Match Play
Singles Match Play
In singles match play, the match is won by the player who is leading by a number of holes greater than the number of holes remaining to be played. After handicap allowances are determined, section 6.2b of the Rules of Handicapping should be applied in competitions when there is a difference in pars.
Recommended Handicap Allowance: 100% – A player competing from a set of tees with a higher par must receive additional strokes for the round, equal to the difference between the par of the tees they are playing and the tees with the lowest par. These additional strokes are added to the player’s Playing Handicap as follows:
To view a sample scorecard for match play between two players with different handicaps, click here.
Four‐Ball Match Play
In four‐ball match play, two play their better ball against the better ball of two other players (Rules of Golf - Rule 23). After handicap allowances are determined, Section 6.2b of the Rules of Handicapping should be applied in competitions when there is a difference in pars.
Recommended Handicap Allowance: 90%
In mixed four‐ball match play, strokes are taken as assigned on the players’ respective stroke allocation tables. The committee in charge of the competition designates the tees to be played.
Foursome Match Play (Scotch)
In a foursome match, two play against two and each side plays one ball. In a foursome during any stipulated round (playing the holes of the course in their correct sequence), the partners play alternately from the teeing grounds and alternately during the play of each hole (Rules of Golf, Rules 22). After handicap allowances are determined, Section 6.2b of the Rules of Handicapping should be applied in competitions when there is a difference in pars.
Recommended Handicap Allowance: 50% of combined team handicap. A plus combined Course Handicap shall be added to the gross score to determine the net score.
Chapman or Pinehurst Match Play
In a Chapman or Pinehurst match, two play against two. Each partner plays from the teeing ground and each plays his partner’s ball for the second shot. After the second shot, partners select the ball with which they wish to score, and play that ball alternately to complete the hole. After handicap allowances are determined, Section 6.2b of the Rules of Handicapping should be applied in competitions when there is a difference in pars.
Recommended Handicap Allowance: 60% low handicap plus 40% high handicap – The percentage allowances are added together before rounding, and the total is rounded off with .5 or more rounded upward. The side with the higher Course Handicap receives the difference between the Course Handicaps of the sides. The lower‐ handicapped side shall play from scratch.
Stroke Play
Individual Stroke Play
After handicap allowances are determined, Section 6.2b of the Rules of Handicapping should be applied in competitions when there is a difference in pars.
Recommended Handicap Allowance: 95% - A player competing from a set of tees with a higher par must receive additional strokes for the round, equal to the difference between the par of the tees they are playing and the tees with the lowest par. These additional strokes are added to the player’s Playing Handicap as follows:
(A plus Course Handicap shall be added to the gross score to determine the net score. When fewer than 30 players are in the field, the recommendation is to use 100%.)
Four‐Ball Stroke Play
In four‐ball stroke play, two competitors play as partners, each playing his own ball. The lower of the partners’ scores is the score for the hole (Rules of Golf - Rule 23). After handicap allowances are determined, Section 6.2b of the Rules of Handicapping should be applied in competitions when there is a difference in pars.
Recommended Handicap Allowance: 85%
In mixed four‐ball stroke play, strokes are taken as assigned on the players’ respective stroke allocation tables, and players shall play from the sets of tees designated by the committee in charge of the competition.
Foursome Stroke Play (Scotch)
In foursome stroke play, partners play one ball. The partners play alternately from the teeing grounds and alternately during the play of each hole (Rules of Golf, 29‐1). After handicap allowances are determined, Section 6.2b of the Rules of Handicapping should be applied in competitions when there is a difference in pars.
Recommended Handicap Allowance: 50% of combined team handicap. A plus combined Course Handicap shall be added to the gross score to determine the net score.
Scotch – Format Definition
Threesome is a match in which one plays against two, and each side plays one ball. Foursome is a match in which two play against two, and each side plays one ball. In a threesome or a foursome during any stipulated round the partners shall play alternately from the teeing grounds and during the play of each hole. Penalty strokes do not affect the order of play, this form of play can be used in either a stroke play or match play format.
Chapman or Pinehurst Stroke Play
In Chapman or Pinehurst stroke play, two players play as partners, each playing from the teeing ground and each playing his partner’s ball for the second shot. After the second shot, partners select the ball with which they wish to score, and play that ball alternately to complete the hole. After handicap allowances are determined, Section 6.2b of the Rules of Handicapping should be applied in competitions when there is a difference in pars.
Recommended Handicap Allowance: 60% low handicap plus 40% high handicap – The percentage allowances are added together before rounding, and the total is rounded off with .5 or more rounded upward. The side with the higher Course Handicap receives the difference between the Course Handicaps of the sides. The lower‐ handicapped side shall play from scratch.
Pinehurst or Chapman – Format Definition
A team consists of two players. On each hole, a player and his/her partner drive from the teeing ground. On the second stroke, player A will play player B’s ball while player B will play player A’s ball. Prior to the third stroke, the partners must make a choice which ball they will play. There will be only one ball played by each team after the second stroke. Penalty strokes do not affect order of play. If the players choose the ball played on B’s second stroke, player A will play the third stroke and they will play alternate strokes until the ball is holed. At no time will a player strike the same ball twice in succession.
Stableford Competition
The reckoning in Stableford competitions is made by points awarded in relation to a fixed score (usually par or net par) at each hole as shown in the table:
The winner is the competitor who scores the highest number of points (Rules of Golf, Rule 21). After handicap allowances are determined, Section 6.2b of the Rules of Handicapping should be applied in competitions when there is a difference in pars.
Recommended Handicap Allowance: 95%
Scramble Tournaments
Scramble
A team consists of four players paired in the same group. On each hole, each player drives and the best tee shot is selected by the team. Each team member then plays a second shot from the spot where the selected tee shot lay and the best second shot is then selected in a similar manner. This process is repeated until the hole is completed. A tournament committee may wish to include additional requirements for a scramble tournament.
The most common addition is requiring each team member to use his/her drive a minimum number of times during the stipulated round, generally 2‐3 times. The preferred method of pairing for such an event is to balance each team with a composition of players of similar handicaps.
Four‐Man Scramble
Break field into A, B, C, D players using the following percentages and tees:
- A players use 25% of handicap
- B players use 20% of handicap
- C players use 15% of handicap
- D players use 10% of handicap
After individual handicap percentages have been calculated, round each to a whole number and add all numbers together to determine the team handicap. Other potential rules:
- No one person can hit two shots in a row except on the putting green.
- Committee will require each player’s drive to be used 3 times.
Two‐Man Scramble
Break field into A and B players using the following percentages:
- A Players use 35% of handicap
- B Players use 15% of handicap
After individual handicap percentages have been calculated, round each to a whole number and add all numbers together to determine the team handicap. The Committee will require each player’s drive to be used 6 times.
HANDICAP ALLOWANCES SUMMARY:
