Golf Tournament Formats Explained: Scramble, Best Ball, Stroke Play, and More#

Choosing the right format is one of the most consequential decisions you will make when planning a golf tournament. The format shapes the pace of play, the level of competition, how inclusive the event feels for players of varying skill levels, and even how much money you can raise at a charity outing. Whether you are organizing a corporate scramble or a competitive club championship, understanding the differences between golf tournament formats like scramble vs stroke play will help you design an event that meets your goals.

This guide breaks down every major tournament format, explains how each one works, and helps you decide which is the best fit for your event.

Scramble#

The scramble is by far the most popular format for charity golf tournaments, corporate outings, and casual fundraising events. Its appeal is simple: everyone contributes, nobody feels left out, and the round moves quickly.

How It Works#

A scramble is a team format, typically played with four-person teams. After every player on the team hits their shot, the team selects the best result. All players then hit their next shot from that chosen spot. This process repeats until the ball is holed.

Most scrambles require the team to use a minimum number of each player's tee shots (commonly one or two per player) to prevent a single strong golfer from carrying the entire team.

Pros#

• Keeps pace of play fast since weaker shots are simply abandoned
• Highly inclusive for beginners and high-handicap players
• Creates a social, low-pressure atmosphere
• Produces low scores, which feels rewarding for participants
• Easy to layer on fundraising add-ons like mulligans, string games, and closest-to-the-pin contests

Cons#

• Skilled golfers may feel underutilized
• Less competitive depth compared to individual formats
• Handicap adjustments can be tricky and open to sandbagging

Best Suited For#

Charity fundraisers, corporate team-building events, and any outing where the goal is fun and participation over competition. If you are planning a charity event, our charity golf tournament fundraiser guide covers how to pair the scramble format with effective fundraising strategies.

Scoring Considerations#

Most scrambles use gross team scoring. Some apply a team handicap calculated as a percentage of the combined individual handicaps (a common formula is 20% of the team total for a four-person scramble). Be explicit about which formula you are using in your tournament rules sheet.

Best Ball (Four Ball)#

Best ball, formally known as four ball in the Rules of Golf, is a team format that preserves individual play while still offering a team dynamic. It strikes a middle ground between the casual scramble and full individual stroke play.

How It Works#

Each player on the team plays their own ball for the entire hole. At the end of each hole, the lowest individual score among the team members is recorded as the team score. The other scores are discarded.

Best ball can be played in pairs (two-person best ball) or four-person teams. Two-person best ball is the most common competitive variation.

Pros#

• Every player plays their own ball, maintaining the integrity of individual golf
• Less pressure than pure individual play since one bad hole does not ruin the team score
• Encourages risk-taking because teammates provide a safety net
• Straightforward handicap application (each player uses their own course handicap)

Cons#

• Pace of play is slower than a scramble since every ball is played out
• Weaker players may feel they are not contributing if their scores are rarely used
• Requires players who can complete holes in a reasonable time

Best Suited For#

Member-guest events, competitive club tournaments, league play, and events where you want team camaraderie without sacrificing individual performance.

Scoring Considerations#

Apply full individual handicaps (or a percentage, depending on your competition level). Net best ball is the standard for events mixing different skill levels.

Stroke Play (Individual)#

Stroke play is the format used in most professional tournaments and is the purest test of individual skill. Every shot counts, and the player with the fewest total strokes wins.

How It Works#

Each player plays their own ball on every hole. The total number of strokes over 18 holes (or 36, 54, 72 for multi-round events) determines the final standing. Handicaps can be applied for net scoring.

Pros#

• The definitive measure of individual golf ability
• Simple to understand and score
• Well-established handicap systems make net competitions fair
• Familiar to most golfers

Cons#

• A single disastrous hole can ruin an entire round, which can be demoralizing
• Pace of play can suffer if players struggle on difficult holes
• Not ideal for casual or mixed-skill events because beginners may feel exposed
• Less social interaction compared to team formats

Best Suited For#

Club championships, qualifying events, competitive amateur tournaments, and any event where crowning a true individual champion is the priority.

Scoring Considerations#

Offer both gross and net divisions to accommodate a wider range of skill levels. Flight-based scoring (grouping players by handicap range) adds competitive balance. If you are building your tournament from scratch, our complete guide to organizing a golf tournament walks through setting up divisions and scoring.

Stableford#

Stableford scoring is an underrated format that solves one of stroke play's biggest problems: the blow-up hole. Instead of counting total strokes, players earn points based on their score relative to par on each hole.

How It Works#

Points are awarded per hole based on the player's net score relative to par:

• Double bogey or worse: 0 points
• Bogey: 1 point
• Par: 2 points
• Birdie: 3 points
• Eagle: 4 points
• Double eagle (albatross): 5 points

The player with the most points at the end of the round wins. Modified Stableford systems (used on the PGA Tour in some events) adjust these point values to encourage aggressive play.

Pros#

• Eliminates the devastating impact of one or two bad holes
• Encourages aggressive play since there is no penalty beyond zero points
• Faster pace of play because players can pick up once they cannot score points on a hole
• Works well for players of all skill levels when handicaps are applied

Cons#

• Less familiar to casual golfers, so it requires explanation
• Point calculations can confuse players who are not used to the system
• Some purists prefer traditional stroke counting

Best Suited For#

Events that want a competitive individual format with a faster pace and more forgiving scoring. Particularly effective for mid-to-high handicap fields and corporate outings that want more structure than a scramble.

Scoring Considerations#

Always use net Stableford (applying handicap strokes per hole) for mixed-ability fields. Provide a clear scorecard that shows point values so players can self-score easily.

Alternate Shot (Chapman / Pinehurst)#

Alternate shot formats add a strategic layer to team play. There are several variations, each with a slightly different twist.

How It Works#

Alternate Shot (Foursomes): Two-person teams alternate hitting the same ball. Player A tees off on odd holes, Player B tees off on even holes, and they alternate shots until the ball is holed.

Chapman (Pinehurst): Both players tee off, then they switch balls for the second shot (Player A plays Player B's tee shot and vice versa). After the second shots, the team selects the better ball and alternates shots from there until the hole is completed.

Modified Chapman: Same as Chapman, but the team selects the better ball after the tee shot rather than after the second shot, then alternates from there.

Pros#

• Highly strategic and engaging for both players
• Creates strong team bonding since each shot directly affects your partner
• Chapman/Pinehurst variations give both players more involvement early in each hole
• Faster pace of play since only one or two balls are in play per team

Cons#

• Can be frustrating if partners have vastly different skill levels
• Less forgiving than a scramble because every shot matters
• Not ideal for large casual outings

Best Suited For#

Member-member events, couples tournaments, competitive two-person team events, and situations where you want deep team engagement.

Scoring Considerations#

Handicap allocation for alternate shot typically uses a combined team handicap (often 50% of the lower handicap plus 30-40% of the higher handicap). Publish your formula clearly before the event.

Match Play#

Match play is the oldest form of competitive golf and changes the psychology of the game entirely. Instead of counting total strokes, players compete hole by hole.

How It Works#

Two players (or two teams) compete on each hole. The player or team with the lower score wins that hole. If scores are tied, the hole is halved. The match is won by the player or team that is ahead by more holes than remain to be played (for example, "3 and 2" means the winner was three holes up with two holes left).

Match play can be individual or team-based (such as Ryder Cup format, which combines match play with foursomes and four ball).

Pros#

• Every hole is a fresh contest, so a bad hole does not cascade
• Creates exciting head-to-head drama
• Strategic concessions (gimmes) speed up play
• Bracket-style match play events generate sustained interest over multiple rounds

Cons#

• Requires an even number of competitors or a bracket structure
• Players eliminated early may feel shortchanged
• Scheduling can be complex for multi-round brackets
• Harder to accommodate large fields

Best Suited For#

Club championships (match play brackets), Ryder Cup-style team events, and any event where head-to-head competition is the draw.

Scoring Considerations#

Handicap strokes are distributed by hole difficulty (stroke index). The difference in handicaps determines how many strokes the higher-handicap player receives and on which holes.

Modified Formats and Hybrids#

Many successful tournaments use hybrid formats that blend elements from the categories above. Here are some popular variations:

Shamble#

Teams tee off as in a scramble (select the best drive), but then each player plays their own ball from that point for the remainder of the hole. The best individual score is the team score. This combines the inclusive tee shot of a scramble with the individual play of best ball.

Texas Scramble#

A scramble where each team member's drive must be used a set number of times (typically three or four times over 18 holes). This ensures balanced contribution.

Step Aside (Dropout)#

A scramble variant where the player whose shot is selected sits out the next shot. This prevents one strong player from dominating.

Two-Person Scramble with Best Ball Back Nine#

Some events switch formats at the turn. For instance, a scramble on the front nine and best ball on the back nine tests different skills and keeps the round interesting.

Format Comparison Table#

| Format | Team Size | Pace of Play | Skill Inclusivity | Competition Level | Best For | |---|---|---|---|---|---| | Scramble | 2-4 | Fast | Very High | Low-Medium | Charity, corporate outings | | Best Ball | 2-4 | Moderate | High | Medium | Member-guest, league play | | Stroke Play | Individual | Slow-Moderate | Low-Medium | High | Championships, qualifiers | | Stableford | Individual | Moderate-Fast | Medium-High | Medium-High | Corporate, mixed-skill fields | | Alternate Shot | 2 | Fast | Medium | Medium-High | Couples, member-member | | Match Play | Individual/Team | Moderate | Medium | High | Brackets, Ryder Cup-style | | Shamble | 2-4 | Moderate | High | Medium | Events wanting scramble/best ball mix |

Choosing the Right Format for Your Event#

When deciding on a format, ask yourself three questions:

1. What is the primary goal? If it is fundraising and fun, go with a scramble. If it is crowning a champion, stroke play or match play is your answer. If it is competitive but inclusive, consider best ball or Stableford.

2. What is the skill range of your field? Wide skill gaps favor scrambles, shambles, and best ball. Narrow skill ranges open the door to stroke play and match play.

3. How important is pace of play? Large fields at busy courses benefit from scrambles and Stableford, which naturally keep rounds moving. Stroke play with beginners can slow things down significantly.

For a deeper look at planning logistics beyond format selection, including timelines, budgeting, and vendor management, take a look at our step-by-step tournament planning guide. And if your event involves sponsors, our sponsorship packages guide will help you structure packages that align with your chosen format.

Make Format Management Effortless with TournamentCaddy#

No matter which format you choose, managing scoring, pairings, and leaderboards should not be a headache. TournamentCaddy is built specifically for golf tournament organizers and supports every format covered in this guide, from simple scrambles to complex multi-format events. Set up your scoring rules, manage teams and handicaps, and publish live leaderboards, all from one platform. Create your first tournament today and see how much easier format management can be.