Drunk Golf: What Is It Really Called?

Picture a rowdy group lugging beers across the green, taking swings between sips and plenty of laughter—yep, that's the wild side of golf people like to call 'drunk golf.' But if you ask around, nobody actually calls it that with a straight face. The most common names you’ll hear are 'beer golf,' 'Booze Golf,' and sometimes even 'Golf and Guzzle.' Depending on where you’re teeing off, the name can change, and it’s often way more creative than you’d think—just ask anyone who's played pub golf on the streets of Edinburgh or hopped on a golf cart in Vegas with a cooler stashed in the back.

Don’t be fooled, though—these aren’t organized tournaments you’ll find on the PGA calendar. Most drunk golf games are casual, made up with friends, and the rules change faster than the drink specials at the 19th hole. For a lot of people, it’s more about the hangout than the handicap. But still, there are some unwritten rules and little-known tips that make the experience a total blast and keep things from going completely off the rails. I'll break those down and share where you can actually play without getting the side-eye from the staff.

• What People Actually Call 'Drunk Golf'
• How Drunk Golf Became a Thing
• Rules, Variations, and Safety Hacks
• Where to Play: Courses That Welcome the Party

What People Actually Call 'Drunk Golf'

Think you’ll hear someone yell “Let’s play drunk golf!” on the course? Probably not. This wild version of the game goes by lots of different names, depending on where you are and who you’re teeing up with. The most popular phrase by far is beer golf. It's straightforward—golf with beer involved. You’ll hear it in clubhouses and backyard get-togethers, especially if there’s a cooler in the cart.

Other names pop up too. 'Booze golf' works when the drinks go beyond beer—think cocktails or shots. There’s also 'Tipsy Golf,' which people use at some resort courses (mainly as a joke), and 'Golf and Guzzle,' which isn’t as common but pops up with older golfers reminiscing about bachelor parties. If you ever hear 'pub golf,' that’s usually an off-course drinking game pretending to be golf—which involves bars instead of holes on a green. So don’t show up with clubs for that one!

Here’s a quick look at the names people use:

• Beer golf – Most common, especially in the U.S. and Canada
• Booze golf – When any alcohol goes
• Golf and Guzzle – Usually used jokingly or at private events
• Tipsy Golf – Resorts and bachelor parties
• Pub golf – A drinking crawl, not real golf

It’s not just playful naming. Some courses host 'beer golf' nights officially, where each hole comes with a different local brew to try. It’s a hit for charity events and laidback leagues. According to a 2023 survey from the National Golf Foundation, over 24% of players under 35 have tried some version of beer golf with friends. That’s a big slice of younger golfers mixing things up.

Check out a simple table breaking down the regions and names you might hear:

If you’re organizing a drinking round, pick a name that matches your crew’s style. And check if your course is cool with it—the last thing you want is to get kicked off before the back nine!

How Drunk Golf Became a Thing

A regular round of golf already takes a few hours and, honestly, it’s no secret a lot of folks grab a drink or two somewhere between holes or at the clubhouse. But when did it go from enjoying a cold one to 'drunk golf' being a full-on thing with its own reputation? It goes way back. Back in the 19th century, Scottish golfers would bring whisky flasks onto the course to 'keep warm' during their rounds—old habits die hard. The 19th hole (aka the bar at the end of the course) has been tradition for decades, but somewhere along the way, people started bringing the party onto the fairway instead of just after the last putt.

Miniature golf took the party vibe to another level. In the 1980s and 90s, bars with indoor mini golf started popping up in the US and the UK. This made mixing drinks and putters an actual business idea, not just something you and your buddies did while sneaking beers onto the local course.

The big rise happened in the 2010s with 'beer golf' tournaments—especially charity events. At these, players stopped at several holes that doubled as drinking stations, usually sponsored by local breweries. Seeing the demand, some courses started loosening up their old-school rules, letting players bring coolers or selling craft beer from golf carts. 'Golf and Guzzle' nights picked up with millennials and Gen Z in the mix. Even Topgolf, the big chain with its own bar, openly pushes the *social* side of swinging a club with drinks in hand.

Just to give you a snapshot, here’s a quick look at the growth of alcohol-themed golf events in the US from the last few decades:

The bottom line: mixing golf and booze isn’t some weird fringe idea—it’s gotten so normal that most big golf destinations now expect it. The only thing that's really changed is how open and organized it’s become. Even the grumpiest course managers can’t ignore a trend that's this hard to miss.

Rules, Variations, and Safety Hacks

If you’re thinking about jumping into a game of drunk golf, you’ve got to know what you’re in for. First off, there’s no universal rulebook. Every party crew has their own spin, but a few classics pop up just about everywhere.

• Beer Per Hole: The most common version is where each player drinks a beer or takes a shot at every hole. Some tone it down—sip for every swing, or just on the par-3s. Getting through nine holes is a win, trust me.
• Bogey Drink: Miss par? Take a sip. Double bogey? Finish your drink. It balances out skill and “strategy,” if you call it that.
• Partner Shotgun: Team games where you split drinks with your partner or compete against another duo, loser has to chug.
• Pub Golf: The city twist—every “hole” is actually a bar. Score is based on how quickly (or slowly) you polish off a drink at each stop.

More competitive groups like to track scores, while others just wing it and see who’s still standing at the end. Now, for the not-so-fun facts: booze and golf carts are a risky mix. Watch out—some courses will ban you if you start acting up, and you don’t want to end the day in trouble. A 2023 report from the National Golf Foundation showed that injuries linked to alcohol on the golf course bumped up 12% over five years. Not shocking, but it’s a reminder to pace yourself.

Want to keep the day fun and drama-free? Stick with light beers or low-alcohol seltzers, alternate with water, and appoint a “designated driver” for the cart. Don’t be the guy who ruins it for everyone. Pack snacks, keep an eye on your group, and if the rules of the course say no outside alcohol, respect it—you can always hit the clubhouse for a round after.

Where to Play: Courses That Welcome the Party

If you’re looking for a spot to actually play drunk golf without feeling like you’re breaking some sacred tradition, you’ll want to know which golf courses have already figured out how to mix fun, drinks, and plenty of swings. Not all courses are into the party vibe, but there are plenty where carrying a cooler isn’t just allowed—it’s expected.

Some Topgolf venues are practically built around partying. Every location has a full bar, wait staff bring drinks right to your hitting bay, and nobody blinks an eye at a boisterous group. It’s not classic golf, but it’s arguably the most popular way to enjoy the game when alcohol is part of the plan. If you want traditional fairways, check out public courses in places like Las Vegas, Myrtle Beach, or Scottsdale. These cities are famous for golf courses that throw amazing group parties and encourage themed events, including ‘beer golf’ tournaments.

According to Patrick Koenig, a well-known golf photographer, "For a lot of public courses, especially in tourist spots, selling drinks and letting people have fun keeps the game accessible and lively."

"A lot of courses understand that it’s about the experience just as much as the score. You don’t have to be a scratch golfer to soak up the good times." – Patrick Koenig, golf photographer

Wondering which courses are known for their party atmosphere? Here are some popular picks:

• Topgolf (Multiple Locations): Driving-range style, full bar, music, and big groups welcomed.
• Bali Hai Golf Club (Las Vegas, NV): Known for bachelor parties, open drink policies, and staff that roll with any group vibe.
• Myrtle Beach National (Myrtle Beach, SC): Regular friendly tournaments, laid-back rules, cart bars on the course.
• Papago Golf Club (Phoenix, AZ): Frequent themed nights and relaxed policies on moderate drinks.

Some clubs even offer golf-and-guzzle events or pub golf leagues. To get a feel for how party-friendly a spot is, call ahead or check their website—some even advertise special group drink packages or events. Just know, most private country clubs stick to a stricter code, and getting rowdy could get you politely shown the door.

One last thing—wherever you play, tip the beverage cart staff, keep it respectful, and know your limit. You want laughs, not a lifetime ban or, worse, a broken golf cart.