Golf Team
Game Planner
Find a golf game that works for your group, without spending half the first tee deciding the rules.
Some golf formats are better for a relaxed social round. Others suit competition, mixed abilities or groups that want to play as a team. The right choice depends on who's playing and what everyone wants from the day.
Tell the planner how many golfers you have, how experienced they are and what sort of round you're after. You'll get practical format recommendations, with explanations and a simple way to get started.
What should
you play?
Answer four quick questions. The planner will suggest formats that fit your group, explain how to score them and help you agree on the rules before teeing off.
Three ways
to play.
These are social-game suggestions, not official competition conditions. Agree on handicap allowances, ties, pickups and any local variations before starting. Larger groups should follow course booking and maximum group-size requirements.
Choose the game.
Then enjoy the round.
Start with your group size
Enter how many people are playing. Some games work naturally with two or four golfers, while others can accommodate three, five or larger groups. The planner will narrow the options rather than assume every format works for every number.
Think about the players
Are the golfers fairly similar in ability, or is there a mix of experienced players and beginners? A shared-ball game like Ambrose can make a mixed-ability round more welcoming. Other formats let everyone play their own ball and contribute individually.
Decide what kind of day you want
A social round doesn't need the same format as a serious competition. Decide whether the group wants a relaxed game, a competitive challenge or a proper team experience. There isn't one best format for every round.
Agree on the rules before you start
Review the recommended format and its setup instructions. Confirm the teams, handicap allowances, scoring method and how ties will be handled. If you're playing a social variation, make sure everyone understands the changes before the first tee shot.
A good game fits
the people playing.
The most competitive format isn't always the most enjoyable one. A good group game gives everyone a reason to stay involved, makes the scoring easy to follow and suits the experience of the players.
For beginners and mixed abilities
Ambrose, also called scramble, is often a good starting point. Everyone contributes shots, but the team plays from its selected position. A beginner can hit a poor shot without feeling that they've ruined the hole for everyone.
Individual Stableford is another useful option when everyone wants to play their own ball. One difficult hole doesn't have to decide the whole round.
For golfers who enjoy competition
Match play, four-ball and skins create opportunities to compete on individual holes. A poor hole doesn't necessarily leave a player chasing a large stroke deficit for the rest of the day.
Foursomes, or alternate shot, adds another challenge because partners share one ball and alternate strokes. It can be rewarding, but also more demanding for newer players.
For odd numbers of players
Three or five golfers don't always fit neatly into conventional two-person teams. Individual Stableford is a straightforward solution because everyone can compete in the same points competition without needing equal teams.
You can also use rotating partners or an adapted Ambrose game. Just be clear about how any unequal team sizes or rest turns will be handled.
Choose a format that keeps everyone involved. The best group game isn't necessarily the one with the most complicated rules.
Understand the formats before you play.
New to team golf? Start with our guide to scramble golf to understand how teams select and play their shots. You can also explore the differences between match play and stroke play , or browse more practical resources in our Golf Tools collection.
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