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Tournament Formats
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Selecting the correct tournament format will
ensure an enjoyable day on the course for everyone. There are
many types of tournament formats from highly competitive 2 person
best balls to fun and relaxing 4 person scrambles. Formats can generally
be categorized into two types, scratch and handicapped.
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Scratch Formats
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Scratch events are the easiest formats to
administer because they do not require handicaps. Typically only 50%
of participants will have an updated handicap. By using a scratch event
format, everyone can participate. Here are a few popular formats not
requiring handicaps.
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Scramble Events
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The Scramble: Scrambles are very popular
because of their ease to administer and score. It can be played as
2 or 4 person teams. Every player tees off. The best drive/shot is then
selected. Everyone then plays one club length from that spot. Continue
until the ball is holed. The team records this score. There are some
scramble variations to add additional challenges.
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Selected Drive Scramble: Four person
team must use at least 3 or 4 tee shots from each player. Two person
teams must 6 tee shots. (9 tee shots each is very challenging) Strategy
becomes important during the round.
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Drop Scramble: Every player tees off.
The best drive/shot is then selected. The person who hit the selected shot
does NOT play the next shot. This continues until the ball is holed. This
tends to equalize teams with extremely good players.
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Team Best Ball: Each player plays their
own ball. The best gross score is recorded for the team. A very challenging
format. Recommended for fields with predominately better golfers.
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Handicapped Formats
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Handicaps are required by the entire
field. Handicaps allow you to equalize the playing field, but
requires more administrative efforts. Each participant must produce a
handicap card which then gets adjusted for the course's slope and
rating. Participants without handicaps can be required to play scratch
(no handicap) or in more relaxed handicap competitions, their average
score for 18 holes, can be used. The administration's task is to
equalize the field as best as possible for the competition. Use 80%
handicaps to further equalize the field.
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Best Ball or Four-Ball Events
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Two-Person Best Ball: Each person gets
handicapped individually and plays their own ball for the entire round.
The best score "gross" and "net" gets recorded for the team. This
format allows prizes to be given to Team Best Ball Net, Team Best Ball
Gross, Individual Gross and Individual Net.
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Two-Person Aggregate: Each person gets
handicapped individually and plays their own ball for the entire round.
The best score "gross" and "net" gets recorded for the team. The
"gross" and "net" scores are then added together and submitted as the
overall team score. This format allows prizes to be given to Team Aggregate,
Individual Gross and Individual Net.
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Two-Person Alternate Shot - Selected Drive:
Recommended for mid handicap players (20 or under) Each person gets
handicapped individually. Handicaps get added together and take
40% of this handicap. This is the team handicap. During competition,
each player tees off. A drive is selected. The team partner then hits
the next shot. Shots are alternated between partners until the ball is
holed. For a challenging variation, require each member to use at least
6 tee shots from each player.
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Four-Person Best Ball: Each person gets
handicapped individually and plays their own ball for the entire round.
The best 2 scores "gross" and 2 scores "net" get
recorded for the team. This format allows prizes to be given to
Team Best Ball Net, Team Best Ball Gross, Individual Gross and Individual Net.
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ABCD Best Ball The playing field get evenly
divided into A, B, C, D, players (A's being the best). Each team received an
A, B, C, and D player. Each person gets handicapped individually and plays their
own ball for the entire round. The A and B players record their best
score "gross" for each hole and the C and D players record their best score
"net" for each hole for the team. The team "gross" and "net" scores are
then added together for the team's overall score. This format allows
prizes to be given to Overall Team Score, Team Best Ball Gross, Team
Best Ball Net, Individual Gross and Individual Net.
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Golf Marathons
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It's quantity, not quality! A golf marathon
is a unique format that can challenge every golfer at any level. Players
get donors to sponsor them for holes played, usually $1 per hole.
Securing a course for an entire day is the challenge. Golf marathon
vendors and services are available in the Resource Center. For best
results, each player get the use of a cart for the entire day (usually
2 are needed). Ready golf is required, hit when ready (and when safe).
Putts 2 feet or less are good. Play two balls on all par 3's. (counts
as two holes) Pace required is 9 holes per hour to reach 100 holes played.
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