Golf league formats explained

Individual net stroke play

Each golfer plays their own ball and counts every stroke. Their handicap is then taken off to give a net score, and the lowest net wins. This is the backbone of most weekly leagues because it lets a high-handicap and a low-handicap golfer compete fairly on the same night.

It is the simplest format to run and the easiest for new golfers to understand. If you are not sure what to pick, start here.

Stableford

Stableford scores points per hole instead of counting total strokes. A net par is worth two points, a net birdie three, a net bogey one, and so on. The highest points total wins.

It keeps a bad hole from wrecking a round: the worst you can score on a hole is zero points, so golfers keep playing instead of giving up. That makes it popular for leagues with a wide range of abilities, and it speeds up play because a golfer can pick up once a hole is lost.

Best ball (four-ball)

Golfers play in pairs or small teams, each plays their own ball, and the team takes the best score on each hole. Two golfers playing their own ball with the better net score counting is the common weekly version.

Best ball is social and forgiving: one good hole from a partner carries the team. It works well for leagues that want a team feel without the pressure of a scramble.

Scramble

Everyone on the team tees off, the team picks the best shot, and all players hit again from there until the ball is holed. It is the fastest, most relaxed format, and the best choice for a mixed-ability night or a one-off social event.

Because the team posts one score, a scramble does not separate golfers by ability as well as individual formats do. It is great for fun, less so for a season-long competition.

Match play

Two golfers or two teams play against each other hole by hole. You win, lose or halve each hole, and whoever is up by more holes than there are left to play wins the match. Strokes are given based on the difference in handicaps.

Match play makes every hole its own small contest and is a natural fit for a league ladder or a season-ending bracket. It takes a little more to schedule, since you are pairing opponents each week.

Skins and side games

Skins is a side game, not a full format: each hole is worth a skin, and a golfer wins it only by beating everyone else outright on that hole. Ties carry the skin to the next hole, so a single clear win can be worth a lot. Net skins use handicaps so everyone can win one.

Side games layer on top of your main format to add interest and small prizes. Common ones are closest to the pin, a birdie pool, and low gross or low net of the night.

• Skins: win a hole outright to take its skin.
• Closest to the pin: nearest the flag on a chosen par 3.
• Birdie pool: everyone who makes a birdie shares the pot.
• Low net and low gross: a small prize for the best round.

Which format should you pick?

For a weekly league with mixed abilities, individual net or Stableford is the safe, fair default. Pick best ball or a scramble when you want a team night or a lighter, more social evening. Save match play for a ladder or a playoff.

You do not have to choose only one. Many leagues run individual net all season for the standings, then add skins and a closest-to-the-pin prize each week for fun.

Running these formats without the admin

Every format here is a setting in Standing, not custom work. Pick individual net or Stableford for the season, turn on skins, closest to the pin, a birdie pool or low net, and the results and standings are worked out for you as scores come in.

Courses and sim venues start with 30 days free, then the Season plan is $399 CAD a season or $59 CAD a month. Golfers never pay.