Golf has two basic ways to score: stroke play, where you count every stroke, and match play, where you win holes. Stableford, Maximum Score and Par/Bogey are stroke play with a different way of adding up (Rule 21). Foursomes and four-ball are partner formats (Rules 22 and 23). Scramble, greensomes, skins and Nassau are not in the Rules of Golf at all, so your group or committee sets how they work.
The ChartGolf formats at a glance
| Format | How it is scored | Who plays each shot | Handicap | Rules of Golf |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stroke play | Every stroke counts. The winner has the fewest total strokes over all rounds, or the fewest net strokes in a handicap event. You must hole out at every hole. | Each player plays their own ball. | Net score is your gross score adjusted by your handicap strokes. The Committee does the calculation. | Rule 3.1c, Rule 3.3 |
| Match play | Each hole is won, lost or halved. Fewer strokes wins the hole. You win the match when you lead by more holes than remain. Your opponent can concede a stroke, a hole or the match, and a concession is final. | Each player plays their own ball against an opponent. | Players tell each other their handicaps. Strokes are given by hole, using the Committee's stroke index. | Rule 3.2 |
| Stableford | Points on each hole, based on your strokes against a fixed score, which is par unless the Committee sets another. The most points wins. If you do not hole out, the hole scores zero points. | Each player plays their own ball. | The Committee applies handicap strokes to each hole before calculating the points. | Rule 21.1 (points table in Rule 21.1b) |
| Maximum Score | You record your actual score on each hole, but no more than a maximum the Committee sets, such as two times par, a fixed number or net double bogey. Not holing out gives the maximum. | Each player plays their own ball. | The Committee applies handicap strokes in a handicap event. | Rule 21.2 |
| Par/Bogey | Stroke play scored like match play. Each hole is won, halved or lost against a fixed score, usually par or bogey. Fewer strokes wins the hole, equal halves it, more loses it. The winner has the most holes won minus holes lost. A hole with no score is lost. | Each player plays their own ball. | The Committee applies handicap strokes before deciding each hole. | Rule 21.3 |
| Four-ball | Two partners are a side. The side's score on a hole is the lower of the two partners' scores. If only one partner completes the hole, that score counts and the other need not hole out. Played as match play or stroke play. Best-ball is the related match play form where one player takes on the better ball of two or three partners. | Each partner plays their own ball, in whatever order the side prefers. | The Committee applies handicaps. In a stroke play handicap event, the lower net score counts. | Rule 23 (23.1 and 23.2) |
| Foursomes (alternate shot) | Two partners are a side and play one ball, taking turns. The side is treated like one player. Played as match play or stroke play. A threesome is the match play version where one player takes on two partners who alternate. | Partners alternate strokes, and alternate who tees off on each hole. The side chooses which partner tees off first, unless the Terms of the Competition say otherwise. | Combined-handicap method in our allowances chart. | Rule 22 (22.1, 22.3 and 22.4a) |
Source: The R&A, The Rules of Golf, Rules 3, 21, 22 and 23.
The recommended percentage of your Course Handicap for each format is in the handicap allowances chart, so it is not repeated here. The Stableford point values are in the scoring terms chart.
Informal gamesCommon games that are not in the Rules of Golf
These are described the way they are usually played. The Rules of Golf do not define them, so check your group or committee for the exact version before you start, especially what happens on ties.
| Game | How it is usually played | Who plays each shot | Handicap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scramble | The team picks the best shot after each stroke. Everyone then plays from that spot, and this repeats until the ball is holed. The team has one score per hole. | Everyone on the team hits every shot, from the spot the team chose. | Team allowance for 2, 3 or 4 players is in the allowances chart. |
| Greensomes | Both partners tee off and the side picks one drive. The partner whose drive was not used hits the second shot, and the two alternate from there until the ball is holed. | One ball per side, partners alternating after the tee shot. | Listed in the allowances chart. |
| Best ball (team stroke play) | Each player plays their own ball. The team's score on a hole is the best one, or the best two or three, depending on the event. | Each player plays their own ball. | Listed for best 1, 2, 3 and 4 of 4 in the allowances chart. |
| Skins | Each hole is worth a prize, called a skin. The player with the lowest score on the hole by themselves wins it. Many groups carry a tied hole's skin over to the next hole, and some do not. | Each player plays their own ball. | Agree before the first tee whether strokes are given. |
| Nassau | Three bets in one round: the front nine, the back nine and the full 18. Each is won separately. | Each player plays their own ball. | Agree before the first tee whether strokes are given. |
Source: not defined in the Rules of Golf. Described as usually played; check your group or committee for the details.
Using itHow to use this page
Find the format in the first column and read across. In an organized event, check the Terms of the Competition first, because the Committee decides the format, the handicap allowance and any maximum score. In a game among friends, settle three things before the first tee: which format, whether strokes are given, and how ties are handled.
The point-based formats treat a hole you cannot finish differently. In Stableford it is worth zero points, in Maximum Score it takes the maximum, and in Par/Bogey it is lost (Rules 21.1b, 21.2b and 21.3b). You can pick up in all three without being disqualified. For picking up short putts and what a concession does, see gimmes, concessions and mulligans.
Watch forCommon mistakes
Calling every team game a scramble. In a scramble everyone plays from the best shot. In best ball everyone plays their own ball all the way to the hole, and the team takes the best score. Four-ball (Rule 23) works the same way with two partners.
Mixing up foursomes and four-ball. Foursomes is one ball and alternate strokes (Rule 22). Four-ball is two balls and the lower score counts (Rule 23). In everyday talk a "foursome" is just a group of four golfers.
Taking gimmes in stroke play. Concessions belong to match play (Rule 3.2b). In regular stroke play you hole out at every hole, or you are disqualified if it is not corrected in time (Rule 3.3c).
Using your full handicap in every format. Team and partner formats use a percentage of the Course Handicap. See the allowances chart, and use whatever percentage the Committee states for the event.
Treating Stableford, Maximum Score and Par/Bogey as different sports. They are all stroke play with their own way of scoring a hole (Rule 21). For what a birdie or a bogey is worth in Stableford, see the scoring terms chart.
FAQQuick answers
What is the difference between stroke play and match play?
In stroke play you add up all your strokes and the lowest total wins (Rule 3.3). In match play you play against an opponent hole by hole, and you win the match when you lead by more holes than remain (Rule 3.2). Concessions, which let your opponent give you a putt, exist only in match play.
What is the difference between foursomes and four-ball?
In foursomes two partners play one ball and take turns hitting it, including alternating who tees off (Rule 22). In four-ball each partner plays their own ball and the side counts the lower score on each hole (Rule 23).
What is the difference between a scramble and best ball?
In a scramble the whole team plays from the best shot each time, so the team makes one trip around each hole. In best ball every player plays their own ball to the hole and the team counts the best score or scores. Neither is defined in the Rules of Golf, apart from the best-ball and four-ball forms in Rule 23.
Are scramble, greensomes, skins and Nassau in the Rules of Golf?
No. Rule 3 names match play and stroke play, Rule 21 covers Stableford, Maximum Score and Par/Bogey, and Rules 22 and 23 cover foursomes and four-ball. The other games are agreed by your group or set by the Committee for an event.
Can I be disqualified for picking up in Stableford?
No. Failing to hole out in Stableford, Maximum Score or Par/Bogey is not a disqualification the way it is in regular stroke play (Rule 3.3c). The hole scores zero points in Stableford, the maximum in Maximum Score, and is lost in Par/Bogey (Rules 21.1b, 21.2b and 21.3b).
What handicap percentage should we use for a scramble or foursomes?
The recommended figures for each format are in our handicap allowances chart. For an organized event, use the allowance the Committee states in the Terms of the Competition.