Play · 41 formats
Game formats
Every way to play, explained in plain English — from a Sunday medal to a society scramble, with the handicap allowance for each.
Most played in Ireland
Society favouritesIndividual · StrokesStroke Play (Medal)Count every shot. Lowest net score wins.Individual · PointsStablefordPoints per hole against your handicap.Matchplay · Points per matchRyder Cup Team MatchSessions of singles, fourballs & foursomes.Pairs · Points or strokesFourball Better BallOwn ball each; the better score counts.Pairs · Points or strokesFoursomesOne ball, alternate shots, alternate tees.Pairs · Points or strokesGreensomesBoth tee off, choose the best, then alternate.Team · Net strokesTexas ScrambleAll tee off, play the best shot every time.Side games · MeasuredNearest the Pin & Long DrivePrizes on the par 3s and a chosen fairway.
EVERY PLAYER FOR THEMSELVES
Individual — strokes & points
Stroke Play (Medal)Count every shot. Lowest net score wins.1+StablefordPoints per hole against your handicap.1+Par / BogeyWin, halve or lose each hole against par.1+Maximum ScoreStroke play with a cap on each hole.1+Modified StablefordBonus for birdies, minus for big numbers.1+EclecticYour best score on each hole over a season.1+Flag CompetitionPlay until your strokes run out — plant a flag.1+Three-Club ChallengeAny format, but only three clubs and a putter.1+
HOLE BY HOLE
Matchplay
Singles MatchplayOne v one. Win the most holes.2Fourball MatchplayPairs, own ball, better score counts.4 — two pairsFoursomes MatchplayPairs share one ball, alternate shots.4 — two pairsGreensomes MatchplayBoth drive, pick one, then alternate.4 — two pairsRyder Cup Team MatchSessions of singles, fourballs & foursomes.8+ — two teams
TWO OF YOU
Pairs
Fourball Better BallOwn ball each; the better score counts.PairsFoursomesOne ball, alternate shots, alternate tees.PairsScotch FoursomesAnother name for foursomes — alternate shots.PairsGreensomesBoth tee off, choose the best, then alternate.PairsGruesomesOpponents pick your worst drive. Brutal.PairsChapman / PinehurstBoth drive, swap balls, pick one, alternate.PairsAggregate PairsAdd both scores together on every hole.PairsPatsomeSix holes each of fourball, greensomes, foursomes.Pairs
THREE OR FOUR TOGETHER
Team formats
Texas ScrambleAll tee off, play the best shot every time.Teams of 2–4Florida ScrambleScramble — but the chosen player sits out.Teams of 3–4AmbroseScramble with a team handicap off the total.Teams of 2–4ShambleBest drive, then everyone plays their own ball.Teams of 2–4Team StablefordBest two points of four count on each hole.Teams of 4Waltz (1-2-3)1, then 2, then 3 scores count, in turn.Teams of 3–4Yellow Ball / Lone RangerEach hole one player's score must count.Teams of 4Am-Am / Pro-AmBest one or two scores of the team count.Teams of 4
A LITTLE SOMETHING ON IT
Side games
SkinsWin a hole outright to take the skin.2–4NassauThree bets: front nine, back nine, overall.2–4WolfRotating Wolf picks a partner — or goes alone.4Bingo Bango BongoFirst on, closest, first in. A point each.3–4SnakeThree-putt and you hold the snake.2–4Sixes (Round Robin)Partners change every six holes.4VegasPair scores form a two-digit number.4 — two pairsNinesNine points shared out on every hole.3RabbitWin a hole to catch the rabbit; hold it at 9 & 18.2–4HammerDouble the stakes mid-hole. Accept or concede.2 sidesDots (Sandies, Greenies)Points for the good bits of every hole.2–4Nearest the Pin & Long DrivePrizes on the par 3s and a chosen fairway.Any
Handicap allowances follow the World Handicap System recommendations used by Golf Ireland. Your club, society or competition may set its own — the entry sheet wins.