Team formats in golf: scramble, greensome, foursome, chapman

What are the team playing formats in golf?

Playing as a team means pairing two (or more) players around the same scoring system, with a common rather than individual objective. This system can:

• combine the best shots from each player,
• to impose a single ball played in turn,
• or mix the two approaches depending on the format chosen.

These formats are widely used in friendly games, club events, or informal competitions. For a general definition of the equipment used, see the page golf club It provides a good starting point.

What is the best team-based playing formula to start with?

For a beginner, the scramble is the best team playing formula: each player hits their own ball and only the best position is kept, which eliminates the pressure of a missed shot and allows you to play calmly from the first outing.

Less pressure, more fun

A missed shot is never penalized in itself: the team always relies on the best available shot to continue, which completely changes the relationship to the score for a beginner player.

Faster progression

Playing alongside more experienced partners allows you to observe trajectories, club choices, and preparation routines—a real learning accelerator. It's actually one of the formats we regularly use with students at the...’Belvedere Golf School to familiarize new players with group play.

A smoother section

Some formats accelerate the pace of play, which improves comfort on the course, especially during friendly competitions organized by the club.

The scramble: the most convivial format

Scramble is played in teams of 2 to 4 players. Each player hits their ball at the start, the team then selects the best position, and all players play again from that position until the ball is in the hole.

Scramble rules

• Each player hits their ball at the start
• The team chooses the best ball from those played.
• All players are replaying from this location
• The process is repeated until the ball goes into the hole.

A concrete example on the route

On a par 4, three players hit their tee shots. The best-placed ball is retained — not necessarily the longest, but the one that offers the best line to the green — then everyone plays again from that spot for their approach shot.

Practical tips for beginners

• Choose the easiest ball to play, not necessarily the longest.
• Let one player play a "safe" shot while another attempts a more offensive shot.
• On the green, have the least comfortable player putt first: this gives a reading line to the following players without putting unnecessary pressure.

Greensome: playing in pairs with strategy

Greensome is played in teams of two. Both players hit their tee shots, the team chooses the best of the two balls, then the following shots are played alternately until the hole — like in foursome, but with a two-player start.

Greensome rules

• Both players tap their bets
• The better ball of the two is selected
• Shots are then played alternately until the hole is reached.

Practical advice

Decide in advance who plays the safest tee shot on each hole, and simplify the approach strategy to avoid overly risky shots early in the game.

The foursome: a more demanding format

Foursomes pits two players against each other, who share a single ball over the entire hole, alternating shots. It is the most technically demanding of the team formats, popularized in particular by the Ryder Cup.

Foursome rules

• Two players for one ball
• The shots are played alternately by the two partners.
• One player starts on the even-numbered holes, the other on the odd-numbered holes.

How many players per team in foursomes?

A foursome team consists of exactly 2 players, who alternate playing a single ball around the course — unlike a scramble, which can have up to 4 players.

Why is it more difficult?

Each shot involves the entire team: consistency and coordination between partners become essential, because a mistake by one player immediately becomes the starting point for the next shot by the other. Regular practice is key. Belvedere practice helps to gain the consistency needed for this format.

The Chapman: an excellent compromise

The chapman, also called "Pinehurst", combines the principles of greensome and foursome. The two players hit their tee shots, then exchange balls for the second shot, then choose the best of the two before finishing the hole alternately.

Chapman's rules

• Both players tap their bets
• They exchange balls for the second shot
• The better of the two balls is retained after this second shot.
• The rest of the hole is played alternately.

What is the difference between scramble and greensome?

The main difference lies in the number of players and the sequence of the hole: the scramble is played with 2, 3 or 4 players who all replay from the best ball on each shot, while the greensome is played with only 2 and switches to strict alternation from the second shot.

Four-ball better ball: a variation worth knowing

Less common on the driving range but frequent in competition, four-ball better ball pits two teams of two players against each other. Each golfer plays their own ball from the tee to the hole, and only the best score of the two partners is counted at each hole for the team.

Four-ball best ball rules

• Each player plays their own ball from the beginning to the end of the hole
• Only the best net score of the two teammates counts.
• The lowest score is simply ignored

This format allows for risk-taking: one player can attempt an aggressive green attack while their partner plays a more conservative game. It's a good transition before trying foursomes, as it retains the individual element while introducing the concept of team scoring.

Common mistakes to avoid in team-based game formats

Certain common mistakes frequently occur among players new to team games, regardless of the format. Identifying them in advance prevents spoiling the fun of a game with friends or a club outing.

Etiquette and organization of a team-based game

Beyond the scoring rules, a few organizational reflexes make all the difference to ensure the game remains smooth and enjoyable for everyone, including the groups following behind.

Before setting off on the course

Define the format in advance and briefly explain the rules to each player, especially if one of the team members is new to the format. Also, decide who will carry the scorecard: in both scramble and foursomes, only one score is recorded per team per hole, which simplifies the tallying but requires someone to be responsible for the card.

During the game

Play ready: In foursomes and greensomes, the alternating shots impose a particular rhythm—the player not hitting must prepare the next shot while their partner plays, so as not to slow the group down. In scrambles, quickly designate the best ball to avoid endless discussions after each shot, especially during a friendly competition with several teams on the course.

These formats are particularly well suited to a 9-hole course like the Belvédère: the shorter loop allows you to test several formulas in the same outing, or to play a second 9 by changing the format with the same partners.

Choosing the right partners according to the formula

Team composition is almost as important as the format itself. A poor pairing can turn a game meant to be relaxed into a source of frustration, especially in formats where only one ball is shared.

In a scramble

Don't hesitate to mix skill levels: that's precisely the strength of the format. An experienced player can add distance to their drives, while a less experienced player can focus on their short game without the pressure of "saving" the hole on every shot.

In greensome and foursome

Choose a partner whose playing style complements yours rather than someone with the exact same skill level. A long hitter paired with a precise player around the greens often forms a stronger team than a duo of two similar profiles, because alternating shots requires complementarity more than homogeneity.

In Chapman and in 4-ball best ball

These formats are more tolerant of moderate skill differences, as each player retains some autonomy over their own move before the team makes a decision. This is a good option for a parent-child pair or for two friends of similar but not identical skill levels.

Team format or individual format: how to decide?

The choice depends primarily on the purpose of the outing. An individual format like stroke play or Stableford remains essential for accurately tracking one's progress and handicap, as each stroke reflects the player's true skill level. A team format, on the other hand, prioritizes collective enjoyment and discovery: it's better suited to an outing with friends, a club event, or a first competitive experience, where the atmosphere is at least as important as the final score.

Many golfers naturally alternate between the two: an individual card to track their handicap during the week, and a team format on weekends or during club competitions to vary the fun and meet other members.

Which team game formats should you choose depending on your level?

This table provides a starting point for choosing the formula best suited to your profile:

There is nothing stopping you from varying the formats from one outing to another to progress on different skills: pressure management in scramble, precision in foursome, adaptability in chapman.

To learn more: also check out the competitive game formats, THE individual game formats, or the friendly game formats for a game with no stakes.