What is Bingo Bango Bongo?

Bingo Bango Bongo is a fun golf game anyone can play.

If you do not have the stamina or time to play 18 holes on a golf course, you do have other options. Maybe you are playing with players of different skillsets. In this case, you might opt for playing Bingo, Bango, Bongo.

This golfing format allows for players of mixed abilities to play golf, with the idea of pure fun in mind.

That is because the final score does not count.

Instead, points are allocated for firsts – the first player to get closest to the hole, the first golf player to putt out, or the first player to get to the green.

Even if you know people who have never played the game, this version of golf will make them feel included.

Bingo, Bango, Bongo is a great way to play golf and include just about anyone who feels a little competitive.

How Bingo Bango Bongo Points Are Scored

The game of Bingo, Bango, Bongo also goes by the name of Bingo, Bango, Bunco. This points-based competition can be played by 2 to 4 players or by groups of foursomes. The words, Bingo, Bango, and Bongo all represent different levels of achievement, represented as follows:

The Bingo point is the point given for the first golfer to reach the green.
The Bango point is awarded to the player who gets closest to the pin once all the balls have reached the green.
The Bongo point, as you might have already guessed, rewards the player who holes out first.

Order of Play

Because of the way points are awarded, a strict etiquette is followed for Order of Play.

While hole scoring is irrelevant, it does determine honors. This is particularly true on par-3s when the Bingo point is up for grabs.

For example, the player who is farthest away from a hole always plays first. While a player’s individual score does not determine game points, it still, as noted, stipulates honors.

This is especially important to see who tees off first on par threes or drivable par fours.

Betting while Playing Bingo, Bango, Bongo

Betting can be decided on how the players of the game see fit. For example, you might award the winnings by giving each of the points a cash worth and allocating the winnings when you are finished playing the game.

Do I have to be good to play Bingo, Bango, Bongo?

As noted, one of the nice things about playing Bingo, Bango, Bongo is that players of all skill levels can play. Even if there is a huge “gulf” among the skillset of the golfers in a group, a weak golfer can still earn points. This is more easily achieved during the Bango point, or when all the balls have reached the green.

What You Cannot Do

You cannot have tap-outs or gimmes during Bingo, Bango, Bongo.

As one point is given to the player who first holes out; the rules call for following farthest away player to play. A golfer is not allowed to putt out if another golfer is farther from the hole.

If Player A, for instance, ends up lagging their 40-foot putt to a couple feet away, they have to mark their ball and wait for their turn.

Also, it is important to note that a Bango point is only awarded to a player, who gets closest to the pin, after all the golf balls reach the green. Therefore, the Bango point is still good for a golfer who misses the green on his or her approach shot.

For example, say Player A hits their approach to 3 feet from the hole while Player B completely misses the green. Player B still has a chance to get the Bango point if he or she chips the ball closer to the hole than Player A. Therefore, there is a lesson here – Never give up when playing that Bango point!

Winning Double Points in Bingo Bango Bongo

One way to make the Bingo, Bango, Bongo game even more interesting is to award double points to a player who sweeps a hole.

This can sometimes be difficult to accomplish.

For instance, as the player who typically is closest to the pin for the Bango point will not be the first to get the Bongo point, or hole out.

However, if all the players in a group miss their first putt, it places a whole different meaning on things.

Making Golf Scores Count During Bingo, Bango, Bongo

If you prefer to make golf scores count while playing Bingo, Bango, Bongo, you can use a different version that uses handicaps. Therefore, golfers are awarded as follows:

The first player on the green in the fewest strokes gets the Bingo point.
The golfer closest to the pin after all the golf balls reach the green snatches the Bango point.
The golfer who receives the lowest net score.

It’s All About Positioning

Just remember, however you play the game, it is mainly about positioning. At least, that is the strategy to use when trying to win points.

For instance, for the Bango point, it sometimes is simpler to chip the ball close from the fringe of a green than it is to hit the ball from the fairway.

Advancing toward the green is always a better way to ensure winning a point than trying to negotiate a miracle recovery shot.

By advancing the ball, you are using a better strategy.

If you want to receive the Bongo point, you just need to make the putt.

Just put your best roll on the golf ball during this part of game play. Golf scores normally do not matter during Bingo, Bango, Bongo.

Therefore, the only thing that making too many putts will do is possibly deflate your ego.