- Quick Guide to the 15 Fun Golf Formats
- Fun Team Golf Formats
- Fun Competitive Golf Formats
- Fun Golf Formats for Mixed Skill Levels
- Fun Golf Formats When You Want Something Different
- Which Golf Format Should You Play?
- How to Make Any Golf Format More Fun
- Conclusion
- FAQs
Playing the same old stroke play every weekend can get predictable. Luckily, there are plenty of fun golf formats that can change the feel of a round without changing the game itself. Whether you’re playing with beginners, a competitive foursome, or your usual golf buddies, these 15 formats bring more teamwork, strategy, and a few extra laughs to the course.
Quick Guide to the 15 Fun Golf Formats
Not sure which format fits your group? Here’s a quick look at all 15 before we break down how each one works.
| Golf Format | Best For | Players | Competitive |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scramble | Mixed-skill groups | 2–4+ | Low |
| Shamble | Team play with individual golf | 4 | Medium |
| Four-Ball | Two-person teams | 4 | Medium |
| Alternate Shot | Partners who want a challenge | 4 | High |
| Chapman | Two-person teams | 4 | Medium |
| Skins | Competitive friends | 2–4 | High |
| Nassau | Keeping all 18 holes interesting | 2–4 | Medium |
| Match Play | Head-to-head golf | 2 or teams | High |
| Wolf | Strategic foursomes | 4 | High |
| Vegas | Competitive two-person teams | 4 | High |
| Bingo Bango Bongo | Mixed skill levels | 2–4 | Low |
| Stableford | Stress-free scoring | 2+ | Medium |
| Stringball | Casual, creative rounds | 2+ | Low |
| Three-Club Challenge | Changing up a familiar course | 2+ | Medium |
| Six-Six-Six | Foursomes with changing partners | 4 | Medium |
Playing as a team takes some pressure off your own score and gives everyone a reason to stay involved. Grab your usual foursome, throw on a favorite polo shirt, and try one of these formats on your next round.
1. Scramble
Best for: Mixed-skill groups and casual outings
Players: 2–4+ per team
How it works: Everyone tees off, the team chooses the best shot, and everyone plays again from that spot. Keep going this way until the ball is holed.
Why it’s fun: Nobody gets stuck playing a terrible hole alone. One good drive, approach, or putt can suddenly make you the hero of the group, even if the rest of your round has been rough.
2. Shamble
Best for: Golfers who want teamwork without giving up their own ball
Players: Usually 4
How it works: Everyone tees off, and the group chooses the best drive, just like a Scramble. From there, each golfer plays their own ball to the hole, with the team scoring however you agreed before the round.
Why it’s fun: You get the social part of a Scramble off the tee while still playing enough of your own golf to feel like the score belongs to you.
3. Four-Ball
Best for: Two-person teams that still want to play their own ball
Players: 4
How it works: Two golfers play together as a side, but each plays their own ball throughout the hole. The lower score becomes the team score, and Four-Ball can be played as either match play or stroke play.
Why it’s fun: One bad hole doesn’t automatically sink the team because your partner can bail you out. Of course, that also gives you plenty of chances to remind them exactly how often you saved the day.
4. Alternate Shot
Best for: Partners who want teamwork with real consequences
Players: 4, in teams of two
How it works: Each team plays one ball, with the two partners alternating shots until the hole is finished. Partners also alternate who tees off from hole to hole. Under the Rules of Golf, this format is known as Foursomes.
Why it’s fun: Every shot suddenly matters to somebody else. Hit your partner behind a tree, and you get to watch them figure out what to do next—which is either great teamwork or the beginning of a very long afternoon.
5. Chapman
Best for: Two-person teams that want strategy without full Alternate Shot pressure
Players: 4, in teams of two
How it works: Both partners tee off, then each plays the other player’s ball for the second shot. After that, the team chooses one ball and alternates shots until the hole is finished.
Why it’s fun: Both players get involved early on every hole, and deciding which ball to keep adds another little bit of strategy to the round.
Fun Competitive Golf Formats
Sometimes you don’t want teamwork to make the round easier—you want bragging rights. These formats add more strategy, pressure, and opportunities for friendly trash talk.
6. Skins
Best for: Competitive friends who want every hole to matter
Players: 2–4
How it works: Give each hole a point, or “skin.” The player with the lowest score wins it. A common house rule is to carry tied skins over, making the next hole worth even more.
Why it’s fun: Your overall score can be a disaster, and you can still have something to play for on the 18th. Once a few skins carry over, even a short par 3 can suddenly feel like Sunday afternoon at a major.
7. Nassau
Best for: Groups that want multiple chances to win
Players: 2–4
How it works: Instead of treating 18 holes as one contest, a Nassau creates three separate matches: the front nine, the back nine, and the full 18.
Why it’s fun: A terrible front nine doesn’t end your day. You can reset at the turn and still win the back, which keeps everyone interested all the way to the clubhouse.
Good to know: If your group adds stakes or presses, agree on them before the first tee.
8. Match Play
Best for: Golfers who love head-to-head competition
Players: 2 or opposing sides
How it works: Each hole is its own contest. The golfer or side with the lower score wins the hole, and whoever wins more holes takes the match.
Why it’s fun: Blow up with a triple bogey? You’ve only lost one hole. That makes comebacks much more realistic—and aggressive decisions a lot more tempting.
9. Wolf
Best for: Foursomes that enjoy strategy and changing alliances
Players: 4
How it works: One player is the Wolf on each hole. After watching the other tee shots, the Wolf decides whether to choose a partner or take on the group alone. The Wolf position rotates throughout the round.
Why it’s fun: Teams can change on every hole, and deciding whether to go “Lone Wolf” adds some drama before you’ve even reached your second shot.
Good to know: Wolf has plenty of variations, so agree on the point system before you tee off.
10. Vegas
Best for: Competitive foursomes who enjoy team strategy
Players: 4
How it works: Split into two-person teams. Instead of adding your scores, combine them into a two-digit number with the lower score first. If you make a 4 and your partner makes a 5, your team score is 45.
Why it’s fun: One bad hole can create a huge swing, so nobody completely checks out while their partner is still playing.
Good to know: Vegas has plenty of house rules, so keep the scoring simple the first time around.
Fun Golf Formats for Mixed Skill Levels
When skill levels are all over the place, straight stroke play isn’t always much fun. These formats give everyone more ways to stay involved.
11. Bingo Bango Bongo
Best for: Groups with different skill levels
Players: 2–4
How it works: Three points are available on every hole: one for being first onto the green, one for being closest to the hole once everyone is on, and one for being first to hole out.
Why it’s fun: Lowest score isn’t the only thing that matters. A player who doesn’t normally win holes can still rack up points with a great approach, chip, or putt.
Good to know: Play in the proper order—the order of play matters in this game.
12. Stableford
Best for: Golfers who hate letting one blow-up hole ruin the round
Players: 2+
How it works: Instead of simply adding every stroke, Stableford awards points based on your score on each hole. Better holes earn more points, and the player with the most points wins.
Why it’s fun: Once a hole has gone completely sideways, you can move on without watching one ugly number wreck your entire card. Every tee feels like a fresh start.
Fun Golf Formats When You Want Something Different
Sometimes you’ve played the same course enough times that you just want to shake things up. Throw on your favorite quarter zip, try one of these formats, and make a familiar round feel completely different.
13. Stringball
Best for: Casual groups that enjoy creative rules
Players: 2+
How it works: Each golfer starts with an agreed length of string. You can use some of it to move your ball closer to the hole without adding a stroke, then cut off whatever length you used. Once the string is gone, it’s gone.
Why it’s fun: Suddenly every short putt becomes a decision. Do you burn six inches of string now, or save it for the back nine?
Good to know: Decide how much string everyone gets—and exactly when it can be used—before the round.
14. Three-Club Challenge
Best for: Making your home course feel new again
Players: 2+
How it works: Pick only three clubs before the round and leave everything else behind. Your group can decide whether the putter counts as one of the three.
Why it’s fun: That comfortable 7-iron shot might suddenly require a choked-down hybrid, and you’ll probably end up trying shots you’d never normally consider.
15. Six-Six-Six
Best for: Foursomes that want changing partners
Players: 4
How it works: Divide the round into three six-hole matches and switch partners after each one. By the end of 18 holes, everyone has teamed up with everyone else.
Why it’s fun: Nobody is stuck with the same partner all afternoon, and the competition gets a reset every six holes. It’s especially good for golf trips when everyone wants a little friendly rivalry.
Which Golf Format Should You Play?
With 15 formats to choose from, the easiest way to decide is to think about the kind of round you want. Here are four good places to start:
1. Keep It Easy — Scramble
Best for beginners, mixed-skill groups, or anyone who wants a relaxed round where everyone gets involved.
2. Turn Up the Competition — Wolf or Vegas
A great fit for four golfers who like strategy, a little pressure, and some friendly trash talk.
3. Play Your Own Ball — Four-Ball or Shamble
Go this route when you want some teamwork without giving up the feel of playing your own round.
4. Try Something Completely Different — Three-Club Challenge or Six-Six-Six
Perfect for golf trips or those days when your usual course and usual game are starting to feel a little too familiar.
How to Make Any Golf Format More Fun
The format matters, but the group makes the round. A few simple tweaks can make almost any game more fun.
- Keep the rules simple. If it takes 15 minutes to explain the scoring on the first tee, it’s probably too complicated.
- Match the game to the group. Save the serious formats for competitive golfers and keep things loose when skill levels are mixed.
- Add a little something to play for. It doesn’t have to be money—a goofy trophy, lunch, or simple bragging rights will do.
- Have some fun with the team side. Playing a Scramble, Four-Ball, or Six-Six-Six? A ridiculous team name never hurts. Need one? Check out our funny golf team names.
Conclusion
The best golf format is the one your group actually has fun playing. Mix things up, try something new, and don’t worry too much about getting every rule perfect. After all, a good round is usually more about who you’re playing with than what ends up on the scorecard.
FAQs
What is the most fun golf format for four players?
Wolf is a great pick if your foursome likes a little strategy and competition. For something more laid-back, go with a Scramble.
What is the easiest golf format for beginners?
Scramble is probably the easiest. Everyone gets to hit, but you always play from the best shot, so there’s a lot less pressure.
What Is the Best Golf Format for Mixed Skill Levels?
Bingo Bango Bongo is a fun choice because you don’t have to shoot the lowest score to earn points. For a more casual round, Scramble works well too.