Golf Games

Alternate Shot (Foursome)

Alternate Shot format involves teams of 2 golfers. Players from each team alternate shots on each hole throughout 18 holes. Teammates alternate who hits the tee shot on each hole. For instance team 1 with golfers A & B: on hole 1 golfer A tees off, B hits 2nd shot, A hits 3rd shot, then B putts it in, and then on hole 2 B tees off, A hits 2nd, and so on.

Bingo-Bango-Bongo (A.K.A. Confusion)

Individual format for 2, 3, or 4 players. This is a fun game that allows players to be competitive regardless of their handicaps. A player receives a point for each of the following:

First ball on the green = BINGO

Closest to the pin once everyone is on the green = BANGO

First ball in the hole = BONGO

The player that is furthest away must always play first. First on, closest to the pin, and first in determines who wins on each hole. The player to accumulate the most points win. This fun thing about this game is that the final score is irrelevant, and the game is not necessary won by who can golf the lowest score. Perfect game to play when you have a group that has a mix of skill levels.

Bridge

Is a team format for 4 players that requires a bidding strategy by the partners, much like the card game with the same name. The object of the game is for the lowest bidding team to have a combined score equal to, or lower than, the bid. The first team to bid is determined on the first tee. The option to bid first alternates on each hole regardless who wins the bid.

The team that bids first has two options: 1. Bid the number of strokes they believe their team will have on the hole. 2. Pass the bid to the opposing team.

After the first bid is declared, the opposing team has the following three options: 1. Bid a lower score. 2. Pass, which establishes the other teams bid for the hole. 3. Double the point value of the hole. (If you believe your opponents are not capable of scoring equal to or lower than their bid, you have the option to double the point value of the hole.) Bidding continues until the lowest bid is established.

Points are earned as follows: The lowest bidding team earns the point value of the hole, if they score equal to, or lower than the bid. The lowest bidding team loses the point value of the hole, if their combined score is over the bid.

Chairman

Individual format for 3 or 4 players. The first player to win a hole (untied) becomes the Chairman. If the Chairman wins the next hole then the Chairman wins a point from the other players. Should the hole result in a tie there are no points earned and the Chairman keeps the chair. If one of the other players wins a hole, then that player is the new Chairman with no points won or lost for that hole. Players earn points by winning a hole by being Chairman.

Cuts & Snips

Game for 2 or more players who are looking to improve their all around game. Points are awarded for different parts of the game and the player who accumulates the most points wins. Players on the team determine beforehand the actual value to be placed on each point. You can pay everyone with more points than you, or just the winner.

Points are rewarded as follows:

• 1 point for hitting the fairway off the tee1 point for hitting a green in regulation (2 shots less than the par)
• 2 points for hitting a green in less than regulation (2 shots on a par 5)
• 1 point for a par
• 2 points for a birdie
• 4 points for an eagle
• 1 point for a sand save
• -1 point for a 3 putt
• -2 points for a 4 putt

And anything else you want to add!

This game is great if you want to focus on each shot and it will help you keep track of the different parts of your game. This knowledge can then be used to most effectively allocate practice time.

Disaster (A.K.A. Trouble)

A point game for 2, 3, or 4 players where your actual score is not directly relevant. The goal is to collect the least number of ‘disaster points’ possible during a round. Player predetermine a set amount per point. Thus if playing for 25 cents per point, a player accumulating two disaster points owes each of his opponents 50 cents.

Points are rewarded as follows:

• 1 point: Out of Bounds
• 1 point: Water Hazard
• 1 point: Bunker
• 1 point: Three Putt
• 2 points: leaving ball in bunker(take an additional 2 points if you leave the ball in again and so on)
• 2 points: hitting from one bunker to another
• 3 points: Four-Putt
• 4 points: Whiffed Ball/Air Shot

A player can erase all points accumulated on a given hole by making par. This is an excellent game for the intermediate player. Often, such players are feeling pretty smug as their handicaps drop, and they need to be taken down a notch or two. Disaster encourages smart golf (again, not to be confused with fun golf) and might just produce some surprisingly low round for all those would-be daredevils out there.

Eclectic Tournament

An eclectic tournament is a multi-round golf tournament that results in one 18-hole score per player. Golfers compare their scorecards for each round and select the lowest score for each hole. That’s their eclectic score.

An eclectic tournament is also called a ringers tournament, and the final, 18-hole score that results at the end of the eclectic is often called the golfer’s “ringers round” or “ringers score.”

An eclectic tournament can be a stand-alone event contested over consecutive days. More commonly, it is a bonus competition that runs concurrently, over longer time periods, through other, unrelated tournaments.

Although the terms “ringers” and “eclectics” are often used interchangeably, they may differ with the use of handicaps. The term “ringers” is often used for gross scores. “Eclectics” may be used for an event with gross scores, but it is also the preferred term when net scores are used.

Flag Tournament (Tombstone or Last Man Standing)

A Flags tournament is a format in which each golfer starts the round with a designated amount of strokes and plays until they run out. Each golfer in the tournament carries a flag with their name on it as they play and uses it to mark where their final shot landed. The player who makes it through the course the farthest using their designated strokes wins.

The number of strokes a player starts with is determined using the player’s full or partial handicap. For a player with a handicap of 19 they would receive 91 strokes at a par-72 course using full handicaps. When using full handicap there’s a higher probability many golfers will make it through all 18 holes with strokes still left. In that case, players with remaining strokes would return to the 1st tee and continue until they use up all their strokes. Alternatively, after 18 holes players can stop and the golfer with the most strokes left over wins.

In the event of a tie, where multiple players have run out of strokes on the same hole, like the 18th hole, then the player with their final shot closest to the hole wins.

Fourball

Four-Ball, commonly referred to as “better ball,” is a format in which two golfers compete together as a side, with each player playing their own ball. A side’s score for a hole is the lower score of the two partners on that hole. It can be played as gross or net and as stroke play or match play.

When both partners hole out, the lower score is the side’s score for the hole. When only one partner holes out, that partner’s score is the side’s score for the hole. The other partner does not need to hole out.

A player may take any action concerning the partner’s ball that the partner is allowed to take before making a stroke, such as marking the spot of the ball. Partners are allowed to share clubs or play from the same bag if the total number of clubs they have together doesn’t exceed 14, and partners are allowed to provide advice to each other such as club selection.

Conversely, any action taken by the player concerning the partner’s ball or equipment is treated as having been taken by the partner, and the partner is subject to the penalty. For example, a penalty would be applied to the partner’s score if the player causes their partner’s ball to move in the rough or fails to mark the spot of their partner’s ball before lifting it.

Unlike in other formats, the player furthest away from the hole doesn’t necessarily have to play first – rather, each team can play in the order that they determine is best. For example, if “A” and “B” are partners and A is further from the hole, side “A-B” could decide to have “B” play first.

F & T (T & F) 

T&F (or “T and F”) is the name of a golf format that counts nine holes out of your 18-hole round to determine winners. Which nine holes count? The ones that begin with a “T” and an “F.”

There are nine “T” and “F” holes on a golf course, four on the front nine and five on the back nine. Those holes are 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 12, 13, 14 and 15. Holes two, four, twelve, fourteen, etc. — those whose hole numbers, when spelled out, begin with the letter “t” or the letter “f.”

When 3-person or 4-person teams are in play, then the T&F format means that the tournament results are based only on the scores recorded on the t- and f-holes. With 3- or 4-person teams, the scoring format can be anything. Whatever it is, at the end of the rounds the team’s scores on the T&F holes are added up and that determines the tournament placings.

There is a twist, though, when 2-person teams are used for a T&F golf tournament: one partner’s scores are counted on the T&F holes, while the other partner’s scores count on the other nine holes. Each golfer thereby contributes nine scores to the team’s final total.

Which golfer gets the t-and-f-holes, and which gets the other holes? Sometimes that is left up to the teams themselves to decide. Many times, however, tournament organizers make that choice randomly (by, for example, flipping a coin), and the teams don’t know that information until after the round ends.

The T&F format can also be used as a honey pot — a bonus pool — for a golf tournament, rather than as the basis of the tournament standings. T&F similarly works well as a side bet for any group of golfers playing together. A quartet of golf buddies can play 18 holes for an overall wager, but also have a side bet or small side pot riding on just the T&F holes.

Greenies

Individual format for 2, 3, or 4 players. Greenies is a game played on the courses par 3’s. The player who’s tee shot is on the green closest to the pin wins the greenie. The point value of each greenie is determined prior to the round. Greenies can be played with or without carryovers.

Las Vegas (A.K.A. Vegas)

Team format for 4 players played by one twosome against another and is an alternative to four-ball. On each hole, the team players arrange their two scores to make the lowest possible 2-digit number.

Example: If Player A makes a net 4 and her partner makes a new 5, the scores would be combined (low number first) and their team score would be 45. If the other team’s score was 47 (a net 4 and a net 7) the first team would win the hole by two point. The rare time when a player makes a net 10 or higher, the high number goes first when combining the scores. 47-45=2. Team A would win 2 points for the hole.

Variation:

• If both players on a team fail to make Net Par or better, that team’s high score automatically goes first. You can use Net Bogey or higher if this fits your group better.

If a player makes a birdie or better, the other team’s high score automatically goes first.

Low Ball

Low ball – Low total

Team format for 4 players. This is a two member team game played in a foursome. There are two points available per hole. Low Ball = 1 point; Low Total = 1 point. No points for ties.

Low ball – High ball

Team format for 4 players. This is also a two member team game played in a foursome, where there are two points available per hole. The two teams compare their low ball score and their best high ball score on each hole. Low Ball = 1 point; The lower of the high ball = 1 point. No points for ties.

Match Play

Match play is a hole-by-hole competition where the golfer who makes the best score on the individual hole wins that hole. The player who wins the most holes throughout the match is the winner. In match play you are going up against your opponent in head to head competition.

Money Ball (Lone Ranger)

Known by a variety of names such as Money Ball, Lone Ranger, Pink Ball, or Yellow Ball. It is played with teams of four, on each hole one team member is designated to use the ‘Money Ball.’ The money ball position is rotated throughout the round; so player A starts with it at the 1st hole, B on the 2nd, C on the 3rd, D on the 4th, and then back to A on the 5th, etc. Some tournaments may in fact designate a special ball, like a colored ball, as the money ball.

For Money Ball, the team takes two scores per hole to count towards the team score, one of which must be the score of the golfer using the money ball. So each hole the team’s score will be that of the money ball player and the lowest score of the other three. The team with the lowest total team score at the end of the round wins.

Nassau

Individual or team format for 2, 3, or 4 or more players. This is a very popular game that can be played between individuals or teams. In a Nassau there are three matches. The front nine holes make up the first match, the back nine another, and the 18 hole total making the third match.

The point value of each match is equal and is determined prior to the round. This game can be played match play or medal (stroke play).

Nines

Individual format for 3 players. Each hole has a total point value of nine points. Players earn points as follows:

5 points: Best Score3 points: Second Best Score

1 point: Worst (highest) Score

In the case of two players tying for best score, the first and second points are split evenly between the two tied players. 5+3=8. The two tied players get 4 points each. When two players tie for high score, the second and third points are evenly split between the tied players. 3+1=4. The tied players get 2 points each. If all three players tie for best score, each player gets 3 points.

Odds and Evens 

Odds and Evens is actually two different formats, depending on the number of players.

Version 1: Alternate Name for Alternate Shot

“Alternate shot” is one of the basic team competition formats in golf, and Odds and Evens is often just another name for alternate shot.

An Odds and Evens tournament of this sort begins with the golfers on a 2-person team deciding which of them tees off on the even-numbered holes and which tees off on the odd-numbered holes. Sometimes the golfers themselves get to make that decision; other times (depending on instructions from tournament organizers) that decision is made randomly by drawing lots or some similar method.

On each hole, the golfers alternate playing shots. Let’s say Golfer A is the driver on odd-numbered holes. So on Hole 1, Golfer A plays the tee shot. Golfer B then hits the second shot. Then it’s back to A for stroke three, B for stroke four, and so on until the ball is holed. The two golfers on the team alternate playing the strokes, until holing out.

The alternative name for this format of “Odds and Evens” is just a reflection that one of those golfer hits all the even-numbered drives, while the other plays all the odd-numbered drives.

A group of four golfers can also pair off into 2-person teams and play this version of Odds and Evens among themselves, either as stroke play or match play.

Version 2: 4-Person Teams, Low Balls

This version of Odds and Evens can actually be played by 2-person and 3-person teams, too, but 4-person teams are most common. This version of Odds and Evens has nothing to do with alternate shot. Instead, it is a form of best ball.

On each hole, all four members of the team play their own ball into the hole. So all four team members are playing standard stroke play. But how many of those scores count for the team? That’s where the odds and evens come in.

In this version of Odds and Evens, the one low score among team members counts for the team score on odd-numbered holes; and the two low scores are combined for the team score on even-numbered holes. (Or vice-versa — tournament organizers will instruct you.)

If Golfer A scores 6, Golfer B makes a 5, C has a 4 and D has a 7, what is the team score? If they made those scores on an odd hole (such as Hole 1, Hole 3, etc.), then the team score is 4 — the one low score (or best ball) counts. If those scores were made on an even-numbered hole, the team scores is 9 — Golfer C’s 4 is added to Golfer B’s 5 (two low scores, or the two best balls).

Peoria System

The Peoria System is a type of 1-day handicapping system for tournaments which can be used when most golfers don’t have established handicaps. Players use the Peoria system after their round to determine a handicap allowance that will be applied to their score.

The golfers’ 1-day handicap using the Peoria System is based on their score over six holes, which are secretly determined by the tournament committee. The holes selected are typically two par 3s, two par 4s and two par 5s, usually one of each from the front and back nine. Golfers competing in the tournament are unaware of which holes were selected until they’ve competed their round.

Once rounds are completed, players present their normal stroke play score, except that double par is the maximum score one can get on a hole. Once all players have finished the six holes selected for the Peoria system are unveiled. Each golfer totals up their scores for the six holes, that number is then tripled, then course par is subtracted from the total; the number is then multiplied by 80%. This is the golfer’s handicap allowance. The allowance gets deducted from the golfers 18 hole score becoming their net Peoria System score.

Here’s an example: A golfer closes his 18 holes with a score of 90. Their total for the six Peoria holes is 30. 30 tripled, or multiplied by three, is 90. 90 minus par 72 is 18. 80% of 18 is 14, rounding off the number. So 14 is the handicap allowance for this golfer. His 18 hole score of 90 is then subtracted by 14 and his resulting Peoria System score is 76.

Pinehurst (Chapman)

The Chapman, or Pinehurst, System is a tournament format involving 2-person teams. Chapman merges the styles of several formats into one. To start, each team member takes a tee shot, then teammates switch balls and play each other’s drives. The team then selects the best of their second shots and plays from that spot, the player whose shot wasn’t selected must play the third shot; this means teams may choose their best ball based on who’ll hit the next shot. After the third shot the team alternates shots until the ball is holed.

Here’s an example: Player A & B are on a team, A & B both tee off, A then hits B’s tee shot and B hits A’s tee shot. A and B select which is the best of their 2nd shot, in this example they decide to go with B. A now has to hit the 3rd shot from B’s spot. The players alternate shots and B hits the next shot, then A, and so on, until they make it in the hole.

Quota (A.K.A. Chicago)

This format involves the use of a “quota points”. Before the round, each player determined their quota based upon her handicap. The maximum quota at WCC is 36 points. So, a one handicap has a quota of 35. A two handicap has a quota of 35, etc. A 30 handicap has a quota of 6.

During the round, award yourself points as follows:

• 1 point: For each Bogey
• 2 points: For each Par
• 4 points: For each Birdie
• 8 points: For each Eagle

After the round, the golfer who most exceeds her quota wins the game. If nobody achieves quota, then the winner is the golfer who came closest.

Variation:

Another way of playing the game only works if everyone has a valid handicap. The calculations for each hole are as follows:

* 1 point for each bogey; 2 points for each par; 4 points for each birdie; 8 points for each eagle

Mind you, these points are awarded based upon your ‘gross’ for the hole, not your ‘net’. Now add your full GHIN Handicap Index. Do not convert to a course-specific handicap. The sum is your score for the round and is compared to everyone else to see who won. Highest score wins.

Round Robin or 6’s

Team format for 4 players. Round Robin, or 6,6 and 6 as it is sometimes called, is played in foursome in which the two player teams change partners after every six holes. The round is divided into three 6 hole matches which allows each player to play with a different partner in each of the three matches. (Can determine who’s teamed together for first six holes by pairing players who hit longest and closest drives on first hole.

Ryder Cup

The Ryder Cup is an international tournament between the United Kingdom and the United States. The format of Ryder Cup can be adopted by tournament organizers. The Ryder Cup consists of 2 teams of 12 players each and is typically played over 3 days. The Ryder Cup involves a set of eight Alternate Shot matches, eight Four Ball matches, and 12 singles matches. Each match is played as match play. A point is awarded for each match won. The team with the most points at the conclusion wins.

Scramble

In a scramble, each team member will hit a tee shot and the best drive is selected. The other team members will move their balls to the selected drive and all play the second shot from this location. The best second shot is selected and the procedure is repeated until the ball is holed out. Long ball hitters are an advantage in this game, however, short game skills are necessary to post a competitive score. Since putting plays a big part in a scramble, every team member can make a contribution.

Florida Scramble

A modified scramble format which demands somewhat more strategy than a regular scramble, in which the same player’s shot may not be selected on two consecutive shots.

Selected Score

In this game, each golfer plays 36 holes. Each then arrives at a final score by combining the two rounds, selecting the best net score from each of the 18 holes. The winner is the player with the lowest total. This format is usually played with two-thirds or three-fourths handicap. Selected score is a fun, leisurely format to use over a weekend or two separate days of golf, although some fanatics pack it all into one day.

Shamble

Golf format where each member of a foursome hits a tee shot and the best drive of the team is selected. From the spot of the selected tee shot, each player in the foursome hits their second shot and continues to play their own ball to finish out the hole. Each player’s individual score is recorded and points are earned as follows:

• 1 point: Par
• 2 points: Birdie
• 3 points: Eagle
• 4 points: Double Eagle

The individual points are added together to make the team score for the hole. Players use their handicap, and points earned are based on net scores of each individual player. This gives each team member the opportunity to contribute regardless of skill level.

Skins

Individual or Team format which can be played with any size group. The player who has the lowest score (untied) on a hole wins a skin. One tie, all tie, results in no skins being won for that hole. The Skins game can be played with carryovers. If no skins are won on a hole then they can be added (carryover) to the next hole.

For Example: Should there be a tie for five consecutive holes then the next hole would be worth six skins. The point value of each skin is determined before the round. The Skins game is one of the more popular games because it can be played by any size group.

Stableford

The Stableford format is a stroke play tournament that can be played as an individual or team event using a points system in which the goal is to gain the highest score. A Stableford uses a points system established in the Rules of Golf, under rule 32, and are as follows:

• More than 1 over fixed score (or no score returned) – 0 points [Double Bogey or Worse]
• One over fixed score – 1 point [Bogey]
• Fixed score – 2 points [Par]
• One under fixed score – 3 points [Birdie]
• Two under fixed score – 4 points [Eagle]
• Three under fixed score – 5 points [Double Eagle]
• Four under fixed score – 6 points

The golfer or team who has the highest score after 18 holes is the winner. A Modified Stableford is where you play using a points system other than those set in the Rules of Golf. For example, a past PGA Tour event The International used the following scale:

• Double Eagle: 8 points
• Eagle: 5 points
• Birdie: 2 points
• Par: 0 points
• Bogey: -1 point
• Double Bogey or Worse: -3 points

In a Modified Stableford if handicaps aren’t being used, the points system may be skewed to give every player a fair chance. By categorizing players into flights based upon skill level you can then assign each flight their own point values. For instance, better players in flight A will be awarded 0 points for par while weaker players in flight B will be awarded 1 point for par.

Trifecta

Individual format for 2, 3, or 4 players. On the last three holes of each nine, players hitting the trifecta earn one point. The trifecta consists of the following:

• Hitting the tee shot in the fairway, and
• Hitting the green in regulation, and
• Holing out in two strokes or less

Twosome Best Ball

Team format for 4 players. Played with two players on a team, each playing their own ball. The team is allowed to use the lowest of their two scores on each hole. This game can be played medal (stroke play) or match (team winning the most holes wins the match).

U

V

Wolf

Team format for 4 players. A game in which the players in a foursome establish a tee off order on the first tee and rotate that same order throughout the round. The player that tees off first is the Wolf. The players take turns playing the Wolf based on the rotation of the established tee off order. The Wolf has the following options:

1. Choose one of the other three players as a partner for the hole (see example), or
2. Play the hole alone against the other three players.

Example: The Wolf would tee off first. The second player in the rotation tees off next. Based on the results of the second players drive, the Wolf has the option to select the second player as a partner or pass. (Here is where the strategy begins). Once the third player hits their tee shot, the second player is no longer eligible as a partner for the Wolf. Likewise, once the fourth player hits their drive, the third player is no longer eligible as a partner for the Wolf. Once the fourth player tees off, the Wolf must select the fourth player as a partner for the hole, or play the hole alone against the other three players. Wolf can be played low ball or low total.

Points are earned as follows:

• Winning team: 2 points each player-Wolf plays alone and wins: Wolf earns 3 point
• Wolf plays alone and one player beats Wolf: All players earn 2 points except Wolf
• No points earned for ties

If you enjoy games that involve strategy, try Wolf, it will become one of your favorites.

X

Y

Z

3 IN 1

Team format for 4 players where there are two players on each team. The teams remain the same throughout the entire round. The round is divided into three segments of six holes each. The type of game changes after each six hole segment.

Example:

• The first 6 holes could be a two player best ball.
• The next 6 holes could be low ball- low total.
• The last 6 holes could be played as a two person scramble.

This is a format which allows the players to experience a variety of games during the round.

978-468-4714 – T (A.K.A. TRIPLES)

Individual format for 3 or 4 players where each hole has a total point value of 12 points.

Players earn points as follows:

• 6 points: Best Score4 points: Second Best Score
• 2 points: Third Best Score
• 0 points: Worst (highest) score (Only applies if 4 players)

In the case of a tie for best score between two players, the first and second points are evenly split. The two tied players would get 5 points each. Should 3 players tie for best score, the first, second, and third points are evenly split. The three tied players would get 4 points each. If all four players tie for best score, they split the 12 points evenly. Ties for second best score or for high score are split in the same manner.