Golf Game Formats: A Guide to Mixing Up Your Rounds

Golf is more than just counting strokes—it’s a game full of different formats that can change how you play and strategize. Whether you’re playing solo, teaming up with friends, or competing in a tournament, choosing the right format can make a round more exciting, competitive, or just plain fun.

From traditional stroke play to team-based formats like scrambles and best ball, here’s a breakdown of the most popular golf game formats, how they work, and where you’re likely to see them in action.

Stroke Play (Medal Play)

How It Works:

Stroke play is the most common format in golf and the one you’re likely most familiar with. Every player completes 18 holes, adding up their total strokes along the way. The player with the lowest total score at the end of the round wins.

Where You’ll See It:

• Professional tournaments like The Masters and U.S. Open.

• Club championships and most amateur competitions.

• Standard weekend rounds with friends.

Scoring:

• Every stroke counts, and the total score after 18 holes determines the winner.

• In net stroke play, handicaps are factored in to create a level playing field.

Why You’ll Love It:

• You control your own game—no relying on teammates.

• It rewards consistency across all 18 holes.

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Match Play

How It Works:

Instead of counting total strokes, match play is all about winning holes. If you take fewer strokes than your opponent on a given hole, you win that hole. The player (or team) that wins the most holes wins the match.

Where You’ll See It:

• Ryder Cup and Presidents Cup.

• Amateur and club match play tournaments.

• Friendly head-to-head matches.

Scoring:

• Holes are won individually—if you win 10 holes and your opponent wins 8, you win the match 2 & 1 (meaning you were up by 2 with 1 hole to play).

• A match ends when a player has won more holes than remain to be played.

Why You’ll Love It:

• A bad hole won’t ruin your round.

• Encourages strategic, aggressive play.

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Scramble

How It Works:

A team format where everyone tees off, then the team selects the best shot and all players hit their next shot from that spot. This process repeats until the ball is in the hole.

Where You’ll See It:

• Charity tournaments and corporate outings.

• Casual team events and fundraisers.

• Beginner-friendly outings.

Scoring:

• Teams record their total strokes for each hole.

• The team with the lowest overall score wins.

Why You’ll Love It:

• Great for golfers of all skill levels.

• It keeps the pace of play moving.

• You’ll always have a shot at making birdie!

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Best Ball (Four-Ball)

How It Works:

Each player plays their own ball, and the lowest score on each hole counts as the team’s score.

Where You’ll See It:

• Ryder Cup and Presidents Cup.

• Member-guest tournaments.

• Casual rounds with friends.

Scoring:

• The best score of the two players on a team is recorded for each hole.

• Played as either stroke play or match play.

Why You’ll Love It:

• You play your own ball but still have a teammate to rely on.

• It rewards individual skill while keeping the team competitive.

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Alternate Shot (Foursomes)

How It Works:

Two-player teams take turns hitting the same ball until it’s holed. If Player A hits the tee shot, Player B hits the second shot, and so on.

Where You’ll See It:

• Ryder Cup and Presidents Cup.

• Club team tournaments.

Scoring:

• The total number of strokes taken as a team determines the score.

• Played as either stroke play or match play.

Why You’ll Love It:

• Forces teamwork and strategy.

• Makes for fast-paced rounds.

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Skins Game

How It Works:

Each hole is worth a set number of points, money, or another prize (a “skin”). The golfer with the lowest score on the hole wins the skin. If multiple players tie, the skin carries over to the next hole.

Where You’ll See It:

• Friendly betting rounds.

• Special pro events like The Skins Game.

Scoring:

• The golfer with the most skins at the end of the round wins.

Why You’ll Love It:

• Makes every hole exciting.

• Even if you start poorly, you can still win big later.

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Stableford

How It Works:

Instead of counting total strokes, players earn points based on their score for each hole. The goal is to earn the most points rather than have the lowest stroke total.

Where You’ll See It:

• Some amateur and club events.

Scoring:

• Double Bogey or worse = 0 points

• Bogey = 1 point

• Par = 2 points

• Birdie = 3 points

• Eagle = 4 points

• Albatross = 5 points

Why You’ll Love It:

• A bad hole won’t destroy your round.

• Encourages aggressive play—birdies are heavily rewarded.

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Wolf

How It Works:

A four-player game where one player (the “Wolf”) decides after tee shots whether to play alone or pick a partner for that hole. If they play solo and win, they earn more points, but if they lose, they get nothing.

Where You’ll See It:

• Friendly, competitive foursomes.

Scoring:

• Points vary depending on whether the Wolf plays solo or with a partner.

• The player with the most points at the end wins.

Why You’ll Love It:

• Strategy and risk-taking make every hole exciting.

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String Game

How It Works:

Each player gets a piece of string (usually 3-6 feet) they can use to move the ball without penalty. If you use a portion of the string, you must cut that section off. Once the string is gone, no more free moves!

Where You’ll See It:

• Charity tournaments and fun scrambles.

Scoring:

• Played as stroke play, but with strategic ball movement allowed.

Why You’ll Love It:

• Adds a fun, strategic element.

• Great for golfers of all skill levels.

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Final Thoughts

Golf is a game with endless ways to play, and choosing the right format can change the entire experience. Whether you’re looking for serious competition, a fun team event, or a way to shake things up with your regular foursome, there’s a format for you.

So next time you head to the course, try something new—you might find a new favorite way to play!

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