Skins
Typically played in groups of 3 or 4. Each hole is worth one point and there is normally a monetary value placed against a point (or Skin). The player with the lowest score on each hole wins the point (or Skin). When two or more players tie a hole, the value of the hole is carried over and added to the following hole.
Split 6 (4-2-0)
Split 6 is a points based game for 3 players. Six points are at stake on each hole and all points won by each player are accumulated during the round.
1st on a hole = 4 pts
2nd on a hole = 2 pts
3rd on a hole = 0 pts
1 player wins the hole, and 2 players tie for second = 4pts -1pt -1pt
2 players tie a hole = 3pts - 3pts - 0pts
All 3 golfers tie the hole = 2pts - 2pts - 2pts
Nassau
Golfers play their own ball with the round being broken into 3 separate competitions, Front 9, Back 9 and Overall.
Flags
Golfers are given an allowance of strokes to take their ball as far around the course as possible. The flag marks the point at which they run out of allocated shots. To ensure that the flag remains within the 18 holes, the shots allocation is {(Par + Playing HCP) x 75%}.
Las Vegas
4 players only This side game consists of 2 teams of 2 (pairs) competing against each other. Instead of adding scores together, you pair them. The smaller score is then subtracted from the larger score and the points difference is awarded to the pair that won the hole (winner of hole is the lowers team score).
If a player scores worse than a nett double bogey the team score must use the higher number first, so a 4 and a 7 would be 74.
Example
2 players on team A make 3 and 4, their team score for that hole is 34.
2 players on team B make 4 and 5, their team score for that hole is 45.
Subtract the smaller score form the larger score (45 - 34 = 11)
Result: team A gets 11 points.
Defender
Defender is a game for 3 or 4 players in which one player per hole is designated as that hole's defender. The defender's goal is to get the lowest score on his hole; the other players of the group will try to beat the defender. Scoring Defender wins the hole, he earns 3 points and the other players lose 1 point. If any of the other players beat the Defender, the defender loses 3 points and each other player gains 1 point. Defender ties for low score on a hole, the defender gains 1.5 points while the other lose 0.5 points. Player 1 is the Defender on hole 1, Player 2 on hole 2, and so on starting again with Player 1 when all have played as Defender.