What Is the Scotch Format in Golf?

Tired of the same old Sunday scramble? The Scotch format in golf, also known as Foursomes, offers a fantastic change of pace that tests teamwork, strategy, and your relationship with your partner in a way few other games can. This is a format where you truly win or lose as a team. This guide will walk you through exactly what Scotch is, how to play it step-by-step, the common variations you'll see, and the pro-level strategies to help you and your partner come out on top.

What Exactly Is the Scotch Format?

At its core, Scotch is a two-person team format where each team plays only one ball, and the two teammates take turns hitting shots until the ball is in the hole. This is the classic definition of "alternate shot" golf. If Player A tees off, Player B must hit the second shot, Player A the third, and so on. They continue this rotation for the entire hole.

It’s important not to confuse this with a scramble. In a scramble, both players on a team hit a tee shot, they choose the best one, and both play their next shot from that spot. In Scotch, you don't get that luxury. If your partner hits a terrible drive into the woods, it's your job - and your job alone - to hit the next shot out of those woods. This single rule creates a dynamic of shared responsibility and requires a completely different mindset than individual stroke play.

The "alternate shot" nature also extends from one hole to the next. The teammate who didn't putt out on the previous hole will typically not tee off on the next one, though the standard is simpler: one player is assigned to hit the tee shots on all the odd-numbered holes, and the other hits the tee shots on all the evens.

How to Play Scotch: The Step-by-Step Rules

Stepping up to the first tee for a Scotch match can feel a little different, but the rules are straightforward once you get the rhythm down. Here’s how a round of Scotch typically unfolds.

Step 1: Form Your Teams and Set the Stage

Simple enough. Find a partner you trust and whose game complements yours (more on that later). Decide with the other team which set of tees you'll be playing from and establish the game's stakes. Scotch can be played as either stroke play (lowest total score for the round wins) or match play (teams compete to win a majority of the individual holes).

Step 2: Assign Tee Shots

This is your first major strategic decision. Before the round starts, your team must decide who will tee off on the odd-numbered holes (1, 3, 5, etc.) and who will tee off on the even-numbered holes (2, 4, 6, etc.). This assignment stays the same for the entire round, regardless of who made the final putt on the previous hole.

Think carefully about this. Does Hole 1, a long Par 5, favor your partner's power drive, while Hole 2, a tight Par 4, might be better for your accuracy? Assigning roles based on the course layout is the first step toward building a winning game plan.

Step 3: Playing the Hole

Let's walk through an example. Your team decides Player A will hit on the odd holes and Player B will hit on the evens.

• On Hole 1 (Odd): Player A hits the tee shot. Let's say it lands in the middle of the fairway.
• Player B then hits the second shot from where Player A's drive landed. Let's say they hit it onto the green.
• Player A now walks up and hits the first putt.
• If the putt misses, Player B will attempt the next putt to hole out. This continues until the ball is in the cup.
• On Hole 2 (Even): The rotation resets. Player B hits the tee shot. Player A hits the second shot, Player B the third, and so on.

The progression is constant, creating a rhythm and a feeling of codependency with your partner. You’re always thinking one shot ahead, trying to set them up for success.

Step 4: Scoring and Handicaps

Scoring is simple. You record one score for your team on each hole. If you're playing stroke play, you total up the 18 holes for your final team score. In match play, the team with the lower score wins the hole and goes "1 up."

Using handicaps in Scotch requires a small calculation. For a classic Scotch Foursomes match, the most common method is to add the two partners' course handicaps together and divide by two. For instance, if Player A is a 10 handicap and Player B is a 20, your team handicap would be (10 + 20) / 2 = 15. Your team would then get 15 strokes for the round.

Common Variations of Scotch You Might Encounter

While classic Foursomes is the "true" Scotch format, you'll often find friendlier, more forgiving variations used in club tournaments and casual outings. These are often used to make the game a bit less stressful while keeping the team dynamic intact.

Greensomes (also called Canadian Foursomes)

Greensomes fixes the biggest point of pressure in Scotch: the tee shot. Here's how it works:

1. Tee Off: Both players on the team hit their own tee shots.
2. Choose the Best Drive: The team walks forward and decides which of the two drives they want to play from.
3. Play Alternate Shot: The player whose drive was _not_ chosen hits the second shot. From that point on, they play alternate shot until the ball is holed.

Greensomes gives you the benefit of choosing the best drive, which can spare you from having to hit recovery shots out of trouble. It's a great "intro" format to alternate shot golf.

Chapman System (also called American Foursomes or Pinehurst System)

The Chapman System adds another layer of security and is arguably the most forgiving of the Scotch variations. Donald Ross, the great course architect, often used this system for member events at his home club, Pinehurst.

1. Tee Off: Both players hit their own tee shots.
2. Switch and Hit: Now, for the second shot, you switch balls. Player A walks over and hits Player B's drive. Player B walks over and hits Player A's drive.
3. Choose the Best Ball: At this point, you have two balls in play, both of which have been hit twice. The team now gets to evaluate both results and choose the best one to continue from.
4. Play Alternate Shot: The player whose shot was _not_ chosen hits the third shot. They then play classic alternate shot until the ball is holed.

Chapman is a fantastic format because it gives you two opportunities to have a good ball in play after the second shots, almost guaranteeing you a decent position for your approach shot.

Winning Strategy for the Scotch Format

Success in Scotch isn't about one player carrying the team, it's about two players working together to play smart, conservative golf. As a coach, this is where I see teams either click or fall apart.

The Golden Rule: Keep the Ball In Play!

This is everything in Scotch. Your top priority should be to hit shots that leave your partner in a good position - even if it means giving up a few yards. A tee shot in the short grass is infinitely better than one that’s 20 yards longer but in the rough. A simple chip to the middle of the green is way better than a risky flop shot that could end up in a bunker. Your primary job is to not put your partner in jail. Think of every shot as a setup pass, not a hail mary.

Think Like a Coach When Assigning Tees

This is where your pre-round homework pays off. Don't just flip a coin for who gets the odd and even holes. Get the scorecard and analyze it.

• Par 3s: Who is your most consistent iron player? Try to have them hit the tee shots on a majority of the Par 3s.
• Par 5s: Who is your strongest and straightest driver? Let them handle the tee shots on the long Par 5s where you need a great start.
• Your Nemesis Hole: Does your partner always struggle on Hole 14? If possible, arrange it so you're the one hitting the C on that hole.

Perfecting the "Apologize and Move On" Technique

You are going to hit a bad shot. Your partner is going to hit a bad shot. It's a guarantee. The way you handle it will define your round. Having a short memory is essential. If you hit a stinker, offer one sincere "Sorry about that," and then start thinking positively about the next shot - both for your own sanity and for your partner's. Never sulk or show frustration after their bad shot. It serves no purpose and only adds pressure. Just offer a word of encouragement and focus on the solution.

Playing for Your Partner's Strengths

This is the highest level of Scotch strategy. Instead of just playing your own game, you are constantly thinking about your partner's game. For example, you have 150 yards to the green. Your 7-iron gets you there, but you’d have to swing hard. Your 6-iron is an easy, smooth swing. You know your partner hates lag putting from over 40 feet. The smart play is to hit that smooth 6-iron, even if it goes slightly long, to ensure you don't leave them a brutal, long putt on a difficult green. Consciously setting them up with a shot you know they are comfortable with is the secret to a great partnership.

Final Thoughts

Scotch in all its forms - from the classic, demanding Foursomes to the more relaxed Greensomes and Chapman - is a must-try format for any golfer. It asks you to think about the game from a team perspective, rewarding smart decisions and communication over brute force, and it will undoubtedly teach you a new level of course management.

That cooperative, strategic thinking is exactly what we aimed to build into our tools for golfers. Playing a good Scotch match requires you to think like a professional caddie for your partner, and sometimes having a third "mind" a team helps turn a tough decision into a simple one. With Caddie AI, you can get instant strategic advice on how to play any hole or an expert recommendation for a tricky lie, helping both of you make the smartest choice on every shot so you can focus on execution and enjoy the game together.