Understanding Junk (Dots & Side Bets) in Golf

In golf, Junk (often called garbage, dots, trash, or side action) refers to a collection of minor achievements or penalties that occur throughout a round. Each item is worth a "dot" (or point), which carries a pre-set dollar value (e.g., $1 per dot). Because dots are scored on a hole-by-hole basis on top of the main game (like Nassau or Skins), they add constant action and excitement to every shot, even when a player is out of the hole's primary match.

Popular Dots Supported by Settle the Card

Settle the Card supports the three most common and widely played dot formats:

1. Greenies (Closest to the Pin)

A Greenie is awarded to the player whose tee shot is closest to the pin on a designated hole, under two strict conditions:

• On the Green: The shot must come to rest on the green in regulation (typically on Par 3 holes).
• Par or Better: The player **must record a score of par or better** on the hole to claim the dot. If the player three-putts for a bogey, the Greenie is washed (lost) for that hole.

If no player lands on the green on a par 3, or if the closest player bogeys, no Greenie is awarded on that hole.

2. Sandies (Up-and-Down from Sand)

A Sandie is awarded to any player who successfully makes par or better on any hole after hitting their ball into a sand bunker. To claim the dot, the player must get "up-and-down"—meaning they hit the ball out of the bunker and sink the putt (or chip in) in two strokes or fewer to save par. Hitting into a bunker, splashing out, and two-putting for a bogey does not earn a Sandie.

3. The Snake (Three-Putt Penalty)

The **Snake** is a negative dot (penalty) that targets poor putting. It operates as a hot-potato game on the greens:

• The first player in the group to card a **three-putt (or worse)** inherits the Snake.
• The Snake stays with that player until another golfer in the group three-putts, at which point the Snake is immediately passed to the new offender.
• The player who is **unfortunate enough to be holding the Snake at the end of the 18th hole** pays a penalty amount (often multiplied by the number of three-putts recorded by the entire group during the round) to each of the other players.

In Settle the Card, the Snake value is configured as a negative point value (e.g. -1 point) and is subtracted from the holder's dots at the end of the round, automatically reflected on the ledger.

Customizing Dot Values

On the Setup tab under "Junk Scoring", players can configure wagers per point and customize how many points each dot type is worth. For instance, a group might play with a $1.00 base dot, but decide that a Greenie is worth 2 points ($2), a Sandie is worth 1 point ($1), and holding the Snake is a -3 point penalty (-$3).

Scoring Dots in Settle the Card

Settle the Card makes tracking junk easy. When entering hole scores on the Scorecard tab, tapping a player's box opens the **Score Drawer**. Along with entering stroke numbers, you can toggle Greenie, Sandie, and Snake markers. The app tracks who currently holds the Snake and totals all dots dynamically in the Settle tab ledger.