Golf formats and games, explained
How every popular way to play golf works, from the Saturday medal to Skins, Nassau and Wolf, with the rules, the handicap maths and a worked example for each. Golf Daddy scores all of them live, gross and net, so your group can pick a game and get on with it.
16 formats, one scorecard
Pick the format on the first tee and Golf Daddy handles the strokes, carry-overs, presses and points for everyone in the group. Free on iPhone and Android.
Money games
The games people actually bet on. Golf Daddy works out the carry-overs, presses and points so nobody has to.
Skins
2 to 4 players
Win the hole outright or the skin carries over.
Nassau
2 (singles) or 4 (pairs) players
Three matches in one, with presses when you fall behind.
Wolf
4 players
Pick a partner after the drives, or go it alone for double.
Vegas
4 (two pairs) players
Pair your scores into one number. Big swings every hole.
Sixes
4 players
Three six-hole matches with a new partner each time.
Scoring formats
The ways to score a round, from the medal to the format that saves a threeball.
Stroke Play
1 to 4 players
Count every shot. Lowest total wins.
Match Play
2 (singles) or 4 (pairs) players
Win the hole, win the point. Bad holes can't ruin you.
Stableford
1 to 4 players
Points for every hole. A blow-up is a zero, not a disaster.
Split Sixes
3 players
The best format for a threeball: six points on every hole.
Team formats
Pairs and team formats for society days, charity scrambles and the Saturday fourball.
Four Ball (Better Ball)
4 (two pairs) players
Everyone plays their own ball; the best score in each pair counts.
Scramble
2 to 4 per team players
Everyone hits, the team picks the best ball and plays from there.
Texas Scramble
2 to 4 per team players
A scramble where every player's drive has to count a set number of times.
Shamble
2 per team players
Pick the best drive, then everyone plays their own ball to the hole.
Chapman
2 per team players
Both drive, swap balls, pick one, then alternate shots to the hole.
Foursomes
2 per team players
One ball per pair, alternate shots, alternate tees.
Greensomes
2 per team players
Both drive, take the better one, then alternate shots.
Common questions
What is the best golf format for a fourball?
Four Ball (better ball) is the standard: everyone plays their own ball and the best score in each pair counts. For a money game on top, Nassau, Skins and Wolf are the fourball classics.
What golf format works with three players?
Split Sixes. Six points are shared on every hole (4-2-0), so the middle score still earns points and everyone stays in the game. Skins also works for three.
Which formats count towards my handicap?
Individual stroke play and Stableford rounds where you hole out. Team formats where you share a ball or pick the best drive (scrambles, Foursomes, Greensomes, Chapman, shamble) do not count. Golf Daddy applies that rule automatically.
Does Golf Daddy score all of these formats?
Yes. Every format on this page is scored live in the app, gross and net, with handicap strokes applied to the right holes for every player and a shared leaderboard for the group.
New to handicaps? Golf handicaps, explained · Scoring a group? The best scoring app for a fourball.
Play any of them this weekend
Download Golf Daddy, pick a format and let the app do the maths while you do the talking.