Tired of the pressure of individual stroke play every time you go out? Chapman golf might be the perfect, strategic, and fun format for your next round with a friend. This article breaks down exactly how to play Chapman, from the step-by-step rules and scoring to the clever strategies that will give your team an edge.
Chapman is a two-person team format that brilliantly blends the a-little-bit-of-everything style of play. You might also hear it called Pinehurst or American Foursomes, and it’s a brilliant game for mixing players of different skill levels. In short, both players get to hit tee shots, both hit second shots with their partner's ball, and then the team picks the one best ball to finish out the hole playing alternate shot. If that sounds a bit complicated, don’t worry. It's actually quite simple once you walk through a hole, and it creates some fun and compelling strategic choices along the way.
Unlike a pure scramble where you always pick the best shot, Chapman forces you to play a mix of good and not-so-good lies. But it’s also kinder than a traditional alternate shot format, as a single bad tee shot doesn’t automatically penalize the team. It’s a wonderful sweet spot that requires teamwork, communication, and good decision-making.
Let's break down how a hole of Chapman works. Understanding this sequence is all you need to get started.
This part is simple. Both players on a team (let's call them Player A and Player B) hit their own tee shots. Just like in a scramble, you both get a chance to put a ball in play.
This is the twist that defines Chapman. After hitting your drives, you switch balls for the second shot. Player A walks over to Player B’s drive and hits their second shot from there. At the same time, Player B walks over to Player A's drive and hits their second shot. At this point, both players have hit two shots, and there are now two different balls sitting on the course.
Now, as a team, you walk ahead and look at the results of those two second shots. You compare the two positions and decide which one is better. Which one gives you the better chance to score well on the hole? Once you decide on which ball to play, you pick the other one up. Your team will play one ball from this point forward.
From the location of the selected ball, your team plays alternate shot until the ball is in the hole. But who hits the crucial third shot? The answer is simple:
So, if Player A and Player B hit their second shots, and the team decides to play from where Player B’s shot landed, it will be Player A who takes the next swing (the third shot for the team).
After that, you just alternate hitting: Player A, then Player B, then Player A, until you hole out.
Sometimes a real-world example makes things clearer. Let's see how our team, Sarah and Tom, plays a 400-yard par 4.
Chapman can be scored in two main ways: match play or stroke play. In match play, teams simply compete hole by hole, and the team with the lower score on a hole wins that hole. The team that wins the most holes wins the match.
In stroke play, you simply count your total score for the round and compare it to other teams. For stroke play, you’ll need a team handicap. There isn't an official USGA rule for a Chapman handicap, but a widely accepted formula is:
Always double-check the specific rules with your golf course or tournament director, as they can sometimes use a different formula.
Chapman is more than just hitting and chasing. It’s a game of strategy, placing your partner in good positions, and clear communication. Here are a few tips to help your team find a winning advantage.
This is the most fundamental piece of Chapman strategy. Know what you and your partner do best. Is one of you a steady driver who always finds the fairway? Is the other a fantastic iron player from 150 yards and in? Use that knowledge! The steady driver's job is not just to hit the fairway, but to ideally leave the ball at your partner's favorite distance. You're not just playing your shot, you're setting up your partner's shot.
Distance off the tee isn't everything in Chapman. Pounding a drive 280 yards into the deep rough isn’t helpful if your partner has an impossible second shot from the trees. A ball resting nicely in the fairway, even if it's 30 yards shorter, gives your partner a much better platform to hit a good second shot. Before you tee off, quickly discuss the ideal "leave" for your partner.
Talk through every key decision. After a couple of holes, you’ll get a feel for how your partner is playing that day. Before they step up to hit their second shot, a little chatter helps. Maybe something positive like, "I know you've been working on your wedges, this is a perfect spot for you." Or something strategic like, "The pin is tucked left, anything on the middle of the green is a huge win here." This cooperative spirit makes the game more fun and often leads to smarter shots.
Remember, the player whose second shot you didn't select hits the third shot. This is a massive strategic element. You might have two second shots to choose from: one is a chip from just off the green, and the other is a 30-foot putt. Let's say your partner is an amazing chipper but struggles with long-distance putting. Even though the putt is "closer," maybe choosing the chip is the smarter play because it puts your partner (the expert chipper) in charge of the all-important third shot. This kind of planning ahead is how you win at Chapman.
Chapman is designed to be a social and enjoyable format. It takes some of the sting out of a poor shot because you know there's a backup. Did you hit a bad drive? No sweat, your partner gets to take a crack at it, and even if their shot isn't great, maybe your second shot (from their drive) will be the one you end up using. This built-in forgiveness should help you relax, play freely, and enjoy the experience of working together on the course.
In short, Chapman is a uniquely fun and social game that combines the best parts of individual play, scrambles, and alternate shots. It encourages great communication and smarter decision-making, offering a refreshing break from the usual grinds of medal play.
While discussing strategy is a huge part of Chapman, there are times you and your partner might get stumped by a tough situation. When you're both staring at a ball nestled in thick rough or can't decide on the right club for a critical approach, getting an unbiased opinion is priceless. This is where using a tool on my phone like Caddie AI becomes incredibly useful. You can snap a photo of a challenging lie for an instant strategy, or get a smart club recommendation, removing the guesswork so you and your partner can make.a confident, committed decision together and focus on pulling off the shot.
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