An Eclectic competition lets you build one perfect 18-hole scorecard using your best score on each individual hole over multiple rounds. Think of it as creating a dream round where every triple bogey gets erased and replaced by that one perfect par or birdie you made on another day. In this article, we’ll walk through exactly how this format works, show you a clear scoring example, and give you some pro-level strategy to help you post your best possible score and win your next Eclectic.
At its core, the Eclectic format is a multi-round tournament where the goal is to record your single best score for each of the 18 holes. It's usually played over two, three, four, or even more rounds. A competition might span a weekend, a month, or an entire season.
Here’s a simple way to think about it: Imagine you play the first hole four times over the monthlong club Eclectic.
After all rounds are complete, you have an 18-hole scorecard composed of your single best gross score on each hole. This final 18-hole total is your "Eclectic Score." It’s a fantastic format because it rewards persistence and gives every golfer a shot at redemption after a bad hole. That one blow-up hole you had in the first round doesn't haunt you for the entire tournament.
While the concept is straightforward, the execution involves some specific steps. Most clubs and tournament organizers will handle the complex tracking, but understanding the process will help you strategize effectively.
When the competition begins, a separate "Eclectic Scorecard" is created for you. After you complete your first official round, your scores for holes 1 through 18 are recorded as the starting point. This is your baseline.
For every subsequent round you play, you take your standard scorecard and compare it, hole by hole, to your current Eclectic card. If you make a 4 on a hole where your current Eclectic best is a 5, you update the Eclectic card with the new, lower score. If you score higher than what’s on your Eclectic card, nothing changes for that hole. Your best score is protected.
Most competitions will have a master scoreboard in the clubhouse or online where players' Eclectic scores are updated after each round. This is where you can see your current standing and, just as important, identify which holes you still need to improve on. This information is your roadmap for the next round you play.
Once the competition period ends and everyone has their final 18-hole gross Eclectic score, handicaps come into play to determine the net winner. There isn't a universally standard way to do this, but the most common method is using half (50%) of your current course handicap.
For example, if your final gross Eclectic score is 78 and your course handicap is 16:
Some clubs might use 1/3 or 2/3 of the handicap, but 1/2 is the most prevalent. Always check the specific rules of your competition before a ball is ever struck.
Seeing how the card fills out over time is the best way to get it. Let's imagine a 3-round Eclectic for a Par-72 course. We'll track the scores on the first four holes for a player named Alex.
Initial Scoreboard (After Round 1)
Alex plays the first round and sets the baseline scores. These are just the normal scores from the round.
Hole | Par | Round 1 Score | Eclectic Score
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1 | 4 | 5 | 5
2 | 5 | 5 | 5
3 | 3 | 4 | 4
4 | 4 | 6 | 6
... (and so on for all 18 holes)
Update After Round 2
In the second round, Alex has some better holes and some worse ones. Let’s see what sticks.
Hole | Par | Round 2 Score | Current Eclectic | New Eclectic Score
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 4 (Improved!)
2 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 5 (No change)
3 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 3 (Improved!)
4 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 5 (Improved!)
After Round 2, Alex’s Eclectic card has seen great improvement. The birdie on Hole 2 has replaced the par, and the par on Hole 1 replaced a bogey.
Update After Round 3 (Final Round)
Heading into the last round, Alex knows that only Hole 2 needs a significant upgrade. The focus shifts entirely to making a birdie on that par 5.
Hole | Par | Round 3 Score | Current Eclectic | Final Eclectic Score
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 4 (No change)
2 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 4 (Improved!)
3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 (No change)
4 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 5 (No change)
Success! Alex birdied the 2nd hole, completing the objective. After three rounds, the final gross Eclectic scores for the first four holes are 4, 4, 3, and 5.
This process continues for all 18 holes. Your final score is the sum of those 18 best individual results. It’s an incredibly satisfying way to see just how good you could be if everything went right in a single round.
Unlike a normal stroke play tournament, an Eclectic requires a evolving game plan. You're not just playing a single round, you're playing a long game. Here’s how you should approach it.
Your primary goal in the first round is to get a solid, safe score on the card for every hole. Don't take unnecessary risks. Avoid the "hero shot" over water for a tight pin. Instead, get the ball safely on the green, two-putt for your par, and move on. Filling your card with pars (or bogeys on tough holes) gives you a fantastic foundation. Your mission is to eliminate blow-up holes - you want to avoid posting a 7 or an 8 anywhere on your initial Eclectic card.
Once your first round is done, analyze your Eclectic card. Where are the high numbers? Do you have a double bogey on a gettable par 5? Is there a short par 4 where you made bogey? These holes are your targets.
As the competition progresses, your strategy becomes much more aggressive and surgical. If you already have a par on a very difficult hole, don't worry about trying to birdie it - the risk is too high. Instead, focus all your energy and aggressive play on the holes where improvement is realistic. This is where you can start firing at pins on short par 3s, trying to get home in two on par 5s, or using a more attacking line off the tee if it gives you a better angle of approach.
These holes often offer the greatest scoring variance and opportunity for improvement.
Don't play blind. Keep a small separate note of your personal Eclectic score or regularly check the main leaderboard. Going into a round, you should know, "I only need to improve on holes 7, 12, and 16." This clarity removes mental clutter and lets you focus. If you know you have a bulletproof par on the brutal 8th hole already in the bag, you can play that hole with no pressure, simply aiming to get through it without incident and save your mental energy for the scoring holes that follow.
An Eclectic competition is a fun, long-term challenge that tests your persistence and strategy instead of just your performance on a single day. It’s a format of second chances, allowing you to build your "ultimate score" one good hole at-a-time, turning those frustrating mistakes into distant memories.
When you boil it down, winning an Eclectic is all about course management and smart decision-making under pressure. When you're standing on the tee of a hole you've identified as a target, you need a clear, confident strategy. We developed Caddie AI for exactly these moments. You can ask for a smart play on any hole or even snap a photo of a tricky lie to get an instant recommendation, helping you execute the right shot when it matters most to lower that final Eclectic score.
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