Following is a list of games that can be played with a group of four people (or in a tournament/large group setting if applicable). Listed is the name of the event and how each game is played.
Box Tournament
This is a 4-person team event. On each hole you will count two (2) net balls. On holes 1 through 16, one of the net balls must be from the person in the box. See box assignments below. On holes 17 & 18 you may use any two (2) low net balls.
If the field is 48 players or fewer, it is recommended that each foursome have a Good, Better, Best and Premo player. If the field is larger than 48 players, consider flighting the teams according to handicaps - Good, Better, Best & Premo
Box Assignments
Player A (Good) Holes 1-5-9-13
Player B (Better) Holes 2-6-10-14
Player C (Best) Holes 3-7-11-15
Player D (Premo) Holes 4-8-12-16
In the event you are a threesome, the box assignments remain the same for players ABC. On holes 4-8-12-16 the missing player is deemed to have scored a net bogey, and on holes 17 & 18 he/she scored a net par. The team with the lowest net score for 18-holes is the winner.
Easy as 1-2-3
This is a 4-person team event. On each hole the team will count:
One net ball on all 3 par's
Two net balls on all 4 par's
Three net ball on all 5 par's
In the event you are a threesome, you will use Jackie Parr's net ball. If you don't wish to pre-announce the person who will be used as a 4th played on the team, you may conduct a blind draw at the end of the round. In any event, the drawn partner is now placed on two teams and has two opportunities to win.
If the field is 48 players or less, it is recommended that each foursome have a Good, Better, Best and Premo player. If the field is larger than 48 players, consider flighting the teams according to handicaps - Good, Better, Best & Premo
Four-Person Team Quota
This is a 4-person team event. Each team will be assigned a Quota. The team with the most points over their quota is the winner. If you are missing a team member, one will be drawn for your team at the completion of the round.
The quota that your team is assigned is the difference of the teams combined handicap, subtracted from 144. Here is an example:
The 4-person team combined handicap totals 65
144 minus 65 = 79 Team Quota
Quota Points are as follows:
1 point for each net bogey on a hole
2 points for each net par on a hole
3 points for each net birdie on a hole
4 points for each net eagle on a hole
Scorekeeper's will record the players gross score on each hole. Use the last line on the score card for the aggregate points earned by the team. The team with the most points over their Quota is the winner.
If the field is 48 players or less, it is recommended that each foursome have a Good, Better, Best and Premo player. If the field is larger than 48 players, consider flighting the teams according to handicaps - Good, Better, Best & Premo
2 by 4
This is a 4-person team event, with handicap. On holes 1,9,10, 18 the team will count all 4-net balls. On the remaining holes, the team will count its 2-lowest net balls.
Scorekeeper will record the player's actual score on each hole, using the bottom line to record the teams 2-ball or 4-ball net total. The team with the lowest net 18-hole total is the winner.
If you are a threesome, a player will be drawn for your team at the end of the round. Drawn player is eligible to win with two teams.
Four Horsemen
This is a 4-person team event using the full USGA Handicap of each player.
Scorekeeper, please record the actual score of each team member for each hole. Total the score of each player for 18-holes, deduct the players full handicap to arrive at the net score. Then total the net score of the 4-team members to arrive at the Four Horsemen teams aggregate score.
If the field is 48 players or less, it is recommended that each foursome have a Good, Better, Best and Premo player. If the field is larger than 48 players, consider flighting the teams according to handicaps - Good, Better, Best & Premo
If you are a threesome, a player will be drawn for your team at the end of the round. Drawn player is eligible to win with two teams.
Four by Four's
AKA Knickers Tournament
This is a 4-person team event, using one low net ball on each hole according to the following formula:
This is a 2-person team event played under three different golfing formats. This is an open field event. Teams with handicaps higher than the norm will start the round between 1 and 3 under par. Use the swag method of handicapping these team.
Holes 1 thru 4 1st person listed on score card
Holes 2 thru 8 2nd person listed on score card
Holes 9 thru 12 3rd person listed on score card
Holes 13 thru 16 4th person listed on score card
Holes 17 & 18 Lowest net ball of the group
If the field is 48 players or less, it is recommended that each foursome have a Good, Better, Best and Premo player. If the field is larger than 48 players, consider flighting the teams according to handicaps - Good, Better, Best & Premo
If you are a threesome, a player will be drawn for your team at the end of the round. Drawn player is eligible to win with two teams.
Scorekeeper will record the player's gross score on each hole using the bottom line on the score card to record the team's net low ball. The team with the lowest net 18-hole total is the winner.
High Ball / Low Ball
AKA Cocktails for Two
This is a 4-person team event using the team's net low ball added to its net high ball. To tighten the playing field, the teams net high ball can never exceed a net double par.
If the field is 48 players or less, it is recommended that each foursome have a Good, Better, Best and Premo player. If the field is larger than 48 players, consider flighting the teams according to handicaps - Good, Better, Best & Premo
If you are a threesome, a player will be drawn for your team at the end of the round. Drawn player is eligible to win with two teams.
Scorekeeper for the team will record the gross score for each player, using the bottom line on the score card to reflect the two ball total of the teams net low ball and high ball.
Two Ball Low Net
This is a 4-person team event using two low net balls of the foursome on each hole.
If the field is 48 players or less, it is recommended that each foursome have a Good, Better, Best and Premo player. If the field is larger than 48 players, consider flighting the teams according to handicaps - Good, Better, Best & Premo
If you are a threesome, a player will be drawn for your team at the end of the round. Drawn player is eligible to win with two teams.
Scorekeeper for the team will record the gross score for each player, using the bottom line on the score card to reflect the two low net balls of the foursome. The team with the lowest net score is the winner.
Dream Team: An Olympic Event
This is a net team event designed for the person who always complains that he/she got stuck with a bunch of losers.
Before you tee-off each "Coach" (that's you) will select 3 golfers from today's roster to form his/her Dream Team. You cannot select a player or yourself twice. You need not play with the golfers you selected.
At the end of the round the event coordinator will post your 18-hole net total and that of the three members of your Dream Team to arrive at a 72-hole net team total.
Gold Medal 50% of the prize pool
Silver Medal 30% of the prize pool
Bronze Medal 20% of the prize pool
* note - only the "Coach" receives the medal/certificate It is recommended the Coach buy his/her helping team members a beverage, say an Olympia Beer?
Team Stableford
This is a 4-person team event using 1/2 of your individual course handicap. Since we do not play with 1/2 shots, gross up to arrive at your adjusted 18-hole handicap.
On each hole you will count your teams lowest net ball and apply the following Stableford points:
1 point for a net par
2 points for a net birdie
3 points for a net eagle or lower
Keep track of your Stableford points on the bottom line of your score card. The team with the most Stableford points is the winner.
If the field is 48 players or less, it is recommended that each foursome have a Good, Better, Best and Premo player. If the field is larger than 48 players, consider flighting the teams according to handicaps - Good, Better, Best & Premo
Luck-of-the-Draw
This is a 4-person team event, with handicap. The Team will count its lowest net ball on each hole to arrive at its 18-hole net team total.
At the completion of the round a team representative will draw a playing card. This playing card will represent one of the 4 par's on today's golf course. The event coordinator will then add the 4-ball net team total of the drawn playing card to the teams posted 18-hole one-ball net total to determine the winner.
If you are missing a team member, one will be drawn for you at the completion of the round. The drawn team member may win on several teams.
Two Clubs and a Putter
This is a 4-person team event using the teams two lowest net balls on each hole.
On each hole, and before the golfer tees-off, he/she will select two golf clubs with which to play the hole. After club selection, the two clubs remain out of the golfer's bag and the golfer plays the hole with those two clubs. Once on the green surface, the two clubs may be placed back into the golf bag and the putter may be used to finish the hole.
You may not exchange clubs with your fellow players, nor may you change-out your select clubs once you have teed-off. Your putter is your wild card and may be used through the green.
If you are missing a team member, one will be drawn for you at the completion of the round. The drawn team member may win on several teams.
Scorekeeper, please record the teams lowest two-ball net total on the bottom line of the card.
It's the Best of Nine's, It's the Worst of Nine's
This is a 4-person team event using the individuals full handicap. At the completion of the round the scorekeeper will add-up each player's score and deduct their full handicap to arrive at a their net score.
The Tournament coordinators will then "throw-out" the teams lowest and highest individual net score. The two 18-hole net scores that remain (the two middle scores) is the teams combined 36-hole net total.
A blind draw will be conducted for a team that does not have four players. The person drawn may win on more than one team.
Chairperson's Option
This is a 4-person team event. On each hole, the team will count its two or three lowest net balls to arrive at a team total for 18-holes.
The Chairperson may:
count two low net balls per hole for 18-holes
count three low net balls per hole for 18-holes
count two low net balls per hole on the front nine and three low net balls per hole on the back nine
count two low net balls on the even holes, and three low net balls on the odd holes.
If a team is short a player, one will be drawn from today's roster. The drawn player may win on more than one team.
If the field is 48 players or less, it is recommended that each foursome have a Good, Better, Best and Premo player. If the field is larger than 48 players, consider flighting the teams according to handicaps - Good, Better, Best & Premo
Four Person Scramble
Each team consists of 4-players. Each player will hit a tee ball. The team will then select its best position drive and each player will hit their second shot from that location. Continue this selective best shot format until the ball is holed.
The team may place a ball within one club length of the selected shot, no nearer the hole, to hit their next shot. However, ball placement must be in like ground surface condition (a club length can't take you from the bunker or rough to the fairway). Once on the green surface, the ball will be placed within 4" of its spot.
If your group has only three players:
Holes 1 thru 6 player #1 will hit 2-balls at each position
Holes 7 thru 12 player #2 will hit 2-balls at each position
Holes 13 thru 18 player #3 will hit 2-balls at each position
If the field is 48 players or less, it is recommended that each foursome have a Good, Better, Best and Premo player. If the field is larger than 48 players, consider flighting the teams according to handicaps - Good, Better, Best & Premo
Four Person Scramble - Choose 'em and Lose 'em
This event is played according to the rules of the "Four Person Scramble" with one exception.
The person whose ball was selected as the best position shot, does not hit the next shot. Only three players hit from that spot. The person who did not hit the previous shot will be allowed to hit the next shot and, once again, the person whose shot was selected does not hit this time. Hence, the Choose'em and Lose'em golf format.
The only time four members of the team will be hitting from the same location is on the teeing ground and on the green surface.
Scramble / Ramble
This is a 4-person team event where three players play a scramble ball and one person plays his/her own ball on each hole. The team will count two balls on each hole, the scramble ball and the ramble (individual) net ball.
The three person scramble format is played according to the guidelines set forth in the "Four Person Scramble".
If applicable, the ramble player receives his/her handicap for the hole played. The "box assignment" for the Ramble player is as follows:
Player A (Premo) holes 1-5-9-13-17
Player B (Best) holes 2-6-10-14-18
Player C (Better) holes 3-7-11-15
Player D (Good) holes 4-8-12-16
If the field is 48 players or less, it is recommended that each foursome have a Good, Better, Best and Premo player. If the field is larger than 48 players, consider flighting the teams according to handicaps - Good, Better, Best & Premo
In the event of a threesome, two players will Scramble and one player will Ramble on each hole. The box assignments remain the same for Ramble players ABC. On Holes 4-8-12-16 the missing player is deemed to have scored a net bogey. In addition, the Chairperson will use the swag method of handicapping and spot the threesome between one and four strokes on the field.
Foursome
Two twosomes playing together playing alternate shot within each twosome. Could play match or stroke.
Snake
Any size group. Whoever three putts has the snake. Whoever has snake at the end of the round pays everyone else the amount that was determined at the beginning of the game.
Captain
Whoever is the captain is last to tee off and decides who will be their partner (or they can go it alone, if they go it alone they double the points if they win and everyone else gets doubled points if they lose). The game can be any of above (i.e. low ball/low total, etc.)
Skins
Match-play format game. Low ball wins hole, halved holes carry over to next hole. Holes are worth points, or fixed cash value. Can be played with 2-down automatic presses (adds second game or bet), and/or played without carry overs. Can be played concurrent with other match-play or stroke-play games.
Ransom (Twosomes)
Tired of losing more than just your shirt (i.e. pride) at the same old bets on the course? Give your buddies a run for their money with this change-up wagering game. First, team up into teams of two. Then divide the 18 holes into 3 separate 6-hole rounds. On the front six, the combined score of the twosomes decides the winner for each hole. At the middle six, the teams play best ball, and winners are again decided on by best score. Finally, on the back six, the teams play alternate shot, and again play to win each hole. At the end of the round, count up your teams scores... and pay up (hey, we never said you'd win!).
Duffer's Defense (2, 3 or 4)
While the name suggest otherwise, golfers of any caliber will love this game! Select a designated "duffer" for each hole (each player should have the same number of holes assigned to them). Then, for each hole, the duffer is given 2 points for each player he or she beats, 1 point for each player he or she ties, and loses a point for each player who beats him or her. The player with the most points at the end of the round wins. The loser has to wash their clubs. And buy 'em a beer.
Cutthroat (2, 3, or 4)
This game is as much fun to play as it is difficult! Instead of awarding handicap strokes in regular stroke play, the winner of each hole selects one club from their opponents bag to be 'disabled'. Players can substitute disabling their opponents clubs for 'enabling' any one of their clubs. This game is great for developing your flexibility with club selection! Decide beforehand if the putter should be included on the cutthroat list of clubs.
Back Stabber (twosomes)
This game is played in twosomes, stroke play. At the end of each hole, the two teams add up their scores. If one player shoots a 4, and the other a 5, their team total becomes 45 (the lower number being the first number). The team with the lowest team score takes the difference (each point can be worth, say $0.25). Here's the clincher - if a player on a team scores a birdie, the opposing team must reverse the digits of their score. So if player one shoots a 4 on a par 4, and his teammate shoots a 9 - guess what, their score is 94! Bring lots of cash with you to the course for this one.
Trouble
A great wagering game, Trouble uses a slightly less conventional scoring system. Trouble shots are each assigned a number of points [for example: out of bounds (1), water hazard (1), bunker (1), three putt (1), etc...]. For each trouble shot a player makes, he or she is given the appropriate point. If however, the player is able to score par or less, then his or points are erased for that hole. At the end of the round, players total their points (not strokes), and for each, say 3 points, that a player has, they must pay out a predetermined amount to each of the other players.
