When thinking about golf, we imagine ourselves on the golf course trying to achieve the lowest score possible. This may be during a round with friends, a round alone or in a competition at a local golf club.
However, there is more than one way to play golf and today we have some examples of the most popular golf games available.
The one you are probably most familiar with, which is like the example above, is called Stroke Play. This is the most common form of golf at professional competition level and requires each player to add the total number of shots taken on each hole. The player with the lowest score (minus handicap if required) wins the game.
Probably the second most common form of golf game is Match Play. Each player or team of players compete on each hole and the player/team with the lowest score on that hole wins a point. If the players record the same score, the hole is halved. The actual number of shots taken from that hole is then forgotten and the play moves to the next hole. Each hole is a separate contest and the winner is the player/team who wins the highest number of holes.
A Foursome involves two players in a partnership playing against another team of two players. Only one ball is in use for each team and the players take it in turns to play shots. Players tee off on alternate holes, so each player will tee off nine times on 18 holes of golf. It does not matter who played the final putt, you must always alternate the player who tees off.
Foursomes can be played using both the Stroke Play and Match Play rules as highlighted above but add the additional pressure of knowing whatever shot you hit, your partner will be playing next. It can be great fun with friends.
Fourball is the same as Foursomes but each player has their own golf ball, making 4 balls in total. Each player will play their ball to the end of the hole and the one which has the lowest score will put their score forward to be counted on that hole. Again, this can be played using Stroke Play or Match Play rules and gives each player the opportunity to register a score for their team.
Stableford is a Stroke Play game where points are awarded depending on the score achieved on each hole in relation to a fixed score. So, if a player scores anything above one over the fixed score for the hole, 0 points will be scored and for one over the fixed score 1 point will be scored. Even score results in 2 points, one under the fixed score 3 points, two under 4 points, three under 5 points and four under 6 points.
The winner is the player with the highest number of points at the end of the round or competition.
There are also other games which can be played on the golf course but these are the most popular. If you are looking for a change from your usual Stroke Play, why not give one of them a try?
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