Golf Formats
How the most popular golf formats for recreational golf leagues work: rules, scoring, handicaps, and what actually matters when you're running it for 40 players on a Wednesday night.
Skins golf explained — how scoring works, gross vs net, carryover rules, and a walkthrough of a real skins round. Plus how to run it without the spreadsheet.
A shamble uses the best drive like a scramble, then everyone plays their own ball. Shamble rules, scoring, and how it differs from a scramble.
A shotgun start sends every group to a different hole so everyone tees off at once. Here's how it works and why leagues prefer it.
Four-ball: two-player teams each play their own ball, lower score counts. Rules, handicap methods, match play scoring, and league setup tips.
The Nassau golf game is three separate bets in one round — front nine, back nine, and 18 holes. How it works, how to set stakes, and common variations.
Stableford scoring awards points by hole — par is 2, birdie is 3, double bogey is 0. How the system works, modified stableford rules, and league setup tips.
Scramble golf rules: the team picks the best shot after every stroke and plays from there. Format, ball placement, handicap formulas and league setup.
Alternate shot (foursomes): partners share one ball and take turns hitting. Rules, tee-off order, team handicaps, strategy, and four-ball vs foursomes.
Best ball: every player plays their own ball and the lowest score on each hole counts for the team. Rules, handicaps, best ball vs scramble, and league setup.
The Ryder Cup format explained: foursomes, four-ball and singles, how points work, and how to run your own Ryder Cup-style event for your league.