Organizing a golf outing is half the battle, the other half is figuring out how to pick golf teams that are fair, balanced, and - most importantly - fun for everyone involved. Getting the pairings wrong can lead to a lopsided match that’s a drag for both the winning and losing sides. This guide will walk you through a few tried-and-true methods for sorting your group into balanced teams, making sure your next round is competitive and enjoyable from the first tee to the last putt.
Before you can build balanced teams, you need a basic understanding of each golfer's ability. This doesn’t have to be a perfect science, but a general assessment is the starting point for every good team-picking method. Without this, any system is just a random guess.
The gold standard for measuring a golfer's ability is an official USGA/GHIN Handicap Index. This number represents a player's potential scoring ability on a course of standard difficulty. If most players in your group have an official handicap, your job is incredibly easy. The handicap system is specifically designed to level the playing field, allowing players of different abilities to compete against one another fairly. Simply collect everyone's Handicap Index before you start.
More often than not, especially in casual outings, most players won't have an official handicap. In this case, you become the committee chairman. Your goal is to assign an estimated skill level to each player. Here are a few ways to do it:
Be Frank and direct with your group. Say something like, “Hey everyone, to make the teams fair, we're going to use an A-B-C-D system. Be honest - who here is an A player?” Most golfers have a pretty good sense of where they stand. It’s about creating balance, not judging anyone’s game.
Once you have a general understanding of everyone's skill level, you can use one of these methods to create your teams. The best method often depends on your group size and the format you’re playing.
This is arguably the fairest and most effective way to pick teams for a scramble format. It ensures that each team has a mix of talent, from a top-tier player to a less-skilled one. This spreads the strengths around, so no single team has all the long hitters or all the great putters.
The beauty of this system is that it self-corrects. An 'A' player can provide the distance off the tee, the 'B' and 'C' players handle the bulk of the approach shots, and the 'D' player is freed from pressure and can focus on clutch putts - something even a beginner can sink.
Example for 12 Players (3 Teams of 4):
Simply assign one from each group randomly to form three balanced teams. For instance:
If you're playing a two-person team format like Best Ball (also known as Four-Ball), pairing teams based on their total combined handicap is the way to go. This system aims to make the combined handicap of each team as close as possible.
Example for an 8-player group (4 teams of 2):
The teams would be:
This logic ensures that no team is stacked with two low-handicappers, making for a much closer net competition.
A draft adds a bit of fun and social drama to the pre-round festivities. It’s engaging and gives players a sense of being “chosen.” However, it can sometimes lead to unbalanced teams if the captains aren’t skilled at spotting talent or value friendship over strategy.
Pro Tip for Captains: Don’t just pick your best friends. Think about balancing skill sets. If you’re a long hitter but struggle with putting, your next pick should be someone who is known for their touch on the greens.
Sometimes you just want to get out there and play. For the most casual of rounds where competition is secondary to hanging out, a random draw is the quickest and easiest way to form groups.
Simple ways to do this include:
This method offers zero guarantee of fairness, but it’s fast and removes any potential hard feelings from a draft.
Picking good teams isn’t just about matching handicaps. The best organizers also consider a few intangible factors to maximize everyone's enjoyment.
Getting your golf pairings right is the first step toward a memorable day on the course. By taking a few minutes to assess your players' skill levels and applying a fair system like the "A, B, C, D" method for scrambles or handicap pairing for Best Ball, you set the stage for a fun, balanced competition where everyone feels like they have a chance to win.
Once the teams are set, the challenge shifts to playing smart golf. To help you contribute your best to any team, we built Caddie AI. Our app delivers on-demand, expert-level course strategy right when you need it. Whether you need an intelligent plan for tackling a tricky Par 5 in a scramble or advice on whether to play it safe or be aggressive in Best Ball, we provide the data-driven insights you need to make confident decisions, helping you be a better partner in any format.
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