{"id":3990,"date":"2026-11-09T19:17:58","date_gmt":"2026-11-09T18:17:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/best-golf-tips.com\/?p=3990"},"modified":"2026-11-09T22:59:44","modified_gmt":"2026-11-09T21:59:44","slug":"golf-formats","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/best-golf-tips.com\/en\/guides\/golf-formats\/","title":{"rendered":"Golf formats: stroke play, Stableford, scramble, greensome\u2026"},"content":{"rendered":"

Stroke play, Stableford, match play, scramble, greensome, Chapman, foursome\u2026 There are many ways to play golf, whether alone or as a team. Here are the main formats, how each one is played, the handicap recommended by the World Handicap System, and which format to choose based on your skill level.<\/p>\n

Golf formats at a glance<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Format<\/th>\nPlayers<\/th>\nHow it works<\/th>\nRecommended Handicap<\/th>\nIdeal for<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Stroke play<\/strong><\/td>\nIndividual<\/td>\nCount every stroke on the course.<\/td>\n95 %<\/td>\nTournaments and handicap index calculation<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Stableford<\/strong><\/td>\nIndividual<\/td>\nPoints per hole based on the score relative to par.<\/td>\n95 %<\/td>\nClub Competitions<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Match play<\/strong><\/td>\nIndividual<\/td>\nYou either win or lose each hole against an opponent.<\/td>\n100 %<\/td>\nMatches between friends or clubs<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Foursome<\/strong><\/td>\nTeam of 2<\/td>\nOne ball, partners alternate shots.<\/td>\n50% of the total<\/td>\nConsistent players<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Greensome<\/strong><\/td>\nTeam of 2<\/td>\nTwo drives, keep the best, then alternate shots.<\/td>\n60 % \/ 40 %<\/td>\nCouples and Mixed-Gender Teams<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Chapman<\/strong><\/td>\nTeam of 2<\/td>\nTwo drives, swap balls, then alternate shots.<\/td>\n60 % \/ 40 %<\/td>\nTeams who like to hit lots of shots<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Four-ball (better ball)<\/strong><\/td>\nTeam of 2<\/td>\nEach player plays their own ball; the team keeps the better score on the hole.<\/td>\n85% (stroke play)<\/td>\nPlayers of different levels<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Scramble<\/strong><\/td>\nTeam of 2 to 4<\/td>\nEveryone plays, and the team plays every shot from the best ball.<\/td>\n25 \/ 20 \/ 15 \/ 10% (4 players)<\/td>\nBeginners and Pro-Ams<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Handicap allowances recommended by the World Handicap System (WHS), according to National Club Golfer<\/a> (December 2024). The organizing committee for each competition may set different percentages.<\/em><\/p>\n

Individual formats<\/h2>\n

Stroke play: counting all your strokes<\/h3>\n

That's the basic format: each player counts all their strokes over the 18 holes, and the lowest score wins. Every hole must be completed, even after a high score. This is the format used in professional tournaments, and it's the one used to calculate your Handicap Index<\/a>. The gross score is compared with the course par<\/a>; the net score deducts the strokes you receive from your handicap.<\/p>\n

Stableford: Points Instead of Strokes<\/h3>\n

In Stableford, you score points on each hole instead of counting strokes, based on your score relative to par and the strokes you receive. A bad hole only costs you zero points: you can pick up and move on to the next hole, which makes the round faster and less frustrating. The official rules describe it in Rule 21 of the Rules of Golf<\/a>. For all the details, see our Stableford Guide<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Match play: a hole-by-hole duel<\/h3>\n

In match play, you play against an opponent, and each hole is either won, lost, or tied. The player who leads by more holes than remain to be played wins. This is the format used in the Ryder Cup and other major matchups. See our Match Play Guide<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Formats for two<\/h2>\n

The foursome: one ball for two players<\/h3>\n

The two partners play one ball and take turns hitting it. They also alternate tee shots: one tees off on the odd-numbered holes, the other on the even-numbered holes. So any mistake is paid for on your partner\u2019s next shot. Foursomes, also called alternate shot, are covered by Rule 22<\/a> and is played in the Ryder Cup. Recommended handicap: 50% of the sum of the two playing handicaps.<\/p>\n

Greensome: two drives, then players take turns<\/h3>\n

Both players hit a drive. The team keeps the best one, and the player whose drive wasn\u2019t selected plays the second shot. They then alternate shots until the hole is reached. This is a more relaxed format than foursomes and is very popular among couples or mixed teams. Recommended handicap: 60% of the lower handicap and 40% of the higher handicap.<\/p>\n

Chapman (or Pinehurst): swap the balls<\/h3>\n

Both players hit a drive, then each plays their second shot with their partner\u2019s ball. The team then chooses the best of the two balls, and they alternate shots until the hole is reached. This way, each player takes more shots than in greensome. Recommended handicap: 60% \/ 40%, as in greensome. To avoid confusing these formats with the scramble, see also our Scramble Guide<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Four-Ball Best Ball<\/h3>\n

Each player plays their own ball from tee to hole, and the team keeps the better of the two scores. It is the ideal format when levels differ: the stronger player \u201ccarries\u201d the team, while the other can take risks without hurting the side. It is covered by Rule 23<\/a> and is also played in the Ryder Cup. Recommended handicap: 85% in stroke play, 90% in match play.<\/p>\n

Formats for four<\/h2>\n

The Scramble: The Most Social Option<\/h3>\n

All players hit, the team chooses the best ball, and everyone plays again from that spot until a ball is holed. It can be played with 2, 3 or 4 players. It is the ideal format for a first competition, and the one used in most Pro-Ams. Recommended allowance with 4 players: 25%, 20%, 15% and 10% of the handicaps, from lowest to highest. Full details in our Scramble Guide<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Best balls with four players<\/h3>\n

Each player plays their own ball, and for each hole, the team counts one, two, or three of the four scores, depending on the announced format. Recommended handicaps for stroke play: 75% for one ball out of four, 85% for two balls out of four, and 100% for three or four balls out of four.<\/p>\n

Games with Friends: Skins and Nassau<\/h2>\n

These games run alongside a normal round. In a skins game<\/strong>, each hole awards a \u201cskin\u201d to the player who wins it outright; in the event of a tie, the skin carries over to the next hole (Golf Digest<\/a>). The Nassau<\/strong> combines three matches in one: the front nine, the back nine and the full 18 holes (Golf Digest<\/a>). Both are great to play just for the fun of competing, without any stakes.<\/p>\n

Which format should you choose for your level?<\/h2>\n