing with several friends, it can be fun to rotate through different putting games during the evening.
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No Putting Green? You Can Still Play
Don’t worry if you don’t have a backyard putting green. A simple putting mat or small patch of lawn works perfectly for these games. In fact, backyard putting challenges can be a fun family activity too. Kids love rolling putts, creating obstacle courses, and cheering each other on. It’s an easy way to get outside, enjoy some fresh air, and turn a regular afternoon into a playful little golf outing.
If you need a simple setup, a portable putting mat like this one is a great option and can be rolled out on the patio, deck, or even inside on rainy days.
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Budget-Friendly golf practice balls in fun colors work well, too.
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Download Your Free Putting Challenge Scorecard
If you want to turn your games into a mini tournament, grab the Backyard Putting Challenge Scorecard.
It includes space for:
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Player names
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9 putting holes
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Total scores
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Winner section
You can use it for the 9-Hole Putting Challenge described later in this post.
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Hosting a Backyard
Putting Challenge?
Grab the FREE Backyard Putting Party Printables including a scorecard and game tracker.
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15 Putting Green Games for Your Backyard
Here are some fun and easy games you can play on almost any backyard putting green.
Pick a few favorites or rotate through several games during your golf party.
1. Around the World
Place 5–6 balls around the hole in a circle.
Each player must make every putt in order before moving on.
Miss one? Start again!
First player to complete the full circle wins.
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2. Sudden Death
Everyone putts from the same spot.
If you miss the putt, you’re out for that round.
Move farther away each round until only one player remains.
This game gets surprisingly intense.
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3. Closest to the Hole
Pick a longer putt across the green.
Each player gets one chance.
The player whose ball stops closest to the cup wins.
Simple, quick, and perfect for groups.
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4. Long Putt Challenge
Choose the longest putt on your green.
Players must try to sink it in one shot.
If no one makes it, the closest putt wins the round.
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5. The 9-Hole Putting Challenge
This is where your backyard becomes a mini golf tournament.
Set up 9 different putting spots around the green.
Examples:
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Short straight putt
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Long lag putt
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Breaking putt
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Obstacle putt
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Bank shot
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Downhill putt
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Around the cup challenge
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One-hand putt
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Championship putt
Each player completes all 9 holes and records their score.
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Hosting a Backyard
Putting Challenge?
Grab the FREE Backyard Putting Party Printables including a scorecard and game tracker.
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6. Horse (Golf Edition)
If you’ve played basketball HORSE, you’ll love this one.
One player chooses a tricky putt location.
If they make it, the next player must make the same putt.
Miss it and you earn a letter.
First player to spell HORSE loses.
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7. Knockout Putting
Everyone starts from the same spot.
The goal is to sink your putt before the player behind you.
If someone makes their putt and the player behind them misses, that player is eliminated.
Keep going until only one player remains.
This one gets very competitive.
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8. Obstacle Putt
Add fun obstacles to the green.
Ideas include:
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Coffee mugs
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Books
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Golf headcovers
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Tees
Players must navigate around the obstacles to make the putt.
The more creative the obstacles, the more laughs you’ll get.
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9. Alternate Shot Putting
Players pair up in teams of two.
One player hits the first putt.
The partner must make the next shot.
Continue alternating until the ball is holed.
Lowest team score wins.
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10. Two-Ball Challenge
Each player gets two balls.
Their goal is to sink both balls in the fewest strokes possible.
Add both scores together to determine the winner.
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11. Blindfold Putt
This one is hilarious.
One player is blindfolded while their partner gives directions.
“Left a little!”
“Too far!”
“Okay… maybe right!”
Trust us — this game creates a lot of laughter.
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12. One-Hand Putting
Players must putt using only one hand.
This instantly makes even easy putts surprisingly difficult.
Lowest score wins.
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13. Speed Putt
Players have 10 seconds to line up and hit their putt.
No overthinking allowed!
Fastest player to sink the putt wins the round.
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14. Bank Shot Putt
Players must bounce the ball off an object before it reaches the hole.
Use:
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a board
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a wall
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a cup
It’s trickier than it sounds.
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15. Last Player Standing
Choose a putting spot.
Players take turns putting.
If you miss, you’re eliminated.
Move farther away each round until only one player remains.
This makes a great final championship game.
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Track Your Games with the Printable Game Tracker
If you’re playing several games during your golf party, the Putting Game Tracker makes it easy to keep score.
It includes space for:
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Player names
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Game name
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Scores
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Round winners
It’s perfect for tracking who wins the most challenges throughout the day.
You can even crown an overall backyard putting champion at the end.
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Hosting a Backyard
Putting Challenge?
Grab the FREE Backyard Putting Party Printables including a scorecard and game tracker.
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Make It a Backyard Putting Party
Want to make your putting games even more fun? Add a few playful touches to turn the day into a real golf gathering.
Fun ideas:
🏌️ Create a mini leaderboard
🍹 Serve golf themed drinks
🏆 Give a small prize to the winner
🎶 Play music in the background
📸 Take photos of the “champion putt”
The goal isn’t perfection — it’s laughing, connecting, and enjoying time outside with friends.
And honestly, some of the best moments happen when the putts go wildly wrong.
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Fun Putting Green Games
Backyard putting greens aren’t just for practice, they’re perfect for golf play days, casual tournaments, and fun gatherings with friends.
With just a few golf balls and a little creativity, you can turn your backyard into a mini golf event full of laughter and friendly competition.
Try a few of these putting games, print the scorecards and see who becomes the Backyard Putting Champion.
And if you love hosting golf events, keep an eye out for our upcoming golf tournament planning printables and party packs designed to make organizing golf outings, play days and tournaments even easier.
Until then… happy putting! ⛳
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