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Match Play
This is a hole-by-hole competition where the player with the best score on a single hole wins that hole. This format is opposite to stroke play. Ultimately, the player who has won the most holes in the match is declared the winner. You stand against your opponent in a head-to-head competition instead of going on a round-by-round basis. Remember that you can participate in a matchplay competition either as an individual or as a team. The Ryder Cup is the most popular event in the PGA Tour, which uses a match play format.
Stroke Play
It takes place on an 18-hole course. The winner is the player with the lowest overall score after all 18 holes in a cumulative score competition. In stroke play, you go up against the course and try to outperform your opponents. The stroke play is essentially a hole-by-hole competition, the opposite of match play, since you are competing against the whole 18-hole course.
Stroke play is considered ideal for all types of events, whether it’s a 9-hole golf tournament format or ladies tournament format. From facing the tough challenges of the PGA or the strategic courses of the DP World Tour, every shot directly impacts the score in this format.
Foursome
Also known as alternate shot, this format consists of two-player teams. Players from each team alternate shots on each hole throughout the 18 holes. They take turns to hit the same ball on each hole. One player tees off on odd-numbered holes, and the other on even-numbered holes. The foursome format requires a close understanding between partners, as they not only have to cope with their own game but also create favourable shots for each other. This smart and challenging type is more commonly found at traditional golf clubs.
Stableford
Stableford scoring is a points-based system that makes individual holes playable rather than focusing on the overall stroke count. Players receive points based on their score relative to par on each hole. For example, a bogey would equal one point, a par two points, a birdie three points, and so on. When the scores for the whole round are finalised, the player or team with the most points wins at the end of the round. This format is a relief for high-handicap players, as a bad hole doesn’t significantly impact the overall score.
Scramble
People also name it "Texas Scramble" or "Florida Scramble". Golf scramble format variations are most commonly used in team tournaments. It involves 2 to 4 players, where each player hits off the tee on every hole. After the first shots, the team picks the best shot from their group, and then each team member plays their next shot from that spot. This continues for all shots on that hole, including putts. A player can put the ball within one club-length of the best shot spot but not closer to the hole.
Best Ball
Best Ball, also known as Better Ball, adds a team element to golf tournaments. Each player in a team of 2, 3, or 4 plays their own ball, but the lowest score on each hole counts for the team's total. All other scores on that hole are ignored. This scoring method is perfect for two-on-two matches. You can also set up a game with one player taking on three others, where the lowest score will count. It is a flexible scoring system that plays to certain strengths and weaknesses depending on the hole.
Four-Ball
The four-ball golf format works similarly to best ball, but teams include two players or at least four people. Each golfer plays their own ball, and the team's score comes from the lower of the two scores on each hole. When two players get the same score on a hole, that hole ends in a tie. It blends solo play with team strategy, making it a big hit in both club games and pro events.
Skins Game
This type is characterised by money or "skin" attached to each hole. The number of members in the competition and the entire prize pool determine the value of skins. For instance, the value per skin can be $25 in a four-player tournament with a total prize of $100. The player who wins the hole takes the skin, and the skin is moved to the next hole in case of a tie.
Modified Stableford
This points-based scoring system is different from traditional stroke play. The same scoring approach is used in the Barracuda Championship format, where aggressive play is rewarded. More points are awarded for birdies and eagles, and fewer points are given for bogeys and worse. Modified stableford format can lead to dramatic shifts in the leaderboard, as players are encouraged to take calculated risks.
Also Read: Match Play Rules and Winning Tactics for Golf
Shamble
Each player on a team hits from the tee in a shamble, then the team picks the best shot. After that, every player uses his or her own ball for the remainder of the hole. The lowest score on that hole is recorded for the team.
Although it somewhat equalizes the competition, it increases the chances that everyone will have at least a couple of good shots during the game. And it’s still possible to have a competitive round, as it is based on the low score.
Chapman
Also referred to as "Pinehurst," it consists of teams with two players. Chapman combines the features of various formats into one. Both members hit a tee shot, then the partners swap balls and play each other's drives. Then the team picks the best of their second shots and plays from there. The player whose shot was not picked has to hit the third shot, which means teams can select their best ball based on who will take the next shot. The alternating shot rule applies after the third shot until the ball is holed.
Bingo Bango Bongo
The name of this format is based on the sound that a ball makes when it strikes a tree, comes back to the ground, and rolls into the hole (bingo-bango-bongo). The primary rule is that each hole is worth a certain number of points, and the player with the most points at the end of the round wins. Points can be scored in various ways, but the popular method is:
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Get one point for hitting the closest spot to the hole on your tee shot
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One point for being the first player to get your ball on the green.
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One point for being the first player to putt the ball into the hole.
Conclusion
Understanding different types of golf tournament formats helps you play smarter and stay confident on every round. From Stroke Play to the Chapman, there is a format that will suit your needs. Don’t forget the outfit basics of each format and choose the right tournament outfits to enhance comfort and performance. So, get out there, make an impression on the course, and enjoy some competitive golf!