To run a regular points game you do seven jobs: agree how points are earned, give every golfer a quota, decide how quotas change, set up each round, record the points, share the result, and keep the season’s standings. Do them the same way every time and nobody has to argue about the numbers.
The seven jobs
- Agree how points are earned. Your group decides how many points each hole score is worth. Write the scale down and keep it the same from round to round.
- Give every golfer a quota. A quota is the points a golfer is expected to score. If you have their recent points totals, work out a quota in the calculator. If you don’t, agree a starting quota.
- Decide how quotas change. Pick one way to update quotas after each round and use it for everyone. See how to calculate a golf quota.
- Set up the round. Tell your members the date, time and course, and ask who is playing. Know your numbers before you book tee times.
- Record the points. After the round, write down each golfer’s points total. Take away their quota to get their plus/minus.
- Share the result. Rank the golfers and tell the group who won, the same day if you can. Then update the quotas so they are ready for next time.
- Keep the season’s standings. Award season points after every round and add them up, so the game is about more than one day.
A worked example
These numbers are an example. Four golfers play, and you record their points.
| Player | Quota | Points | Plus/minus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Player A | 30 | 31 | +1 |
| Player B | 24 | 27 | +3 |
| Player C | 18 | 17 | −1 |
| Player D | 12 | 16 | +4 |
Player D wins at +4. Say your group gives 1 season point for playing, plus 3, 2, 1 for the top three places. After this round the season’s standings read:
| Place | Player | Plus/minus | Season points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Player D | +4 | 4 |
| 2 | Player B | +3 | 3 |
| 3 | Player A | +1 | 2 |
| 4 | Player C | −1 | 1 |
What groups do differently
Who wins the round
You can rank a round by plus/minus, so every golfer plays against their own quota, or by points, so the highest total wins. Tell your members which one before they tee off. See the quota game rules.
Season points
Some groups reward turning up, some reward placing, and some do both. The values in the example are only an example. GreenRoster calls the season’s ranking the Order of Merit, and you set how its points are awarded.
Guests
A guest can play a single round with a quota for the day. In GreenRoster a guest’s round stays out of the season’s standings.
Prizes
What golfers play for is up to your group. Customs differ, so agree the stakes and how they are shared before the season starts.