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Golf 101

Tournament Formats

Golf tournaments come in a variety of formats, each with its own rules and style of play. Whether you’re entering a local scramble or watching a pro event, knowing the different formats helps you understand the competition and strategy.

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These are the two primary formats used in professional and amateur tournaments. Key Difference: Stroke play rewards consistency over a full round, while match play is about winning individual holes.

Stroke Play (Medal Play)

The most common format in professional and amateur golf. Every player counts their total strokes over 18 holes (or multiple rounds). The lowest total score wins. Used in PGA Tour events, The Masters, U.S. Open, and The Open Championship.

Example:

Player A: 72 strokes Player B: 75 strokes Player A wins because they have the lowest total.

Match Play

Instead of total strokes, players compete hole by hole. The golfer with the fewest strokes on a hole wins that hole. The player who wins the most holes wins the match. Used in events like the Ryder Cup and WGC-Dell Match Play.

Example:

Hole 1: Player A 4 strokes, Player B 5 strokes → Player A wins the hole (1 Up).
Hole 2: Player A 5 strokes, Player B 4 strokes → Player B wins the hole (All Square).
Play continues until one player has won more holes than remain.

Scramble (Best for Fun & Charity Events)

Played in teams of 2-4 players. Each player tees off, and the team chooses the best shot. All players then play their next shot from that spot. This process continues until the hole is completed. Best for beginners because it reduces individual pressure.

Example:

Four players tee off. One ball lands in the fairway, and the others go into the rough. The team picks the ball in the fairway and all players hit their next shot from there. This continues until the ball is in the hole.

Best Ball (Four-Ball in Ryder Cup Play)

Played in teams of two or four. Each player plays their own ball. The best score on each hole counts for the team. Used in events like the Ryder Cup (Four-Ball format).

Example:

Player A scores 5 on a hole, Player B scores 4 → Team score is 4.

Alternate Shot (Foursomes in Ryder Cup Play)

Teams of two players. Players take turns hitting the same ball until the hole is completed. Used in Ryder Cup (Foursomes format) and some professional team events.

Example:

Player A tees off, Player B hits the second shot, Player A hits the third, and so on.

This format requires strategy and teamwork since players must adapt to their partner’s shots.

Stableford (Points-Based Scoring)

Instead of counting strokes, players earn points based on their score relative to par. Used in some professional events and amateur tournaments.

It rewards aggressive play because high scores (double bogeys or worse) don’t penalize players as much as in stroke play.

Ryder Cup Format (Team Competition)

A USA vs. Europe team event held every two years. Includes Four-Ball (Best Ball), Foursomes (Alternate Shot), and Singles Match Play over three days.

Shamble

A mix of Scramble and Stroke Play. Each player tees off, then the team chooses the best drive. From there, each player plays their own ball until finishing the hole. The best individual score is recorded for the team.

Chapman (Pinehurst Format)

Each player tees off, then hits their partner’s ball for the second shot. After the second shot, the team chooses one ball and alternates shots until the hole is complete.

Skins Game

Each hole is worth a "skin" (point or prize money). If multiple players tie a hole, the skin carries over to the next hole. The player who wins a hole outright claims the skins in play.

Flag Tournament

Players receive a target number of strokes based on their handicap (e.g., Par 72 + Handicap 18 = 90 strokes). They play until they reach that stroke limit, then plant a flag where their final shot lands. The player who makes it farthest on the course wins.

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