Calling a golf competition a tournament is accurate, but it's like calling all pasta noodles - it misses all the delicious variety. The names of golf competitions, from a friendly Sunday round to a Major Championship, tell you exactly how the game will be played. This guide breaks down the different types of golf competitions, explaining the formats so you'll know exactly what you're getting into, whether you're playing, watching, or just talking shop.
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The Two Pillars: Stroke Play vs. Match Play
Almost every golf competition, regardless of its fancy name, is built on one of two fundamental formats: stroke play or match play. Understanding this difference is the first and most important step to understanding how golf competitions work.
Stroke Play: Every Shot Counts
If you've ever played a round of golf and simply added up all your shots at the end, congratulations - you've played stroke play. This is the most common format in golf and the one used in almost all professional tour events, including three of the four men's Major Championships.
How it works:
Each player counts every single stroke they take on every hole.
The total score for the round (or multiple rounds) determines the winner.
The player with the lowest total score wins.
A "medal play" competition is another name for stroke play, harkening back to the tradition of awarding a medal to the winner. When you hear about an "Open," a "Classic," or an "Invitational," it is almost always a stroke play event. The great appeal of stroke play is its purity, a 72 beats a 73. However, its greatest challenge is its relentlessness. One disastrous hole - a dreaded 10 on a par-4 - can completely sink your chances for the entire event.
Match Play: Head-to-Head Battle
Match play is a different animal altogether. Instead of competing against the entire field, you are competing against a single opponent, one hole at a time. This is the format used for legendary team events like the Ryder Cup and the Solheim Cup, as well as many club championships.
How it works:
Each hole is its own self-contained competition.
The player with the lowest score on a hole wins that hole.
If you win a hole, you go "1 up." If you lose a hole, you go "1 down." If you tie, the hole is "halved," and the score remains the same.
The match is over when a player is "up" by more holes than there are left to play. For example, being "3 up" with only 2 holes remaining (a 3&,2 victory).
Match play has its own unique vocabulary:
All Square (AS): The match is tied.
Dormie: Your opponent's situation when they are down by the same number of holes as there are left to play. If they are 2 down with 2 holes left, they are "dormie" and must win both remaining holes to tie the match.
Concede: You can verbally "concede" a short putt to your opponent, meaning you assume they will make it. This speeds up play and is a sign of good sportsmanship. You can also concede a hole or the entire match at any time.
The beauty of match play is that one bad hole doesn’t ruin your day. You can make that 10 on a par-4, but you’ve only lost one hole. You can regroup and win the very next one. This format encourages more aggressive, go-for-broke strategic decisions, which can make it incredibly exciting to watch and play.
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Golf is often seen as an individual sport, but some of the most enjoyable competitions involve a partner or a team. These events are staples at golf clubs and charity outings, designed for camaraderie and fun.
Scramble
The "Charity Scramble" is hands-down the most popular format for social and corporate golf events, and for good reason. It’s low-pressure, fast-paced, and allows golfers of all skill levels to contribute and have a great time.
How it works:
In a team of (usually) four, every player hits a tee shot.
The team decides which tee shot is the best. It could be the longest one, or just the one in the middle of the fairway.
All four players pick up their balls and hit their second shots from that best spot.
This process repeats for every shot - including putts - until the ball is in the hole.
The team records one score for the hole.
If you're ever invited to play in an "ABC Scramble," it means the teams are organized by handicap - an 'A' player (low handicap), a 'B' player (mid handicap), and so on. This helps to level the playing field.
Best Ball (or Four-Ball)
Best Ball is a very common format in partner competitions, often seen in the Ryder and Presidents Cups. It combines individual play with a team score.
How it works:
In a two-person team, both players play their own ball from tee to green on every hole. You play the hole as if you were in a normal stroke-play round.
At the end of the hole, you compare your two scores.
The lower of the two scores becomes the team's score for that hole.
This format is fantastic because it frees you up to be aggressive. If your partner has safely hit their ball onto the green, you can take a more daring line to a tough pin position, knowing their score is already in as a backup.
Alternate Shot (or Foursomes)
If you want the truest test of teamwork, look no further than Alternate Shot. This format can be incredibly rewarding or incredibly frustrating, as your game is completely linked to your partner's.
How it works:
In a two-person team, you play with only one ball per team.
Partners alternate taking shots. Player A tees off on hole 1, Player B hits the second shot, Player A hits the third, and so on.
On hole 2, Player B will then be the one to tee off.
Strategy is paramount in Alternate Shot. You're not just playing your next shot, you're trying to set your partner up for their next one. It requires great communication and an even better sense of humor.
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Some competitions move away from simply counting strokes and introduce points or unique hole-by-hole challenges.
Stableford
Named after its inventor, Dr. Frank Stableford, this is a points-based game that encourages aggressive play. Instead of tallying your strokes, you score points based on your performance on each hole relative to par.
How it works (a common point system):
Double Bogey or worse: 0 points
Bogey: 1 point
Par: 2 points
Birdie: 3 points
Eagle: 4 points
The player with the highest point total at the end wins. The immense benefit of Stableford is that one disastrous hole doesn't kill your score. If you make a 9 on a par-4, you simply score 0 points for that hole and move on to the next one with a fresh start, which is much better for your morale than seeing a big crooked number on your scorecard.
Naming Conventions: Classic, Open, Club Championship
Finally, the name of the competition itself often provides clues about its nature.
"Open": As in the "U.S. Open" or "The Open Championship," this signals that the event is open to both professionals and qualified amateurs. It is a true meritocracy.
"Invitational": As in "The Masters Tournament" (officially the Augusta National Invitational Tournament for years), this means you have to be invited to play based on specific criteria.
"Championship": This word denotes a premier event, like the "PGA Championship" or, more locally, your course’s "Club Championship."
"Pro-Am": This explicitly tells you the format involves teams of professionals playing with amateurs.
"Classic," "Challenge," "Shootout": These names are often chosen for branding and marketing but usually point to standard stroke play, match play, or team formats.
Final Thoughts
Understanding what golf competitions are called is about discovering the different ways to enjoy the game. Each format - from intense head-to-head match play to a relaxed team scramble - offers a unique set of challenges and strategies. Knowing the rules isn't just for players, it makes you a more knowledgeable and engaged spectator, able to appreciate the strategic nuances behind every shot.
Beyond knowing the format, competing well often comes down to course management and having a clear plan for each shot. I designed Caddie AI to act as that expert strategist right in your pocket. Whether you're in a pressure-packed Club Championship match or just trying to win a skin off your buddies, you can get instant, simple advice. If you're facing a tough lie, you can even snap a photo, and asking for a smart plan lets you swing with confidence and make better decisions under pressure.
Spencer has been playing golf since he was a kid and has spent a lifetime chasing improvement. With over a decade of experience building successful tech products, he combined his love for golf and startups to create Caddie AI - the world's best AI golf app. Giving everyone an expert level coach in your pocket, available 24/7. Caddie's mission is simple: make world-class golf advice accessible to everyone, anytime.
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