Competition Types

Strokeplay

This is the form of completion in which the player totals his score for each of the 18 hole, giving a gross score before the deduction of the handicap. The full handicap is deducted from the gross score to give the net score. This is usually considered the most testing form of golf.

Foursomes

In this, four golfers play together in pairs, but use one ball between a pair and take alternate shots for each hole. One player elects to drive the first hole and will then drive on every odd numbered hole; the other takes the even ones. This can then be played on a match play or strokeplay format. In America this is usually referred to as "Scottish Foursomes"

Matchplay

This is the head-to-head match between two players. If played off handicap, the lower handicap player gives three quarters of the handicap difference to the higher handicap player - the strokes being taken by following the stroke index column on the scorecard.

Four Ball Better Ball

This is a form of play in which four players play together, each using a ball. It is played in partnerships, matching the lower score for each of the partnerships in a matchplay format. Four Ball Better Ball can also be played in strokeplay form. In a match, the handicapping is taken on a three-quarter basis, the players taking handicap strokes from the lower handicap of the four.

Greensomes

In this competition, players go out in fours, made up of two pairs. All four players drive on each hole. The players of each partnership choose the better drive of the two and finish the hole playing alternate shots. The player whose drive was not taken plays the second shot. Some clubs use a handicap system for this, just taking the average of the two handicaps, others use what is generally a fairer system, taking six tenths of the lower handicap plus four tenths of the higher handicap. A Greensome can then be played as a match, a medal or a Stableford Bogey.

The Stableford or Stableford Bogey

This is a popular form of competition against the par (derived from the name for par of "bogey"). In this, the player takes seven-eighths of his handicap against par, according to the stroke index. In other words, a 24 handicap would receive 21 strokes and gets one stroke on each hole plus a stroke on those in the index marked one, two or three. On the card he fills in the gross score and then, after mentally deducting the strokes, counts two points for a hole completed in par or net par, one point for a score or of one over par, three points for a birdie or net birdie, four for an eagle or net eagle, and so on. The player with the most points for the 18 holes wins, with the winning scores usually ranging from 35 to 42 points. The Stableford form of competition can be played in singles, foursomes, four balls or greensomes.

Bogey Competition

This is an alternative to the Stableford Bogey and is, in effect, a matchplay competition in which the golfer plays a hole-by-hole match against par (bogey). The player receives three quarters of his handicap and takes those in the form of strokes from par according to the stroke index. Unlike a true match, the whole round is completed and the player records on each hole whether, after receipt of the stroke, he has won or lost the hole against bogey. At the end of the round he records how many up or down he is against par, for example three up or six down. This is a difficult form of competition with winning scores anything from two up to two down.

Bisque Bogey

In a match or bogey competition, an adaptation is to use "bisques". These are, in effect, strokes that can be taken where a player chooses, instead of at an allotted hole. In a Bisque Bogey the player would, for example, receive perhaps 15 strokes and can elect, after playing the hole, whether or not to take one of his bisques. In a similar way, a match can be played in which one player gives another six bisques and he can decide when he wants to take them.

Eclectic Competition

This is a type of competition run, as a rule, over a period of weeks or months, in which the player records his best score for every hole taken over that same period. There are various ways of playing an Eclectic Competition. In some cases, players are allowed unlimited cards and in others they are restricted. As a general principle, after completing the initial round, the player tries to improve the score for each individual hole before the usual before the usual deduction of half handicap.

Flag Competition

Here the player is allotted a certain number of strokes to use for the round, being the par of the course plus his handicap. In other words, a 20 handicap golfer playing on a par 70 course is given 90 strokes to use. He starts off from the first tee and, after playing 90 strokes, places a small flag with his name on where the 90th shot finishes. The person who finishes nearest the 18th hole or farthest up the first or second fairway for the second time round is the winner.

St Andrews Greensome

The St Andrews Greensome is similar to an ordinary Greensome, except that the players alternate in taking the second shots. In other words, one player elects to take the second shot on the odd numbers holes and the other on the even ones. They still both drive and elect the better drive for the next player to play.

Texas Scramble

This is a team competition, usually four-up. Each player drives off the first tee. The team captain then chooses the best drive and all the players take their ball to this position. They all then hit a shot from there. The captain again chooses the best second shot. Everyone else takes their ball to that spot and continues until the first player has holed out.