Golf Game Variations

STROKE

The score of each hole is entered on the score card, totaled and the player’s full handicap deducted. The player who completes the round with the least strokes is the winner.

 STABLEFORD

Players who exceed their calculated par by two strokes receive no points and wipe the hole. A score of one stroke over your calculated ‘par’ will result in one point. If you make your calculated ‘par’ you will score two points. A score of one stroke better than your calculated par will result in three points. A score two strokes better than your calculated par will result in four points. A score three strokes better than your calculated par will result in five points (and so on).

AMBROSE

Groups of two players' (2 person ambrose) or four players (4 person ambrose) work as a team. Each player hits off the tee, the best shot is selected and all other players pick up their ball and place it, within one club length, alongside the best ball no closer to the pin. Each person then hits a second shot from this spot. The best shot is again selected. This continues until the ball is in the hole. On the putting green the best ball is marked and the other balls are placed within a handspan no closer to the pin and played from this position.

One score is thus recorded on each hole. This is the sum of the best shots used throughout the hole.

Note: Captain may impose a 3 Drive and/or 2 Putt rule, in this case Team must use 3 Drives from each player and when on the green each player has 1 putt, if ball does not go into the hole on this putt then he picks up and is deemed to have had 2 putts.

 PAR

A hole is either won, lost or halved. Once again this is determined by comparing your actual strokes against your ‘calculated par’. If you make your calculated ‘par’, you will halve the hole. – a 0 (zero) or a small square is recorded in the scorecards result column. If you score better than your calculated par you will ‘win’ the hole. A ‘+’ (plus) is recorded in the scorecards result column. If you score more than your ‘par’, you will ‘lose’ the hole. A ‘-’ (minus) is recorded in the scorecards result column.

TWO BALL-BEST BALL PAR OR STABLEFORD

These competitions are played by two players competing as partners. Each player plays his own ball. Handicaps and scoring as for Par or Stableford as previously described, except that only the better score of the pair is recorded on the card, together with that players initials. When scores are equal, the ball holed first is recorded.

 CANADIAN FOURSOMES

Played with a partner and both players tee off on all holes. The players then decide together which ball is in the best position and the other ball is taken out of play. If Player A hit the selected ball from the tee, then Player B will hit the next shot or vice versa. Play continues on an alternate basis until the hole is completed and for each hole thereafter. Incurring a penalty shot does not affect the order of play. The handicap of each team is calculated by adding both members’ individual handicaps and multiplying by 3/8.

 FOURSOMES

Played in pairs with one ball in play. Players strike the ball alternately during each holes play. The partners must tee off from alternate tees. (Player A tees off on the odd numbered holes, Player B tees off on the even numbered holes.) Players play alternate shots during the hole.

Penalty strokes do NOT affect the order of play. Scoring is done as for a stroke round and the total is subject to a deduction of half the partners’ aggregate handicaps

 STABLEFORD MULTIPLIER

A Stableford Event where Both players record their individual score and their stableford points on the card. The teams overall result for the hole is determined by multiplying these two stableford points. The teams overall result is also to be recorded on the card. Player A has 4 (strokes) for 2 (points) Player B has 3 for 3 Team has 2 x 3 = 6 stableford points The card would thus appear : 4-2 3-3 6

 AMERICAN FOURSOMES

Played with a partner and both players tee off on all holes. Both players then switch golf balls. Player A plays Player B’s drive, and vice-versa. Each player hits the second shot. They then select the best of the second shots, and from that point until the ball is holed they play only one ball in an alternate shot format. The handicap of each team is calculated by adding both members’ individual handicaps and multiplying by 3/8.

Note: What is "Calculated Par" The Calculated Par for a hole is your score less your handicap for that hole. EG: If you have a 6 on a par 4 hole, have a calculated 2 stroke handicap then your Calculated Par/Score for that hole is 4 or Par, if you had a 5 then your Calculated Par/Score for that hole would be 3 or Birdie.