Golf tournament formats: the complete guide
Planning an outing, a league night, or a charity event? Here's a tour of the formats golfers actually use — what each one is, how it's scored, and a link to the full rules — so you can pick the right one for your group.
Team formats
- Scramble: everyone hits, play the best shot, repeat. The outing standard — also see Texas, two-man, and Ambrose variations.
- Shamble: best drive, then everyone plays their own ball in.
- Four-ball: own ball, the team takes the better score (best ball).
- Foursomes: one ball per team, alternate shots.
Scoring systems
- Stroke play: count every shot; lowest total wins.
- Match play: win it hole by hole.
- Stableford: points per hole, highest total wins — great for keeping pace.
Bets & side games
- Nassau: three matches in one — front, back, overall. Try the Nassau calculator.
- Skins: low score wins the hole; ties carry over. Try the skins calculator.
- Wolf, Vegas, and Bingo Bango Bongo for the group — see all the betting games.
Running the event
Organizing a fundraiser? The charity scramble checklist walks through sponsors, registration, prizes, and day-of scoring. And whatever the format, get every player's strokes right with the course handicap calculator.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best format for a golf outing?
For a big, mixed-ability field, a four-person scramble is the standard — it's fast, forgiving, and fun for everyone. If you want more individual golf, a shamble is a great step up. For competitive regular players, four-ball or stableford works well.
What golf format is best for different skill levels?
Scrambles and Ambrose (handicapped scramble) level the field best, since the team always plays the best shot and handicaps even things out. Net stableford and net match play also keep weaker and stronger players competitive.
What's a good format for just two players?
A match-play match or a Nassau is the classic two-player bet. For a two-person team event, a two-man scramble or four-ball (better ball) both work great.
Run your event with mashie
Whatever format you choose, mashie scores it live — QR cart signs and no-login captain scoring for scrambles, or full bet tracking for match play, Nassau, and skins.