Popular Game Formats

Match Play

Match play is a classic format where players or teams compete to win individual holes rather than focusing on the total number of strokes. The player or team that wins the most holes wins the match. If you’re 3 up with 2 to play, you’ve won the match. This format emphasizes strategic play and can lead to thrilling finishes. It’s particularly appealing for those who enjoy a more dynamic, head-to-head challenge.

Scramble

A scramble is a team format where each player hits a tee shot, and then the team selects the best shot and all players hit their next shots from that spot. This process continues until the ball is holed. Scrambles are fun because they let players of varying skill levels contribute and ensure that everyone is involved in the game. They’re perfect for social outings or charity events and often lead to some low scores and lots of laughs

Stroke Play

Traditional stroke play involves counting the total number of strokes taken over the entire round. It’s the most common format for tournaments and is straightforward. While it might seem basic, the simplicity of stroke play provides a clear measure of performance and is a great way to gauge your improvement over time

2 Up

This game starts with a traditional 2v2 best ball with teams picked randomly. If any team ever goes 2-up, the match ends and new teams are picked. It’s a fun way to switch up the teams throughout the round while preventing lopsided matches. To add a fun twist, double the bet when a player wins a hole with a birdie and/or every time the match goes from 1-up back to even. So even if you stay in the same match for the whole round, there will be plenty of action.

Hi/Lo

Hi/Lo is a four-person game where players are split into two teams of two with two points available to win each hole. On each hole, the lowest score from each team is compared for one point and the highest score is compared for another point. In case of ties no points are awarded. 

Stapleford

In Stableford, golfers earn points based on the number of strokes it takes to complete each hole relative to par. Typically, you receive 0 points for a score of double bogey or more, 1 point for a bogey, 2 points for par, 3 points for a birdie, and 4 points for an eagle. This game encourages aggressive play since there's less penalty for a poor hole and more reward for good ones. It’s a great way to keep the game enjoyable, especially for players who might be struggling with their form.

Best Ball

In a Best Ball (or Four-Ball) format, each player on a team plays their own ball throughout the round, and the best score among the team members on each hole is used for the team’s score. This format balances individual play with team strategy and allows players to rely on their teammates’ strengths while still showcasing their own skills. It’s ideal for a group of friends or mixed ability levels.

6-6-6

This format is similar in scoring to Best Ball or Nassau but instead of keeping the same teams for the entire round, the round is split up into 3, 6-hole matches with each player playing with a different partner for 6 holes. This allows all players a chance to play with each other and prevents matches that become lopsided.

Bingo, Bango, Bongo

Bingo, Bango, Bongo is a fun and engaging golf game that rewards players for achieving specific accomplishments on each hole. The game assigns points for three different achievements: “Bingo” for being the first player to reach the green, “Bango” for being the closest to the pin once all players are on the green, and “Bongo” for holing out the ball. Players earn a point for each achievement they claim on a hole. For example, if you are the first to hit the green, you get a point for Bingo; if your ball is closest to the pin among those on the green, you get a point for Bango; and if you make the putt first, you get a point for Bongo. At the end of the round, the player with the most points wins. This format encourages various aspects of play and keeps the round competitive and fun for all skill levels