Understanding Common Golf Formats of Play
Know the Game Before You Tee It Up
Whether you’re signing up for a member-guest, club championship, charity scramble, or NebGolf event, understanding the format of play can make the day more enjoyable—and help avoid confusion on the first tee.
Here’s a breakdown of some of the most common golf formats you’ll encounter this season:
Stroke Play
The most traditional form of golf.
In stroke play, every stroke counts toward your total score for the round. The player with the lowest total score at the end wins.
Common in:
- Club Championships
- NebGolf Championships
- Most tournament golf
Example:
If you shoot 72 and your competitor shoots 74, you win by two strokes.
Match Play
A head-to-head format where players compete hole-by-hole.
Instead of counting total strokes, players win, lose, or tie each hole. Basically, the player who wins the most holes wins the match. The match ends when a player is up by more holes than are left to play (i.e. 5 up with 4 holes to play).
How It’s Scored:
- “2 Up” = Leading by two holes
- “1 Down” = Trailing by one hole
- “3 & 2” = Match ended with one player 3 up with 2 holes remaining
Common in:
- Match Play Championships
- Ryder Cup-style events
- Club team competitions
Scramble
A popular team format designed for fun and pace of play.
Each player on a team hits a tee shot. The team chooses the best shot, and everyone plays from that spot. Repeat until the ball is holed.
Why It’s Popular:
- Great for charity outings
- Encourages teamwork
- Keeps play moving
Common Team Sizes:
- 2-person
- 4-person
Best Ball / Four-Ball
A team format where each player plays their own ball.
After the hole, the team records the lowest individual score among partners as the team score.
Example:
- Player A makes 4
- Player B makes 5
- Team score = 4
Common in:
- Member-Guest events
- Partner tournaments
- Match Play team events
Note:
“Best Ball” is often used casually, but technically in USGA terminology, Four-Ball is the correct term for two-person teams.
Alternate Shot / Foursomes
A true team test.
Two partners play one ball and alternate shots until the hole is complete.
How It Works:
- Player A tees off on odd holes
- Player B tees off on even holes
- Partners alternate every shot thereafter
Why It’s Challenging:
- Demands strategy
- Rewards teamwork
- Every shot matters
Stableford
A points-based scoring system.
Rather than counting strokes, players earn points based on their score relative to par.
Typical Point Values:
- Double Bogey or Worse = 0
- Bogey = 1
- Par = 2
- Birdie = 3
- Eagle = 4
Why Players Like It:
- Encourages aggressive play
- One bad hole doesn’t ruin the round
Modified Stableford
A more aggressive version of Stableford with bigger rewards—and penalties.
Used in some professional and amateur events to encourage risk-taking.
Example Point Structure:
- Double Bogey or Worse = -3
- Bogey = -1
- Par = 0
- Birdie = +2
- Eagle = +5
Skins
Each hole is worth a prize or “skin.”
Whoever wins a hole outright earns that skin. If players tie, the skin carries over to the next hole.
Why It’s Popular:
- Great for side games
- Creates excitement on every hole
Chapman / Pinehurst
A fun partner format combining scramble and alternate shot elements.
How It Works:
- Both players tee off
- Each hits partner’s second shot
- Team selects best ball
- Alternate shot from there
Why It Matters
Knowing the format before you play helps with:
- Strategy: Some formats reward aggression, others consistency
- Rules: Certain Rules differ in team formats
- Enjoyment: Less confusion = more fun
Final Thought
Golf’s many formats are part of what makes the game so enjoyable. Whether you’re grinding in stroke play, battling in match play, or having fun in a scramble, each format offers a different challenge—and a different way to enjoy the game.
So next time you sign up for an event, make sure you know the format… and play accordingly.
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About NebGolf
The Nebraska Golf Association, founded in 1966, is comprised of all members of public and private clubs and/or municipal or regional golf associations which utilize an approved handicap service recognized by the USGA and provided by the NGA. Our mission is to uphold and promote the game of golf and its values to all golfers in Nebraska. Among the duties of the Association include governance of member clubs and service as their handicapping and course rating authority, conduct of state golf championships, local USGA qualifying & other notable competitions, promotion of junior golf, presentation of worthwhile educational programs and support of allied golf organizations in Nebraska. The Nebraska Golf Association is an Allied Golf Association of the USGA and carries out core services including Handicap Administration and Oversight, Course Rating, Rules of Golf and Rules of Amateur Status, Tournaments and USGA Championship Qualifiers and USGA Initiatives and Community Programs.
