The Chapman System is one of golf's most engaging formats, blending the individuality of hitting your own ball with the teamwork of an alternate shot, creating a fun, pressure-free round. This article will walk you through exactly how to play Chapman - from the step-by-step rules and scoring to the on-course strategy that will help you and your partner win.
Unlike a standard Scramble or a traditional Foursomes (also known as Alternate Shot) game, Chapman is a unique two-person team format that cherry-picks features from both. It's often called "Pinehurst Foursomes," but there can be a slight variation between the two depending on who you ask. For our purposes, we'll focus on the most commonly played Chapman rules.
Here’s the simple version of how a hole works:
The format is brilliant because it takes the heat off the tee shot. If you happen to hit one sideways, your partner has a shot at redemption, and you have theirs. It promotes teamwork and constant strategic discussion, making it a perfect format for a casual weekend game, a club tournament, or a member-guest event.
Understanding the flow is the most important part of playing Chapman. It sounds more complicated on paper than it is on the course. Once you play one or two holes, you'll have it down. Let's break down a single hole, assuming a team of Player A and Player B.
Both Player A and Player B hit their own tee shots. Just like a normal round, you both tee it up and smash it. There are two golf balls in play from your team.
Example: Player A hits a beautiful drive down the middle of the fairway. Player B hooks theirs into the left rough.
This is where the magic happens. After the tee shots, you switch. Player A walks over to Player B's ball (the one in the rough) and hits the second shot. Player B walks over to Player A's ball (the one in the fairway) and hits their second shot.
Example: Player A, playing from the left rough (Player B's ball), punches it out and lands it just short of the fairway, still about 170 yards out. Player B, playing from the middle of the fairway (Player A's ball), hits a pure iron shot that lands 15 feet from the hole.
Now, with two second shots completed, your team has two balls in different positions on the course. You walk up and evaluate both outcomes. You must choose the one best ball to continue with. The other ball is picked up and is out of play for the rest of the hole.
Example: This is an easy choice. The team picks up the ball that Player A advanced from the rough. They decide to play from Player B's second-shot location, just 15 feet from the cup.
After selecting your ball, the format becomes a straightforward alternate shot. The key rule here is this: the player whose second shot was not chosen hits the next shot.
From that point forward, you alternate strokes until the ball is in the hole.
Example: The team chose the ball hit by Player B. Therefore, it is now Player A's turn to play the third stroke, which in this case is a 15-foot birdie putt. If Player A misses, Player B would hit the fourth shot.
This is the detail that trips up most new Chapman players. Just remember: whoever hit the shot you decided to pick up, it's their turn to hit next. Once you get that, the rest is easy.
Scoring an individual hole is simple: you just write down the single score your team made using the alternate shot sequence. The more interesting part, and where the strategy really comes in, is managing handicaps.
Chapman is a fantastic format for players of differing abilities, and handicaps help level the playing field. The USGA provides an official recommendation for calculating a team's handicap in the Chapman System.
You add these two numbers together to get your total team handicap for the round. You'll then apply these strokes on the hardest holes, as indicated by the handicap line on the scorecard (1 through 18).
Let's say Amy is a 10 handicap and her partner, Ben, is a 24 handicap.
Amy and Ben's team gets 16 strokes for the round. They will mark a dot on their scorecard on the holes handicapped 1 through 16. If they make a 5 on one of these dotted holes, their net score is a 4.
Chapman is also a terrific match play format. In this case, you'd calculate both teams' handicaps using the 60%/40% formula. Then, you subtract the lower team handicap from the higher team handicap. The higher handicap team gets strokes on the hardest holes based on the difference.
Now that you know the rules, let's talk about how to actually win. This format isn't just about good shots, it's about smart teamwork and thinking one step ahead.
The best Chapman teams often have complementary skill sets. If you can, pair a long, aggressive driver with a partner who has a superb iron game or short game. The long bomber's job is to get the ball as far down the fairway as possible. Even a slightly wayward shot is okay, because the skilled iron player playing the second shot is often just trying to advance the a ball to a good "third-shot" position for the team.
The second shot is arguably the most strategic in the entire format. You're not just playing your partner's ball, you're trying to set the team up for the easiest possible third shot - which will be hit by your partner. Don't be a hero. If your partner hit a monster drive but you have a 220-yard shot over water from their position, the smart play is often a simple layup to a comfortable wedge distance for your partner. Always ask, "What shot do I want my partner to have next?"
A quiet team is a losing team in Chapman. You should be in constant dialogue.
A classic mistake is automatically choosing the ball that is nearest to the green after the second shots. The "best" location is the one that gives your team the highest probability of a good score. A ball sitting 100 yards out in the middle of the fairway might be a far better choice than one 75 yards out sitting in deep greenside rough - especially if the partner due to hit the third shot excels with their full wedge shots rather than delicate touch shots.
One of the great things about Chapman is its versatility. It's a perfect choice for many different situations.
It shines in events where players of widely different skill levels are paired together. It prevents a higher-handicap player from feeling like their bad shots are ruining the team's chances, as there's always a second ball in play off the tee. This takes away a lot of pressure and makes the game more enjoyable for everyone.
The format also keeps a good pace of play, as one ball is taken out of play after the second shot. It’s slightly faster than a Four-Ball (Best Ball) but doesn't feel as intense or punishing as traditional Alternate Shot. If you're looking for a new game to try with your regular group that rewards teamwork and good decisions, give Chapman a try.
The Chapman System is a fun and engaging team format that truly tests golf strategy beyond just hitting good shots. It brings teamwork to the forefront, asking you and a partner to communicate, plan, and execute a strategy on every single hole in a relaxed, low-pressure way.
Knowing the rules is one thing, but making the right call under pressure a - like choosing the best tactical 'leave' for your partner - is what really separates good teams from the pack. These are the kinds of strategic puzzles we built Caddie AI to solve. Having on-demand, expert-level course strategy in your pocket helps you evaluate tough lies, generate shot plans for unfamiliar holes, and make smarter decisions with confidence, letting you and your partner focus on playing your best golf.
Thinking about hosting a golf tournament fundraiser is the first swing, executing it successfully is what gets the ball in the hole. This guide will walk you through the entire process, step-by-step, from laying the initial groundwork months in advance to watching your happy golfers tee off. We’ll cover everything from securing sponsors and setting your budget to planning the on-course fun that makes an event unforgettable.
A golf handicap does more than just give you bragging rights (or a reason to demand strokes from your friends) - it’s the game’s great equalizer and the single best way to track your improvement. This guide breaks down what a handicap is, how the supportive math behind a handicap index a is, and exactly how you can get one for yourself. We’ll look at everything from Course Rating to Adjusted Gross Score, helping you feel confident both on the course and in the clubhouse.
The compression of a Pinnacle Rush golf ball is one of its most defining features, engineered specifically to help a huge swath of golfers get more distance and enjoyment from their game. We'll break down exactly what its low compression means, who it's for, and how you can use that knowledge to shoot lower scores.
Figuring out which spikes go into your new (or old) pair of Puma golf shoes can feel like a puzzle, but it’s much simpler than you think. The key isn't the brand of the shoe, but the type of receptacle system they use. This guide will walk you through exactly how to identify your Puma's spike system, choose the perfect replacements for your game, and change them out like a pro.
The Golf Genius app is one of the best tools for managing and participating in competitive golf events, but figuring it out for the first time can feel like reading a new set of greens. This guide cuts through the confusion and shows you exactly how to use the app as a player. We’ll cover everything from logging into your tournament and entering scores to checking the live leaderboard so you can enjoy the competition without any tech headaches.
Walking onto the first tee with sweaty palms, worried you’ll be a good partner to paly wtih...or even asked back again ...We’ve all been there - trust me! The real trick of feeling confortable... is about how you handle you’re ready to plsy. THIS guide explains the simple rules of the rode to show you hnow t play golf while staying calm relaxed and focused... an having much morse fun while you,',re aat it? You'll also play with confidence a dn make fiendsa while you're at i
Just ask a question or share a photo and Caddie gives personalized guidance for every shot - anytime, anywhere.
