You’ve seen the sign-up sheet in the pro shop or heard the term the sweep mentioned in the clubhouse, and it probably left you wondering what everyone was talking about. A sweep competition is one of the most common and social elements of club golf, and getting involved is a fantastic way to make your Saturday round a bit more exciting. This article will break down exactly what a golf sweep is, how it works step-by-step, and why it’s a brilliant part of the game to participate in.
In its simplest form, a golf “sweep” or “sweepstake” is a small, informal prize pool that runs alongside a formal club competition. Think of it as a friendly side game where participants contribute a small amount of money - usually the price of a fancy coffee - into a pot. This collected prize money is then “swept” up and distributed among the winners of the day based on a few different criteria.
Unlike a high-stakes tournament, the sweep is all about camaraderie and adding a little extra competitive spice to the day. It’s part of the fabric of club life. It’s the reason your playing partner groans a little louder after missing that five-foot birdie putt on a par-3, or why there’s often a small crowd gathered around the results sheet in the clubhouse after the round. Participating in the sweep connects you to the entire field of players on that day, even the ones you’re not playing with.
The beauty of the sweep is that it’s not designed for serious gambling. It’s a low-stakes, high-fun tradition that gives every golfer, regardless of their handicap, a few different ways to win a little bit back. The prize is rarely a huge cash sum, more often, it's credited to your pro shop account, perfect for a new sleeve of balls or that glove you’ve been needing.
While the exact rules can vary slightly from club to club, the fundamental process of a sweep is almost universal. If you've been hesitant to sign up because you weren't sure of the process, this breakdown will give you all the confidence you need to put your name down next time.
This is the easy part. Typically, when you check in for the competition at the pro shop, the staff will ask, “Would you like to enter the sweep?” All you have to do is say yes! You’ll pay a small fee, which often ranges from a modest $2 to $5 (£2-£5 in the UK). On the sign-up sheet for the day's competition, there will usually be a column to indicate you've entered the sweep. It's that simple. You are now officially in.
Once you’ve paid your entry, you can mostly forget about it and just go play your round of golf. Your score in the main competition (be it a Stroke Play Medal, Stableford, or Bogey competition) is the score that's used for the main part of the sweep. You don’t have to do anything extra. However, one key part of the sweep often requires a bit more attention: the “Two’s” competition. Your marker - the person keeping your score - will diligently record your score on each hole. At the end of the round, you'll both sign the card to verify it's correct before handing it in.
This is where the magic happens and where the prize pot gets divided. After all the scores are entered into the club’s system, the results are calculated. The total money collected is allocated into different pots. Here’s a common breakdown:
The largest portion of the prize money is usually reserved for the top finishers in the main competition format. For example, in a Stableford competition, the players with the top three or top five points "in the sweep" will receive a share of the winnings. The payments are typically scaled, so 1st place gets the biggest share, 2nd gets a little less, and so on.
Many clubs also split the competition into handicap divisions (e.g., Division 1: handicap 0-12, Division 2: 13-20, Division 3: 21+). This is fantastic because it means you are only competing against players of a similar ability. Winning your division's sweep is a very achievable goal and gives far more people a chance to take home a prize.
This might be the most exciting part of any sweep. A portion of every player's entry fee (often $1 or £1) goes into a separate side pot for the "Two's." To win a share of this pot, a player must score a net two on any hole. Most commonly, this means scoring a gross 2, which equates to a birdie on a par-3 or an eagle on a par-4.
This is what adds so much tension to those short putts on par-3s! If, on a rare day, no one scores a two, the pot often "rolls over" to the next competition, creating an even bigger prize pool and more excitement next time.
Clubs can get creative. Some might have prizes for:
After everyone is finished, the club will promptly post the results. You'll typically find them on a noticeboard in the clubhouse, on the club's website, or sent out via email. The results sheet will usually list who won what and how much they’ve won. If you see your name, congratulations! The winnings are almost always paid out as a credit on your pro shop account, so next time you're in, you can put it toward your golfing essentials.
If you're still on the fence, here’s why saying "yes" to the sweep next time is a great idea.
Ready to jump in? As a coach, here is my final bit of advice.
So, what is a sweep competition in golf? It's a simple, enjoyable prize pool built on small stakes and community spirit. It adds a welcome jolt of excitement to your regular game, giving you a few different ways to win while connecting you with your fellow members over a shared, friendly competition.
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