Golf games for large groups

For a weekly game, pick a format where every golfer’s score counts on one leaderboard, whichever group they play in. A quota game does that for any number of players. For a one-off outing, a team format or a Ryder Cup-style match makes a day of it.

Games the whole field can play

Each of these puts everyone in one game, not a set of separate fours. Agree the choices under each one before the first tee.

Quota game

You earn points on every hole and play against your own quota, the points you’re expected to score. Your points minus your quota is your plus/minus, and the best plus/minus wins. Because everyone chases their own target, the whole field goes on one leaderboard, whatever their handicap and whichever group they’re in. Your group sets the points for each score and how quotas are worked out. See the quota game rules, or work out a quota with the quota calculator.

Team quota

You play in a team of two, three or four, and your team’s quota is your quotas added together. Your team adds up its points and plays against that total. Teammates don’t have to play in the same group, so the teams can cut across the whole field. Your group chooses the team size and how the teams are picked. Draw teams of four by quota with the pairings generator.

Stableford

You score points on each hole against your net par, so one bad hole costs you no more than a zero and doesn’t ruin your round. That makes it a common choice for a field with a wide spread of handicaps. Your group agrees how much of each player’s handicap counts. GreenRoster doesn’t work out Stableford points.

Skins

You win a hole’s skin when you alone have the lowest score on it. You’re in it on every hole, so a bad start doesn’t put you out of the game. Your group decides whether skins are played on net or gross scores, and whether a tied hole carries over to the next. Work out what each player is owed with the payout calculator.

Best ball

Everyone plays their own ball, and your team takes its best score on each hole. You still play a full round of your own, which suits a group that wants real rounds. Your group chooses the team size and whether the scores are net or gross.

Two best balls of four

In teams of four, everyone plays their own ball, and the team’s two lowest net scores count on every hole. More of your team’s scores matter than in best ball, so nobody can lean on one partner all day. Your group sets how much of each handicap counts.

1-2-3 (Waltz, Cha-Cha-Cha)

In teams of four, everyone plays their own ball. The best score counts on the first hole, the best two on the second, and the best three on the third, then the pattern starts again. Your group decides whether the scores are net and at what handicap allowance; one club plays it net at 85% of each player’s course handicap.

Scramble

Everyone in the team hits, the team picks the best shot, and everyone plays the next shot from there. It’s quick and friendly for beginners, which suits an outing, but it hides how well each player is playing. Your group sets the team size and whether handicaps apply.

Shamble (modified scramble)

Everyone tees off, the team picks the best drive, and then each player finishes the hole with their own ball. The team’s score is worked out as in best ball. It keeps a big field moving and still has everyone playing their own shots. Your group chooses how many scores count on each hole, and whether they’re net or gross.

Ryder Cup-style match

For a trip or a special day, split the field into two sides. Players meet in fourballs (pairs, each playing their own ball, the pair’s best score counting), foursomes (pairs taking turns to hit one ball) and singles. Your group picks the side sizes, which matches to play and what each one is worth.

By group size

The groups below are fours, with threes for any players left over, so no group has fewer than three. The pairings generator splits a field the same way.

ABCD teams sort the field into four bands by quota or handicap and give each team one player from each band. Draw ABCD teams with the pairings generator. For 16 golfers on a trip, draw 5 rounds of groups where nobody plays in the same group as anyone twice. For any other number, type your players into the pairings generator and it splits them for you.

Keeping a big game moving

Pick one person to collect every score. Set a deadline for saying you’re playing, so you can draw the groups before the day. Post the results the same day, while everyone still remembers the round. If you play for prizes, agree them before the first tee.

To keep a weekly game going all season, add up the results in an Order of Merit. Starting a regular game from scratch? Read how to start a golf league with friends.