Fun Golf Game Formats to Play With Friends

Playing the same stroke-play round every weekend can get a little predictable. Switching formats is an easy way to bring fresh energy to your group, level the playing field between strong and new players and speed up play. This guide explains popular golf games to play with friends, how each one works and which kind of group it suits best.

All of the formats below are played for points, bragging rights or a friendly trophy only. Agree on the rules before teeing off, especially any local variations, so nobody is confused on the first green.

Team Formats for Mixed Abilities

Team games are ideal when your group includes golfers of very different standards, because everyone contributes and no single bad hole ruins the day.

Scramble

Every player on the team tees off, the team picks the best shot and everyone plays their next shot from that spot. This repeats until the ball is holed. Scrambles are fast, social and very forgiving, which is why they are the most common format at charity days and company outings.

Texas Scramble

A variation of the scramble with one extra rule: each player’s tee shot must be used a minimum number of times during the round, often three or four drives per player. This stops the team from relying only on its longest hitter and keeps everyone involved.

Shamble

All players tee off and the team chooses the best drive. From there, each player plays their own ball into the hole. Teams can count the best one or two scores per hole. It is a nice middle ground between a scramble and individual play.

Best Ball (Four-Ball)

Two-player teams each play their own ball for the whole hole, and the better score of the two counts as the team score. It rewards aggressive play, because if your partner is safely on the green, you can take a risk.

Alternate Shot Formats

Sharing one ball is a true test of teamwork and keeps pace of play brisk.

Foursomes

Two partners share one ball and take turns hitting it. One player tees off on odd-numbered holes and the other on even-numbered holes. It is a classic format in team events such as the Ryder Cup.

Greensomes

Both partners tee off, pick the better drive and then alternate shots from there. If player A’s drive is chosen, player B hits the second shot. It gives teams a better start than pure foursomes while keeping the alternate shot challenge.

Chapman (Pinehurst)

Both partners tee off and then swap balls, so each player hits the other’s drive for their second shot. The team then chooses the better ball and alternates shots until it is holed. It sounds complicated, but it becomes natural after a hole or two and keeps both players busy.

Individual Points Formats

Points systems soften the blow of a disaster hole and make every shot count.

Stableford

Instead of counting total strokes, players earn points on each hole based on their score compared with par, usually net of handicap. In standard Stableford, a bogey earns one point, par two, birdie three, eagle four and albatross five, while a double bogey or worse earns zero. Once you cannot score, you can pick up and move on, which helps pace of play.

Match Play

Players compete hole by hole. Win the hole and you go one up, halve it and the score stays the same. The match ends when one player leads by more holes than are left. It is perfect for head-to-head rivalries and for players who tend to have one or two big numbers per round.

Bingo Bango Bongo

Three points are available on every hole: one for the first player to reach the green, one for the player closest to the hole once everyone is on the green, and one for the first player to hole out. Because order of play matters, golfers must play in turn with the farthest from the hole going first. Higher handicappers often do surprisingly well.

Wolf

Designed for four players, Wolf rotates a role each hole. The Wolf tees off first or last, depending on your group’s version, and after watching each drive decides whether to pick a partner or play alone as a Lone Wolf against the other three. Points are awarded for winning the hole, with extra points for a successful Lone Wolf. It is strategic, social and great fun when played purely for points.

Creative Challenge Games

These formats are more about fun than a serious score, and they are perfect for casual nine-hole rounds.

Flag Tournament

Each player receives a total number of strokes, typically par plus their course handicap. When the strokes run out, the player plants a small flag or marker where their ball lies. The player who travels farthest around the course wins. It can be very dramatic on the final holes.

One-Club Challenge

Every player chooses a single club, such as a 7 iron, and plays the whole round with it, including putting. It sharpens creativity and shot-making and usually produces a lot of laughs.

Three-Club Round

A slightly easier version where each player picks three clubs, often a wood or hybrid, a mid iron and a putter. It is ideal for quick evening rounds and walking with a light bag.

Worst Ball

The opposite of a scramble: teams play from the worst shot each time. It is tough, but it is excellent practice for consistency and lots of fun to watch.

Par-Three Shootout

Play a short or par-three course where every hole has a points bonus for greens hit in regulation and for one-putts. It is great for families and beginners.

Handicaps and Fairness

Mixing abilities is part of the fun, but it helps to give everyone a fair chance. In individual formats like Stableford and match play, use each player’s course handicap so strokes are given on the hardest holes, as shown by the stroke index on the scorecard. In team formats, many organisers use a percentage of the combined handicaps, since scrambles and best-ball games naturally favour teams. Official handicap allowances for each format are published by the governing bodies, so check the official source if you want to follow them exactly. For casual rounds, a simpler approach also works: let higher handicappers play from forward tees or give them a free mulligan per nine.

Choosing the Right Format for Your Group

• Mixed abilities: Scramble, Texas Scramble, Greensomes or Stableford.
• Competitive regulars: Match play, Four-Ball or Wolf.
• Big groups and charity days: Scramble or Shamble.
• Limited time: Three-club round or nine holes of Bingo Bango Bongo.
• Beginners: Par-three shootout or a forgiving scramble.

Tips for Running Friendly Golf Games

• Agree on handicap allowances before you start so teams feel fair.
• Keep a simple points sheet on a phone or the back of the scorecard.
• Play for a small trophy, a favourite snack or simply the right to choose next week’s format.
• Be mindful of groups behind; formats should speed up play, not slow it down.
• Rules for official competitions vary, so check the official source and your club’s local rules before using these formats in an event.

Final Thoughts

Trying new formats is one of the easiest ways to keep golf fresh and social. Pick a different game each month, rotate partners and see which formats your group loves most. You may find that your favourite round of the year is the one where everyone played with a single 7 iron.