What Is an Am-Am Golf Competition?

Ever heard fellow golfers tossing around the term Am-Am and found yourself nodding along, not completely sure what they were talking about? You're not alone. This guide is here to clear things up, explaining exactly what an Am-Am is, the different ways you can play one, and some simple strategies to help you feel confident enough to jump into the next one at your club.

What Exactly Is an Am-Am?

An Am-Am gets its name from "Amateur-Amateur," and it's simply a golf competition where teams are made up entirely of amateur golfers. This is the key difference from a "Pro-Am," where teams of amateurs get to play alongside a professional golfer.

Think of Am-Ams as the heart and soul of club golf. They're designed to be social, fun, and bring a splash of friendly competition to your weekend round. They're built around team play, which instantly lowers the pressure that can come with individual stroke play. If you hit a bad shot (and let's be honest, who doesn't?), your partners are there to pick you up. This team-first spirit makes Am-Ams one of the most welcoming and enjoyable ways to experience competitive golf, no matter your handicap.

The Most Common Am-Am Formats Explained

The "Am-Am" label tells you who is playing (amateurs), but the specific format tells you how you'll be playing. Most events use formats that promote teamwork and speed up play. Here are the most popular ones you'll encounter.

Four-Ball Better Ball (or Best Ball)

This is a classic and very popular format for two-person teams. It's often just called "Best Ball," and the name says it all. To understand more about this, explore how to play Four-Ball Better Ball in golf.

• How it works: You and your partner both play your own ball from tee to green on every single hole. You write down both of your scores on the scorecard, but only the lower of the two scores counts as the team score for that hole. If you both have the same score, that's your score.
• Example: You're playing a par 4. You make a solid bogey (5), but your partner drains a putt for a par (4). The team's score for that hole is a 4. On the next hole, you make a birdie and your partner a par. Your team score is the birdie!
• Net Scoring: Most of the time, this format is played using handicaps to keep things fair. In this case, it's the best net score that counts. If you have a handicap stroke on a hole and make a gross 5, your net score is a 4. Your partner, without a stroke, makes a gross 4 (a net 4). The team score is 4.

Coach's Tip: This format frees you up to be aggressive. If your partner hits a safe shot into the middle of the fairway, it gives you a green light to pull out the driver and try to cut the corner. If one player is safely on the green, the other can take dead aim at the flag. It's all about complementary strategy.

The Scramble (Often a Texas Scramble)

If you're looking for the ultimate no-pressure, fun-first format, the Scramble is it. It's perfect for charity events and corporate outings because it keeps everyone involved and minimizes the pain of bad shots. It's usually played in teams of four.

• How it works: Everyone on the team tees off on a hole. The team then surveys the results and decides which drive was the best one. From there, all team members pick up their balls and play their second shots from that best spot. You repeat this process - choosing the best shot and everyone playing from there - until the ball is in the hole. The team records one single score for the hole.
• Example: All four players on your team hit their tee shots. Mike's ends up in the woods, Jane slices one into the rough, but your ball and Sarah's ball are both in the fairway. Sarah's drive is about 15 yards farther, so the team unanimously agrees to play from her spot. Everyone walks to Sarah's ball and plays their second shot from within one club length of her ball's location.
• Scramble Rules: Often, there are specific rules attached, like requiring the team to use a minimum number of drives from each player (e.g., three drives per person in an 18-hole competition). This prevents a team from just using the longest hitter's drive on every hole and keeps everyone engaged.

Coach's Tip: Smart teams assign roles. Figure out who your most consistent driver is, who excels with irons, and who is the most confident putter. For putting, have your more tentative putters go first to show the line, allowing your best putter to go last with the most information.

Team Stableford Formats

Stableford is a scoring system, not a playing format itself, but it's incredibly common in Am-Ams because it rewards good shots without punishing bad holes too severely. Instead of counting strokes, you earn points based on your score relative to par (usually your net par based on your handicap):

• Double Bogey or worse: 0 points
• Bogey: 1 point
• Par: 2 points
• Birdie: 3 points
• Eagle: 4 points

In a team Am-Am, this scoring is combined with a format like "2 from 4 to Count."

• How it works: All four players in the team play their own ball throughout. At the end of each hole, you look at all four players' Stableford points, and the two best point totals are combined and become the team score for that hole.
• Example: Your team is on a par 4 where everyone gets a handicap stroke. Player A makes a net par (2 points). Player B makes a net birdie (3 points). Player C also makes a net par (2 points). Player D makes a net bogey (1 point). The two best scores are Player B's (3 points) and Player A's or C's (2 points), so the team score for the hole is 5 points (3 + 2). The total is tallied at the end of 18 holes.
• Coach's Tip: Never pick your ball up! This is the biggest mistake players make in Stableford. In stroke play, a triple bogey is a scorecard killer. In Stableford, a bogey and a par are invaluable points. Your 'terrible' hole might be just enough to contribute if your partner has an even worse hole. Grind it out until the very end.

The Waltz (or 1-2-3)

A fun and entertaining Am-Am variation where the number of scores that count changes per hole:

• Hole 1: Only the team's best score counts.
• Hole 2: The team's best two scores count.
• Hole 3: The team's best three scores count.

The pattern then repeats back to Hole 1 over and over again. You can often tell you are on a par-3 hole because the hitting gets more intense and more pressure is on.

Shamble

A mix of a Scramble and individual play, it offers the best of both worlds:

• How it works: Everyone tees off, and the team chooses the best tee shot to use. From there, everyone plays their own ball for the rest of the hole. This allows players the advantages of a good drive for low hitters but requires each player to grind out their own score for the hole.

If you're still wondering, 'Is this a game for me?' the answer is almost always yes! Here are five reasons why jumping into an Am-Am is one of the best things you can do for your golf game:

• Lowers the Pressure: It's a great way to ease into competitive golf. The team environment takes a lot of the pressure off individual shots, helping you relax and swing freely.
• Social and Fun: Am-Ams are a great way to meet other golfers and make friendships in a relaxed and competitive environment. Clubs are full of people just like you, who want to enjoy the game, and Am-Ams are a fun way to connect.
• It's Competitive (but not too much): If you've only played social golf, then an Am-Am is a perfect first step into competitive play. The stakes aren't high, but the team environment still makes it feel like a real competition. It allows you to get comfortable under pressure, helping you to improve your game.
• Learn Strategy: You'll play with players of different abilities and from different backgrounds. Observing other players helps you refine your approach to a hole, and you might pick up new ways to play a course or a specific shot.

Am-Am Quick Tips: How to Turn Up and Turn In a Great Score

• Know The Rules: Before the tournament begins, make sure you understand the format and any local rules. A "2 to Count" is very different from a "4 Ball Better Ball." Knowing the rules will keep you out of trouble and help you play your best.
• Play Your Game: Don't try to be something you're not. If you're a consistent hitter, stick to that. If you're not the best driver, let your partners hit first to take pressure off. Play to your strengths and let your partners complement your weaknesses.
• Focus on the Short Game: Am-Ams are often won or lost on and around the greens. If your partner has already secured a good score, feel free to try an aggressive chip or putt. Use these opportunities to practice and improve your short game.
• Stay Positive: High fives and good vibes go a long way. Everybody hits bad shots, and nobody wants to play with a bad attitude. Your attitude affects your team, so stay positive and keep your partners motivated.

When you're out there for your next Am-Am, having a solid strategy in mind can make all the difference, especially in match play where every shot matters. Whether it's choosing the best ball, knowing when to be aggressive, or simply keeping spirits high, these insights are designed to help you and your team shine.