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Golf Game Fomats

Stroke Play Game Format

Stroke play is a popular game format in golf where the objective is to complete a round with the fewest total strokes. Each player's score is determined by counting every stroke taken on each hole, including penalty strokes, throughout an entire round or tournament. Unlike match play, where players compete hole-by-hole, stroke play focuses on the cumulative score for the whole round. This format rewards consistency and skill, as a single poor hole can significantly impact a player's overall standing.

Stroke play is used in most professional golf tournaments, including major championships like The Masters, U.S. Open, and The Open Championship.

Host your own golf getaway and reliving the excitement of The Open, Stroke play is the perfect format to bring out the competitive spirit of your group and crown the ultimate champion of your golf break.

Some destination suggestions for Stroke Play

Match Play Game Format

Surprisingly enough Stroke Play isn’t a popular choice when travelling as a group on a golf break, a more popular format is Match play.

Match play is a golf format where players compete hole-by-hole rather than by total strokes. In this game, each hole is treated as a separate contest, with the player or team taking the fewest strokes to complete the hole winning that hole. The winner of the match is the one who wins the most holes. If a player or team is ahead by more holes than remain to be played, the match ends early, noted by a score such as "3 and 2" (three holes up with two holes remaining).

Unlike stroke play, where every stroke matters for the final score, in match play, a poor hole only results in losing that hole, making it possible to recover quickly. This format encourages strategic and aggressive play and is commonly used in team competitions like the Ryder Cup and Presidents Cup.

Match play is the perfect format for a competitive and strategic golf holiday, where every hole is a new battle, and every shot could turn the tide of the game. Plan your match play golf break, rally your teammates, and feel the excitement of a Ryder Cup-style showdown. Who will lead your team to victory?

Some destination suggestions for Match Play

Stableford Game Format

Stableford is a points-based scoring system in golf where players earn points on each hole based on their performance relative to par. Unlike stroke play, where the total number of strokes is counted, Stableford awards points for scores such as birdies and pars while minimizing penalties for poor holes. Typically, a player earns zero or negative points for double bogeys or worse, one point for a bogey, two points for a par, three points for a birdie, and so on. The goal is to accumulate the highest point total rather than the fewest strokes.

Stableford is a popular format for golfers on a holiday with mates because it keeps the game fun and competitive by rewarding aggressive play without penalizing too harshly for bad holes, allowing everyone to enjoy the round regardless of skill level.

Some destination suggestions for Stableford play

Golf Playing Formats

Foursomes
Also known as alternate shot, is a pairs format where two golfers play as a team using one ball. Players take turns hitting shots, with one player teeing off on odd-numbered holes and the other on even-numbered holes5. This format tests teamwork and adaptability, as each player must cope with the situation their partner leaves them in.

Greensomes
Sometimes called Scotch foursomes, is a variation of foursomes where both players tee off on every hole. The team then chooses the better of the two tee shots and plays alternate shots from that position until the ball is holed. This format allows for more strategic decision-making off the tee.

Four-Ball
Four-Ball is a format where two players compete as a team, but each plays their own ball throughout the round. The team's score for each hole is the lower score of the two partners. This format is often used in match play competitions like the Ryder Cup.

Best Ball
Best Ball and Better Ball are essentially the same as Four-Ball. These terms are often used interchangeably to describe a format where each player in a team plays their own ball, and the lowest score among the team members on each hole counts as the team score.

Scramble
In a Scramble, typically played with four-person teams, all players tee off on each hole. The team then chooses the best shot, and all players play their next shots from that position. This process continues until the ball is holed. Scrambles often allow players to improve their lie by one club length, except in hazards.

Texas Scramble
Texas Scramble is a variation of the standard scramble format. The key difference is that in a Texas Scramble, at least four tee shots from each team member must be used during the round. This ensures that all players contribute to the team's performance off the tee, rather than relying solely on the longest driver.

Golf Games

Skins
In a skins game, each hole is treated as its own mini-competition among golfers. The player who achieves the best score on a hole claims the "skin," which represents either prize money or points. If multiple players tie on a hole, the skin carries over to the next hole, making it worth two skins. As the round continues, it's typical for the value of the skins to rise.

Nassau
The Nassau is a unique format that combines three challenges: achieving the best score on the front nine, the best score on the back nine, and the best overall score for the whole round. This game is one of the most popular among golfers and can be used with any standard scoring method.

Nines
Nines, also known as 9-points, is a type of match play format often where each hole carries a total of nine points. The player who scores the lowest on a hole earns 5 points, the second-lowest gets 3 points, and the third-lowest receives 1 point. If players tie, the points at stake are added together and shared among those involved in the tie. At the end of the round the player with the most points is declared the winner.

Sixes
Sixes, often referred to as Round Robin or Hollywood, is an exciting game designed for four golfers that adds a unique twist to traditional play. In this format, players compete in pairs, going head-to-head in teams of 2 versus 2. The fun really begins as players switch partners after every six holes, ensuring that by the end of the round, everyone has teamed up with each other at least once.

Bingo Bango Bongo
A points-based game for two or more players who earn points by being the first to land on the green (bingo), the closest to the hole (bango), and the first to finish the hole (bongo). The lowest score on a hole earns 2 points, but ties receive no points. The player with the highest total points at the end wins.

Devil-Ball
A thrilling game for four golfers, where each hole has a difficulty ranking from 1 to 18. The hardest hole (rank 1) is worth 1 point, while the easiest (rank 18) is worth 18 points, totaling 171 points. Players can compete individually or in pairs, typically using a two-man best ball format. The player with the lowest score on a hole wins that hole and earns the points; ties carry over to the next hole.

Extra Points within games

  • Sandies: making par after having been in a bunker.
  • Barkies: make a par on a hole after hitting a tree.
  • Arnies: make a par without being the fairway.

Frequently Asked Questions About Golf Game Formats

What are the most common golf game formats?

The most common formats of golf played are Stroke Play, Match Play, Stableford, Scramble & Best Ball.

What is the difference between stroke play and match play?

Stroke Play is the total number of strokes over all holes in a round of golf with the lowest determining the winner whereas in Match Play players compete hole-by-hole, with the winner being the one who wins the most holes.

What is a Stableford scoring system?

Points are awarded based on the number of strokes taken relative to par, this system encourages aggressive play and provides an alternative to traditional stroke counting

How do team golf games like Scramble work?

All team members hit a shot, the team chooses the best shot, all players then hit from that location this continues until the ball is in the hole

Are there golf game variations suitable for beginners?

Best Ball, Scramble & Alternate Shot are good formats for beginners as they are more forgiving and social

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