A Guide to Golf Tournaments and Formats

9 July 2025

Ever stood on the edge of a lush green course, heard the roar of the crowd, and thought, “How do golf tournaments actually work?” You're not alone. Golf can seem like a pretty straightforward sport—hit the ball, get it in the hole, lowest score wins, right? Well, yes and no. There's a whole world of formats and tournament styles out there, each with its own quirks and strategies.

Whether you're a curious beginner or a weekend golfer wanting to understand the game better, this guide will walk you through the basics (and some of the not-so-basics) of golf tournaments and formats. Let’s tee off and dive in.

⛳️ What Is a Golf Tournament Anyway?

Let’s start simple. A golf tournament is a competitive event where individuals or teams compete over a set number of holes—usually 18 or 72. These events can last one day or span multiple days, often with cuts, playoffs, or special rules depending on the format.

Tournaments range from local charity events at your neighborhood course to the globally televised majors like The Masters or The Open Championship. And the cool part? The format of the tournament can completely change how it's played.

🏆 Types of Golf Tournaments

Alright, let’s break down the main types of golf tournaments. Get comfy—this is where the fun begins.

1. Stroke Play (Medal Play)

Ah, the classic. Stroke play is the most common format across pro tours.

How it works: Each player completes all holes, and the player with the fewest total strokes wins. Simple, right?

Used In: Most professional tournaments—like The Masters, U.S. Open, and PGA Championship.

Pro Tip: Consistency matters more than taking risky shots. One bad hole can tank your entire game.

2. Match Play

This one’s a head-to-head battle.

How it works: Instead of counting total strokes, you win holes. Beat your opponent on a hole? You’re 1-up. Lose one? You’re 1-down. Whoever wins the most holes wins the match.

Used In: Ryder Cup, WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play.

Pro Tip: Strategy shifts big time. You can be aggressive without worrying about overall score.

3. Stableford

This format flips the script—in a good way.

How it works: Players earn points based on how well they do per hole. For example:
- Double Bogey (or worse): 0 pts
- Bogey: 1 pt
- Par: 2 pts
- Birdie: 3 pts
- Eagle: 4 pts
- Albatross: 5+ pts

The higher your score, the better.

Used In: The Barracuda Championship (PGA Tour), some club events.

Pro Tip: Encourages aggressive play because a bad hole doesn't kill your round.

4. Scramble

Teamwork makes the dream work.

How it works: Everyone on the team (usually 2-4 people) tees off. You pick the best shot, and all play from there. Rinse and repeat until the ball is in the hole.

Used In: Charity events, corporate golf days.

Pro Tip: Great for beginners. You get to play without the pressure of every shot counting.

5. Best Ball (Four-Ball)

Kind of like Scramble’s competitive cousin.

How it works: Each player plays their own ball. On each hole, the best score among your team counts.

Used In: Ryder Cup (Four-Ball format), club tournaments.

Pro Tip: Great if one player is having a rough day—your partner might pull you through.

6. Foursomes (Alternate Shot)

Warning: This can test friendships.

How it works: You and a partner take turns hitting the same ball. That’s right—alternate shots all the way through.

Used In: Ryder Cup (Foursomes format), Presidents Cup.

Pro Tip: Communication and rhythm are key. Blaming your partner? Not cool.

📆 Common Tournament Structures

Now that you know the formats, let’s talk structure—how tournaments operate over several rounds.

Single Round Events

Usually local or charity tournaments. One round, 18 holes, most often stroke play or scramble.

Multi-Round Tournaments

Professional tours typically run over 4 rounds (Thursday to Sunday). After two rounds (36 holes), there’s usually a “cut”—only the top half of the field advances.

Did You Know? The PGA Tour usually cuts players who are more than 10 strokes behind the leader or outside the top 70 and ties.

Shotgun Start

Everyone starts at a different hole at the same time. Perfect for tournaments with lots of players looking to finish in roughly the same time frame.

Tee Time Start

Traditional style. Players tee off in groups at scheduled times, usually starting on Hole 1 (or sometimes Hole 10 too).

🕹️ Popular Golf Tournament Formats for Amateurs

So, you’re planning a golf event? Maybe a charity tournament or a corporate outing? Here are a few crowd favorites:

1. Texas Scramble

More structured than a basic scramble. Often includes rules like minimum number of drives per player, which keeps the game fair and fun.

2. Bingo Bango Bongo

Yes, that’s a real name.

How it works:
- First on the green: 1 point (Bingo)
- Closest to the pin after all are on the green: 1 point (Bango)
- First to hole out: 1 point (Bongo)

Great for casual outings and mixed skill levels.

3. Flags Tournament

Everyone gets a flag and a set number of strokes. Once you’ve used up your strokes, plant your flag where your ball landed. Farthest along usually wins.

🧠 Strategy and Mindset by Format

Each format demands a different approach. So, how should you think during each of them?

Stroke Play Strategy

- Play the long game.
- Avoid blow-up holes.
- Sometimes laying up is smarter than going for the green.

Match Play Strategy

- Stay aggressive—you only lose one hole at a time.
- Pay attention to your opponent's position. Match play is as much mental as it is physical.

Scramble Strategy

- Put your best driver last.
- Line up putts together—it helps seeing multiple reads.
- Play to each person’s strengths.

Best Ball Strategy

- One player should play safe, the other aggressive.
- Keep morale up—bad holes aren't the end of the world.

🏌️‍♂️ How Are Handicaps Used in Tournaments?

Big question, especially in amateur play.

A golf handicap levels the playing field. It represents a player’s potential ability based on past performances. Tournaments often use handicaps to ensure fairness. Depending on the format, your net score (gross score minus handicap) determines your position.

Example: You shoot an 85 with a handicap of 10. Your net score is 75.

Most tournaments adjust team handicaps in team formats too—for example, in Best Ball, only a percentage of each player’s handicap is used in scoring.

🥇 Iconic Golf Tournaments Around the World

If you’re going to talk golf tournaments, you’ve got to mention the big names.

The Majors (Men’s)

- The Masters – Augusta National, Georgia. Tradition, green jackets, pimento cheese sandwiches.
- The U.S. Open – Tough layouts, brutal rough.
- The Open Championship – Also called “The British Open.” Links golf at its finest.
- The PGA Championship – The final major of the golf year, known for its strong player field.

The Majors (Women’s)

- The Chevron Championship (formerly ANA Inspiration)
- U.S. Women’s Open
- Women’s PGA Championship
- The Evian Championship
- AIG Women’s Open

These tournaments showcase the best talent in golf and are must-watch events for fans around the world.

🖥️ Golf Tournaments and the Role of Technology

Modern tournaments are tech-savvy. From GPS trackers on golf balls to livestreamed drone footage, technology is changing how we play and watch golf.

Here's how tech plays a role:
- Real-time leaderboard updates via mobile apps.
- Shot-tracking and swing analysis tools for pros and amateurs.
- Virtual golf simulators help prep for courses like Augusta or St Andrews—without leaving home.

Even fantasy golf leagues and online betting have tapped into tournament formats.

⏳ Final Thoughts: Picking the Right Format

So, which format is right for you? Depends on your goals.

- Just for fun? Go with a scramble or bingo bango bongo.
- Testing your skills? Stroke play is your gauge.
- Want to spice things up? Match play brings out the competitor in everyone.
- Team bonding? Alternate shot (if you dare) or best ball is a win.

Golf tournaments aren’t just about birdies and bogeys—they’re about camaraderie, challenge, and that one unforgettable shot that keeps you coming back.

So next time someone says, “Hey, wanna join this weekend tournament?”—you’ll know exactly what kind of game you’re getting into. And maybe you’ll even win that trophy.