Whether competing at a high level in a tournament or just organizing a small tournament with your friends, everyone can find a type of golf format they enjoy. This article will talk about the different types of golf formats and the fundamentals of each format.

1. Match Play

Fans of the Ryder Cup will know this type, where each hole is played separately and can be won, lost, or tied. In match play, players compete against each other one hole at a time. The objective is to win more holes than the other player. 

To win in match play, one player needs to be ‘holes ahead’. For instance, winning a match "5&4" signifies that one player is five holes ahead with only four holes remaining, making it impossible for the opponent to recover. Similarly, a "10&8" result means a player has secured a ten-hole lead with eight holes left, deciding the winner well before all 18 holes are kicked off. This format is best for the competitors who enjoy competition against each other either in a team or single player.

Also Check: Match Play Rules and Winning Tactics for Golf.

2. Stroke Play

This is one of the oldest and probably the easiest types of golf formats. The stroke play format is applied in four major golf tournaments: The Masters, the PGA Championship, and the Open Club.

Count how many times you hit the ball from the starting point to the hole. After finishing the last hole, all those scores will be added together to get a total score. In gross stroke play, used in most professional tournaments, the winner is the player who finished a course with the least number of strokes. In net stroke play, players subtract their playing handicap from their gross total score after the round; the lowest adjusted score will win. This golf format lets golfers of different skill levels compete fairly.

3. Scramble

Scramble tournaments are the most popular golf formats for 4 players, and there is a good reason for that. This format makes it easy and relaxed for golfers to have fun while letting golfers of all skill levels participate.

The regulations for this scramble format are quite simple. Groups of 2 or more players play as a team and every player hits his ball from the tee on each hole. The team selects the best shot from all players. Then, every player places his ball within one club length of the best ball to take his next shot. This series continues until one player sinks the ball in the hole, and the aggregate number of best shots becomes the score for that hole.

4. Skins Game

A skins game is a golf tournament format in which each hole is worth money or “skin.” The value of each skin is commonly set by the number of players in the tournament and the total prize money. This means in a tournament of four players, a $100 prize, every skin could be worth $25. The winner of each hole gets the skin, and if there is a tie, the skin goes to the next hole. Golfers can play skins games with any number of players, but they are typically played among small groups of mates or co-players.

Skins games are popular betting games where each player usually pays their own money into the pot. At the end of a round, the player with more skins (and more dollars) wins.

5. Shamble

In a shamble, every team member takes their first shot, and then the team picks the best one. After that, each player plays their own ball for the rest of the hole. The team uses the lowest score on each hole.

A shamble is a good way to have a fun and easy-going round of golf with friends. It helps everyone play on more equal ground and makes it more likely that all players will get a few good shots during the game. Also, because it focuses on the low score, it can still be a competitive round. So if you want a format that combines a regular game and a scramble, try this shamble. It mixes individual play with teamwork creating a fun and somewhat competitive choice.

6. Stableford

This is a unique tournament of 2 man golf formats because it reverses the traditional objective of low scores to high scores. Stableford awards points for each score against par. For example, a birdie receives 2 points, while a par receives 1 point. This scoring makes the game faster because a double bogey or worse will receive the same points. Therefore, players can simply pick up their ball and go to the next hole. Stableford also has two different scoring systems that can be adapted to the expertise level of the players; Traditional Stableford and Modified Stableford.

7. Best Ball

Also called "Better Ball", this golf format is played with teams of 2 to 4 players. It can be played as a match or stroke play. Each member of the team plays his ball throughout the game. After each hole, the score for the team on that hole is the lowest score from each team member. At the end of the 18 holes, the team with the lowest total score wins. Good players, those with low handicaps, or scratch players can play by themselves against a team of 2 or 3 people if they choose the best ball format.

8. Foursome/Alternate Shot

The term “Alternate Shot” comes from taking turns hitting the ball. It is for teams of 2 players, and players from each team take turns on every hole for all 18 holes. Team members switch who hits the first shot on each hole. For example, in team 1 with golfers A and B, on hole 1, player A starts by hitting the ball, B takes the second shot, A hits the third, and they keep switching in that manner. This foursome playing format is usually used at the more traditional golf clubs.

9. Four-Ball

In this team-based setup, two players go head-to-head using an improved ball-scoring method, which works for both stroke play and match play. During the game, each player uses their own ball.

In the match-play version, the player who scores the lowest on a hole wins that hole and gains a point for their team. The team that earns the most points by the end of the round wins. In stroke play, the score of each hole by the team is the lowest score made by one of its members. The team that records the lowest total score at the end of the round wins.

10. Bingo Bango Bongo

Bingo Bango Bongo is a style of golfing that can be enjoyed by players with different skills. The name of this format comes from the noise a ball creates when it hits a tree, bounces on the ground, and then rolls into the hole (bingo-bango-bongo).

In this variation, each hole has points that are assigned to the holes, and the player who has the most points when the round is complete wins. There are a variety of ways to accumulate points, but the most common is getting one point for being closest to the hole with the tee shot. Also, earn one point for getting the ball on the green first and one point for sinking the putt first.

11. Chapman or Pinehurst

This format has teams of two who compete against each other and works like a mix of best ball and alternate shot. Each golfer on the team hits their first shot, then they switch balls for the second shot. After the second shot, they pick the best ball and take turns hitting it until they get the ball in the hole.

Though it looks rather complex, the format works ideally for two golfers having diverse abilities. It creates a fair playing field so that all the players can play in this tournament regardless of skill level. This format can also be played either as a Match or a Stroke play event, providing golfers with more options to organize the game.

Also Check: How long it takes to complete nine holes of golf?

Conclusion

You can use different types of golf formats in the tournaments to enhance the game experience for players of any level. From Stroke Play to Stableford, there will be formats of golf tournaments to fill your needs. Go out, participate in a tournament, and enjoy some competitive golf!