The Pinehurst format is one of the most exciting and strategic ways to play a team game, offering a perfect blend of individual shot-making and collaborative decision-making. This guide will walk you through exactly how Pinehurst works, from the basic rules to the on-course strategy you and your partner can use to win your next tournament. We'll cover the step-by-step process of playing a hole, how to score, and why this format is a favorite for member-guests and casual weekend rounds.
Pinehurst is a two-person team format that's also commonly known as Modified Alternate Shot or the Chapman System. It combines the ease of a scramble-like start with the challenge of traditional alternate shot (foursomes) to finish the hole. Essentially, both players hit a tee shot, then they play each other's ball for the second shot. After that, the team selects the one best ball and plays an alternate shot format from that spot until the ball is holed.
What makes it so clever? It takes the pressure off the tee shot. In true alternate shot, a bad drive can sink your team before the hole even gets started. In Pinehurst, you get a "second chance" because your partner also hits a shot from where your drive landed. This gives you two opportunities to get a ball into a good position for the third shot, turning the game into a fun strategic puzzle. For this reason, it’s a fantastic format that accommodates players of all different skill levels.
You might have guessed it, but the format gets its name from the legendary Pinehurst Resort in North Carolina. It was popularized by prolific course architect Dick Chapman, a frequent competitor and a figurehead at the resort. He believed this format offered a more enjoyable and fair test of team golf, and it quickly became a staple in tournaments and friendly matches across the country.
The rules can sound a little confusing at first, but once you play a hole, it becomes incredibly simple. Let's walk through an example to make it crystal clear. Imagine a team of two golfers, Amy and Ben, playing a par-4.
Both players on the team tee off. There's no particular order required here.
Here’s the first big twist. Players now walk to their partner's ball and play the team’s second shot from there. You do not play your own ball.
So now, two drives have been hit, and two second shots have been hit. There are two different balls on the course. One ball was played by Amy from the rough, and the other was played by Ben from the fairway.
Now, Amy and Ben walk ahead and look at the outcome of their two second shots. They must decide which one ball they want to complete the hole with. The other ball is picked up.
This is an easy decision. They choose to play from Ben's ball on the green and pick up Amy’s ball.
From the spot of the selected ball, the team plays true alternate shot until the ball is in the cup. Here is something incredibly important to remember: the player whose shot was *not* chosen hits the next shot.
Since Amy and Ben chose to play the ball Ben hit for his second shot, it's now Amy’s turn to play.
Amy and Ben write "4" on their scorecard and head to the next tee. That's it! It becomes a simple rhythm: Tee off, swap, hit, choose, and then finish the hole together.
The order of play on the next tee doesn't matter. In stroke play tournaments, teams just play ready golf off the tee. In match play, the team with the honor tees off first.
Scoring in Pinehurst is usually standard stroke play - you just tally the total strokes for your team on each hole. However, it’s also a fantastic match play format where you compete hole by hole against another team.
So how do you make it fair when teams have different skill levels? Handicaps are what makes formats like this work so well. The standard USGA recommendation for calculating a Pinehurst team handicap is as follows:
Example:
Let's say Amy is a 10 handicap and Ben is a 20 handicap.
Amy and Ben would get 14 strokes for their round, which they’d apply to their gross score as they would in any other net competition.
Pinehurst isn't just a format, it's a strategic exercise in teamwork. As a coach, this is what I'd tell my players. A good Pinehurst team thinks ahead and plays for their partner, not just for themselves.
The over-arching primary objective is to have two good options for your second shot. The beauty of this format is that you’re not out of the hole after one poor tee ball. Even so, the more pressure you can take off your partner’s second shot, the better. As a team, establish a plan. If you have an aggressive player and a conservative-fairway finder, that's a tremendous combination. Let the straight hitter put one securely in short grass, giving the long hitter a green light to take a more aggressive line. Just getting two drives playable is a massive advantage.
When you're walking up to hit your partner's drive, your only goal is to give your team a fantastic option for the third shot. It is not the time to be a hero.
After both second shots are hit, your team's decision is highly important. The "best ball" is the one that gives you the highest probability of a positive outcome. Consider all factors:
Great Pinehurst teams are constantly talking. Before hitting your partner's drive, ask them: "What were you hoping for from this spot?" On the green, talk about the break. Before selecting which ball to play, discuss the pros and cons of each position. The best partners are like on-course coaches for each other, providing encouragement and collaborating on a sound strategy for every shot.
How does Pinehurst stack up against other popular two-person formats? Understanding the differences helps you appreciate what makes Pinehurst unique.
In a scramble, both players hit from the same spot, and the process repeats until the ball is holed. Scramble is far more forgiving since you always get to choose the best result on every single shot. Pinehurst becomes more difficult after the second shot because you’re stuck playing Alternate Shot. One bad chip or missed putt puts all the pressure on the next player.
Foursomes is arguably the hardest team format. One player tees off on odd holes, the other on even holes, and you alternate shots from there. One bad tee shot can have a ripple effect on the entire hole. Pinehurst is more beginner-friendly because both players hit a tee shot, giving the team two chances to start the hole well.
The Pinehurst format is a fantastic test of golf that rewards teamwork, strategy, and smart decision-making. By giving players a bit of a safety net off the tee while preserving the challenge of alternate shot golf from fairway to hole-out, it stands out as one of the most balanced and enjoyable team games you can play.
Making smart decisions on the course is what separates a good round from a great one, especially in a strategic format like Pinehurst. With Caddie AI, you can get tour-level strategic advice on demand. If your team is debating which of the two balls offers a better approach to the green, you can get an instant opinion. Or when it's your turn to hit and you’re unsure about club selection or the target, our AI can provide a clear plan so you can swing with confidence, knowing you’re making the smartest play for your team.
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