The formats side by side
Takeaway: For your first events, Stableford and scrambles hide your bad holes; stroke play shows everything.
| Format | How it is scored | Individual or team | Beginner friendliness | Rules reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stroke play | Total strokes; lowest wins | Individual | Low: every hole must be holed out | Rule 3.3 |
| Match play | Win, lose or halve each hole | Individual or team | Medium: a blow-up hole only loses one hole | Rule 3.2 |
| Stableford | Points per hole vs a fixed score | Individual | High: pick up once you can't score | Rule 21.1 |
| Maximum Score | Strokes, capped per hole | Individual | High: limits the damage | Rule 21.2 |
| Four-ball (best ball) | Better score of two partners counts on each hole | Pairs | Medium-high | Rule 23 |
| Foursomes (alternate shot) | Partners share one ball and take turns | Pairs | Low-medium: pressure on every shot | Rule 22 |
| Scramble | All hit, team picks the best shot, all play from there | Teams of 2–4 | Very high | Not in the Rules of Golf; organiser sets terms |
Stroke play
This is the format you see on TV most weeks: count every stroke over 18 holes, lowest total wins. You must hole out on every hole in a stroke-play competition, and penalties are usually two strokes. It is the most honest test of your game, and the hardest on beginners because one 11 on a hole stays on the card.
Match play
Takeaway: In match play you can concede putts, holes, even the match.
You play against an opponent hole by hole. Win more holes than they do and you win, even if your total strokes are higher. Players may concede a stroke, a hole or the match at any time (Rule 3.2b), which is why you see short putts picked up. The general penalty is loss of the hole instead of two strokes.
Stableford
Each hole is scored as points against a fixed score, usually net par:
| Score on the hole | Points |
|---|---|
| Two or more over the fixed score, or no score | 0 |
| One over (net bogey) | 1 |
| Fixed score (net par) | 2 |
| One under (net birdie) | 3 |
| Two under (net eagle) | 4 |
| Three under | 5 |
The highest total wins. Playing to your handicap equals 36 points over 18 holes (2 points × 18), which is an easy benchmark to remember.
Team formats
Four-ball (often called "best ball"): each player plays their own ball, and the better score of the pair counts on each hole. Foursomes: partners alternate shots with one ball, and alternate tee shots on odd and even holes. Scramble: everyone tees off, the team picks the best ball, and everyone plays the next shot from there. A scramble is the classic charity-day format and the gentlest introduction to playing with others.
Which formats count for a handicap?
Takeaway: Individual stroke-based rounds count; scrambles and alternate shot do not.
Under the World Handicap System you can post scores from formats played under the Rules of Golf where your individual score is known, including Stableford and match play rounds (with the per-hole net double bogey cap). Team formats where you don't play your own ball throughout, like scrambles and foursomes, are not acceptable for handicap purposes. Our handicap explainer covers how posted scores become a Handicap Index, and you can try the handicap calculator on your own rounds.
Our format picker
| If you… | Play |
|---|---|
| Are on your first few rounds and want fun with friends | Scramble |
| Want to track your progress without big numbers | Stableford or Maximum Score (cap at triple bogey) |
| Have a regular partner of similar level | Match play with handicap strokes |
| Are building a handicap | Stroke play or Stableford, posted every round |
| Want to learn to handle pressure | Foursomes |
Common beginner mistakes
- Picking up in stroke play. In a stroke-play competition, not holing out means disqualification. Pick up only in Stableford, Maximum Score or match play when the hole is lost.
- Posting scramble scores for handicap. Not acceptable.
- Playing out of turn in match play. Your opponent can make you replay.
- Using full handicap in four-ball. Most events use a handicap allowance for team formats; check the event terms.
- Not agreeing the format before the first tee. Decide format, tees and handicap strokes first (see which tees to play).
Tour events are nearly all stroke play, which is why the bags in our Tour Bag Index are built for consistency over four rounds rather than one great match.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between match play and stroke play?
Stroke play counts total strokes over the round; match play counts holes won against an opponent.
How does Stableford scoring work?
You earn points on each hole against a fixed score, usually net par: 2 for par, 3 for birdie, 1 for bogey and 0 for worse.
Is a scramble the same as best ball?
No. In a scramble the team picks one best shot and all play from there. In best ball (four-ball) each player plays their own ball and the better score counts.
Can I post a scramble score for my handicap?
No. Scrambles are not acceptable for handicap purposes because you don't play your own ball throughout.
What is the easiest golf format for beginners?
A scramble with friends, then Stableford once you want an individual score.