Golf game formats: the complete guide to choosing your format
Golf game formats These refer to the formats that define how moves are counted and how a winner is determined. The most commonly used are the Stableford (points per hole), the Stroke Play (total hits), the Scramble (best team ball) and the Match Play (hole-by-hole duel). Each format corresponds to a different level and game context.
Have you ever heard of Scramble or Stableford on the course without really understanding what it means on your scorecard? You're not alone. Most golfers come across these terms on a competition poster or club invitation without knowing exactly what awaits them on the course.
In this guide, you will find a complete explanation of each formula, their differences, and most importantly, which one to choose according to your level and your objective for the day.
Table of Contents — Golf Game Formats
Gross score, net score: the basics to master first and foremost
Before comparing formats, you need to understand a key distinction that runs through almost all game formats. golf : the gross score and the net score.
The gross score This corresponds to the total number of strokes actually played. If you finish a hole in 6 strokes, your gross score is 6. This is the most direct and demanding measure of your performance.
The net score It incorporates your index or handicap to ensure fair comparisons between players of different skill levels. A player with a 24 index who plays a par 4 with one stroke given and finishes in 5 strokes plays exactly their adjusted par. In amateur competition, it's almost always the net score that determines the ranking.
The 3 main families of golf game formats
To help you find your way around easily, classify the formats into three categories:
- Individual formulas — you compete against the course or your own score
- Team formulas — you share the game with one or more partners
- The formulas for direct confrontation — you play against an opponent, hole by hole
This reading grid makes the subject immediately clearer: you no longer memorize a list of names, you first understand the logic, then you link each formula to a concrete situation.
Individual options: test yourself on the course
The Stroke Play
Stroke Play is the purest form of golf. You count every shot, from the first tee to the final putt on the last hole. The player with the lowest total score wins. Simple, rigorous, but unforgiving: a single disastrous hole will ruin your entire scorecard until the end of the round. It's the standard format in professional and national competitions. It rewards consistency and mental fortitude over the long haul.
The Stableford
Stableford is the most common format used in amateur golf competitions in France. Instead of accumulating strokes, you score points on each hole based on your performance relative to par adjusted for your handicap. A completely missed hole is worth 0 points: it doesn't penalize you, you simply pick up your ball and move on to the next hole. This is what makes Stableford more motivating, more fluid, and much better suited to players who don't want their entire round ruined by a single bad hole.
Stableford points table (net)
| Result on the hole (net) | Name | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 3 strokes under par | Albatross | 5 points |
| 2 strokes under par | Eagle | 4 points |
| One stroke under par | Birdie | 3 points |
| Equal to par | Par | 2 points |
| 1 stroke over par | Bogey | 1 point |
| 2 strokes or more over par | Double bogey + | 0 points |
How do you calculate your Stableford score? Here's a concrete example: your handicap is 18, you're playing a par 4 with one stroke given on that hole. Your adjusted par is therefore 5. If you play that hole in 5 strokes, you equal your adjusted par: you score 2 points. If you play it in 4 strokes, you go under your adjusted par: you score 3 points. In competition, the club gives you a pre-calculated scorecard with your strokes taken hole by hole.
Against the Par
In this format, each hole is compared to par. You gain (+1), lose (-1), or halve (0) each hole depending on your result. Less common, it remains very useful for working on your hole-by-hole strategy and concentration without the pressure of an overall score.
Team formulas: suitable and collective strategy
The Scramble
Scramble is the star format for games with friends and corporate events. Each player hits their ball, the team chooses the best position, and then everyone plays from that spot to the hole. Even a beginner contributes at every stage without ever feeling alone or under pressure. It's the ideal format for discovering the game. 9-hole course at Golf du Belvédère in Annecy in a relaxed atmosphere.
The Foursome
Two players, one ball. They alternate shots throughout the hole: one tees off the odd-numbered holes, the other the even-numbered ones, then they alternate shots until they reach the hole. Foursomes demands true coordination and complete teamwork between partners. It's an elegant and demanding format, reserved for players who know each other well and have mastered their individual game.
The Greensome
A more accessible variation of Foursome: both players tee off, then the team chooses the best ball before alternating shots. This format is an excellent compromise between the comfort of Scramble and the discipline of Foursome. It's perfect for players who want a bit of strategy without sacrificing the enjoyment of an individual tee shot.
The Chapman
Each player tees off, then plays their partner's ball for the second shot. The team then chooses the best ball and takes turns finishing the hole. The Chapman game blends individual initiative, reading the opponent's game, and collective strategy. It's more subtle than a Scramble, without reaching the complexity of a strict Foursome.
The Patsome
Patsome combines several formats on the same course: some holes are played as Scramble, others as Greensome or Foursome. This alternation requires constant adaptation and prevents monotony. You'll often find it at club events or themed competitions.
Direct confrontation formulas: adrenaline hole by hole
Match Play
In Match Play, forget about the total score over 18 holes. The goal is simply to win more holes than your opponent. Each hole won is worth 1 point. If both players finish tied on a hole, neither scores. After 18 holes, if the score is still tied, a sudden death tiebreaker determines the winner. Match Play is more intense, more tactical, and mentally very different from Stroke Play. A bad hole only costs one point, not your entire scorecard.
The 4-ball best ball
Each player plays their own ball from the first to the last shot on the hole. Only the best team score is counted on each hole. It's a dynamic format that rewards both individual performance and teamwork. Very popular in the Belvedere Golf competitions.
How to choose your e-play golf package according to your level and objective
- You're a beginner → Choose the Scramble (no individual pressure) or the Stableford (a bad hole won't ruin your card)
- You want to progress quickly → The Stroke Play is the most instructive: every shot counts, you learn to stay solid from the first to the last hole
- You play with friends → The Scramble or the Greensome offer the best balance between fun and real play
- You enjoy strategy and pressure → The Match Play or the Foursome reveal your ability to make decisions under pressure
- Are you considering competition? → First master the Stableford and the Stroke Play, the two reference formats in official competitions
To experience these packages on a real course, find the available time slots via our page introductory golf lessons in Annecy.
Comparative table of the main golf game formats
| Formula | Game mode | Scorekeeping | Recommended level | Ideal for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stroke Play | Individual | Total blows | All (demanding) | Measure your actual level |
| Stableford | Individual | Points per hole | All levels | Amateur competition, beginners |
| Against the Par | Individual | +1 / 0 / −1 per hole | Intermediate | Training, mental management |
| Scramble | Team 2 to 4 | Best common ball | All levels | Friendly games, beginners |
| Foursome | Team of 2 | Alternating single ball | Advance | Coordination, elegance |
| Greensome | Team of 2 | Best start + alternation | Intermediate | Compromise between accessibility and strategy |
| Chapman | Team of 2 | Exchange + alternation | Intermediate / Advanced | Variety, hybrid format |
| Match Play | Duel | Holes won | All levels | Direct confrontation, adrenaline |
| 4 balls best ball | Team of 2 | Best score per hole | All levels | Performance + solidarity |
Common mistakes when learning formulas
- Wanting to memorize everything at once: Start with just three formats — Stableford, Stroke Play and Scramble. The rest will come naturally with experience.
- Choosing a formula that is too technical too early: A poorly chosen foursome between beginners can quickly turn tense. Prioritize enjoyment and fluidity over complexity.
- To assume that all formulas are equally valid for all groups: A good formula depends on the level, the desired atmosphere, the time available, and the objective of the day.
Key points to remember — golf game formulas at a glance
- The Stableford is the most widespread amateur formula in France: it forgives bad holes
- The Stroke Play is the purest and most demanding format: every shot counts
- The Scramble is perfect for playing as a team without individual pressure
- The Match Play is the most tactical: you play against an opponent, hole by hole
- The Foursome and the Greensome are duo formats that require coordination and strategy
- To start, choose the Scramble or the Stableford — you'll discover the others naturally.
Understanding the rules is a good thing. Experiencing them on the course is even better. The Golf du Belvédère in Annecy (Saint-Martin-Bellevue, Haute-Savoie) offers a 9-hole course ideally designed to discover or refine each of these aspects in an exceptional setting with views of the Alps.
FAQ — Golf Game Formats
What is the most commonly used format for playing golf?
Stableford is the most widely used format in amateur competitions in France. It awards points per hole based on your score relative to par, and prevents penalties for a single bad hole. It is the standard format in the vast majority of club competitions.
What is the difference between Stroke Play and Stableford?
In Stroke Play, all your strokes count, and the lowest total score wins. In Stableford, you score points on each hole: a missed hole is worth 0 points without penalizing the rest. Stableford is more forgiving and motivating; Stroke Play is purer and more demanding.
What game format should you choose when starting out in golf?
For beginners, the Scramble is the best option: you play as a team without individual pressure. Stableford is also ideal because a bad hole doesn't ruin your scorecard. Both formats allow you to enjoy the course from your very first outing.
What is a Scramble in golf?
Scramble is a team format (2 to 4 players) where each player plays their own ball on every shot, then the team chooses the best position and everyone plays again from that spot. It's the most sociable format, ideal for games with friends or corporate events.
What is the most difficult game format in golf?
Stroke Play is generally considered the most difficult format: every stroke counts without any safety net. Foursomes is also very demanding because the two players share a single ball alternately from the start.
How many different formats of golf are there?
The official formats recognized by the French Golf Federation are numerous. The nine most common are: Stroke Play, Stableford, Match Play, Foursome, Greensome, Scramble, Chapman, Patsome, and Four Ball Best Ball. Other, less common formats exist (Race to the Flag, Eclectic, Ringer Score, etc.).
What is the difference between Foursome and Greensome?
In Foursomes, the two players alternate shots on a single ball from the tee. In Greensomes, both players tee off, the team chooses the best ball, and then continues alternating shots. Greensomes are more accessible because each player is guaranteed a turn from the tee.
