Columbia Country Club

(Home of the Drummers)

Columbia, Missouri

Origin of the Drum Game. Many believe that the drum game concept was sent to our beloved Commissioner, Charles "Jake" Jacobson, from heaven. There is no question that the game has a religious foundation and Jake is often spellbound by his surroundings. Jerry "Great One" Phelan was a witness to the miracle many years ago but cannot directly explain what occurred due to an alcohol weakness. Anyone who participates agrees there is nothing like the drum game.

Drum Format. Two even numbered teams are established with somewhat similar handicaps, however, the golf handicap is not calculated in determining a player’s score. A player receives a point total on each of the 18 golf holes for an eagle, par, or bogie. Any score higher than a bogie is called a "star" and the guilty party is fined $1.00 for each occurrence during the drum season until 100 have been attained. This accomplishment makes the player star proof. Weekly statistics are furnished by computer scoring, courtesy of Jeff Conner. The star money goes into the capable hands of the Commissioner for safekeeping. What happens to the money will be explained somewhere else in this sacred document.

Money and Points in the Drum Game. Each player earns a point total, which is added to his team’s total. The difference in team points is what each losing member must give to his opponent. That amount is 25 cents per point for the first one hundred and 10 cents for each point above that total.

How Drum Points are Earned. Each earned point is worth 25 cents. Hole #1 is worth 7 points for an eagle,5 for a birdie, 3 for a par, and I for a bogie. Holes 2-5 are worth 14 points for and eagle, 10 for a birdie, 6 for par, and 2 for a bogie. Holes 6-14 are worth 28 points for an eagle, 20 for birdie, 12 for par, and 4 for a bogie. Holes15-18 are worth 56 points for an eagle, 40 for birdie, 24 for par, and 8 for a bogie. A player’s drum total is more important than his golf score. Often, the player with the low golf score loses to his opponent which is only one of the many unique qualities inherent in the sacred DRUM.

Additional Occurrences in a Drum Game. A $5.00 skin game is available for all who wish to participate and so are the numerous side bet opportunities such as best ball.

19th Hole Excitement. The fireside room or patio is filled with numerous drummers waiting to see how the match will climax. Cheering and heckling occurs combined with insults and possibly shady language from some of our younger Drummers. However, when the team points are finalized, you will see each drummer paying or taking from his opponent with honor, pride, and tradition the spoils of battle.

Any male member of Columbia Country Club is eligible to join our game providing they possess the courage and compassion to face the unknown challenges that make the DRUM GAME and its participants the most discussed group at Columbia Country Club and throughout golf circles far and wide. The DRUMMERS gather on Thursdays at 11:00 a.m. and each Saturday and Sunday at 8:00 a.m.

P.S. The star money, usually $2500-3000 dollars goes to finance shirts for each Drummer, an end of the season Starpot Tournament that will be explained in detail upon written request, plus a party where food and all forms of beverage are provided.

Re:  Changing the Drum Game

It seems that every year about this time, we are asked to consider making some radical changes to the rules of the Drum Game.  While all suggestions intended to improve our great game are certainly welcome, there are certain aspects of the game, which by their very existence define the Drum Game, and cannot be changed.

Since most of our current Drummers weren’t around when it started, perhaps this would be a good time to reflect upon the history of the Drum Game, the reasons it was begun, and the thinking behind some of the rules.

When our beloved Commissioner first brought the Drum Game to our club, there was only 1 regular game being played.  No Senior Game, no Bogie Bashers, etc.  You either had your own regular foursome or you played in the “Big Game” at 1:00 on Thursdays and 9:00 on weekends.  Whoever showed up at these times put their ball in a box and threw in $10, $6 for the game and $4 for skins.  The balls were thrown up to pick 4 man teams and you played a gross best ball format.  This wasn’t a lot of fun for the average to high handicap golfer, since you could seldom contribute much to the team score and rarely got a skin.

Thus began the Drum Game—as an alternative format for us hackers.  For several years, in fact, there were no single-digit handicappers in the game.  Eventually, the better golfers began to notice that the Drummers were having a hell of a lot more fun then they were, and the “Big Game” died. 

The primary objective of the Drum Game is to provide a venue whereby, every golfer, regardless of skill level, can enjoy the game, contribute to the team results, and have an equal chance to win.  Probably the most unique aspect of the Drum Game is that we are able to do this without using handicaps.

The defining feature of the Drum Game is the “drum” itself, whereby point values progressively increase throughout the round.  As the game has matured, we have limited the progression and point values to soften the financial exposure, but have remained constant in putting a premium on good play on the final 4 holes.  While some may say that there is too much emphasis on these holes, most agree that this is the best feature of the game. No matter how bad a round a Drummer may be having, he knows that he can make a comeback if he can just get his shit together by no. 15.  Conversely, if he is having a career round, he knows that he must keep his concentration all the way to 18 to really get high points.

Over the years, the Drum Game has been refined many times but the basic structure and objectives are unchanged. To those who argue that this structure is not true to golf, we say:

 “So what?”   It works and we have fun!