I know of a game that really rocks. I don't know how well known it is. Probably not at all in disc golf. I borrowed it from a ball golf game. It combines the best of singles, doubles, skins, and partner picking element that adds strategy. It is called PIG. It is similar to WOLF, but I think it has more depth, and is more fun, for me. The main difference is that PIG is a game in which singles scores can be kept in addition to team scores and individual points scores (skins).
The order of play on the first tee is random. Flip for it; it isn't so important as to needing another way to determine the order. Player will follow this order throughout the game, but the order will "rotate." From front to back, meaning that the first player to throw will throw second on the next hole and the last player to shoot will throw first on his next hole.
The player who throws LAST is the "PIG" for the hole. This player views the previous players' drives, and one by one decides whether he wants to team up with this thrower or not. Once a player is "passed" they cannot be picked for a partner. If all players have thrown and all have been passed, the pig has decided to "pig" the hole. The hole is worth 2 points/ skins, rather than one. The main difference from wolf is that the pig throws last, instead of first.
When the pig picks a partner, it is he and his partner vs. the rest of the players. The total score (or average score) is taken for the hole for both teams. For example, if team A shot a 3 and a 3, while team B shot 3 and a 4, team A would win the hole. The "total" score would be 6 to 7. The "average" score would be 3.0 to 3.5. Regardless, team A wins 1 skin for winning the hole. That means that each player on team A gets 1 skin.
When a player "pigs" a hole, it is he vs. the rest of the players. His score is compared to the BEST of his competitors' scores. This hole is worth double skins/ points. If the pig loses, each of his opponents earns 2 skins, regardless of who is was that beat him.
Since it is rare that one player can beat everyone else on a given hole, players will want to pair up. IMO, the game is superior to Wolf in this matter. In Wolf, the "wolf" goes first and decides after the shot whether or not he wishes to "wolf" the hole. If he doesn't he won't have the opportunity again, and may get "stuck" with a bad partner at the end of the throwing order. In addition, the game seems more interesting when the "pig" doesn't have the advantage of being able to see his own shot before picking. Some play Wolf with an option of "blind wolf." The first player, or wolf, can decide if he will QUADUPLE the skins and take on the crowd, BEFORE seing his own shot. Since he has not seen the shots to follow and is competing against the even more formidible "best shot" format, it truly is a ridiculous idea to "cry wolf." Pig seems both less confusing, and more versatile when you truly compare them.
This quadruple skin/ "blind wolf" business would only be benificial to players who have a significant skill advantage on the other players. I have played this game in ball golf and won the most skins (for money) against 3 other players with much more skill than myself. Picking the partner can be a significant part of the game. I would say that this is more the case with harder courses, which have more variation in scoring for any given hole. This makes it much more interesting when picking partners.
The game cannot be played with less than four players. Four players runs very smoothly assuming everyone understands the game. 5 works fine. 6 or more I haven't tried, but theoretically, it should work out alright. With more than 4 players, there one decision that could be made based on preference. Since I haven't played that much with more than 4 players, I'll describe 2 different ways to play which both seem fun.
When the last thrower decides to "pig" the hole, it is the same as in 4 man Pig. Him vs. the best other score. When he picks a partner, however, it will not be 2 vs. 2. It will be him and his partner vs. the rest. That is 2 vs. 3 or more. The decision is.... should the opposing team take the 2 best scores for the hole, or take the team's "average" score for the hole. The pig's team is taking the average for the hole either way. I think the 2 best scores would be preferable (puts more pressure on the pig's team) and less confusing. This is something that should be decided before the round with groups of 5 or more.
When the game is over, the skins are added and paid out just like skins. Players who want to keep track of their individual scores can do so also (could be a side bet) with little to distract them. Though the game is played with partners, it is done so with a singles format in which every score counts. Only in special (desperate) situations will a player on a team want to run at a shot that he normally wouldn't.
Does this game sound like fun? Most people don't want to listen to more than 15 secs. worth of instruction for a new game, so they stick to doubles. In play, I have found that this game adds a lot of excitement, not confusion. It may sound complicated here, but only because I have tried to COMPLETELY describe the game!
What other formats have you all tried?
