How to play Bingo Bango Bongo Golf Game: Official Guide

If you’re like me, you love to play golf many different ways.

But, if you’re wondering how to play Bingo Bango Bongo…

Bingo Bango Bongo is a points-based golf format played within a normal round in which points are earned for three separate achievements on each hole.

1. Being the first player to have a ball come to rest on the putting green (“Bingo”).
2. Having the ball closest to the hole after all players have a ball on the putting green (“Bango”).
3. Being the first player to hole out (“Bongo”).

These three points are available on every hole.

This social & fun golf format rewards a mix of tee-shot planning, approach-shot precision, and putting under pressure rather than the lowest stroke score alone.

I’ve played Bingo Bango Bongo more than any other golf format because it’s simply my favorite way to play.

Quick Summary / TL;DR

Bingo Bango Bongo is played within a normal round of golf and requires strict adherence to proper order of play. On each hole, three points are awarded:

• Bingo: First ball to come to rest on the putting green.
• Bango: Ball closest to the hole after all players have reached the putting green.
• Bongo: First player to hole out.

Play the teeing area in honor order. After tee shots, the player farthest from the hole must play first. Order of play determines eligibility for Bingo and Bongo.

Once every player has a ball at rest on the putting green, determine which ball lies closest to the hole before any are lifted or marked to award Bango. Continue putting in order of distance from the hole until a player holes out to award Bongo.

Record one point per achievement. Three points are available on every hole. The player with the highest total points at the end of the round wins.

Continue reading to learn the rules fully, gain some strategic advantages to whoop your golf buddies and some fun variations that enhance this great golf game format even further.

How to Play Bingo Bango Bongo?

Below is a breakdown of how to play the Bingo Bango Bongo golf game.

Number of players/teams required

Bingo Bango Bongo is an individual points contest played by two or more players. Each player competes against all other players for the points available on each hole.

Game Setup

1. Decide the value of a point. Before play, set the value of each point (cash value or “points only”) and declare how ties will be handled for Bango.
2. Establish the initial teeing order. Set the order on the first tee by any agreed method (drawing numbers, handicap order, flipping a tee, etc.). Thereafter, use honors: the player with the lowest score on the previous hole plays first from the next teeing area. Honors stays the same if there is a tie.

Game Rules

Below are the offical rules for playing Bingo Bango Bongo.

A. Rules of play

Play each hole under the standard Rules of Golf unless the group has agreed otherwise. The point contest does not alter how strokes and penalties apply; it only determines when points are earned.

B. Order of play (mandatory)

1. Tee shots. Play in honor order on each teeing area.
2. All other strokes. After tee shots, play strictly by distance from the hole: the ball farthest from the hole is played first. Reassess who is “away” after every stroke.
3. Out of turn. If a player plays out of turn and, by doing so, would be first to earn the Bingo point or the Bongo point, that point is not awarded to that player; instead, award the point to the next player who earns it while playing in the proper order.

C. The three points (standard format)

1. Bingo (first on the putting green). Award one point to the first player whose ball comes to rest on the putting green of the hole being played.
2. Bango (closest once all balls are on the putting green). After every player has a ball at rest on the putting green (or has holed out), award one point to the player whose ball is nearest to the hole at that time. Measure if necessary before any ball position is changed. A ball holed out is deemed nearest.
3. Bongo (first to hole out). Award one point to the first player who holes out. A player may earn Bongo by holing out from any location (for example, a chip-in). To protect “first to hole out,” concessions (“gimmes”) are not permitted for any putt that could decide Bongo.

D. How to Keep Score

1. Standard scoring awards one point for each of Bingo, Bango, and Bongo on every hole (three points per hole; 54 points over 18 holes).
2. Record each point as it is earned (for example, mark “B,” “Ba,” and “Bo” beside the winning player’s name for that hole). A player may earn multiple points on a single hole.
3. Add points across the stipulated holes to determine each player’s total.

E. How to Determine Winner

At the conclusion of the round, the player with the highest total points is the winner.

F. How to Handle Tie Breakers

1. Bango ties (closest). Adopt one method before play: (a) split the Bango point (or split its cash value), or (b) carry the Bango point to the next hole (next Bango is worth two points).
2. Overall ties. Adopt one method before play: (a) sudden-death playoff on consecutive holes using the same point rules, (b) countback on points over the last nine holes (then last six, last three, last hole), or (c) share the win and split any pot.

Tips and Strategies for Bingo Bango Bongo

Bingo Bango Bongo rewards situational decisions more than raw stroke-play scoring. Sound strategy starts with identifying which point is realistically available to you before a stroke is played, then selecting a shot that maximizes that point without creating unnecessary risk.

When to play aggressive

• Pursue Bango on receptive greens or when an open run-up allows a controlled shot to finish near the hole.
• Pursue Bongo when a makeable putt exists and nobody has holed out, yet; commit to a pace that gives the ball a chance to drop.

When to play safe

• Pursue Bingo by playing for the first ball to finish on the putting green, even if that requires hitting for the center of the green instead of aiming for the flag stick.
• Play conservatively from trouble when a recovery to the putting green in one stroke is unlikely; placing the ball in a position to chip or pitch onto the green and closer to the hole can preserve chances for Bango or Bongo.

Common mistakes

• Playing out of turn, which prevents you from winning points and creates disputes.
• Conceding short putts while Bongo remains undecided, which prevents a clear “first to hole out.”
• Failing to mark ball positions before measuring for Bango, especially when balls are very close.
• Chasing Bango with overly aggressive approaches that create penalties or short-sided misses, effectively removing the chance to score any point on the hole.

Variations of Bingo Bango Bongo

The standard Bingo Bango Bongo format awards one point each for Bingo, Bango, and Bongo, but groups commonly adopt pre-round modifications to fit skill levels and pace.

• “Bingo by strokes” (more strict): Award Bingo to the first player on the putting green in the fewest strokes, rather than simply first to reach the green.
• “Bongo by score” (more strict): Award Bongo to the player with the lowest score on the hole, rather than first to hole out.
• “Longest drive Bingo” (power emphasis): Replace Bingo with longest drive (often requiring the ball to finish in the fairway).
• “Sweep bonus” (volatility): Award double points when one player earns all three points on a single hole.
• “Carryovers” (momentum): If Bango is tied, carry that point to the next hole so the next Bango is worth two points.
• “Handicap/net version” (leveling): Keep the standard Bango definition, but award (a) Bingo for first on the green in the fewest strokes and (b) Bongo for lowest net score on the hole, using course handicaps to allocate strokes.

Any variation should be declared on the first tee and applied consistently for the entire round.

Final Thoughts on Bingo Bango Bongo

Here at Golf Games Hub, we love formats that reward skill, strategy, and disciplined execution, and Bingo Bango Bongo accomplishes all three. The structure ensures that every shot carries competitive relevance, regardless of overall score.

A well-placed approach, a properly judged lag putt, or disciplined adherence to order of play can determine the outcome of a hole.

The format also maintains engagement among players of varying abilities because multiple scoring opportunities exist on every hole.

Bingo Bango Bongo promotes awareness, sharpens short-game focus, and reinforces proper golf etiquette. When played properly, it produces a fair, competitive, and thoroughly enjoyable golf outing.

Other Fun Golf Game Formats to Consider Besides Bingo Bango Bongo

We know golf games here at Golf Games Hub. If you enjoy playing Bingo Bango Bongo, you’re going to absolutely love playing these other golf game formats.

Wolf is a high-pressure, rotating golf game where every hole forces one player to make a bold decision that can swing the entire round. It blends strategy, timing, and calculated risk in a way that keeps all four players fully engaged from the first tee to the final putt.

Vegas is a high-energy team betting game where two teams of two combine their scores into a two-digit number (for example, scores of 4 and 5 become 45). The team with the lower number wins the hole, and the difference between the numbers determines the payout. Because scores compound quickly, a single bad hole can dramatically swing the match, making Vegas one of the most exciting betting formats in golf.

Stableford flips traditional golf game scoring on its head and rewards bold, aggressive play instead of punishing bad holes. Because points are earned relative to performance on each hole, players can recover quickly and take calculated risks without fear of one disaster ruining the entire round. It’s competitive, pace-friendly, and widely used in tournaments around the world.