Ever seen an ‘Am-Am’ tournament listed on the club notice board and felt a little unsure about what it involved? You're not alone. The name itself can sound a bit like golfer-speak, but it represents one of the most popular and social forms of competitive golf. This guide will walk you through exactly what an Am-Am is, the most common formats you’ll encounter, and some simple tips to help you feel confident and prepared for your next team event.
At its core, the term "Am-Am" is simply short for "Amateur-Amateur." This means it’s a tournament format where amateur golfers team up to compete against other teams of amateur golfers. This distinguishes it from a "Pro-Am," where teams of amateurs have a professional golfer playing alongside them.
The beauty of the Am-Am lies in its emphasis on teamwork and camaraderie. Instead of the typical pressure of individual stroke play where every single shot you hit counts towards your solo score, Am-Ams allow players to combine their Efforts. This shared responsibility makes the competitive environment less intimidating and a lot more fun, especially for golfers who are new to tournaments or have higher handicaps. They are a brilliant way to meet other members at your club, enjoy a day on the course with friends, and experience the thrill of competition in a relaxed setting.
While "Am-Am" tells you *who* is playing, it doesn’t tell you *how* they are playing. There are numerous scoring formats used for these events. When you sign up for an Am-Am, the most important thing to know is the format. Let’s break down the most popular ones you’ll likely see.
The Texas Scramble is arguably the most famous and beloved Am-Am format. It’s a fantastic way to bond with a team because every shot involves a group decision. It maximizes the chance for great scores and minimizes the penalty for poor shots.
A common variation: To ensure everyone contributes, some Scramble rules require the team to use a minimum number of drives from each player (e.g., three drives from each person in a team of four).
If you've played individual Stableford, the team version will feel familiar. Instead of counting strokes, players earn points based on their score relative to par after their handicap has been applied (this is called your net score). It's a fantastic format because one disastrous hole won't ruin your entire round.
In a team setting, you aren’t just trying to accumulate points for yourself, you’re working to contribute to the team’s total. The most common arrangement is often called “Best 2 Scores from 4 to Count.”
Here’s how that works on a single hole:
Imagine your foursome plays a par 4. After applying handicap strokes, the Stableford points for the hole are:
The Pro Shop would take the two best scores from that hole, which are Player A’s 3 points and Player B’s 2 points. The team score for that hole is 5 points (3 + 2). This is repeated across all 18 holes to get a final team total.
A Shambles is a mix between a Texas Scramble and a standard team event. It offers the benefit of a good drive but still requires each player to play their own ball for the majority of the hole.
This format is a great middle-ground. It takes the pressure off hitting a great drive an allows longer hitters to give the team a strategic advantage, but it still challenges everyone's iron play, chipping, and putting.
This is a fun and increasingly common variation of a team Stableford. The name “Waltz” comes from its rhythmic 1-2-3 counting pattern. Here’s how counting workshole-by-hole for a team of four:
This pattern (1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3...) continues for all 18 holes. It creates an interesting dynamic where different holes have different levels of importance, and teamwork is required to make sure you capitalize on the holes where three scores count.
Handicaps are used in Am-Ams to level the playing field, allowing teams of all skill levels to compete fairly. The calculation method changes depending on the format. You usually won’t have to do the math yourself - it will be calculated for you by the organisers - but it’s helpful to understand the basic concept.
Playing in a team event is less about individual brilliance and more about smart collaboration. Here’s how to be a fantastic teammate and enjoy the day.
Am-Ams are the lifeblood of club golf for a wonderful reason. They transform an individual sport into a collaborative adventure, reducing pressure and dialing up the fun. By understanding the format and embracing a team-first mindset, you’ll not only enjoy the day but will also likely score better than you thought possible.
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