Rules

Foursomes

A team of two players who play alternate shots. Player one tees off, player two hits the second shot, player one the third shot and so on until they have holed out. Player two then tees off at the second hole and again both players play alternate shots. The game is usually played in either Stroke Play or Match Play format. Before starting play, it would be wise to work out where the toughest driving holes fall so that the better driver of the two tees off on these holes.

Greensomes

This is a variation on Foursomes with the only difference being that both players tee off on each hole and then decide which of the two drives to select. If they decide to choose the drive of player one then player two will take the next shot and then they take alternate shots until the ball is holed out.

Match Play

This format is such that each hole becomes a separate competition. It can be played as an individual or two man team event where the winner of the hole is the person who achieves the lowest net score. He/she is then said to be one up. The game finishes when the number of holes up exceeds the number of holes left to play.

Medal/Stroke Play

In handicap events, the winner is the player with the lowest net score whereas, in scratch events, the winner is the player with the lowest gross score. Each hole is played and the total number of strokes for that hole is recorded onto the score card. When all the holes have been played, the total number of strokes taken is recorded as the gross score.

Shotgun

This can be played as any format with the normal rules applying. It is a social competition where all the players/ teams tee off at the sound of a shotgun allowing all players to start and finish at the same time. The social part takes place at the nineteenth hole where there is the presentation to the winners and runners up.

Stableford

An individual or team event where, instead of strokes being recorded, points are awarded on a sliding scale. After allowing for handicap, the net score on each hole will attract the following points: 3 under par, 5 points; 2 under par, 4 points; 1 under par, 3 points; level par, 2 points; 1 over par, 1 point; and no points for anything above this.

Texas Scramble

A team event where all players tee off and then agree on the drive they prefer. They then all take their second shots from this point. They then decide on the best second shot and all take their third shots from this point. This continues until the ball has been holed out. It is usual for each player to have his/her drive selected at least four times over the eighteen holes. A real fun format where some remarkably low scores can be achieved.