Scoring Formats

A comprehensive guide to all scoring formats supported by the platform, from traditional stroke play to unique formats like Point Game.

Overview

The platform supports a wide variety of golf scoring formats to accommodate tournaments, buddy trips, corporate outings, and everything in between. Each format has distinct rules for how scores are calculated, compared, and ranked.

Individual Formats

Stroke Play

The most common golf format where the total number of strokes across all holes determines the winner.

How it works:

• Each stroke counts toward your total
• Lowest total score wins
• Most professional tournaments use stroke play

Scoring options:

Setting up Stroke Play:

1. Create a new competition in your event
2. Select Stroke Play as the format
3. Choose Gross, Net, or Both
4. Set handicap allowance (typically 100%)
5. Configure number of rounds

Leaderboard display:

• Score relative to par (E for even, -3 for three under)
• Through indicator (holes completed)
• Round-by-round breakdown for multi-round events

Stableford

A points-based system where players earn points relative to par on each hole. Higher scores are better.

Standard Stableford Points:

Why use Stableford:

• Encourages aggressive play (no penalty for disasters)
• A triple bogey costs only 2 points vs a par
• Keeps high-handicappers competitive
• Popular in amateur and corporate events

Modified Stableford:

Some events use adjusted point values:

Modified Stableford creates more separation and rewards exceptional play.

Setting up Stableford:

1. Create a new competition
2. Select Stableford as the format
3. Choose standard or modified point values
4. Select Net or Gross scoring
5. Set handicap allowance (typically 95%)

Leaderboard display:

• Total points (higher is better)
• Points this round
• Scoring average per hole

Match Play

Head-to-head competition where players compete hole-by-hole rather than on total strokes.

How it works:

• Win a hole by having the lower score
• Track status as “UP” or “DOWN”
• Match ends when one player is up by more holes than remain
• Example: “3 and 2” means winning 3 up with 2 holes to play

Match Play Terminology:

Setting up Match Play:

1. Create a new competition
2. Select Match Play as the format
3. Choose bracket structure (if tournament)
4. Set handicap allowance (typically 100% of difference)
5. Configure tiebreaker rules

Handicap in Match Play:

Strokes are allocated based on the difference between players:

• Lower handicap player gives strokes to higher
• Strokes allocated by stroke index
• Example: 10 vs 18 handicap = 8 strokes given on stroke index 1-8 holes

Team Formats

Best Ball (Four-Ball)

Each team member plays their own ball, and the best score among the team counts for each hole.

How it works:

• All players complete each hole with their own ball
• Team score = lowest individual score on the hole
• No shared shots or team decisions during play

Example:

Best Ball configurations:

Setting up Best Ball:

1. Create a new competition
2. Select Best Ball as the format
3. Choose team size
4. Set counting scores per hole (usually 1)
5. Configure handicap allowance (typically 90%)

Scramble

The most popular team format where all players hit from the best shot location.

How it works:

1. All team members tee off
2. Team selects the best drive
3. All players hit from that spot
4. Repeat until the ball is holed
5. One team score per hole

Scramble Strategy:

• Best driver doesn’t always go last
• Position players by putting skill
• One safe shot, then others can be aggressive
• Communication is key

Scramble Handicap Calculation:

Team handicap typically uses a weighted formula:

For a 4-person scramble:

Team Handicap = (A × 20%) + (B × 15%) + (C × 10%) + (D × 5%)

Where A is lowest handicap, D is highest.

Setting up Scramble:

1. Create a new competition
2. Select Scramble as the format
3. Choose team size (2 or 4)
4. Set handicap formula or manual handicap
5. Configure additional rules (minimum drives, etc.)

Common Scramble Variations:

Shamble

A hybrid format combining scramble tee shots with individual play.

How it works:

1. All team members tee off
2. Team selects the best drive
3. All players play their own ball from that spot
4. Score counting depends on configuration

Common Shamble Scoring:

Why Shamble is Popular:

• Tee shot pressure reduced (scramble portion)
• Individual skill still matters (approach/putting)
• Keeps everyone engaged
• Good for corporate events with mixed skill levels

Setting up Shamble:

1. Create a new competition
2. Select Shamble as the format
3. Choose team size
4. Set number of counting scores per hole
5. Configure handicap allowance

Alternate Shot (Foursomes)

Partners alternate hitting the same ball throughout the round.

How it works:

1. Partners alternate tee shots (one tees off on odd holes, other on even)
2. After the tee shot, partners alternate every shot
3. One ball per team
4. One score per hole

Example:

• Hole 1 (par 4): Player A drives, B hits approach, A chips, B putts (scored 4)
• Hole 2 (par 5): Player B drives, A hits 2nd, B hits 3rd, A chips, B putts (scored 5)

Strategic Considerations:

• Pair driving strength with approach skill
• Consider putting ability on approach rotation
• Tee honor matters for stroke allocation

Setting up Alternate Shot:

1. Create a new competition
2. Select Alternate Shot as the format
3. Set team size (always 2)
4. Configure handicap (typically 50% of combined)
5. Assign tee order for partners

Special Formats

Point Game (40-Point Game)

A strategic team format where the captain selects which scores count after each hole.

How it works:

1. Four players (one team) complete each hole
2. After seeing all NET scores, captain selects which count
3. Must use exactly 40 scores across 18 holes
4. Average: 2.22 scores per hole
5. Lowest aggregate NET score wins

Key Features:

• Variable scores per hole (0-4)
• Strategic selection by captain
• Constraint enforcement (min/max per hole)
• Pace tracking to hit 40-score target

Why Point Game is Unique:

• Only format with captain-selected scores
• Bad holes can be completely discarded
• Creates end-of-round drama
• Exclusive to this platform (not in Golf Genius)

Setting up Point Game:

1. Create a new tournament
2. Select Point Game as the format
3. Configure points per player (typically 10)
4. Assign teams and captains
5. Enable NET scoring (required)

Learn more: Point Game Scoring Guide

Ryder Cup / Team Match Play

A multi-session team competition combining multiple match play formats.

Traditional Ryder Cup Sessions:

Point System:

• Win: 1 point
• Halve (tie): 0.5 points each
• Loss: 0 points
• First to 14.5 points wins (of 28 total)

Platform Features:

• Automatic point tracking
• Session-by-session standings
• Real-time team totals
• Match status for all pairings

Setting up Ryder Cup:

1. Create a new trip or event
2. Add a Ryder Cup format tournament
3. Create two teams with rosters
4. Configure session schedule
5. Set pairings for each session

Skins

A hole-by-hole betting game where the lowest score wins the “skin” for that hole.

How it works:

• Each hole has a skin value
• Lowest score wins the skin
• Ties result in no winner (usually carries over)
• One player can dominate or skins can spread

Carryover: When enabled, tied holes add to the next hole’s value:

• Hole 3: Tied (1 skin carries)
• Hole 4: Tied (2 skins carry)
• Hole 5: Won by Player A (wins 3 skins)

Setting up Skins:

1. Navigate to your round’s Games tab
2. Create a new Skins Game
3. Set value per skin
4. Choose Gross or Net
5. Enable/disable carryovers

Learn more: Side Games Guide

Nassau

Three separate match play bets within one round.

Structure:

• Front 9: Match play for holes 1-9
• Back 9: Match play for holes 10-18
• Overall: Match play for all 18 holes

Press Bets: Optional side bets that start when a player falls behind by a set margin (typically 2 holes).

Setting up Nassau:

1. Navigate to your round’s Games tab
2. Create a new Nassau Game
3. Set bet amount per nine
4. Configure auto-press threshold
5. Choose Gross or Net

Learn more: Side Games Guide

Choosing the Right Format

By Event Type

By Skill Level Mix

By Time Available

Format Configuration Reference

Handicap Allowances (USGA Recommended)

Tiebreaker Options

Scoring Validation

The platform validates scores based on format:

• Stroke Play: Any valid score (1+)
• Stableford: Picks up allowed (max score per hole)
• Match Play: Concede holes without completion
• Scramble: Single team score per hole

Related Documentation

• Setting Up Competitions - Step-by-step competition creation
• Point Game Scoring - Detailed Point Game guide
• Side Games - Skins and Nassau setup
• Scoring & Leaderboards - General scoring features
• Competition Engine - Multi-format support