The Chapman golf format, a popular two-person team game, is a fantastic way to enjoy a round with a friend by combining individual shots with team strategy. This guide will walk you through exactly what Chapman is, how to play it step-by-step, and provide some simple strategies you can use to give your team the winning edge.
At its heart, Chapman is a fun, social golf format for two-person teams that blends parts of a scramble with parts of alternate shot. It's often known by other names as well, most commonly Pinehurst System or American Foursomes. The unique twist in Chapman is the "switch" that happens after the tee shots, where each player hits their partner's ball for the second shot.
This design makes the game feel truly collaborative. You're not just playing your own ball, you're actively trying to set your partner up for success on every hole. It reduces thepressure of a standard alternate shot format, where a single bad shot can feel like you've let your teammate down, but it maintains more of a strategic element than a traditional scramble. It's a wonderful middle ground that keeps both players involved throughout the hole.
The flow of a hole in Chapman format is easy to follow once you've done it once or twice. Let’s break it down into four simple steps so you and your partner know exactly what to do from the tee box to the green.
This part is simple. On every hole, both you and your partner (Player A and Player B) tee off. Just like in a scramble, you both hit a drive.
It’s a good idea to have a quick chat before you tee off. Maybe one player decides to hit a safe, conservative shot aiming for the middle of the fairway, while the other can afford to be a bit more aggressive and try to hit it farther down the hole.
Here comes the unique part of the format. After both of you have teed off, you switch balls for the second shot. You walk down the fairway to your partner’s ball, and they walk to yours.
Now, you have two different golf balls in position after two shots each. For example, Player A’s first shot and Player B’s second shot have determined the final position of Ball 1. Player B’s first shot and Player A’s second shot have determined the final position of Ball 2.
After both second shots have been played, you and your partner walk ahead to look at the position of the two balls. Now, as a team, you must choose which one ball you want to play for the remainder of the hole. The other ball is picked up.
This decision is important. The “best” ball isn’t always the one that’s closer to the hole. You might choose the ball that offers a better--or easier- Angle into the green, is sitting on a flatter lie, or avoids a greenside bunker. Choosing the ball in the fairway 150 yards out might be a much smarter play than choosing the one that's 120 yards out but stuck in thick rough.
Once you’ve selected the best ball, you play an alternate shot format until the ball is in the cup. Who hits the third shot? It's the player whose second shot was NOT chosen.
This might seem confusing, but it's simple when you see it happen. Let's walk through an example:
The team writes down one score for the hole. At the end of the round, you add up your 18 team scores for your total. Easy as that!
Chapman can be played as simple stroke play (lowest total score wins) or match play (team with the lower score wins the hole). Most of the time, club events or casual games will incorporate handicaps to make it fair for everyone.
There isn’t one "official" rule for Chapman handicaps, but the most common method is a percentage-based formula. A popular version recommended by the USGA for this type of format is:
For example, if Player A is a 10 handicap and Player B is a 20 handicap:
Your team would get 14 strokes for the round, applied on the hardest handicap holes as you normally would.
Winning at Chapman isn't just about pure skill, it’s about smart teamwork. It’s fundamentally a game of setting your partner up for a shot they feel comfortable hitting. Here are a few things to focus on.
Communication with your partner is the most important part of succeeding in Chapman. Before the round, talk about your strengths and weaknesses. Is one person a better driver? Who is more confident with wedges? On the tee box, decide which one of you will hit the "safe" shot and which will be more aggressive. When choosing which ball to play for the third shot, discuss an of your options and agree on a game plan for getting the ball in the hole.
The primary goal for the pair of you on the tee box is to ensure that you have at least one ball in the fairway. A good strategy is to have the more consistent driver go first and try to find the short grass. This takes the pressure off the second player, allowing them to swing more freely and potentially hit a longer drive, giving you a better option farther down the hole.
This is where smart strategy really pays off. When you’re standing over your partner’s drive, your goal isn't just to hit it as close to the green as possible. Your goal is to put your team in the absolute best position for the _third shot_, which your partner will be hitting. If your partner is fantastic from 100 yards, try to get the ball to that distance. If they struggle with pitches over bunkers, your second shot should focus on finding an angle that takes those bunkers out of play, even if it means a slightly longer third shot.
Successful Chapman teams know each other's games. As you're deciding which ball to select after the second shots, think about who is next up to hit. If the next shot is a delicate 40-yard pitch and one of you is a short-game wizard, it makes sense to choose the ball that sets up that shot - even if the other ball is 15 feet closer to the pin but requires a difficult bunker shot. You are always playing for the next shot and the player who has to hit it.
Chapman format is an excellent way to mix things up on the course. It fosters genuine teamwork, encourages smart course management, and allows both partners to contribute to every hole, all while reducing some of the immense pressure of classic alternate shot. It's a faster and more interactive format that I highly recommend for your next weekend round or club competition.
Developing that on-course strategy and making smart, collaborative decisions is a huge part of the fun in Chapman. I designed Caddie AI to act as that trusted partner in your pocket, not just for team formats but for your individual game as well. If you're pondering the best way to play a tough par 5 or stuck wondering how to navigate a tricky situation, our AI can offer simple, clear strategies in seconds, giving you that 'expert caddie' opinion so you can make confident decisions for you and your team.
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