MATCHUPS vs 18Birdies for Golf Side Bets
MATCHUPS vs 18Birdies for buddies trip side bets. Which games each scores, team play, awards, platforms and price, from each app's own pages.
Disclosure: this site is made by the MATCHUPS team. Facts about other apps come from their own pages, checked in November 2026.
If your trip is built around bets, the app has to score your games. That is the whole question here.
We make MATCHUPS. Facts about 18Birdies come from its own help center and site, checked in November 2026.
The short answer
- Pick 18Birdies for the longest list of side games, including Nassau, Wolf, Vegas and Dots, or if anyone is on Android.
- Pick MATCHUPS for a two-team trip of 4, 8 or 12 on iPhone that plays Skins, Hammer, High/Low or Low/Low, and wants awards and a lock-screen scoreboard.
Games each app scores
| Game | MATCHUPS | 18Birdies |
|---|---|---|
| Skins | Yes | Yes |
| Match | Yes | Yes |
| Hammer | Yes, side game | Not in its listed side games |
| High/Low | Yes | Not in its listed side games |
| Low/Low | Yes | Not in its listed side games |
| Nassau | No | Yes |
| Wolf | No | Yes |
| Vegas | No | Yes |
| Dots | No | Yes |
| Points, Sixes, Rolling Stroke, Targets | No | Yes |
18Birdies' help center lists ten side games: Skins, Nassau, Match, Points, Dots, Wolf, Vegas, Sixes, Rolling Stroke and Targets. It notes that available games can vary by app version, setup and number of players.
Side by side
| MATCHUPS | 18Birdies | |
|---|---|---|
| Platforms | iPhone + Apple Watch | iPhone, Android, Wear OS |
| Price | Free download. Hosting free for 4, $49.99 one-time for 8 or 12 | Free tournaments. Optional Premium |
| Team trips | Two equal teams of 4, 8 or 12, 1 to 5 rounds | Tournaments; leagues roll into season standings |
| Live view | Lock-screen scoreboard | Live leaderboards |
| Extras | End-of-trip awards, AI pro-style headshots, GPS | Free handicap, side games alongside your main score |
For a Nassau or Wolf group
If your group plays Nassau every round, or loves Wolf, 18Birdies is the clear pick. MATCHUPS does not support either.
For a Hammer group
Hammer is a buddies-trip favorite. MATCHUPS scores it as a side game. It is not in 18Birdies' listed side games. If Hammer is your game, MATCHUPS fits.
Learn the rules in our Hammer guide.
For a team trip
MATCHUPS is built around two equal teams over one to five rounds. Points and games roll up across the trip. End-of-trip awards and AI pro-style headshots wrap it up.
18Birdies runs tournaments and adds side games on top of a round's main scoring. Its help center says side games do not replace your main scorecard. They add a separate competition.
Phones
18Birdies runs on iPhone and Android, plus Wear OS. MATCHUPS is iPhone and Apple Watch only.
Price
Both are free to download. 18Birdies tournaments are free, with an optional Premium. MATCHUPS hosting is free with 4 players and a one-time $49.99 for 8 or 12.
Who should pick which
| Your group | Better fit |
|---|---|
| Plays Nassau or Wolf | 18Birdies |
| Anyone on Android | 18Birdies |
| Plays Hammer and High/Low | MATCHUPS |
| 8-person two-team trip on iPhone | MATCHUPS |
| Wants end-of-trip awards | MATCHUPS |
| Wants as many games as possible | 18Birdies |
Neither app is a payment app
Both apps track results. Neither settles money for you. Use a pot or a payment app. See how to settle golf bets.
What MATCHUPS does not do
No Android. No Nassau, Wolf or Stableford. No GHIN sync. No uneven teams.
Bottom line
Most games and any phone: 18Birdies. Two-team iPhone trip with Hammer, High/Low and awards: MATCHUPS.
Compare all the options on our golf buddies trip app comparison.
Full disclosure: The 19th Hole Gazette is made by the MATCHUPS team. MATCHUPS runs Skins, the Hammer and team games on iPhone and Apple Watch. Get it on the App Store · matchupsgolf.com
FAQ
Which golf app has the most side bets?
18Birdies lists ten side games, including Nassau, Wolf, Vegas and Dots.
Does MATCHUPS have Hammer?
Yes. MATCHUPS scores Hammer as a side game, along with Skins, High/Low and Low/Low.
Is 18Birdies on Android?
Yes. 18Birdies lists iPhone, Android and Wear OS.